Stillwater, MN Travel Guide
Stillwater, MN is the birthplace of Minnesota and one of the cutest cities in the Twin Cities Metro! It’s located right along the St Croix River and has a Main Street filled with what small towns are made of, boutique shops, amazing restaurants, antique stores, and more! Here’s a guide to exploring Stillwater!
Where to Stay
Stillwater’s a decently small town but I would suggest staying closer to Downtown for your first time!
Hotels
There are plenty of reasonably priced vacation rentals you can book but if you’re willing to spend a little more, I highly recommend Hotel Crosby! It’s such a cute hotel with a great restaurant/lounge in the lobby and a rooftop jacuzzi that’s open year-round! Find more info here.
Things to Do in Stillwater
#1 – Walk/bike Across the Lift Bridge
Stillwater’s Lift Bridge is one of the staples of the city. It was converted to a bicycle/ pedestrian in 2020. Take a stroll across to Wisconsin or watch it lift for boats to pass through!
#2 – Shop downtown
Stillwater’s Main Street is filled with tons of boutique, souvenir, and antique shops. Some of my favorites are: Smith & Trade Mercantile, Minnesota Made, & Gullywubbles
#3 – Get out on the st croix river
The St. Croix River is one of my favorite bodies of water in the Twin Cities Metro area and Stillwater has tons of options to go out on it! You can rent kayaks, paddleboards, boats, jet skis, take a dinner cruise, rent a gondola for two, and more! Find out all the details here.
#4 – Hike up the Stillwater stairs
If you want a gorgeous view of downtown and the St. Croix River, hike up the Stillwater Stairs. It’s 119 stairs total and I swear it’s not as bad as it looks. You can also drive up to the Scenic Overlook at the Top but if you’re looking to get in a little exercise, the stairs are worth it!
#5 – Interstate State Park
About 33 minutes North of Stillwater is one of my favorite State Parks, Interstate State Park! I suggest doing the Wisconsin side over the Minnesota one! Do a little hiking and then swing by “The Drive In” for a burger and fries at a classic drive-in joint after (open seasonly)!
#6 – willow river State Park
Go across the border to Wisconsin to see some gorgeous waterfalls at Willow River State Park. It’s just an 18 minute drive. There are plenty of Easy to Moderate hiking trails but make sure you pick one that takes you to the main falls!
more things to Do:
Restaurant Recommendations
Matchstick
American food. Located in the lobby of Hotel Crosby, this restaurant never disappoints! It’s got a great ambiance and the food is amazing! Must try the sweet potatoes if you eat here.
Stillwater Proper
American food. Located in the heart of downtown, this is the perfect spot to swing by for a lunch or dinner!
Green Bridge Coffee
Coffee Shop with breakfast and pastry options. Start your day here with some coffee and a quick bite before exploring downtown!
More Restaurants
Bar Recommendations
Velveteen Speakeasy
Velveteen is such a beautiful speakeasy. It’s not to hard to find, you just “follow the rabbit”. You don’t need a password to get in, just need to know where to go!
I love this!!