Stillwater Historic Trolley Tour
A narrated, open-air trolley ride of about 45 minutes through the hills above the St. Croix, past the Victorian mansions that lumber barons built in Minnesota’s oldest town.
Minnesota
Stillwater & the St. Croix Valley
Stillwater is a small, steep, brick-built river town on the St. Croix River, about thirty miles east of the Twin Cities, and it calls itself the birthplace of Minnesota.
Lumber barons built their mansions on the hills above the water between 1850 and 1915, and a narrated Victorian-style trolley still climbs those streets. Downtown has a vertical-lift bridge, independent shops, bookstores, antique stores, an old-fashioned soda shop, cocktail bars and a speakeasy, and paddlewheel riverboats leave from the waterfront for two-hour cruises. History fans can tour the 1853 Warden’s House Museum, while autumn visitors come for the colours, the orchard at Aamodt’s and hot air balloons over the valley. North of town, Interstate State Park at Taylors Falls has the Dalles gorge and glacial potholes, Franconia Sculpture Park is free and open daily, Gammelgården in Scandia tells the Swedish immigrant story, and a scenic train runs along the bluffs from Osceola, Wisconsin. This guide picks what to book, explains the seasons, and matches you to a hotel, from a Main Street boutique with a year-round rooftop hot tub to Victorian bed and breakfasts and value hotels.
Don't miss
Stillwater Historic Trolley Tour
A narrated, open-air trolley ride of about 45 minutes through the hills above the St. Croix, past the Victorian mansions that lumber barons built in Minnesota’s oldest town.
Stillwater Lift Bridge
The vertical-lift bridge across the St. Croix River that has become the symbol of Stillwater, best seen from the riverfront and from the decks of the paddlewheel boats.
Stillwater River Boats Paddlewheel Cruise
A two-hour cruise on an authentic paddlewheel riverboat, passing under the historic lift bridge, with brunch, lunch and weekend dinner options and Dixieland jazz on some sailings.
Historic Downtown Stillwater and Main Street
A walkable riverfront downtown of brick storefronts, independent shops, bookstores, antique stores, an old-fashioned soda shop and some of the valley’s best restaurants, with Lowell Park on the water.
Things to do in Stillwater & the St. Croix Valley
Hand-picked: every experience here has strong traveler reviews and a verified booking link.
Rivertown Terror Haunted Trolley Tour
An after-dark October trolley ride in which actors bring Stillwater’s ghost stories and folklore to life, departing from downtown.
Stillwater Lift Bridge
The vertical-lift bridge across the St. Croix River that has become the symbol of Stillwater, best seen from the riverfront and from the decks of the paddlewheel boats.
30 minutes to an hourDetails →
Stillwater River Boats Paddlewheel Cruise
A two-hour cruise on an authentic paddlewheel riverboat, passing under the historic lift bridge, with brunch, lunch and weekend dinner options and Dixieland jazz on some sailings.
Historic Downtown Stillwater and Main Street
A walkable riverfront downtown of brick storefronts, independent shops, bookstores, antique stores, an old-fashioned soda shop and some of the valley’s best restaurants, with Lowell Park on the water.
Half a dayDetails →
Warden’s House Museum
An 1853 stone house that once held the wardens of the territorial and state prison, with guided tours of early prison life and the Younger Brothers of the James-Younger Gang.
Charming Stillwater Private Tour with Transportation
A private, guided tour of Stillwater with transportation included, ideal for groups who want a local guide, flexible stops and no driving or parking worries.
Murder Mystery Detective Experience in Stillwater
A self-paced, interactive detective game around Stillwater’s historic streets, a playful way to explore the downtown with friends or family.
Aamodt’s Hot Air Balloon Rides
Small-basket hot air balloon flights that lift off from the Aamodt’s Apple Farm and Saint Croix Vineyards property, drifting over the St. Croix valley.
Aamodt’s Apple Farm and Saint Croix Vineyards
A family-owned orchard with pick-your-own apples, hayrides, a kiddie train, a goat farm, cider and pies, and a vineyard on the same property.
Interstate State Park at Taylors Falls
Minnesota’s Interstate State Park on the St. Croix River, with the Dalles cliffs, glacial potholes, lava-flow geology, about four miles of trails and canoeing.
Interstate Park Group Rock Climbing
A guided group rock-climbing session in Interstate Park above the St. Croix River, suited to beginners and groups who want an adventure.
Where to stay
Hotels we would book ourselves, from splurges to good-value bases.
Hotel Crosby
Downtown Stillwater
A 55-room boutique hotel on Main Street with a farm-to-table restaurant, a whiskey bar, an on-site spa and a rooftop hot tub that stays open all year.
Check rates →Lora
Downtown Stillwater
A 40-room boutique hotel built into the bluffs on the site of the old Joseph Wolf Brewery, with river views, a restaurant, a coffee and juice bar and a craft cocktail bar.
Check rates →Water Street Inn
Riverfront, Downtown Stillwater
A historic Victorian-style inn with 61 rooms, a rooftop deck and bar, three dining options, pet-friendly rooms and a five-minute walk to the riverboat boarding area.
Check rates →Lowell Inn
Historic Downtown Stillwater
A landmark inn that opened in 1927, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, with 35 rooms and two celebrated dining rooms including a Swiss fondue restaurant.
Check rates →Rivertown Inn
Residential Stillwater
A Victorian bed and breakfast on West Olive Street with literary-themed suites, antiques, a daily breakfast, evening social hour and monthly cooking classes, three blocks from downtown.
Check rates →James Mulvey Carriage House Inn
Stillwater
A restored carriage house in the style of an English country cottage with three themed suites, a shaded outdoor pool, a garden and fireplaces and jetted tubs for couples.
Check rates →Country Inn and Suites by Radisson Stillwater
Stillwater
A Radisson-branded hotel with a Stillwater address, a practical value base for exploring the town and the St. Croix valley by car.
Check rates →AmericInn by Wyndham Stillwater
Stillwater
A Wyndham-branded hotel in Stillwater, a straightforward budget-friendly base for visitors driving the St. Croix valley.
Check rates →Coratel Inn and Suites by Jasper Stillwater
Stillwater
A Jasper-branded inn and suites property in Stillwater, a no-frills base for visitors exploring the town and the river valley.
Check rates →Stillwater & the St. Croix Valley guides
First Time in Stillwater: What to Do, How Long to Stay and Where to Start
A practical primer for a first visit to Stillwater and the St. Croix valley: what to book, how much time you need, how to get around and which sights to prioritise.
A Weekend in Stillwater: A Two-Day Itinerary for the Riverfront and the Valley
A two-day plan for Stillwater and the St. Croix valley, with the trolley, cruise and Main Street on day one and the northern valley or the orchard on day two.
Where to Stay in Stillwater: Boutique Hotels, Historic Inns and Practical Options
A guide to places to stay in Stillwater, from Main Street boutiques and riverfront inns to Victorian bed and breakfasts and value chain hotels.
The Best Time to Visit Stillwater: Seasons, Crowds and What Is Open
A season-by-season guide to Stillwater: when the trolley and river boats run, when the colours peak, what winter is like and how to avoid the crowds.
Eating and Drinking in Stillwater: Restaurants, Bars, Vineyards and Brewery Stops
A guide to eating and drinking in Stillwater, from hotel restaurants and fondue dining rooms to a whiskey bar, a vineyard, a brewery and orchard treats.
Day Trips from Stillwater: Taylors Falls, Franconia, Scandia and the Osceola Train
Plan a day in the St. Croix valley beyond Stillwater, with Interstate State Park, Franconia Sculpture Park, Gammelgården, the Osceola scenic train and the orchard.
