Stillwater, Minnesota, is often recognized by national publications on lists of charming small downtowns, small river towns worth visiting, and best weekend getaways, for good reason. 

Spend just one minute in Stillwater’s historic downtown, and you’ll immediately understand why. 

The popular Minnesota town of Stillwater is located on the west bank of the St. Croix River, which separates Minnesota from Wisconsin. 

If you love visiting local shops, antiquing, are a foodie, love history, and enjoy nature and outdoor activities, then a visit to Stillwater is for you.

Bookmark this list of top things to do in Stillwater to make the most of your visit. 

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Explore The Shops of Historic Downtown Stillwater

Stillwater’s downtown is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Over 100 locally owned shops and restaurants are housed in historic buildings with modern amenities. You’ll find home decor, art galleries, antique shops, book shops, restaurants, bars, and more. 

Start walking and pop into any storefront that catches your eye. 

Our favorite stops were Pinch ‘n Rub Spice & Tea for bulk tea and spices and the Stillwater Art Guild Gallery, which features artwork, jewelry, pottery, and more from local artisans. Käthe Wohlfahrt of America offers traditional German Christmas decorations, and we particularly loved the cuckoo clocks.  

Explore Historic Downtown

Stillwater Lift Bridge

The iconic Stillwater bridge connects Minnesota to Wisconsin. Since the construction of the St. Croix Crossing Bridge, the historic Lift Bridge remains open to pedestrians and bicyclists.

Walk or bike across the bridge: the bridge lifts, hence the name, every 30 minutes for boat traffic. 

There are plenty of grassy areas to enjoy a picnic and people-watch. 

Look For Art Around Every Corner

Stillwater has a creative energy. When exploring downtown Stillwater, you can’t help but notice the public art, including murals, sculptures, and more!

River City Sculpture Tour

There are dozens of sculptures scattered throughout town. Grab a brochure to find them all.

Snap Pics in Union Art Alley

Don’t miss Union Art Alley – it’s tucked away on Chestnut Street, just one block off Main Street.

Union Art Alley is filled with vibrant murals and rotating art exhibits. 

Several businesses have alley patios on this block. 

Take a Self-Guided Historic Walking Tour

White and Norway Pines turned Stillwater into one of the largest lumber markets in the world. 

Take a self-guided historic walking tour to learn why Stillwater is considered the birthplace of Minnesota and how Stillwater was a booming town in the 1840’s.

Here are three historic walking tours to help you learn more about Stillwater’s history.

Cruise the St. Croix River

A great way to see Stillwater is by water! Book a scenic cruise with Stillwater River Boats to learn about the area from the water while you take a relaxing ride.

They offer lunch and dinner cruises on six different paddlewheel riverboats. On weekends, they have musical entertainment on board.

We did not have a chance to cruise during our trip, but we would love to take a fall cruise!

Ride the Stillwater Trolley

The Stillwater Trolley is a fantastic way to experience the city’s history and see its sights in the comfort of a modern, open-air trolley. 

The 45-minute tour intertwines historical accounts of lumber barons, Victorian architecture, and historic neighborhoods.

The tour also stops at an overlook for a nice view of downtown Stillwater. 

You can also get to the overlook by climbing the Main Street Stairs, 157 stairs. 

Go Birding with Next Bend Birding Tours

Birding was one of our favorite experiences during our stay in Stillwater. Kyle owns Next Bend Birding Tours and hosts customized birding tours throughout the nation.

Explore natural areas near Stillwater and learn about birds and conservation. This is perfect for beginners and seasoned birders as Kyle meets you where you are in your birding journey.

We love how Kyle customized our tour to highlight birds and the ecology of the St. Croix River Valley. 

Stillwater Public Library Art Gallery and Terrace

Although a public library may not be the most obvious place to visit, we recommend the Stillwater Public Library. 

The Stillwater Public Library is one of 800 remaining Carnegie Libraries. It features rotating art exhibits by contemporary area artists.

Bonus: Next to the Gallery, step onto the Terrace for amazing views of the St. Croix River, the Lift Bridge, and St. Croix Crossing Bridge.  

Don’t miss the ornate iron shelving from 1903 and the beautiful stained glass. 

Visit the Washington County Historic Courthouse

You’ll want pictures of the oldest standing courthouse in Minnesota, the Washington County Historic Courthouse.

Take a free self-guided tour Monday through Friday or a guided tour on Saturdays. 

The Washington County Historic Courthouse is just a half mile from historic downtown Stillwater. 

Stillwater Veterans Memorial 

You can’t miss the stunning Stillwater Veterans Memorial directly north of the Washington County Historic Courthouse.

It’s a beautiful place that honors the brave local veterans,

Consider a stop to pay tribute to the local war heroes.

Dine and Drink Your Way Through Stillwater

The only thing that could make your visit to Stillwater better is a great food and craft drink scene. 

Stillwater has many great, local restaurants. Over 20 outdoor dining patios offer stunning views of the St. Croix River Valley and the quaint, historic downtown area. 

We were quite pleased with all the vegan options this small town has to offer! 

Read our Stillwater vegan guide. 

If you enjoy craft beverages, here are a few highlights to add to your list when you visit Stillwater:

Lift Bridge Brewery: A Stillwater staple for craft beer lovers.

River Siren Brewing Co.: This downtown taproom has a laid-back vibe with fantastic St. Croix River patio views. 

Rustic Roots Winery: head up 95 to Scandia for a stunning winery visit. It’s 20 miles north, and the scenic drive alone is worth it. Speaking of scenery, the property at Rustic Roots Winery is stunning! Grab a flight of wine and sit on the patio to take it all in.  

Pro Tip- bring your snacks or stop by River Market Co-Op for picnic fare before heading to the breweries!

Make it a Weekend!

Whether you’re visiting for the food, history, nature, or river vibes, Stillwater, MN, offers plenty to explore! It’s perfect for a day trip, but even better if you can take the time to spend the night. 

Staying overnight allows you to slow down, savor local wine, enjoy a delicious meal, browse local shops, and connect with your travel buddy.  

We stayed at and recommend the historic Lowell Inn. The location is perfect, and there is a nice public parking ramp within walking distance to everything downtown.

Where to Park in Downtown Stillwater

If you can’t find parking along Main Street or Highway 95, you can find public parking between Main Street and the St. Croix River. There are also several parking ramps in the area.

Downtown parking is affordable ($1 per hour) and free on many streets. There are also several parking ramps.

The Lowell Inn also has a public parking ramp.

What’s your favorite thing to do in Stillwater?

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