Do you ever feel like you just want to get away? Maybe take a little break from the routine and have something to look forward to? Does planning a big trip seem too cumbersome and time consuming, not to mention expensive and not in the budget these days?
If you answered yes to any of those questions, then I have the perfect destination for you to visit, and it’s only 30 minutes outside the Twin Cities.
For those who don’t know, Stillwater is a quaint little town settled along the beautiful St. Croix River and is considered the birthplace of Minnesota. Proximity to the Twin Cities is not the only ideal thing about Stillwater…it’s so diverse in it’s offerings that you can visit with just about anyone and have a good time. It’s perfect for a quick weekend getaway with your husband, a great place to hang with your friends for a girls night out and a wonderful locale to catch up with your mom while strolling the antique stores on Main Street. Or maybe you’re like us and are just looking for a family friendly place you can visit for an afternoon to get away for a couple hours.
We started the day off at one of our most favorite playgrounds ever at Teddy Bear Park. Nestled among a hillside on Nelson Sreet, this park is so cute, I swear I would visit it even if I didn’t have kids. There are fun areas for all ages, clean restrooms, and plenty of benches in shady spots for parents to sit and watch their kids have a fantastic time.
I love how they made part of the playground a replica of the iconic Stillwater Lift Bridge
From the playground, we walked down the steep hill to main street where there are blocks and blocks of cute stores.
If you want to learn more about the history of this town, you can hop on the Stillwater Trolley and take a narrated tour. Or perhaps you would prefer to experience Stillwater from the water and take a Gondola ride along the picturesque St. Croix river. There are also Segway tours, Foodie Foot Tours and it’s also a very bike-friendly town.
There are plenty of places right along Main Street to eat dinner or get a small snack like at Leo’s Grill + Malt Shop
If you need a place to stay, there are many historic Bed & Breakfasts, several of which are within walking distance to Main Street. My husband and I like to stay at Rivertown Inn, a European inspired Inn with just the right amount of privacy, yet opportunity to socialize with other guests.
Wherever you go and whatever you do, I hope you have a fabulous time visiting Stillwater.
