Simply Stillwater

Nestled in the wooded hills and bluffs of the beautiful St. Croix River, Stillwater is a treaure time forgot. Thousands visit each year to tour the historic downtown district where Minnesota was born, famous outlaws were imprisoned, and fortunes were made in lumber and milling. Today, Stillwater is a mecca for antique shoppers. In addition to delightful shops, quality antique dealers and fine restaurants, Stillwater is known as North America's First Booktown. There are over 450,000 books for sale in downtown Stillwater! Every season brings its unique festivals. In the Spring, the town comes alive with the Rivertown Art Fair. In the Summer, Music on the Waterfront and Lumberjack Days are two highlights sure to delight the senses. In Autumn, spend a weekend at the Fine Art and Jazz Festival. During the Winter, the holiday season is celebrated Victorian-style with home tours, teas, and shopping.

Quick Tips:

If you need more info or have any questions, please contact me. I would be more than willing to help!

Best Way To Get Around:

In general, a car would be best to get around but once downtown, park and walk.

Stillwater is home to many bed and breakfast inns, ranging from Victorian gems furnished with period antiques to modern homes with wonderful river views. Many of the inns have been taken over by new owners in the past year (2003) or so. However, I still hear favorable comments on The Lady Goodwood (they host murder mystery parties, too, for both overnight and dinner-only guests), Aurora Staples Inn, The Rivertown Inn, The Ann Bean Mansion, and the William Sauntry Mansion. Visit this website for more information.

Less than a scenic 30-minute drive from Stillwater is the village of North Hudson, Wisconsin. North Hudson is a village founded by Italians. Descendants of those original Italians still make the food you'll find at Mama Maria's Restaurant.

Mama Maria's recently moved to this location after occupying a place in a strip mall for years. Unfortunately, the other place was smaller and cozier. Also, as with most restaurants when they become popular, the food quality has gone down slightly and the prices have increased a bit. They do not accept reservations but you can call ahead and be put on their waiting list (I would HIGHLY recommend you do so, especially on weekends).

This is a family-owned and operated establishment and has been for years. It is a typical bar, small and smoky at times. I recently ate here after living out of state for a few years. I was VERY disappointed! Things have changed. The prices have gone up and the food quality has gone down. Unfortunately, I would no longer recommend this as a place to go for even a burger and a beer. It is too bad, really.

Brine's was founded by Lamont (Bud) Brine in 1958, and is still family owned and operated.

This is a great place to meet up with friends. The food is nothing fancy, yet delicious and filling. I also think it's a fine place to take the family. They offer a children's menu and a little chaos will fit right in.

I often eat here for lunch. I usually order a lunch special that includes a sandwich (usually a capicolla & mozzarella or BBQ beef, with their homemade BBQ sauce) and a trip to their salad bar for less than $10. Of course, if I am feeling particularly naughty, I will indulge in one of their famous malts, black raspberry. Yum!!!

Brine's is also a meat market and they are famous for Bud's Chili and their brats.

On Sundays, they offer an Early Bird Brunch. It is served from 8am-12pm and costs $8.95/adults or $3.95/children under 10. The brunch features Brine's double smoked bacon, ham, pork links, country fries, eggs Benedict, scrambled eggs, Belgian waffles with fruit toppings, bagels and cream cheese, fresh fruit, assorted pastries, and salad bar. Are you hungry, yet?! :)

This restaurant is expensive but those who have been wined and dined there say it is well worth the money. I believe it was also given a stellar review by Gourmet magazine. They celebrate a different food every year. I definately think you'd get bonus points if you took your date here! Visit their website for a menu and price list. It is www.bayportcookery.com

Over 250 dealers display their antiques in downtown Stillwater shops, and they welcome collectors, treasure seekers and browsers alike.

Housed in historis Isaac Staples sawmill, Mill Antiques hosts over 80 dealers who fill the 20,000-square-foot-space with period jewelry, furniture, reproduction hardware, premiere collectibles, vintage clothing and fine glassware. The sawmill is one of the most historic and interesting structures in town, recognizable by its 80-foot smokestack.

Midtown Antiques houses 22,000-square-feet of quality antiques and collectibles. Known for its large stock of furniture, advertising collectibles and jewelry. Midtown Antiques offers treasures from 75 different dealers.

Other antique stores include More Antiques, Mulberry Point Antiques, Stillwater Antiques, River City Antiques, Country Charm Antiques and American Gothic Antiques.

The park was developed in the early 1900s with Elmore Lowell as a benefactor. The Gazebo is the original structure built in 1916. The Park has recently undergone major construction, including the Riverwalk along the levee. (Part of the reason for this construction was the flood of 1996.) Directly south of the park, you will see the historic Stillwater Lift Bridge. In 1999, this was on the "11 Most Endangered" list. This grand old Waddel and Harrington style structure opened in 1931 and is one of only two remaining vertical lift bridges in Minnesota.

This is the oldest standing courthouse in the state. It includes the old jail and sheriff's residence. On the grounds you'll find a Civil War monument and plaque. Guided tours are available by appointment; casual visitors are welcome Monday - Friday, 9-3.

The Minnesota Zephyr is an elegant dining train, offering a chance to experience a journey back in time to the era of the late 1940s.

The Minnesota Zephyr has five dining cars carefully restored to their original splendor. Each car is different in design and color.

This exciting adventure and romantic 3 1/4 hour journey boards in Stillwater and travels along the river, streams, and woodland bluffs of the beautiful St. Croix River Valley.

Included with the fare is an elegant five-course white linen dinner. While dining, the Zephyr Cabaret entertains you with hits of the 40's and 50's.

William O'Brien State Park
(651) 433-0500
Afton State Park
(651) 436-5391
Wild River State Park
(651) 583-2125
Gateway State Trail
(651) 772-7935
St. Croix Bluffs Regional Park
(651) 438-4460
Lake Elmo Park Reserve
(651) 430-8368

Some GREAT places to cross-country ski and snowshoe! Call to find out prices and current conditions. My personal favorite is Lake Elmo.

Ever dreamed of floating up, up, and away? You can make that dream come true in Stillwater. There are more hot air balloon flights arranged here than almost anywhere in the country.

Flights are especially romantic at sunrise and sunset (I've seen more than one proposal popped this way!). Also, a popular time to go aloft is during autumn when the leaves are changing colors.

Another nice perk? Aamodt's Apple Farm also has an onsite vineyard. Feel free to sample a glass of wine from the St. Croix River Valley!

The St. Croix National Scenic Riverway stretches over 150 miles as the boundary between Minnesota and Wisconsin and is the only river in the world that is protected along its entire lenghth.

The St. Croix River is one of the finest smallmouth bass fisheries in the world.

Of course, let's not forget about ice fishing!

This is one of Stillwater's newest attractions. The indoor climbing wall is built into the town's historic grain elevator.

Basic instruction for all ages begins at $30. A day pass is $5.

Cheap, clean fun!!! Xanadu is open for miniature golf from May through September. You may also play video arcade games while you're there or buy a bucket of balloons for $2 and have a water war.

45-minute narrated trolley tours run hourly from May through October. Limited schedule in April and November. The trolley cars are heated and enclosed for year-round use.

See the many beautifully restored homes, historic buildings and steepled churches. Hear the history and re-live the folklore of this feisty old lumberjack community.

This tour is a great way to begin your stay in Stillwater. It will give you an overview of the town and help you plan your weekend away. (Bob is the owner. If you meet him, make sure to tell him that Monica, the flight attendant, sent you! Thanks:)

While Stillwater retains its reputation as an antiques destination, that designation has expanded to include other specialties.

The Chef's Gallery cooking school (also a cookware and tableware store) offers year-round classes with local and regional chefs.

The Maple Island Building is home to a variety of shops, including a hardware store, Northern Vineyards Winery, Valley Booksellers, and the River Market Co-op. However, back in 1938, this building was the site where Dairy Queen's ice cream products were developed. The patent was later sold to the Kohler Company in St. Paul.

Visit the Antique Radio Company where they repair and sell restored radios.

On Second Street you'll find the secret garden of wedding specialist Cindi Sinclair at Camrose Hill and River Rats clothing. Cindi offers garden-related classes at her farm as well as designing and floral work. She is often featured in home and wedding publications.

Stroll downtown, there is sure to be a shop to please! Visit www.stillwatertraveler.com for more information and to find out which new shops have taken up residence.

This event is hosted by the River Valley Arts Council, in conjuction with the Stillwater Chamber of Commerce and the Taste of Stillwater. It usually occurs during the third weekend in June. It is a free, community-wide event that celebrates the wealth and diversity of visual and performing arts talent that exist in the Stillwater community. This event draws a crowd. Plan accordingly by wearing a good pair of walking shoes!

Loome's is the largest of Stillwater's general secondhand bookshops.

Their staff is friendly, helpful, and knowledgable. They have over 150,000 books in stock. They purchase books anywhere in North America or Europe. They also carry a large selection of matted and framed maps, prints, and manuscript leaves.

Their affiliated store, Loome Theological Booksellers (320 N Fourth St.), is the largest North American specialist in theology, philosophy, and religious history, with a stock of over 250,000 volumes!

www.loomebooks.com

Love to antique-shop but hate the high prices? Why not try an auction? We followed the signs to an auction by Shorty Ehman. It was a household sale with a decent amount of antiques. The prices seemed very competitive. Shorty made it very easy for "newbies" and everyone there seemed very friendly and helpful.

Also, lots of garage sales in the area on Saturday!

Check the local papers (Stillwater Gazette, Hudson Star-Observer, Tri-County Advertiser) for listings.

There are two fantastic places to go to hike, swim, picnic, etc. The first is Lake Elmo Park Reserve. It is about 30 minutes from Stillwater.

Camping in tents and RVs is permitted and the camping facilities are top-notch. I'm not sure about the fee. Admission to the park is $5, I believe. You can also buy passes for longer amounts of time. We always bought a yearly pass.

During the summer, activities abound. There are volleyball courts, hiking trails and paved bike (inline skate - hilly) paths. The playground equipment is new and divided equally between the tots and the older children. The highlight, though, is the swimming area. It is unique!

It is a man-made lake, well, sort of. It is difficult to explain. The water is chemically-treated much like a swimming pool and drained at the end of the season. It is more like a lake in regards to the size, shape, and texture (sand). Concession stands, bathroom (changing) rooms, and showers are available. Lifeguards are on duty.

This is a FAVORITE place of mine! I spent many summers here with my babysitting charges. We would pack a picnic lunch and enjoy the sunshine! People are VERY friendly, too.

The second park is Interstate Park. It straddles the St. Croix River, which in turn divides the states of Minnesota and Wisconsin. On the Minnesota side is the town of Taylors Falls. On the Wisconsin side is the town of St. Croix Falls.

I often go here alone to meditate and enjoy some peace and quiet. I pack a picnic lunch and climb to some out-of-the-way boulder and bask in the sun.

Hiking is a favorite activity here and so was cliffdiving up until a few years ago when it was banned. The river itself is home to paddlewheels, canoes, kayaks, and small fishing boats. Camping is allowed with a permit.

Near this park, is Fawn-doe-rosa (sp?) It is a great place to take the little ones. It is a petting zoo. The animals are in their natural habits, some are in cages. I am not fond of zoos due to the whole animal cruelty issue but this zoo is different. The animals housed are abandoned pets, injured animals or animals that for one reason or another cannot survive in the wild. Those injured, once healed, are released back into the wild.