Stillwater (Minnesota)

Stillwater is one the oldest towns in Minnesota, being settled not long after the US government signed treaties with the local Ojibwa and Dakota nations in 1837. The town was the site of a territorial convention in 1848 that led to the establishment of Minnesota Territory as an organized territory in 1849, paving the way to statehood a decade later. Stillwater incorporated as a city on March 4, 1854, the same day Saint Paul incorporated. Today Stillwater is a popular day trip and weekend getaway destination for Twin Cities residents, who come to stroll the historic downtown with its shops and restaurants, and stay at one of the local bed and breakfasts.
The city is mentioned in the Swedish novel Nybyggarna ("The Settlers") by Vilhelm Moberg.

By car

From Minneapolis or Saint Paul, go east on Minnesota Highway 36, which passes Stillwater on the south side. Exit at Highway 95 and go north to reach Downtown Stillwater. If approaching Stillwater from the north or south, you can take Minnesota Highway 95 into town, which follows a scenic route along the St. Croix River. From Wisconsin, take Highway 64, which runs right into the St. Croix Crossing and becomes Highway 36.

By bus

Public transit access to Stillwater is unfortunately pretty lacking. The sole option is Metro Transit's Route 294, an express bus service linking Stillwater to Downtown Saint Paul, which only runs during weekday rush hours.

• Stillwater Lift Bridge

  address: at the foot of Chestnut St
  Built in 1931, this is one of only two vertical lift bridges in Minnesota (the other one is the Aerial Lift Bridge in Duluth). The bridge connects Stillwater and Houlton, Wisconsin, but has been closed to traffic since the St. Croix Crossing opened in Summer 2017. The bridge will reopen to pedestrian and bicycle traffic in Fall 2019.

• Stillwater Public Library

  phone: +1 651 275-4338
  address: 224 N 3rd St
  One of the Carnegie public libraries, the building was expanded in 2007. There is free wifi available throughout the library and a patio providing picturesque vistas of the St. Croix River.

• Washington County Courthouse

  phone: +1 651 275-7075
  address: 101 Pine St W
  The oldest standing courthouse in Minnesota, dating from 1867. The building ceased to function as a courthouse in 1975 after the opening of the Washington County Government Center on the south side of town. The courthouse now contains exhibits on Washington County history and also operates as a venue for cultural events.

• St. Croix RiverLounge on the beach where there is always tons to see.

• Stillwater River Boats

  address: 525 Main St S
  Paddle steamer tours with dinner.

• Black Letter Books

  phone: +1 651 430-9805
  address: 102 Main St S
  Used, rare, and out-of-print books.

• Marx Wine Bar & Grill

  phone: +1 651 439-8333
  address: 241 S Main St

• Domacin Wine Bar

  address: 102 S 2nd St

• Freight House

  address: 305 S Water St

• Nelson's Ice Cream

  phone: +1 651 430-1103
  address: 920 W Olive St
  An ice cream shop that has been in business since 1964, although it can trace its history to a grocery store that opened at the same site in 1923. Over 40 ice cream flavors available.

• Cesares Wine Bar

  phone: +1 651-439-1352
  address: 102 S. 2nd Street
  A really nice wine bar where you can taste more than 350 wines from all around the world. If you don't know much about wines, then you can attend their wine tasting classes as well.

• The Elephant Walk Bed and Breakfast

  phone: +1 651 430-0359
  address: 801 W Pine St
  Each room has a different country's theme. Guests are offered a bottle of wine with a picnic basket of homemade crackers served with a variety of cheese and fruit. Fireplaces, whirlpools, in-room refrigerators filled with complementary waters and soft drinks. Sound systems with iPod audio in, blue tooth input and wifi access.

• Aurora Staples Inn

  phone: +1 651 351-1187
  address: 303 N 4th St
  All rooms have double whirlpool tubs, complementary robes, fireplaces, and private baths.

• Water Street Inn

  phone: +1 651 439-6000
  address: 101 S Water St
  Spacious 41-room inn overlooking the St. Croix River with views of the Stillwater Lift Bridge. Rooms feature queen sized beds, double whirlpool baths, gas fireplaces, and balconies. Breakfast, wine dinners, and American cuisine offered at the on-site restaurant and Irish pub.

• St. Paul (25 min by car)
• Minneapolis (45 min by car)
• Duluth (2-3 hrs by car)