Day in Stillwater
- Lily Yegge - S&S Lifestyle Blogger
- Dec 22, 2021
- 7 min read
Located near the border of Minnesota and Wisconsin, Stillwater is full of rich history and natural beauty. The entire town is beautiful, and downtown is always bustling. No matter your interests or passions, Stillwater truly has something for everyone!
breakfast
Recommended by Justin
This is the ideal small-town cafe! Its menu is full of classics, from omelets to pancakes, this place is great for a brunch date or if you're taking the kids out! It also serves lunch, and you can’t go wrong with their burgers or salads!
Recommended by Claire
If you’re looking for a lighter breakfast, this small cafe has all kinds of baked goods and coffee (the lavender-white chocolate cinnamon roll is heavenly). I'm not much of a coffee-drinker myself, so I ordered the chai latte, and it did not disappoint (I'll be honest- it was one of the best I've ever tried)! Along with both sweet and savory bakery treats, Mon Petit Chéri serves full meals like rosemary biscuits and gravy and lemon ricotta pancakes. This is one of the best girls' trip stops in Stillwater.
shopping
This boutique has all the latest clothing trends. As a franchise, each ALB owner gets to decide which pieces to order, and the Stillwater location has some of the cutest finds! They have good deals, and you can almost always find seasonal staples! The employees are friendly, and they love helping you find the perfect outfit for any occasion.
Anyone interested in natural products will love ModernRoots. They have a boutique-style set up where you can browse all their soap, body butter, makeup, and more. All of their products are organic, and 50% of the ingredients are grown on the ModernRoots farm. Their products are high quality and always fresh! These products make great gifts, too!
Olive oil is definitely not the first thing that comes to mind when I think of Stillwater, Minnesota. However, this local business offers numerous goods, like infused olive oil and balsamic. They also provide samples to those who visit the store! These products make great gifts, but they're also perfect for trying new recipes. If you're searching for a fun date idea, head to Stillwater Olive Oil Co. to pick a unique olive oil flavor. When you get home, cook your meal together, using your new olive oil!
Recommended by Heather
Cooking is one of Heather's favorite things to do, so it makes sense that she loves Cooks of Crocus Hill! They have tons of kitchenware and supplies, fun ingredients like coffee, olive oil, honey, and coffee and tea. They also offer cooking classes, which would make for a super memorable and fun date!
lunch
Nacho Mama's has great guacamole, nachos, and margaritas (the staples), and they're all perfect for sharing with a group! If you've had a long day on the river, stop over at Nacho Mama's for some amazing Mexican food.
This restaurant sits on the water, and it offers great American food with a view. They have burgers, sandwiches, and local beer, as well as specialty drinks and margaritas. Freight House is open for lunch and dinner, so you can stop by throughout the day, especially if you need to grab lunch for the boat! This is a fun date-night stop, but it's also fun for families!
Recommended by Ayden
Everyone in Stillwater knows and loves Leo's. They have classic diner food, malts, and ice cream made at Leo's. You can ask for a split malt, too, so you can share with a date... or have the kids share! This is a more casual spot, so don't worry about reservations, just show up and enjoy!!
sights
This historic lift bridge has been around since 1931, and it is such a fun sight to see! The view is beautiful, and it's so fun to see the boats on the river. Kids love watching the bridge lift for boats (it is on a schedule, so be sure to check the times if you're in a hurry). You can also walk or bike across the bridge, and you'll end up in Wisconsin. From there, you can follow a walking trail or turn around, but either way, you'll have gotten to two states in one day!
The St. Croix River is stunning, and there are so many things you can do! Between boating,
swimming, and fishing, everyone in the family will have fun! If you don't want to head out
on the water, there is a walking path next to the river, where you can watch boats, have a picnic, or just sit and take in the natural beauty!
dinner
Recommended by Danielle
This has been one of Danielle's favorites for years. She encourages people to try the blueberry-basil martini. Marx also has fresh and unique specials. This spot is slightly more formal than some of the other restaurants in Stillwater, and it makes for a special date-night!
Lolo is one of my personal favorites! I love their hangar steak bowl, and their rosemary fries are to die for. They do have a kids' menu, and it's a family-friendly spot for lunch or dinner. Afterwards, you can take the family to walk the lift bridge to Hudson!
Owned by Lolo American Kitchen, Lolito brings Mexican to the table. They serve spicy margaritas (these are a must-try if you like some spice), delicious salsa and guacamole, and they have shareables that are perfect for a date, family, or group of friends.
This restaurant and event center is located inside of the Historic River Exchange Building. You can host work events, weddings, or birthday parties, and the food certainly doesn't disappoint. The location of Portside is beautiful, and the views of the St. Croix River and the bridge are incredible. You'll want to add this to the girls' night itinerary!
Recommended by Steven
Offering American eats, Brick & Bourbon has comfort food and some of the best appetizers. Some of the fare is similar to Minnesota State Fair food, too (duck bacon wantons, anyone?)! This restaurant would make for a great stop for a guys' night out, especially after a long day of golfing at one of the many gorgeous courses in Stillwater.
This is by far the best sushi for miles! They have tons of delicious sushi rolls, but they also offer plenty of dishes for non-seafood fans. Osaka also has a kids' menu, although it is fairly small. You can also order online for pickup, which makes for a great meal after a long day of boating on the river!
drinks
This restaurant and wine bar are a little more formal and pricey, so I would recommend it for a date-night or kid-free evening. They have a wide variety of wine offered at meals, along with a wine shop. Domacin also has a monthly subscription for a Wine Club, where they deliver wine directly to your doorstep. The Wine Club is an easy way to try new wine, and it makes for a unique gift!
Maple Island Brewing
Maple Island Brewing hosts various events throughout the year, and they sell several local beers. They have a couple of non-alcoholic pop options, but if you visit Maple Island, plan on trying new brews. Also, people can rent the space for events, so if you're looking for your next party location, keep this in mind!
This is one of the newest sites in town. Stillwater Proper serves a wide selection of American food. This is the kind of restaurant to plan on sharing-everything on the menu looks too good not to try! They offer a takeout option, as well, so you could grab your food to-go and find a spot on the river to picnic!
sweet treats
Next to Leo’s, MN Nice Cream has the best soft-serve around. When I went, they were offering three flavors (chocolate, vanilla, watermelon) and were able to create “twists” by combining one of the flavors with vanilla. They also had a menu of specialty flavors (these were soft-serve topped with cereal, cake pops, candies, or other treats). I ended up getting the Bourbon Caramel, and it was delightful. It was much bigger than I had expected, so I’d recommend asking for a cup or splitting it before it melts!
There are several candy shops in Stillwater, but Tremblay's is a classic. They have an assortment of sweets, but mainly offer chocolate. They have numerous types of fudge, turtles, brittle, and dipped chocolate. A box of sweets from Tremblay's is a gift that really can't go wrong.
Candyland has been around since 1932, and it is right next door to the new Style & Structure office building! Candyland has tons of treats, from popcorn to nearly any kind of candy. It's perfect for a quick snack or to grab dessert for guests. It also has a historic mural painted on the side of the building, so be sure to snap a family picture with it before you go!
This little cupcake shop has unique and delicious flavors. Mai, the owner, was a winning participant on Cake Wars, a popular baking show. Mai Little Cakes serves cupcakes, Thai-rolled ice cream, and boba drinks, which aren't always easy to come by in Stillwater. If you're searching for a taste of another culture, this shop is a perfect place to bring your family! They also create custom cakes for any of your upcoming events!
stay
The Lora
Recommended by Lindsey
The Lora is a wonderful place to stay, and it's located in downtown Stillwater. The staff is friendly and they know their way around town, so they can suggest their favorite Stillwater spots, too! This stay does offer valet parking, welcome pets, and have space to host events. They also have a varying rooms and suites, and they have accessible rooms. Along with a luxurious stay, the Lora has scrumptious brunch and dining.
Depending on your trip, there are several Airbnb rentals you can find in Stillwater. Some aren't directly downtown like the Lora, but if you're hoping to have a more relaxed or private stay, these could be good alternative options! The bed and breakfast route would also be fun if you're bringing the entire family!
There are countless things to do in Stillwater, so S&S decided to put together a game of Bingo for your time here. Whether you're in town for a few hours or for a few days, you can see how many activities and places you can visit. Be sure to post your Bingo cards to your social media stories (and don't forget to tag @styleandstructuremn), and make sure to stop by the S&S office (next door to Candyland) to say hi!
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