Just 30 minutes from the Twin Cities, Stillwater is an iconic and charming midwest town along the river. My husband and I spent a full day there this August, 2025 and it was one of those rare days where everything just felt… perfect. From coffee on the river to a gondola ride at sunset, here’s how our day unfolded!
Start Your Day with Coffee & Books
We started our morning at The Daily Grind, where we enjoyed their river-facing patio, sipped coffee and enjoyed some breakfast goodies. After eating, we stopped into the connected bookstore, Valley Bookseller, to browse.
A Stroll Along the Waterfront
Mornings in Stillwater are calm and peaceful. We took a walk through Lowell Park along the St. Croix River to get up close to the famous lift bridge. The views of the water were picture-perfect and it was fun to walk across the old lift bridge over to Wisconsin. It was peaceful, breezy, and the kind of start that makes you feel instantly on vacation.
Historical Tour on the Red Trolley
Next, we hopped on the iconic Stillwater Trolley, a bright red open air bus that winds through town while sharing its history. It was the perfect mix of history and sightseeing, and we learned fun tidbits about Stillwater’s past that we never would have discovered on our own.
Lunch with a Rooftop View
By the time the tour ended, we were ready for lunch. Papa’s Rooftop delivered not just a delicious meal but also sweeping views of the St. Croix River. We lingered a bit longer than planned, just enjoying the sunshine and the breeze. In addition to table service, Papa’s also has a bar for grabbing a quick happy hour drink with a view!
Main Street Shopping
After lunch we wandered Main Street, ducking into boutiques, antique shops, and quirky little stores. If you’re an out of state visitor looking to buy something iconicity Minnesotan, Stillwater has the best stores. We took a quick break from window shopping and grabbed a fresh squeezed lemonade from Matt’s Basement that really hit the spot on such a warm summer day.
Hat Burning at AR Workshop
In the afternoon, we tried something totally new, a hat burning class at AR Workshop. Under the guidance of our instructor, we used leather burning tools to create designs on western hats. It was a really creative and unique experience and was cool to leave with a custom hat we’d actually wear on future trips. There was also a selection of suede baseball caps for men to participate in too.
Cocktails & Music at Tilted Tiki
After all that crafting, we made our way to Tilted Tiki for a pre-dinner drink. Their patio had live music playing, and it felt like the kind of place you could easily spend hours people watching and soaking up the sun.
A Romantic Gondola Ride on the St. Croix
The highlight of the day was definitely our Gondola Romantica ride. Drifting down the St. Croix in a sleek black gondola felt straight out of Venice. This was a super unique experience and would be a great date night, anniversary, or honeymoon activity.
Dinner at FELLER
Back on land, we headed to FELLER in the Lora Hotel for dinner. The atmosphere was cozy and inviting, and the food was beautifully presented. It was one of those meals where it tasted as good as it looked. The food options were savory and had a home cooked inspiration with an elevated flare.
Nightcap at The Velveteen Speakeasy
We ended our day at The Velveteen Speakeasy, a dimly lit cocktail lounge that felt like stepping into the 1920’s. With a craft drink in hand and live jazz in the background, this speakeasy was the perfect way to wrap up a jam packed day in Stillwater, Minnesota.
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