Washington Far Eastern Suburbs - Stillwater, MN Area Guide

Called the birthplace of Minnesota, Stillwater witnessed the boom days of river traffic, when loggers laid bare the great north woods and sent the trees down the St. Croix River to Stillwater's sawmills. Lumber barons and steamboat captains built mansions here, and many blocks of Victorian-era housing, civic buildings and businesses make this a preservationist's dream town. Walking tours highlight the many bed and breakfasts and historic homes that make the area beautiful and unique. Filmmakers love the picturesque region, and several movies have been filmed here, including "Fargo" and "Grumpy Old Men."

Natural caves in the bluffs along the river caught the attention of brewers in the 1880s, and during Prohibition, bootleggers may have hidden their wares in these naturally cooled caverns. Today, Luna Rossa Trattoria runs wine and cave tours.

The St. Croix River meets up with the Mississippi just south of Stillwater, and forms a festive, scenic dividing line between Minnesota and Wisconsin. Boats of every kind travel this waterway and a unique, marina-based nightlife scene has become part of the action. You can dine right on the water on patios at several restaurants and bars, although quieter eateries throughout the city feed landlubbers too. The Dock Cafe looks upriver towards the iconic Stillwater Lift Bridge and serves a fine-dining menu heavy on seafood. Seared prawns, scallop scampi and New York strip steaks make this destination dining for special occasions, including wedding parties. Charlie's Restaurant and Irish Pub features a vast selection of whiskeys, Wednesday wine dinners and live music on weekends. Lift Bridge Brewing Company operates a friendly tap room where the local microbrewery tests out experimental recipes and hosts live music. The landmark Freight House restaurant, housed in an 1880s rail depot, serves crab boils, Friday night fish fries and elk burgers.

Six blocks away, in a residential neighborhood outside of the main entertainment district, the Chilkoot Cafe and Cyclery caters to foodies and bike enthusiasts. Bike sales and repairs happen on one side of the building, while creative cooking happens on the other side. The menu features soups, salads, burgers, mussels, pasta and beautiful hand-crafted sandwiches, such as marinated artichoke served on baguette' a grilled brie sandwich with roasted grapes and portabella mushrooms.

Quick food, such as ice cream, fudge, pizza and burgers abound in this tourist town. A favorite, Nelson's Ice Cream Parlor, has been scooping the cold stuff since 1923. The Wedge and Wheel sells artisan cheeses and charcuterie and makes a great picnic basket to take on your boat or carry down to the river and eat al fresco.

Getting around by water is natural in the St. Croix River Valley. The DNR operates a public boat launch, and numerous marinas on the Minnesota and Wisconsin sides of the river offer boat docking as well as boat and pontoon rentals. Thousands of boats buzz the waters every weekend in summer.

On land, innovative transport includes rickshaws, horse-drawn carriages and trolleys. Driving conventional motor vehicles isn't easy on crowded summer weekends, but several paid parking lots in town encourage stopping and walking or biking. Sidewalks fully link this pedestrian-friendly town. Metro Transit runs one line into Stillwater. Taxi cab companies and Uber also service the area.

The more prosperous state of MInnesota draws thousands of workers from Wisconsin. As Stillwater serves as a main entry point for this commuter traffic, it's smart to avoid driving in Stillwater during rush hour.

William O'Brien State Park, in Marine on St. Croix, preserves the majestic beauty of the river valley and offers hiking, cross-country ski trails, camping, biking and other recreational activities. Situated on the river bluffs, it features a vantage of the section of the river protected by the Scenic and Wild Rivers Act.

In town, Lowell Park hosts activities for the annual Log Jam festival, a celebration that commemorates Stillwater's origins in the lumber industry. Chainsawing and logrolling contests, a parade, fireworks and an adult soapbox derby make this a unique local tradition.

The cost of living varies wildly here. On the high end, celebrities such as Garrison Keillor and Jessica Lange have found privacy on secluded properties outside of the busy tourist areas. Mansions with views of the river, hobby farms and wooded country lots command prices in the multi-millions. But you don't have to be wealthy to buy into the good life here. One-bedroom apartments start at $650 per month. In Bayport, a formerly blue-collar community to the south, housing is about 25 percent less. North, in exclusive Marine on St. Croix, prices are about 25 percent higher.

Tourists keep prices on the high end for groceries, retail, gas and dining in Stillwater.

So many unique shops populate Stillwater's historic streets that visitors can spend an entire day browsing and window shopping. Most stores are clustered in the historic downtown area.

It's no surprise that antiques dealers love it here; old things look right at home in these stylish vintage storefronts. Several multi-dealer antiques malls offer collectibles, furniture and accessories from the region and beyond, and a number of smaller stores specialize in a specific type of antique, such as Let There Be Light Antiques, which features an expansive collection of lovely old lighting fixtures. Black Letter Books features out of print and antiquarian titles.

Valley Bookseller hosts author readings, sells new and contemporary titles, and has an inspired collection of children's books and gifts. Stillwater Olive Oil Company imports fine oils and vinegars from around the world. Cooks of Crocus Hill sells high-end kitchen accessories and teaches cooking classes. The natural beauty of the area attracts artists, and several downtown galleries show local painters, potters and fiber artists. Tamarack Gallery has a strong collection of art inspired by the St. Croix River Valley.

The River Market Community Coop offers a good selection of natural, local, and organic groceries downtown. The practical Stillwater Farm Store sells bird seed and farm and garden supplies. Big box retail and groceries can be found on the new, western end of town.