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- Long awaited St. Croix Bridge is feat of engineering
Star Tribune - A Make-over for the Main Street Stairs
Pioneer Press - 7 Reasons to Visit Stillwater
Midwest Living - The Wandering Gourmand
Where to Find Craft Beer in Stillwater - The Walking Tourists
Charm Built on Logging History - City Pages
2016 Best Place to Take Out of Town Guests
2016 Best View – Pioneer Park - Country Living Magazine
Top 50 Best Small Towns for Antiques - Twin Cities Live TV
Stillwater Restaurant Recommendations - Pioneer Press Sunday Life Section Feature
Downtown Stillwater has right mix of new and old for shoppers - Curbed/National Trust for Historic Preservation
A Tour of Iconic U.S. Bridges - Pioneer Press
LoLo’s Chef Keeps Stillwater Street Food Approachable - USA Today Travel
Idyllic America: Most Picturesque Towns in Each State - WCCO TV
Finding Minnesota: Fall Leaf Cruises on the St. Croix - CBS National News
Massive Pumpkin Drops from 100ft. Crane at MN Festival - Sidewalk Dog
Kramer Does Dog-Friendly Stillwater - USA Today & Yelp
U.S. Travel Destination Hidden Gems - OnlyinYourState.com
The Most Beautiful, Charming Towns in MN - WCCO Best Ever Summer Awards
Best Waterfront Restaurant: Dock Cafe
Best Brewery: Lift Bridge Brewery - Have Fun Biking
Bike Getaway – Stillwater on the St. Croix - St. Paul Pioneer Press
Stillwater Marks the Opening of Brown’s Creek Trail - Minneapolis/St. Paul Magazine
Go East. St. Croix Valley Roadtrip - Fodor’s Travel
Top 10 Best Towns for Antiquing in the U.S. - Star Tribune
Stillwater is a Holiday-Inspired Winter Wonderland - WCCO Video
Pedaling & Caroling Around Stillwater - Minnesota Munch
Why Wine Lovers Love Stillwater - WCCO
Harvest Fest – Giant Pumpkin Records,
Triple Drop, and Pumpkin Regatta on the River - Travel & Leisure Magazine
America’s Best Towns for Fall Colors - Star Tribune – Taste Section
Day Trip Along the St. Croix - BBC Radio
Across the Pond Travel: Stillwater, MN - Stillwater Living Magazine
A Friendly Conversation with CVB Marketing Director - Pioneer Press
Savor Minnesota Planner - Grandma Good Blog
Small Town Travel – Stillwater, MN - Stillwater Gazette
Area B&Bs Open Doors During Chocolate March - Stillwater Gazette
Get Ready to Spring into Wine - Star Tribune
Stillwater River is Good as Gold - Pioneer Press
Stillwater’s Water Street Inn Plans Addition - Pioneer Press
Where Old Fashioned Meets Contemporary - Pioneer Press
Stillwater Cheesemonger Offers Good Stories - Scenic Pathways.com
Thanksgiving in Stillwater - Fodors Travel
5 Midwestern Towns to Visit Now - Spaces Magazine
Full of Charm - Pioneer Press
Architects envision future Stillwater after Lift Bridge closes - MN Bride
Small Town Charm Weddings
There is always something NEW happening in the fun, historic river town of Stillwater, Minnesota. Looking for information while visiting? The following Visitor Ambassador businesses welcome you to stop in, ask questions and pick up guidebook/map: Stillwater Trolley – Water Street Inn – Alfresco – Northern Vineyards
Discover Stillwater Blog – tune in for the latest!
Photo Contest Closed – Time to Vote!
Thank you to everyone who entered our annual photo contest this year! We have 336 entries showcasing this year’s theme of Selfies & Scenes of Stillwater. Now, it’s time for you to choose the Popular Vote category winner! Voting takes place online September 11- Setember 30th.
www.discoverstillwater.com/photo-contest
You can vote once for as many photos as you’d like. The winner will recieve a Stillwater Getaway Package valued at over $1000 which includes a night’s stay at the William Sauntry Mansion*, golf for 4 with a cart at Logger’s Trail Golf Course, 2 tickets for a Sawdust Savvy workshop, $100 for Ziggy’s Live Music/Cocktails/StreetFood, $50 Lift Bridge Brewery, $50 Leo’s Grill & Malt Shop, $50 Cooks of Crocus Hill, $50 Dock Cafe, $50 Stokes Jewelry, 2 Tickets to Murder Mystery Dinner Show, Warden’s House Museum annual family membership,$25 Gammy & Gumpys, $25 Kids Oasis Event & Party Space, $25 Mad Capper Saloon, $25 South Hill Vintage, $25 Lil’ Tulips, $25 Valley Bookseller. NOTE*: Not transferable. Prize awarded for winner’s use only. Restrictions and conditions may apply to each prize.
The Stillwater/Oak Park Heights Convention & Visitor Bureau Board will select the 1st, 2nd, 3rd place cash prize winners. All winners will be announced in October. Go explore all the beautiful images and cast your vote for the MOST deserving image that portrays a fun, beautiful tourism destination: Stillwater, Minnesota. Thank you! #OnlyinMN #DiscoverStillwater #PhotoContest
New Bridge. Happy Historic Downtown!
A new bridge 50+ years in the making will finally be complete and open on August 3rd. The rare extradosed design and size is one of only two in the country and has taken many environmentally conscious steps including slim lines due to its location on a Nationally protected scenic St. Croix River. The Historic Tourism District of Stillwater is EXCITED because the new bridge will relieve traffic congestion downtown making the traveler experience more pleasant, help save the historic lift bridge from further damage, and bring a fantastic new amenity to downtown that all travelers will love – In a year, a new 5-mile loop trail circling both bridges over to Wisconsin and back will welcome pedestrians and bikes to excellent views. For now, you can drive across the new bridge to enjoy the beautiful design as well as valley views from this high bridge. For those walking/biking there are viewing points along the way to stop for pictures as a portion of the Loop Trail is complete. You can access the Loop Trail from downtown Stillwater, Bayport, and Oak Park Heights. Currently, the trail ends at old County Road E in Wisconsin. For more information, we encourage people to visit the St. Croix Crossing website (http://www.dot.state.mn.us/stcroixcrossing/design.html#loop) or visit the Wisconsin Loop Trail website (https://projects.511wi.gov/stcroixcrossing/). You can even take a segway tour across the new bridge!
Celebrate with us by showing downtown how much you 
❤️ it – shop, dine, segway, trolley, bike and browse your way through a more pedestrian-friendly historic district! We ❤️pedestrians! The official ribbon cutting is August 2nd. at 10am, so the new bridge will be open to cars August 3rd.
Care to learn more?
Ribbon Cutting Logistics and More Celebrations
August 2nd: The Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for the new St. Croix Crossing Bridge is scheduled for Wednesday, August, 2, 2017, at 10:00 am on the Minnesota side of the new bridge. Governors and state and local officials from both Minnesota and Wisconsin will be in attendance for the one-hour ceremony, and this event is open to the public. Information about parking and shuttles can be found at: http://www.dot.state.mn.us/stcroixcrossing/events.html.
No public parking will be available at the dedication site. However, parking at nearby locations on both the Minnesota and Wisconsin sides has been identified and shuttles will be provided to get to the location of the dedication. Shuttles will begin transporting individuals to the event location from the Wisconsin side at 8 a.m. and from the Minnesota side at 8:30 a.m. They will run as needed until 9 a.m. on the Wisconsin side and until 9:30 a.m. on the Minnesota side. Shuttles will resume approximately 30 minutes after the dedication ceremony ends to return to parking locations. The last shuttle will depart approximately 60 minutes after the dedication ceremony ends. Note: The Beach Rd bridge will be closed to vehicle and pedestrian traffic beginning at 9:30 a.m. on Wed, Aug. 2 until after the ceremony ends.
Shuttle Locations:
Fury Motors (old car lot) located at the corner of Osgood Ave. and Hwy 36.
Stillwater Middle School – 523 West Marsh St. (north of Hwy 36 at Osgood/4th Street and west of Orleans)
Stillwater Area High School – 5701 Stillwater Blvd. N, Stillwater, MN 55082
Immediately following the ceremony, the City of Oak Park Heights and Town of St. Joseph invites everyone to attend an ice cream social at the Oak Park Crossing Park, 15125 60th Street North, located next to Phil’s Tara Hideaway Restaurant.
Additional events planned for that day include a brief public ceremony in Lowell Park to commemorate the Lift Bridge’s 86 years of service. Stillwater Mayor Ted Kozlowski and city leaders will host the event with Federal, state and local officials.
Starting at 6:00pm the same evening, the City of Stillwater and civic leaders are partnering to expand the already scheduled “Cruisin’ on the Croix” classic car show to a public festival billed as “Cruisin to Closure” to celebrating the closing of the historic lift bridge. “We don’t know what time MnDOT will throw up the ‘bridge closed’ sign and do the permanent traffic shift, but we’ll be downtown celebrating until they do” stated Kozlowski.
August 12: Ten days later, the City of Stillwater, Minnesota – Local Government is planning a Community Street Dance on Chestnut Street, Saturday, August 12 from 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm. The idea for the dance is a reflection to the celebration that took place in 1931 when the lift bridge opened. “We thought we should have a community celebration of the closing of the lift bridge, the highlight of this event would be a polka dance,” said Council member and Chamber Board Member Mike Polehna. The city council approved the closure of Chestnut Street from Water Street to the lift bridge for the street dance, and the use of the adjacent parking lots for food vendors and a beer tent.
http://events.discoverstillwater.com/…/lift-bridge-closing…/
Care to learn more about the project?
Summer 2017 Photo Contest – Win Cash or $1000 Stillwater Getaway
STILLWATER PHOTO CONTEST
SUMMER 2017
Submit your photos of people and places of Stillwater during all four seasons. Portray Stillwater’s history, events, landmarks, scenery, attractions, dining, lodging, river activities, weddings, culinary travel, art scene, families, nature, outdoor adventure, architecture, boutiques, and more. Photos MUST be taken in Stillwater, MN.
- Popular Vote WINNER – Stillwater Getaway Package ($1000+ value)
- 1st Prize WINNER – $300
- 2nd Prize WINNER – $200
- 3rd Prize WINNER – $100 The Stillwater Getaway Package valued at over $1000 includes a night’s stay at the William Sauntry Mansion*, golf for 4 with a cart at Logger’s Trail Golf Course, 2 tickets for a Sawdust Savvy workshop, $100 for Ziggy’s Live Music/Cocktails/StreetFood, $50 Lift Bridge Brewery, $50 Leo’s Grill & Malt Shop, $50 Cooks of Crocus Hill, $50 Dock Cafe, $50 Stokes Jewelry, 2 Tickets to Murder Mystery Dinner Show, Warden’s House Museum annual family membership,$25 Gammy & Gumpys, $25 Kids Oasis Event & Party Space, $25 Mad Capper Saloon, $25 South Hill Vintage, $25 Lil’ Tulips, $25 Valley Bookseller. NOTE*: Not transferable. Prize awarded for winner’s use only. Restrictions and conditions may apply to each prize.
DETAILS:
1st, 2nd, and 3rd place cash prize winners will be judged by a panel of Stillwater Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) Board members. Popular vote grand prize winners will be determined by an online voting tool during last two weeks of September. Winners will be notified by email or phone in October.
What’s New in 2017
Summer is almost here! The Historic District’s fun Stillwater vibe is underway. Here’s a quick line up of the newest shops, experiences, restaurants, venues, places to stay and events you must see this year.
Stillwater welcomes the following NEW businesses:
NEW ATTRACTIONS, SHOPS & RESTAURANTS
Himalayan Salt Cave Sanctuary at Just for Me Spa
Stillwater Ghost Walks – guided haunted history tours downtown
Thor’s Hard Cider – created by a forth generation family of apply farmers – Aamodts Apple Farm.
Tuk Tuk Woo Hoo – FREE rides on the first electric Tuk Tuk in the U.S. This fun quazi-cab ride is sure to make you smile.
Ziggy’s Street Food & Cocktails – live music venue and restaurant on the corner of Main and Chestnut.
A Spacious Place – new boutique on Chestnut Street full of Minnesota made gifts – excellent quality souvenir stop.
Diro Outdoors – Outdoor activities outfitter and guide for private events or rental gear for kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding or fat tire biking.
Kristina Lynn Photography & Design – specializing in portraits.
Uber – taxi service app now servicing Stillwater
Zephyre Theatre & Studios – If you’d love to see a theatre downtown Stillwater in the old train depot, help out this organization with their fundraising efforts. For now, acting and theatre enthusiasts can enjoy classes in their temporary studio in the historic Brick Alley building on Main Street.
St. Croix Brewing – possible opening in the historic Brunswick house on Chestnut St.
Mai Little Cakes – custom cakes, cupcakes, and boba tea
Netty Q’s – Italian food truck fare at a cute walk-up window with patio on the northern end of Main Street.
Namaste – Women’s clothing store with one-of-a-kind dresses and jewelry imported from India.
Downtown Divas – A boutique for ALL girls ages 4-94! We specialize in purses, jewelry, scarves, makeup, clothing, and accessories! No matter who you are or what your style is you can always find something FUN and affordable.
Champagne Press – wedding stationery
Pinch n’ Rub Spice & Tea Hub – remodeled and re-branded Spice & Tea company on Main Street
Our Shop Bridal – new ownership and re-branding underway at this award-winning formal wear and tux rental shop on Main Street
What’s new at the Stillwater Exchange Building (317 Main S. S.)?
New Restaurant, Nightlife Spot & Wedding Venue – Rafters has new owners, a stunning remodel, rebrand and new menu: Portside!
New Coffee Shop – Revival Coffee & Deli
Pasta Perfetta – Local and international pastas and gifts
Designs of Sweden – moved across the hall from it’s previous location
New Venue with on-site Beauty Salon and Speakeasy!
JX Event Venue – new large venue (500 seated, 720 standing) full of elegance and historic charm right downtown Stillwater.
The Velveteen Speakeasy – prohibition era fans and cocktail connoisseurs will soon delight with an opening very soon.
Just Cuz Beauty Boutique – full service salon specializing in bridal parties.
The Collective Photography Studio
What’s New in the Grand Garage Building (324 Main St. S.)?
Nina Marie Boutique – clothing boutique of hot young fashions.
Tilted Tiki – cocktail lounge of tropical drinks with live music and appetizer style tidbits menu.
Galerio Saro – art gallery of fine art and handmade crafts by local and global artisans including pottery, wood, multi-media works, watercolors and tapestries.
NEW EVENTS
We welcomed the Ice Castles this past winter and hope they return again next year!
Welcoming back the River City Art Sculpture Tour for another year, so look for a few of the sculptures to change!
NEW PLACES TO STAY
Asteria Inn & Suites – previously Super 8. New Updates, Owner, & Brand!
GrandStay Inn & Suites – new pool!
Ann Bean Mansion– Ann Bean owners just celebrated 13 years of merging 21st-Century luxuries into the 19th-Century Mansion!–Think fresh, grand bedrooms and lovely linens, with spacious bathrooms (walk-in showers with body jets, artisan tile, heated flooring, a copper soaking tub).
210 Laurel – whole house rental with riverviews.
MOVED TO NEW LOCATION
Sawdust Savvy – DIY custom workshops with wood now located in the Grand Garage building at 324 S. Main Street
South Hill Vintage – now downtown on the north end of Main Street in the historic Isaac Staples Sawmill building on the 2nd Floor
Designs of Sweden – don’t worry this very modern cool boutique didn’t go far, just across the hallway. Also, did you know they launched a group travel company for guided tours of Sweden (including day trips to Denmark & Norway) as well.
Paint.Sip.Nosh/Artful Indulgence – is now an on-site only experience – they come to your venue!
Marquess Studios – moved to 305 Greeley St. S.
NEW OFFERINGS
Stillwater Trolley now has a new trolley with a wheelchair accessible ramp and year-round weather proof capabilities for private hire.
Wahoo Adventures – Friday morning Herons & History kayak/trolley tours
Rivertown Inn – new chef, updated culinary classes, and package experience ideas
Victoriano’s NY Pizza – offering online ordering and delivery.
NEW 360 TOURS OF KEY MEETING VENUES
Tour Stillwater venues right from your desk!
OTHER NEWS
New St. Croix Crossing Bridge construction project completion coming in 2017 – possibly as early as August! The historic lift bridge will then be closed to vehicle traffic and welcome pedestrians. Stay tuned for celebration details!
Closed: Please note that Luna Rossa Restaurant, wine shop and caves (402 Main St. S.) has permanently closed because that beautiful building has been sold and will re-open as a downtown boutique hotel/restaurant likely next year.
Visit www.DiscoverStillwater.com for a complete list of boutiques, restaurants, and unique things to do! Curious what was new in 2014, 2015, or 2016 – type ‘what’s new’ in our home page search bar. There is always something new and old to discover in historic Stillwater! #OnlyinMN #StayanExtraDay #Travel #DiscoverStillwater
Summer Day on the River Giveaway
Hurry, enter for your chance to win a mid-week getaway on the scenic St. Croix River in Stillwater, Minnesota. Enjoy a day on the river with a 4-hour pontoon rental from Stillwater Boat Club & Rentals, overnight accommodations from your choice of hotel/B&B/Inn/loft ($200 voucher), and just for fun, two tickets for a tour of the historic Prison Warden’s House museum!
Contest runs until May 15th at 8am. Enter on our website at: www.discoverstillwater.com/pontoon-stay-sweepstakes/.
Stillwater Wins 2 Awards!
Discover Stillwater, the Stillwater/Oak Park Heights Convention & Visitor Bureau (CVB), was recognized on April 6th by readers of Minnesota Meetings & Events magazine as the Best Small CVB in Minnesota! Professional event planners and vendors recognized Discover Stillwater’s great customer service and inspiring destination with over 20 venues, beautiful scenery, and many experience ideas. One of Stillwater’s venues was also recognized as Best Boat/Cruise/Charter in Minnesota, so congratulations to St. Croix Boat & Packet/Stillwater River Boats.
Representatives from Discover Stillwater (pictured left to right: Larry Loyer – Board Member & General Manager of Rivertown Inn, Janel Hutton – Marketing Assistant, Christie Rosckes – Marketing Director) celebrated at the awards ceremony held at the Solar Arts Building in Minneapolis and catered by Chowgirls catering. Check out these links to read the awards release or see the entire list of winners and nominees.
Meeting planners…check out all the great meeting and wedding venues in Stillwater as well as fun ideas for things to do.
Spring is around the corner
Check out our April Travel Tips enewsletter for inspiring ideas on how to make the most of spring!
Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day 2017 in Stillwater!
Stillwater is full of celebrations for St. Patrick’s Day. Irish Pub’s, breweries, and wineries are celebrating across Stillwater. Here are some of the top celebrations you will want to be sure to come to Stillwater for…
- Charlie’s Irish Pub at Waterstreet Inn is celebrating both Friday, March 17th & Saturday, March 18th. Live music, food & drink specials, and room specials. This is always a popular spot to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in Stillwater! 651-439-6000 MORE INFO
- Tickets are still available for you to don your best green outfit and celebrate the Irish holiday at The Outing Lodge! Live music, buffet dinner with a beer or glass of wine included. Cash bar will be open for any additional purchases.
Grab tickets… http://bit.ly/2mHMyAE MORE INFO
- Lift Bridge Brewery will have the band Cattail Moon playing Live in the Taproom and will be featuring all Irish tunes. MORE INFO
- Green Lager and Rick Lombardi will be at Maple Island Brewing to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. Gorgeous location. Be sure to check them out if you haven’t yet made it there.
- Pub 112 will have live music and bagpipes on Friday and Saturday and their special corned beef cabbage, corned beef nachos, corned beef tacos, and “Irish cigars” served all weekend. March 1st through March 18th guess the amount of candies in their pot of gold and compete for a $100 gift certificate. (Winner revealed March 19th)
- Green wine at Northern Vineyards. This is a free add-on to their wine-tasting or available by the glass. www.northernvineyards.com
- Gasthaus Bavarian Hunter will be serving their Corned Beef and Cabbage voted WCCO’s viewer’s choice for Best Corned Beef in MN. Available March 16 & 17th 11-close
- The Island Boy is singing on the 17th at The Tilted Tiki and they are featuring a “tiki” St Patrick’s Day drink The Tropical Tilted Irishman made with Jameson Irish Whiskey. Hourly Specials all day long.
WIN a Spring Stillwater Staycation!
No tropical vacation planned for spring break? Embrace an awesome staycation right here in the Twin Cities instead. Enter for your chance to win a Stillwater, Minnesota spring staycation valued at over $1000 with lodging, dining, shopping, and even a hot air balloon ride! Contest ends in a week, so enter now: http://woobox.com/z79hp9.
New Himalayan Salt Cave Sanctuary
NOW OPEN! Himalayan Salt Cave Sanctuary at Just For Me Spa . Relaxation. Respitory therapy. Skin benefits and more! Call 651-439-4662 to schedule your 45 minute cave session and fall in love! Introductory price is still only $19! March Sales on all spa services begin Monday – become a Spa Member. http://www.justformespa.com/
