Overnight in Stillwater

Stillwater is a cute, small town about 45 minutes way from us, along the west bank of the St. Croix River. It’s fondly considered the “Birthplace of Minnesota” because in 1848 the first territorial convention that began the process of establishing Minnesota as a State was held on the corner of Myrtle and Main Street downtown. Stillwater is also one of Minnesota's oldest towns, preceding Minneapolis by years. I had a wonderful opportunity to “pitch” my cookbook to a local store, “Shark Tank style,” so we decided to stay overnight and enjoy the sweet town. While we’ve visited many times in the past, we never had the opportunity to stay overnight so we were excited. Our good friends came with us, as did our puppy (so fun!).

Our trip basically consisting of shopping, eating and some time outdoors but that was the perfect balance of what we were looking for.

Where to Stay?

There are many great places to stay along Main Street with two of the most popular being The Lora Hotel and Hotel Crosby. This round we chose The Lora Hotel and it was delightful! Build on the backside of an old brewery, The Lora Hotel has great ambiance, service, food and decor. There are only 40 rooms so the hotel has a quaint and personal feel, which we loved. Better yet? They have a pet package where you can bring your four-legged friend along for your visit. Our sweet one year old dog, Sadie, thoroughly enjoyed her first hotel visit. She was greeted with a bone and the room was stocked with food and water bowl as well as a bed to sleep on and some more treats. The hotel features three restaurants for your dining pleasure: Feller, The Long Goodbye and Made Coffee. We only had the opportunity to visit Made Coffee in the morning (it was fantastic) but heard great things about all of their offerings.

What to Eat?

While we didn’t dine at The Lora Hotel, we certainly didn’t go hungry. We were able to eat dinner at our absolute favorite Stillwater Restaurant, Lolo American Kitchen. We simply love it! They are committed to using local and sustainable ingredients. And, while I’ve eaten almost everything on the menu, I’m convinced that their tacos can’t be beat. I love the Korean BBQ Hanger Steak Tacos with a side of the sea salt and rosemary fries. More favorites? The fried Brussels sprouts and burrata for appetizers, the Jamz burger and bacon wrapped hot dog for sandwiches, and really any of the tacos or entrees! They are also known for their amazing craft cocktails so it’s easy to spend a long night here!

Lolo is owned by Brad Nordeen and Joe Ehlenz who also own Stillwater Proper and Lolita. We enjoyed a pre-dinner cocktail at Stillwater Proper as well as a few bites to eat and it was delightful. It felt like a modern, elevated pub environment to us and we can’t wait to come back for a full meal.

Our last stop before we left town the next day was lunch at Lolita. OMG! So, so good. Also owned by Brad Nordeen and Joe Ehlenz, Lolita is their newest stop and is described as their “Yucatan inspired sister restaurant.” Think elevated Mexican or Southwestern Food. The ambiance is bright, fresh and welcoming. A beautiful bar setting provides you a great opportunity to dine casual at the bar top or to sit at an actual table. Also known for great cocktails (hello amazing margaritas), the menu was delightful all around. We loved tasting all of their salsa and guacamoles with warm chips. (I’m a firm believer that you can judge any Mexican restaurant by their chips and salsa). And, if these were a preview of what was to come, we were excited. The meats are smoked and slow cooked so anything with the chicken or pork had that “cooked all day” feeling. I chose the Smoked Pork Shoulder Tacos (do you sense a taco theme?) and they were spicy and tender. The rest of our group enjoyed chicken quesadillas, burrito bowls and more tacos. The service was fantastic and the food was delightful.

Looking for more fun food and drink stops in Stillwater? Matchstick at Hotel Crosby has a delicious menu and rich setting. Forge and Foundery Distillery, River Siren Brewery, Speakeasy Velveteen and The Wild Hare are great for a drink. MN Ice Cream and Tremblay’s Sweet Shop are perfect for those with a sweet tooth.

What to Do?

After all of that food, it was time to work it off! Main Street is packed with quaint local shops that will fit all of your needs. My hands-down favorite is Brick + Linen. Perfect for home decor and small gift items, I found myself spending way too much time (and money) here. Lake, Lake Bound Clothing Co, Sota Clothing, Smith & Trade Mercantile and Stillwater Olive Oil Company are all favorites. We also LOVE the sweetest, cutest athleisure apparel shop, Unpaved. The girls and I spent way too much (of everything!) here. But, it’s SOOOO cute!

Lastly, don’t forget to spend time outside in Stillwater! Right along the St. Croix, there is so much beauty, no matter what time of year it is! We love hiking, walking across the bridges and running all through the town. There are also so many great options for dinner cruises or boat rides along the St. Croix! And, if some extra time permits in your schedule, be sure to visit Taylor’s Falls nearby for some beautiful sights and hiking.

The highlights from our “Overnight in Stillwater” are just scratching the surface. There really is so much to see and do. Hit it up for a staycation if you are local or make a stop if you are coming to Minnesota for a visit. This cute, quaint, riverside town is full of so much character and personality. We know you will love it, too!