What’s hilly and adorable and visitable year-round? I know! I know! Pick me – it’s STILLWATER! What was once a quiet town now welcomes visitors all year long, no matter the weather, the season, or the occasion. It’s the perfect girls getaway (wine, B&Bs, and shopping), or a great meeting spot for friends (dining options galore and walkable entertainment), or an outdoorsman’s paradise (think bike trails and hiking above the river). But we use it as a way to escape as a family. Stillwater feels far enough away (about 40 minutes from Minneapolis) to serve as the perfect “staycation” destination.
We recently spent a couple nights in Stillwater and weren’t sure what the winter/holiday season would have to offer our antsy kids (Teddy Bear Park is always a must, but is closed this time of year – what’s a mom to do?). Well, we found plenty! And we ALL loved it and will definitely make this an annual tradition.
First things first – food. We headed out for our staycation after school so the kids were “staaaaaaarrrrving” by the time we actually got to Stillwater. Right off Highway 36 is newly-opened Keys Cafe & Bakery – one of my favorites. But truthfully, I didn’t know they served dinner (let’s be honest – I go there for the breakfast pastries). We were really impressed with our meals and I LOVED my brussel sprouts (those were a weekend theme for me. Sorry not sorry). We chowed our burgers and cheese curds and pasta and sandwiches and left with happy bellies. Now that I know they serve dinner, this might become a frequent stop. See all Keys Cafe locations here.
Know what else we did that night, and the reason we needed full bellies to feed our minds? We tried something new to us as a family – the Stillwater Escape Co.! Has your family ever tried an escape room? They intimidate me and I never know how my kids are going to react to the potential frustrations. But DANG was this FUN! Our oldest two – ages 15 and 12 – really rocked it. And my husband, who had never done one before, got super into it too. Our youngest (age 9) was still a little confused and actually a little scared (don’t tell him I said that), but we gave him jobs throughout like asking for hints or shining the blacklight on clues. He wound up happy with it in the end, but I think I’d wait a year or two to do it again with him.
The Stillwater Escape Co. is located right in downtown Stillwater on a second-floor suite on 2nd Street. They offer a handful of game options for various group sizes and skill levels. We did “Connoly’s Office” where we tried to find a stolen gem using magnets, documents, secret doors, and mazes. The skill level was a 6 out of 10, but you can do games as easy as 3 or as hard as an 8. Cost per person for the escape room is $30 – it would make for a great birthday party idea or extended family gathering option.
Games are added and changed frequently so we plan on coming back. It was an absolute delight watching my family work together to find the clues and answers, getting excited every time a magic door popped open, and sharing the exasperation together. We don’t always work well together under pressure (you should see us when we are late trying to sprint to our gate during a layover), but this worked for us. And the kids felt super smart, justifiably so.
We got one hour to crack the codes and find the gem, solving the mystery and escaping for good. I’m very proud to say that our fam of detectives got out with 3 MINUTES TO SPARE. It was an experience they won’t soon forget. Check out the Stillwater Escape Co. website here.
After our brains were fried, we needed sleep so crashed at our hotel. Woke up bright and early to get going – full agenda ahead!
Our first stop was a place I never knew existed but am so glad we found. The Washington County Heritage Center is located off Hwy 36 tucked back by an autobody center and a bank – it’s a discreet building with one sign out front, but it’s worth the stop. Little did we know, the inside hosted an educational and incredibly-classy-looking museum highlighting the rich history of the St. Croix Valley.
Of course my kids groaned, “uuughhh, a museum…?” when I told them about it, but they genuinely enjoyed the experience. The exhibits were interactive (chop wood, sit in old school desks, participate in a scavenger hunt, light up maps, watch videos) and the information was plentiful! Personally, I could not get enough of the fashion exhibit and my kids enjoyed learning about logging and the photography of John Runk (Google him – seriously). Plus the staff was extra kind and great with kids!
The museum cost $8/adults and $3/kids (ages 6-17) and we spent about an hour here. Check out their website and hours here.
Next stop had to be coffee (our hotel coffee got a -1 star from me and I’m not even hard to please when it comes to decent joe). As an advocate for supporting local businesses, we headed over to Mike & Kat’s Other Place (I love the name, but I’m dying to know – is there an “Original” place?). I was drawn to the hot pink Christmas tree in the window, but black and white awning, and the tiled walls and yellow chairs – making this hands-down the most unique and beautifully-decorated coffeehouse I’ve ever stepped foot inside.
While my son and I ordered our drinks, we chatted with Mike while the others pet the corgi in the window. We learned that the work put in by Mike and Kat is truly a labor or love. Their website says their shop “mirrors the spirit of the neighborhood it calls home” and it couldn’t be more true. I would 100% go out of my way to get another latte here but I would like to sit and enjoy the throw pillows and vintage vibe next time instead of running out the door. But alas, motherhood calls and so much of Stillwater awaits!
Who doesn’t love a good library? The Stillwater Public Library – in all its glorious history and winding staircases – was a welcome stop. We warmed up, played some checkers, put on puppet shows, did another scavenger hunt, enjoyed the play area, and visited the upstairs outdoor terrace (this is a great spot to see the city and run off some energy). The kids section is huge and interactive and the teen area kept my daughter occupied for the entirety of our visit. It’s free, it’s gorgeous, it’s warm, and it’s welcoming. Highly recommend making time for this library if you’re in the area.
Downtown Stillwater. So much to do, see, eat, buy…and we did it all (almost). What can’t you miss when walking along the St. Croix Scenic Byway? Here are some of our favorite stops:
- Candy Shops Galore: Grandpa Joe’s Candy Shop (do the candy buffet for $5); Candyland (get a pic with Snoopy); Barbara Ann’s Fudge Shop (fudge, duh); and Tremblay’s Sweet Shop (all the great chocolates!)
- Ice Cream: MN Nice Cream (free edible glitter – and yummy hot apple cider); Leo’s Grill & Malt Shop (burgers and malts)
- Shopping: Sota Clothing (the best “Ope” gear out there); antique malls; Smith + Trade Mercantile (I could spend my whole salary in here); Art & Soul Rock Shop; Käthe Wohlfahrt of America (my favorite German Christmas store – a MUST this time of year); Black Letter Books or Valley Booksellers for some great reads
- Fun Drinks: River Siren Brewing (enjoy all-day Kolsch service on Wednesdays); No Neck Tony’s (the outside looks like FAO Schwarz at Christmastime); Lolito Cantina (for a marg, obviously); The Tilted Tiki (feels like you’re in the Caribbean sipping coconut drinks)
- The Stillwater Stairs – located on the south end of the byway, these 160 stairs will lead you to a lovely overlook of the city. Worth the hike (then stop and grab a Made Coffee at the bottom).
We were very cognizant that we were headed to Melt Pizza Company so we limited the number of ice cream stops we made because HAD to have room in our stomachs for this epic Detroit-style pizza.
Melt Pizza Company right on Main Street – where do I even begin? 1) This is our family’s favorite “style” of pizza; 2) the cheese pull was grandiose; 3) the thai chili brussel sprouts were amazing! We ordered 3 smalls and some sprouts and, while the wait was long, the food was WORTH. EVERY. MINUTE. Their handcrafted pizzas were unique in flavor and made from scratch in the best ways possible. There is a full bar, a kids menu, pastas, salads, wings (also delicious), and bread sticks that we regret not trying.
My husband – who loves pizza more than his own wife – said Melt’s double pepperoni Detroit-style was one of the best he’s ever had. Apparently their “Dream Team” pizza is pretty legendary (hot honey and ricotta) and we were big fans of the vodka sauce on our Margarita. I wished I had seven stomachs and expendable income because I’d have tried one of everything. Small pizzas here sit in the $20 range – but hot DOG are they filling! Full menu can be found here.
Have a raved enough about Melt? OK, I’ll be done. But they also decorated cute for Christmas if that’s a seller for you.
Feeling like we all weighed 10,000,000 pounds, we decided to brave the chilly weather and walk the whole Stillwater Lift Bridge. We didn’t burn our whole lunch off, but it is a 1,000+ foot bridge so no joke to cross in its entirety. The bridge is a piece of Stillwater history, built in 1931 and – as of 2017 – is only open to pedestrians.
It’s a beautiful way to take in the St. Croix River and is safe, wide, and a great spot for kids to run (or do handstands, beat each other up, play tag…those are what our kids did). It’s like they say – “when in Rome” – the lift bridge is simply a must-do when you’re in Stillwater. Plus, seasonal bonus – it’s covered in Christmas lights!
To warm up from our bridge walk, we headed to the most-anticipated part of our day (other than pizza. We just really really love pizza) – Matt’s Basement.
Matt’s Basement is located on Nelson Street just off the main drag, near the trolley stop and the river. Not a bad location, plus the building made of steel is pretty rad. When you walk inside, I felt sort of transported to a cleaner, more expansive version of my older brother’s bedroom when we were kids. There’s a few tables, a Pac Man machine that greets you as you walk in the door (no quarters necessary!), and a wooden lodge look and feel, except with video games, boba tea, and bubble waffles.
To say Matt’s is nostalgic is an understatement. I took my youngest to the food counter to order our teas and waffles while the rest of them hung out in the lounge area – a cozy space with neon lights, a fireplace, plants, and bean bag chairs. BEAN BAGS! I love those things (but now I can’t get out of them gracefully). The servers were friendly and explained to us how it all works – you can pay $10/hour to rent any game console with games included (switching games is free, but switching consoles is $5). Because I’m the mom, I got to choose – the original NES system was the winner and we played Tetris, Super Mario 1, and Duck Hunt. Proud to say I haven’t lost my shooting skills in the past 35 years. Ain’t no cartoon dog gonna laugh at me!
Everything felt retro, the kids loved their teas, and I felt like a freaking Duck Hunting superhero! Such a cool adventure, especially in the cold, winter months. Note: Keep an eye on your own time for the console rentals.
We followed up our video gaming with a FABULOUS meal at The Freight House. I’ve loved The Freight House for forever. It’s just trusted, solid American bar fare and the patio is the best in the summer, right on the river. There’s lots of live music offerings (tickets sold online) and plenty of seating and an expansive menu. Also – cocktails that are uniquely theirs and cinnamonly seasonal.
The building itself is historic, dating back more than a century running as a depot to the then-small, logging community. It’s even been listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
I ordered the butternut squash tator tot casserole. It was heavenly in all the right ways. If you get it, order two and I’ll pay you back. Thank you, Freight House, for always being a reliable source of comfort food and family togetherness.
This Stillwater magic lives strong in the winter. With a giant Christmas tree and gingerbread house lit up near the lift bridge, snowflake lights adorning the cross streets, and window displays that wow the eye – this is no longer just a “warm weather visit” for our family. I am already looking forward to getting into the spirit here next year.
For all you’ve ever wanted to know about Stillwater – shops, lodging, events, eats – visit the Discover Stillwater website. Tell ’em MinneMama sent you. And that I love their winter magic!
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