Charming spring getaway: Stillwater, Minnesota
Stillwater sits on the border of Wisconsin, about half an hour away from the Twin Cities. Even though it has some sprawling sections with fast-food chains and standard strip malls, the old logging town’s Main Street is one of the quaintest in the state.
We get why everyone calls this adorable mid-1800s town the “birthplace of Minnesota!” it’s quite a charming spring getaway.
We recommend staying at the Lora, a stylish boutique hotel with lovely views of the scenic St. Croix River, a house bar, and an ambitious restaurant, Feller, on its bottom floor… the wild boar with glaze and fried cornbread dumpling is a MUST try.
Within walking distance from here, you can hunt your way through a bundle of multi-dealer antique shops, including Stillwater Antiques Mall, Midtown Antique Mall, and Staples Mill Antiques.
Comb through the stacks for rare first editions at Black Letter Books, shop for Troentorp clogs and Swedish dish towels at Scandinavian North, or try out a macaron baking class at the Stillwater outpost Cooks of Crocus Hill.
To enjoy that fresh spring air, take a stroll down Pine Street and admire the Queen Anne homes with pink turrets and fish-scale shingles. You can also go for a bike ride along the St. Croix Loop Trail.
Time your visit to the annual St. Croix Valley Pottery Tour in May, and you’ll also get a glimpse of established ceramicists throwing open their studio doors for complimentary self-guided tours.
Reminiscing about my visits to your “7 Small Towns”. I’ve been to all of them except Holland Michigan. My FAVS? Cody, WY and Pella, IA. To others reading this make sure you get to the tulip festival at Pella and be sure to take in a rodeo & shopping at Cody, WY.