Stillwater

Stillwater has earned its place on more "most romantic" and "most charming" national lists than almost any other small town in the Midwest — and once you spend a weekend here, you understand exactly why.

Known as the Birthplace of Minnesota, Stillwater's early settlements preceded statehood by more than 30 years, and the city was officially incorporated in 1854 — making it the largest city in the state at that time. That history is not a museum piece here. It is alive in the architecture, the streets, the river, and the community itself in a way that gives Stillwater a depth of character most places spend centuries trying to cultivate. I have been bringing clients here for nearly three decades, and the response is almost always the same: a quiet recognition that this place is genuinely different from anywhere else in the metro.

A nationally recognized destination — with real estate to match.

Today Stillwater remains a top Minnesota destination city for weddings, honeymoons, vacations, and events — mixing its rich history with new and exciting experiences including restored historic mansions, over 100 locally-owned shops and restaurants downtown, 20-plus outdoor dining patios, historic sites, wineries and breweries, paddlewheel cruises, antiques, museums, art galleries, and music. There are few places in Minnesota — or the Midwest — that can make that claim with such genuine authority. And for buyers, that national profile translates directly into real estate that holds its value, attracts serious demand, and carries a quality of life that simply cannot be manufactured in a planned suburb.

The St. Croix River is the heartbeat of the community.

Stillwater sits on the banks of the St. Croix River in a way that shapes everything about daily life here. The water is visible from downtown. The marinas are active from the first warm weekend of spring through the last days of fall — with boats of every size, paddlewheel cruise ships, kayakers, and paddleboarders making the river a living, breathing part of the community rather than simply a backdrop. The Historic Lift Bridge — built in 1931 and connecting Minnesota and Wisconsin, one of the few still in operation in the country — is one of those landmarks that earns its iconic status by being genuinely beautiful and genuinely useful. Watching it lift on a summer evening while you're sitting on a riverside patio above the water is one of those experiences that belongs on any Twin Cities bucket list.

Historic real estate unlike anything else in the metro.

Buying real estate in Stillwater is a fundamentally different conversation than buying in a planned suburb. Here you are choosing between Victorian-era mansions with original architectural detail, historic bluff-side homes with sweeping views over the river valley, lovingly restored cottages tucked into tree-lined streets, and carefully integrated new boutique builds that respect the fabric of a downtown that has been standing for over 170 years. The city has restored historic mansions throughout the community that represent a kind of craftsmanship and beauty that cannot be replicated at any price point. For buyers who want a home that has a story — not just a floor plan — Stillwater is in a category entirely its own in the Twin Cities market.

Antiques, boutiques, and the best browsing in the state.

If you're on the hunt for antiques, Stillwater is your town — with several spots within walking distance of each other, you're bound to find what you're looking for. The antique shopping here draws serious collectors from across the Midwest and beyond, and it has been doing so for decades. Beyond the antiques, Main Street offers over 100 independently owned shops, galleries, and boutiques that reflect a community fiercely committed to local business and local character. Makers and crafters will want to explore Darn Knit Anyway and Carpe Noctem Candle Co., home chefs will love Stillwater Olive Oil and Pinch 'n Rub, and art lovers will find galleries around every corner. You park once and spend the entire day on foot. That is the Stillwater experience — and it never gets old.

Hotel Crosby — the anchor of modern Stillwater luxury.

Hotel Crosby is a brand new luxury boutique hotel in downtown Stillwater — 55 uniquely designed rooms and suites featuring Matchstick Restaurant & Spirits with rare and fine whiskeys, Spa810 full-service med-spa, a rooftop outdoor hot tub open year-round, and complimentary covered parking. The rooftop experience alone — soaking in an outdoor hot tub above the St. Croix River valley in any season — is the kind of amenity that earns its own reputation. Whether you are staying the weekend, entertaining out-of-town clients, or celebrating a milestone, the Crosby sets the standard for what Stillwater hospitality looks and feels like today.

A community that lives beautifully in every season.

Summer in Stillwater is the obvious draw — the patios, the river, the boats, the festivals. Lumberjack Days brings log rolling, live music, and a beer garden right to the waterfront. The Harvest Fest pumpkin regatta on the river is genuinely one of the most joyful events in the entire metro. But Stillwater in winter is something else entirely — the Hometown for the Holidays lights on Main Street, the quiet of the river valley under snow, the warmth of a fireplace dinner at one of the historic restaurants. This is a community that inhabits every season with intention. Brown's Creek Trail spans from the western edge of town into downtown for year-round biking and walking, and the river path connects residents to the natural landscape regardless of what month it is.

For buyers, this is a very specific kind of home.

Choosing Stillwater as your address is a choice about how you want to live. It is a choice for beauty, for history, for community, for a relationship with the river and the natural world that few addresses in this market can offer. My clients who live here don't lead with their commute time or their square footage. They lead with their Saturday mornings, their evening walks to the water, their favorite table at Feller, their boat slip at the marina. That is a very particular quality of life — and Stillwater delivers it with remarkable consistency.

(Be sure to check out my videos on Stillwater — I have extensive coverage of this community that you can explore for a deeper look at what makes it so special.)

Stillwater — Where to Eat & Stay

Hotel Crosby & Matchstick Restaurant & Spirits
Stillwater's premier luxury boutique hotel anchors downtown with 55 individually designed rooms, Spa810 med-spa, and a year-round rooftop hot tub. Matchstick — the hotel's in-house restaurant — offers locally sourced farm-to-table meats and fish prepared on a natural wood-fired grill and smoker, alongside a bottle selection of over 2,000 rare and unique spirits and a wide selection of craft beers — all served in a warm, rustic dining room with generous, shareable small plates. This is the place to bring anyone you want to impress.

Feller
Located within Hotel Lora — the first new hotel to open in the Birthplace of Minnesota in more than twenty years — Feller is a modern-day homage to hunters and gatherers, built into a former brewery in the bluffs at the south end of Main Street. The menu celebrates Minnesota with dishes like stuffed pheasant, pecan walleye, bison short rib, and smoked trout fritters — paired with cocktails crafted with Minnesota spirits at the adjacent Long Goodbye bar. One of the most genuinely singular dining experiences in the entire Twin Cities metro.

LoLo American Kitchen & Craft Bar
Locally owned and locally operated since 2013 — LoLo specializes in fresh, seasonal street foods sourced from local farmers and foragers, with an open kitchen format that lets you watch the whole show while you dine. The cocktail program is as creative and beautiful as the food. Always packed, always worth it — make a reservation.

Brick & Bourbon
Elevated comfort food and jaw-dropping cocktails — with cozy spots inside and a must-see rooftop dining space overlooking the St. Croix River. Don't miss the duck bacon wontons, crispy buffalo Brussels sprouts, whiskey and cola braised beef, or their line of smoked cocktails. The rooftop at golden hour is something special.

River Siren Brewing Co.
A community-focused destination brewery for craft beer enthusiasts — with a riverview location and expansive patio and deck right in the heart of downtown Stillwater. The kind of brewery that becomes a Saturday afternoon ritual the moment you discover it.

Domacin Restaurant & Wine Bar
For nearly 20 years, Domacin has built a loyal following with its extensive wine list and globally inspired pairings — an ideal choice for an elevated date night in Stillwater. The small bites menu pairs beautifully with wine, alongside elevated dishes like gnocchi, duck, and beef tenderloin. Intimate, romantic, and consistently outstanding.

The Freight House
Located in a historic freight house from 1883 — the first building in Stillwater to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places — serving tacos, soups, salads, burgers, and sandwiches alongside craft beers and cocktails on the largest outdoor patio in Stillwater with views of the St. Croix River and the historic Lift Bridge.

Stillwater — Where to Shop

Main Street is the anchor — and it is extraordinary. Over 100 independently owned shops and galleries stretch along one of the most beautifully preserved historic commercial streets in Minnesota. The antique district is genuinely world-class, drawing collectors from across the Midwest. Smith + Trade Mercantile showcases local craftsmen and artisans. Galeria Saro presents paintings, pottery, stained glass, and wooden works in a gallery setting right on Main. Stillwater Antiques, Kathe Wohlfahrt, Black Letter Books, and dozens more line the walkable corridor from end to end.

The Treats Trail deserves its own mention — iconic Nelson's Ice Cream, artisanal popsicles at Sticks, creamy fudge at Barbara Ann's, and countless taffy flavors at Tremblay's make Stillwater one of those rare places where dessert is practically its own attraction.

For the full experience — book a table, walk the bridge, take out a boat, and end the evening at the Crosby rooftop. That is Stillwater done right.

Stillwater — At a Glance

The Commute & Location: Stillwater is the historic birthplace of Minnesota, nestled into the dramatic bluffs of the St. Croix River. Via Hwy 36 and I-94, you have a beautiful, straight-line 25-minute drive into downtown Saint Paul and roughly 35 minutes into Minneapolis.

The School District: Served by Stillwater Area Public Schools (ISD 834), an exceptionally historic and top-performing district known for its incredible community resources, state-of-the-art facilities, and deep-seated traditions of excellence.

The Corporate Connection: While heavily driven by a luxury tourism, artistic, and boutique local economy, Stillwater offers a highly convenient, traffic-free commute to the massive 3M global headquarters in nearby Maplewood.

The Neighbors: Bordering Oak Park Heights and Bayport, Stillwater serves as the vibrant culinary and shopping capital of the entire eastern metro waterfront.