Stillwater, Minnesota

The Historic Lift Stillwater Bridge takes State Highway 36 across the St. Croix River between Houlton, Wisconsin and Stillwater, Minnesota. The bridge was built back in the year 1931, and it is a rare example of vertical-lift bridge construction of the Harrington and Waddell type. Only six bridges of this kind were constructed in Wisconsin and Minnesota before World War II. The concourse and the historic bridge are both situated in the Stillwater Cultural Landscape District. The Stillwater Lift Bridge is a ten-span bridge that features six steel Parker through truss spans, three slab approach spans, and one movable span.

106 Chestnut St E, Stillwater, MN 55082

Constructed in the year 1853, the Warden's House Museum was used as the home of the warden of the Minnesota Territorial Prison. Throughout its history, thirteen wardens used the house as their residence until the prison was moved in 1914. The house was sold to the Washington County Historical Society in 1941, and it was opened to the public in June of the same year as a museum. Several rooms contain exhibits showcasing different elements of the history of Washington County, including the Old Stillwater Prison, the Civil War, and the lumber industry. Other rooms reflect those found in an upper middle class home.

602 N. Main St, Stillwater, MN 55082, Phone: 651-439-5956

Thor and Lucille Aamodt started the family-run Aamodt's Apple Orchard as their version of the American Dream. More than 65 years laters, the picturesque apple orchard still retains the same appeal that served as the couple’s inspiration long ago. Visitors can reach for an apple in a tree and imagine they’ve been transported back to simpler times. There are several historic structures at the apple farm, and the granary and barn from the 1880s now house the Aamodt’s apple store, winery, and bakery. The Aamodt family stays true to the idea that a trip to the orchard should be fun, educational, and delicious.

Aamodt's Apple Orchard, 6428 Manning Ave, Stillwater, MN 55082, Phone: 651-439-3127

The Brown's Creek Trail is a recreational gem of Stillwater and the East Metropolitan Area of Minnesota’s Twin Cities. Visitors to the trail number in the thousands throughout the year, making it a popular thing to do in Stillwater. The trail was formerly the rail bed of the Soo Line, which has now been paved and runs for eighteen miles from Stillwater’s Pine Point Park to the city of St. Paul. Brown’s Creek serves as a multi-use trail, offering walking, running, biking, cross-country skiing, horseback riding, and rollerblading to users of the trail year-round.

401 Laurel St E, Stillwater, MN 55082, Phone: 651-259-5736

Attractions for Couples

Gondola Romantica offers visitors to Stillwater with a Venetian-like experience in downtown Stillwater. Guests can take a relaxing cruise through the beautiful downtown area aboard an authentic gondola like what visitors would find in Venice. The gondola ride is one of the most relaxing and romantic experiences you could imagine, and there are several different packages available that offer a variety of experiences. Gondola Romantica has both daytime cruises and moonlit evening cruises. The romantic Venetian gondola cruise is certainly a romantic experience, making it a popular place to propose. It’s also a great way to take in the charm of the historic town.

Gondola Romantica, 425 E. Nelson St, Stillwater, MN 55082, Phone: 651-439-1783

The Lift Bridge Brewing Company situated in the historic town of Stillwater is a craft brewery based in Minnesota. It features the state’s oldest operating taproom, and it is the seventh largest craft brewery in Minnesota. The brewery is known for several flagship beers, including the Hop Dish IPA and the Farm Girl Saison. In 2008, several homebrewers established the Lift Bridge Brewing Company: Dan Schwarz, Brad Glynn, Jim Pierson, and Trevor Cronk. The group originally only brewed beer for their families and friends but started brewing larger batches of beer and sold their first beer keg in September in 2008.

1900 Tower Drive W, Stillwater, MN 55082, Phone: 888-430-2337