Stillwater Bed/Breakfast or hotels

My husband and I are thinking of going to Stillwater, Mn for our 25th wedding anniversary. I have checked out trip advisor re:B%26amp;B%26#39;s and hotels but info is old. Any suggestions as where to stay, eat or activities? We will be going in April.

Thanks

Stillwater Bed/Breakfast or hotels

I just posted this in the TA-Minnesota-Stillwater Forum for someone else:

Of the suggestions thus far Stillwater and Lanesboro are great options, though many/most of the small towns in the St. Croix Valley between Taylor%26#39;s Falls and Red Wing (if RW counts as the SC has technically merged with the Mississip by that point, though character wise it fits right in) will easily entertain you.

Of your noted interests, SW has several great BnB%26#39;s, including the Rivertown Inn (has a chef from England!), the Sauntry Mansion, Ann Bean Inn, the Elephant Walk, and I believe the James Mulvey is yet operating though under new owners. Lowell Inn is the old hotel downtown, though the accomodations are modern from what I%26#39;ve heard.

As for Hiking, SW has the Willow River State Park 10 min to the East in WI, Kinnikinnic SP 20 min South of WR, William O%26#39;Brien SP 15 minutes to north in MN, and Afton SP 25 min to the South. All on rivers and all have great hiking. Not that SW being a river town in a valley won%26#39;t tax your legs with our hills!

Though all of SW restaurants will be new to you, there are a number of good ones worth trying, including Marx Wine Bar, Stones, the Dock Cafe, and Savories. Cesare%26#39;s Wine Bar does dinner too, though we prefer to use it as an after dinner dessert %26amp; more drinks destination.

SW is renown for its antiques shops and book stores, modern and rare. Though you%26#39;d easily be able to take a scenic drive along the river to the other SCV towns, SW easily fills a day for the many visitors from the Twin Cities (20-40 min away); in other words, its a favorite shopping destination for local TC residents.

That last point is important, but the other thing I think you need to know is that you would be wise to go farther north than the TC if you want to be on the Mississippi river -- its not clean by the time it flows through Minneapolis and further South.

Saints, what other things are you and your husband interested in? What else do you dislike?

Stillwater Bed/Breakfast or hotels

In terms of places to eat in downtown stillwater, I second Stone%26#39;s (especially if the weather is good, and their patio is open).

Freight House is a must to sip a drink on a sunny afternoon on their patio/deck as well, it over looks the St. Croix River. But don%26#39;t plan on staying there late, as it turns into a 20something nightclub as the night goes on. If you stop in for lunch, or even dinner, and are out of there by 7 or 8 you%26#39;ll be okay.

Another neat thing if you%26#39;re going is the MN Zephyr - a train ride through stillwater where they serve you a 7 course meal, you%26#39;ll never exceed 10 mph, so no need to worry about motion sickness.

I must partially disagree with the Snowviking regarding the Freight House. The deck is great for drinks but don%26#39;t order food. I%26#39;ve been there three times in two years -- the high point of these meals was bland, less-than-chain restaurant quality food and the low point was my wife%26#39;s food poisoning. The deck food at the Water Street Inn isn%26#39;t much better (though I have respect for their dining room -- well regarded by my wife and I and friends)-- though both decks are great sunny views of the river and the bridge.

We just returned from Stillwater after going there for a relaxing weekend away. It is where we go a few times a year just to get away. I would definately recommend going for your anniversary.

We have stayed at many B%26amp;B%26#39;s and the Lowell Inn. We now only stay at the Aurora Staples Inn. It is by far our favorite. The owners are very friendly, the food is great and the home is beautiful. It feels like our second home when we are there. Very comfortable. I recommend the Riverview Suite for your room if it is available. It has a four season porch added on to the room where you can sit and watch the birds, read or just relax and drink coffee.

There is a walking trail across the street from the Aurora Staples that will take you to the lake. It is a nice paved trail.

I haven%26#39;t had a bad meal in Stillwater. All the restaurants have been good. I believe the MN Zepher Dinner Train is not running any longer however.

Shopping is also great in Stillwater if you like antiques and specialty shops.

I can%26#39;t wait until our next trip back!

Actually the Zephyr was renewed for the summer season. This time last year, it looked like the Zephyr was becoming extinct, but the owner couldn%26#39;t find a buyer to make a long story short.

Try the Zephyr if you%26#39;re looking for an evening excursion.

And to the guy commenting about food at the Freight House - I agree. My post was in reference to drinks, and if you go for drinks get out of that place before the kiddies start dancing.

We stayed at the Afton House Inn (about 10 miles south) on our wedding night 10 years ago, and would recommend it highly. Get one of their suites (the ';Erickson Rooms';). They have 2 restaurants, one formal and one informal. Not sure how the weather would impact this, but we were there in January, with heavy snow, and overall it was very romantic. See http://www.aftonhouseinn.com/