Things to do in Stillwater

Most Stillwater trips center on downtown Main Street and the St. Croix riverfront. The 1931 Stillwater Lift Bridge is now a walking and biking crossing on a 4.7-mile loop trail into Wisconsin, and the paved Brown's Creek State Trail (5.9 miles, no fee) starts downtown. Add a 45-minute trolley tour or a paddlewheel cruise in season, and two history stops: the free Washington County Historic Courthouse and the Warden's House Museum ($10 adults). As of November 2026, the Lift Bridge is under maintenance until about mid-May 2027, but its south sidewalk stays open.

This guide is for day-trippers from the Twin Cities and anyone planning a weekend in the St. Croix Valley. It covers what each attraction is, its season and price where the operator publishes one, downtown parking, and the state parks within a short drive. For where to eat, see the separate Stillwater restaurants guide.

Stillwater attractions compared

The Lift Bridge and the loop trail

The Stillwater Lift Bridge crosses the St. Croix River between Stillwater and Houlton, Wisconsin. MnDOT converted it to a bicycle and pedestrian crossing in a restoration that began in August 2017, and it opened to walkers and riders on June 1, 2020. MnDOT says it is part of a 4.7-mile bicycle and pedestrian loop trail that connects the historic bridge with the newer St. Croix Crossing bridge and other regional trails.

The bridge still lifts for boats. According to the MnDOT Lift Bridge page, the regular lift schedule, set by the U.S. Coast Guard, runs May 15 to October 15 each year. The 2026 schedule ended on October 20, and lifts will resume in spring 2027. Boaters who need a lift before then must call MnDOT at 651-234-7110 at least 24 hours ahead.

Maintenance through spring 2027 (per the MnDOT page as of November 11, 2026): a project to replace the bridge's power cable and lift motor began October 19, 2026. Crews work Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. MnDOT says the south sidewalk "will remain open at all times." The former driving surface is fenced off during the work week and reopens on weekends. MnDOT expects the work to be done by mid-May 2027.

Trails and outdoor time

Brown's Creek State Trail

The DNR trail page describes Brown's Creek as a 5.9-mile paved trail on a former railroad grade. It connects the Gateway State Trail in Grant to the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway in Stillwater. It is open to walking, biking and in-line skating, and to horseback riding on a section between the Gateway Trail and Lofton Avenue.

• Trailheads: Laurel Street East in downtown Stillwater (east end); Brown's Creek Nature Preserve, about halfway, south of McKusick Road and Neal Avenue; and in Grant near Lake Masterman on Highway 96.
• Cost: a horse pass is needed for riding. "No other fees or passes are required to use the trail," the DNR says.
• Winter: the eastern stretch from Laurel Street to Manning Avenue is plowed. The western part is not maintained and is open to hikers, bikers, snowshoers and skiers.

City parks and winter skating

The City of Stillwater parks page lists outdoor skating rinks in winter at Bergmann Park, Lily Lake Park (on the lake), Northland Park, Old Athletic Field and the St. Croix Rec Center. The city's fenced, off-leash dog park at 2000 Myrtle Street West is open 8 a.m. to sunset.

History stops downtown

Washington County Historic Courthouse

The county says the courthouse was completed in 1870 and was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1971 as the oldest standing courthouse in Minnesota. It sits on a hill overlooking downtown. Self-guided visits run Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and weekends 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with free admission. Public guided tours are Wednesday to Sunday at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m., limited to 15 people per guide. Groups of 10 or more should call 651-275-7075. The building is closed most holidays but open on Memorial Day and Veterans Day.

Warden's House Museum

The Washington County Historical Society runs the Warden's House at 602 Main Street North. It was built in 1853 as the home for the wardens of the territorial and state prison, which moved to Bayport in 1914. All tours are guided, Thursday to Sunday at 1, 2, 3 and 4 p.m. Tickets are sold at the door: $10 for adults, $3 for ages 6 to 17. The society's page does not give a season or months for these tours. Its calendar lists events on November 19 and December 5, 2026; call 651-439-5956 to confirm whether regular tours are running in winter.

Tours: trolley and river cruises

Stillwater Trolley

The Stillwater Trolley Co. runs a 45-minute narrated tour past lumber barons' mansions and the Lift Bridge, from 400 East Nelson Street. Its posted prices are $16 general admission, $14 for seniors 66 and over and military, and $8 for children 15 and under (not recommended for children 3 and under). As posted, the May to October schedule is weekdays at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., Saturdays at 11:15 a.m., 2 p.m. and 3:30 p.m., and Sundays at noon and 2 p.m. The page does not say which year that schedule is for, so it is not confirmed for 2027. The company says tours can sell out and the schedule can change; call 651-430-0352. It also lists themed tours, including the Haunted Rivertown Terror Tour and the Gold Medal Wine Tour.

Paddlewheel cruises

Stillwater River Boats, at 525 South Main Street, describes "daily Public Lunch and dinner cruises" aboard six paddlewheel riverboats on the St. Croix, according to its Explore Minnesota listing. The company's own website did not load when this guide was checked, so its 2027 season dates and fares are not listed here. Check with the company before you plan around a cruise.

Nearby state parks

Three Minnesota state parks are within reach of a Stillwater base. Each needs a vehicle permit: $7 one-day permit (the DNR also sells an overnight permit at the same price, valid through 4 p.m. the next day) or a $35 year-round permit, per the DNR permit page. For multi-night stays, ask the park which permit covers your whole stay.

For a day farther up the river, see things to do in Taylors Falls.

Check before you go

• Parking: the City of Stillwater charges $1 an hour from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. in paid areas, and parking downtown is free on Tuesdays (time limits still apply). The lots at the Freight House, the Brick Alley, River Siren and Hotel Crosby are private and enforced separately.
• Bridge work: expect the Lift Bridge deck to be fenced on weekdays until about mid-May 2027. The south sidewalk stays open.
• Seasonal tours: the trolley schedule shown is May to October as posted, with no year given. Confirm trolley and cruise dates directly with each company.
• Museum hours: the Warden's House and the Historic Courthouse post different days. Check each before you go.
• Park closures: check the DNR page for each state park for hunt closures and alerts.

Related guides: Stillwater restaurants · Things to do in Taylors Falls · Twin Cities and St. Croix guides · Minnesota things to do

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Sources

• Minnesota Department of Transportation, Stillwater Lift Bridge (lift schedule and maintenance project): https://www.dot.state.mn.us/stillwaterliftbridge/
• Minnesota Department of Transportation, "Stillwater Lift Bridge opens for bicycle/pedestrian traffic on June 1" (May 28, 2020): https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/MNDOT/bulletins/28de42b
• Minnesota DNR, Brown's Creek State Trail: https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state-trails/browns-creek/index.html
• Washington County, Historic Courthouse: https://www.washingtoncountymn.gov/2204/Historic-Courthouse
• Washington County Historical Society, Warden's House Museum: https://www.wchsmn.org/museums/wardens-house-museum/
• Stillwater Trolley Co., Historic Tours: https://www.stillwatertrolley.com/historic-tours/
• Explore Minnesota, Stillwater River Boats listing: https://www.exploreminnesota.com/profile/stillwater-river-boats/1842
• City of Stillwater, Parks: https://www.stillwatermn.gov/216/Parks
• City of Stillwater, Parking Information: https://www.stillwatermn.gov/228/Parking-Information
• Minnesota DNR, William O'Brien State Park: https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state-parks/park.html?id=spk00283
• Minnesota DNR, Afton State Park: https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state-parks/park.html?id=spk00100
• Minnesota DNR, Interstate State Park: https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state-parks/park.html?id=spk00178
• Minnesota DNR, Vehicle permits: https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state-parks/permit.html