Things to Do in the St. Croix River Valley

Stillwater is a town so picturesque it would be easy to mistake it for a Hallmark film set. The fetchingly old-fashioned downtown, laden with independent businesses and restaurants, sits right on the banks of the St. Croix River.

With two impeccably curated bookstores, antique shopping galore, and an old-fashioned soda shop, there’s plenty in Stillwater to fill an entire relaxing weekend. So why not book a room at the Lora or Crosby Hotel and stay out for that extra cocktail at Velveteen?

Plan the perfect day trip, including Stillwater’s best restaurants and activities.

The St. Croix Scenic Byway is a 145-mile driving route that begins in Point Douglas, near Hastings, and continues all the way up to the North Shore. You can do it all in one day, but we love it as a quick getaway when fall colors are at peak or right after the first snow.

Stops along the way include Afton, where you can wander the gardens at Horta Culture, then grab lunch at the Lumberyard.

From there, continue on to Taylors Falls and Marine on St. Croix (don’t miss the St. Croix Chocolate Company).

We also love to drop by the historic Arcola Mills, Gammelgarden Museum, and one of the area’s many apple orchards.

Dramatic, craggy bluffs overlooking the St. Croix River are the calling card of Taylors Falls, a scenic town of under 1,000 residents that somehow feels like stepping through a portal into a previous time. River cruises float along the water, while families hike the day away at Interstate State Park (the park’s distinctive basalt cliffs were formed by lava, glaciers, and floods) before pulling into the famous Drive-In, where they hand-form the burgers and make their own frosty mugs of root beer.

Want to spend the night? Nordic Harbor, a six-room retreat along the water, offers boat rentals and a thoughtfully curated on-site market.

See everything to do in Taylors Falls.

Driving past Franconia Sculpture Park is often one of those “whoa” experiences. It springs up seemingly out of nowhere, viscerally stunning structures like April Martin’s “We Move Still” suddenly exploding above tall grass.

Founded in 1996, Franconia operates a free, 50-acre outdoor museum that is open 365 days a year and hosts events like live music, poetry explorations, and farmers’ markets, as well as solo exhibitions in its indoor Mardag Gallery.

The definition of a “destination” museum, Franconia is close to Taylors Falls if you want to make a weekend of it, or you can head south towards Scandia.

Nearly 300,000 Swedish immigrants arrived in Minnesota between 1850 and 1930, making it the largest concentration in the nation. Drawn by economic opportunity (and, speculatively, the familiar landscape), the first town they settled was — you guessed it — Scandia. Their influence is still visible in this sweet town, from the distinctive lock-panel siding on barn-like buildings to the mini Dala horses scattered throughout.

Stop by the Gammelgården Museum (if your timing’s right, you can attend Midsommar), check out the historic Hay Lake School and Erickson Log Home, two remarkably preserved buildings from the earliest days of Scandia’s Swedish settlers. You can even complete the Barn Quilt trail, a route that features 18 impressively painted wooden barn quilts inspired by the beloved book “The Quiltmaker’s Gift.”

Afterward, decamp to Rustic Roots Winery and enjoy a well-deserved glass of Frontenac Gris.

The St. Croix National Scenic Riverway was formed by glaciers, giving it distinctive rock formations, including glacial potholes or “giant’s kettle.”

Beloved by paddlers nationwide, the St. Croix Riverway offers 164 miles of quiet, uninterrupted water for canoeing and kayaking, but there are also riverboat tours in Taylors Falls for those who would rather kick back and enjoy the view.

Learn more about paddling (and camping!) along the St. Croix.

Hastings, a quintessential getaway from the Twin Cities, is packed with small-town charm. From the quaint downtown, which features brick storefronts complete with parapets, to the raging waterfall at Vermillion Falls Park, Hastings is quiet, romantic, and just far enough out of the way to feel like a true escape.

Stay at the Confluence Hotel, a meticulous industrial conversion with waterfront views — and don’t forget to bring your bike (or rent one). Hastings has 30 miles of paved biking and walking trails, including one that will take you past Vermillion Falls. Afterward, hit Alexis Bailly Vineyards or grab a hazy Mississippi Fog IPA at Spiral Brewing.

If you’re there in the fall, don’t miss the annual Vintage Shed Sale, and plan an afternoon of apple picking at Whistling Well Farms.

Minnesota has a wide range of spectacular state parks to choose from. Of those, four stand out in the St. Croix River Valley: Afton, Interstate, St. Croix, and William O’Brien.

Afton stands out for its supply of yurts for camping, as well as an accessible and popular swimming beach. Interstate boasts dramatic views and is a popular spot for rock climbing (and for seeing those wild glacial potholes). St. Croix State Park is Minnesota’s largest (34,000 acres) and boasts access to both the St. Croix and Kettle Rivers.

William O’Brien draws countless campers to its 124 campsites, including group camps and camper cabins, and is a popular spot for anglers to cast a line out for walleye, bass, and trout. Their brand-new picnic shelter is near Lake Alice’s expanded and accessible swimming beach, which includes a canoe and kayak launch.

See more things to do outdoors in the St. Croix River Valley.

Afton, an idyllic community that combines small-town and rural living, is best known for its sprawling state park and Afton Alps, a cheekily named skiing and snowboarding area that boasts 300 acres of skiable terrain, a state-of-the-art snow-making system, 50 trails, multiple on-site dining options, and a retail shop.

But Afton is also a fantastic summer destination. After all, Selma’s is Minnesota’s oldest ice cream parlor, and the beautiful gardens at Horta Culture are the perfect place to wander with your scoops. Spend the night at the Afton House Inn, and go berry picking at Afton Apple Orchard (while they're named after fall's top fruit, they also offer summer strawberry and cherry picking).

Minnesota is a national hub for the ceramics community, anchored by Northern Clay Center in Minneapolis and supported by a dense network of studios, artists, and educational facilities. The annual St. Croix Valley Pottery Tour, which takes place for one weekend every May, is one highlight that brings everyone together for an open-air survey of the scene’s very best.

A select number of “host” studios feature work from dozens of local and national potters, and all are a short drive away from each other. For sale are functional ceramics from artists like Guillermo Cuellar, who provides the ceramics for Restaurant Alma, as well as sculptural and decorative work.

Another top spot for winter recreation, Wild Mountain is a massive family-friendly complex offering skiing, tubing (including the popular cosmic tubing, which has neon lights and a killer soundtrack), and lessons for beginning skiers of all ages.

In the summer, Wild Mountain transforms into a water and adventure park, with alpine slides, a lazy river, a kiddie pool, and go-karting.

Close to Taylors Falls, Wild Mountain is a great place to spend the day when your kiddos complain about “too much nature.”

And yes, we recommend hitting The Drive-In no matter what.