There are plenty of ways to explore a historic river town, but few are as fun, informative, or downright charming as climbing aboard the Stillwater Trolley. Rolling through the streets of one of Minnesota’s oldest and most picturesque cities, the Stillwater Trolley gives you a front-row seat to decades of stories, architecture, and local lore. Whether you’re a first-time visitor trying to get your bearings or someone who’s been coming to the riverfront town for years, the Stillwater Trolley remains one of the best attractions.
Stillwater is the kind of place where there’s always something worth doing, and the trolley is just one reason people keep coming back. Things to do in Stillwater MN run the full spectrum from wine tasting and antique hunting on Main Street, to kayaking the St. Croix River, to catching live music or a farmers market on the weekends. The Lift Bridge and Lowell Park along the riverfront are absolute must-sees, and the town’s dining scene is impressive.
When it comes to finding the right place to stay, Water Street Inn has earned its reputation as the premier downtown Stillwater Hotel. Our beautifully restored historic Hotel sits right on the St. Croix River, which means guests get sweeping views of the iconic lift bridge and easy walking access to everything the town has to offer. This is ideal for anyone planning a romantic getaway in MN. Book your stay today!
The Stillwater Trolley: What to Expect and Why It’s Worth It
The Stillwater Trolley has been a fixture of the town for years, and it’s an attraction that earns its spot on an itinerary. The open-air Victorian-style trolley winds through the historic neighborhoods of Stillwater on a narrated tour that covers the city’s backstory, its most notable landmarks, and plenty of the quirky local details that make this town so compelling.
Tours typically run about 45 minutes, which is just the right length. The guides are local and enthusiastic, which makes a real difference because you can tell they actually love the material they’re sharing. The historic tour on the Stillwater Trolley is a great introduction to the town’s layout and its fascinating past as a booming lumber town. You’ll roll past grand Victorian mansions built by the timber barons who made their fortunes here.
The narration covers both the history and the folklore of the city, weaving together the stories of the people and places that shaped Stillwater from its earliest days through its transformation into the charming destination it is today. This is part of what makes the Stillwater Trolley tour so engaging, because the town has always had a little bit of myth wrapped up in its history.
For those who want something a little more atmospheric, the ghost trolley tour is where things get really interesting. Every October, the Haunted Rivertown Terror Tour departs from Charlie’s and takes guests on a ride through the town’s darker legends. This ride features actors portraying characters pulled straight from Stillwater’s own folklore, interacting with guests as the trolley winds through the streets after dark. It’s theatrical and fun without being over the top. Even skeptics tend to walk away thoroughly entertained.
What many people don’t realize is that the Stillwater Trolley also offers custom tours. One of the most popular uses is wedding transportation, and it’s genuinely one of the more creative options out there for couples getting married in the area. The trolley can shuttle the wedding party from the ceremony site to photo locations around town and back to the reception venue. Our Stillwater Hotel is a popular wedding venue, and pairing that with a trolley for transportation adds a layer of charm that guests talk about long after the big day.
One recommendation: book your Stillwater Trolley tour early in your visit rather than saving it for the last day. The tour essentially acts as a guided orientation to the town, pointing out spots you’ll want to revisit on foot, restaurants worth trying, and historical sites that are easy to miss if you don’t know to look for them. The trolley departs from downtown near the riverfront, making it an easy add-on to any afternoon.
Romantic Getaways in MN at our Stillwater Hotel
After a day of exploring Stillwater on foot, on the water, or on the trolley, there’s something deeply satisfying about coming back to a hotel that actually matches the character of the town around it. Our Stillwater Hotel does exactly that in a historic building, with river views, and on-site restaurants.
For couples planning a romantic getaway in MN, it’s hard to imagine a more fitting backdrop than a Victorian suite overlooking the St. Croix with a glass of wine and the glow of the lift bridge at night. Our Stillwater Hotel has built its reputation on exactly this kind of experience, and it shows in every detail from the service to the setting.
Whether you’re here for the trolley tour, the antiques, the river, or simply to slow down and enjoy one of the most beautiful small cities in the Midwest, our Stillwater Hotel is the perfect place to land. Book your stay and see why guests come back to Stillwater, year after year.
