How to spend a fall day in Stillwater MN

One of the most frequent questions I get asked is around things to do in Stillwater, so I thought I would share how to spend a fall day in Stillwater MN. It’s one of our favorite day trips in Minnesota, and being it’s so close to Minneapolis (about 30 minutes) I can see why there’s so much interest in this cute little river town on the St. Croix!

Get up close to a waterfall at Fairy Falls

Fairy Falls is located right outside downtown Stillwater. There aren’t any signs or parking to get to the trailhead, so just type in “Fairy Falls” into your GPS and park alongside the road. If you scan the tree-line you’ll find the trailhead. You’ll see the top of the waterfall really quickly and can then follow the trail around the top of the bluff. You’ll eventually see a trail that leads down, so follow that if you want to go back to see the falls from below!

Hike to the Arcola High bridge

Our second hike of the day was at Arcola Bluffs Day Use Area. This trailhead has parking, signage, and is really well maintained. If you want to get up close to the bridge like us, take the trail to the far left which will lead you to the banks of the St. Croix. Once you’re there, keep going to your left and head up the bluff to see some more awesome viewpoints as you get closer to the bridge. It’s so gorgeous up there and we were the only ones around!

Grab lunch at Lolito

You’ll need to fuel up after all that hiking, so try a new(ish) Stillwater restaurant! Lolito opened in February 2019 and is owned by the same owners as our favorite Stillwater restaurant, Lolo’s, which is right down the street. Everything we ordered here was awesome. Definitely get the elote and stop by from 3-5 for their happy hour which offers $5 tacos and margaritas! Also shout out to our amazing waitress, Claudia, who was full of energy and gave us the best service!

Looking for more restaurants and shops to visit in Stillwater? Check out my Stillwater summer guide here!

Shop local at Minnesota Made

Want some cute Minnesota gear? Make sure to stop by Minnesota Made for some of the best options around! This is my favorite store in Stillwater, and is a great spot to buy gifts or to treat yourself.

Shop at Kenzington – the cutest Stillwater boutique

You’ll get some major Anthropologie vibes in Kenzington Boutique, but it’s a local shop which makes it even better! The women’s clothing, accessories, and home decor are top notch here. You’ll want to buy everything in the store!

Pull over at the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway

Don’t want to do a hike but still want to see the colors? Pull over at the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway to get an amazing view of the river and the fall colors! There’s a parking lot and a great overlook – don’t miss it!

Try a beer at Liftbridge

You can’t go to Stillwater and not stop by Liftbridge Brewery! A Stillwater staple since 2008, Liftbridge has a variety of beer on tap, including some of it’s famous beer served at the Minnesota State Fair, like the mini donut beer and key lime pie beer. Or opt for a classic like the Farm Girl Saison. YUM!

Visit Aamodt’s Apple Farm

I was craving a caramel apple, so on our way home we stopped to Aamodt’s Apple Farm. This is one of the most popular apple farms in the metro area because of it’s many activities like apple picking, hay rides, on-site winery, cidery, bakery, and much much more! Expect lots of people on nice days, but Aamodt’s has enough to keep you busy for an entire afternoon!