With the long Valentine’s Day weekend on the horizon, this might be the time to start planning your next romantic getaway! The best place to stay is one of the most romantic hotels in Stillwater, MN: Water Street Inn. Our location is directly on the shores of the St. Croix River, creating magical views of the historic Stillwater Lift Bridge and the iconic bluffs along the waterway. You can watch the old-fashioned riverboats glide under the bridge and enjoy some of the most beautiful scenes in the state.
Our charming small town offers couples many romantic things to do in Stillwater and nearby in the open countryside. As a guest at one of the best hotels in Stillwater, MN, you’ll find that a handful of those activities are right on-site or within steps of our historic lodging property. One of the most popular attractions is our Irish Pub, Charlie’s where couples can enjoy the lively atmosphere with weekly live music, beers on draft, and yummy pub grub.
Our guest rooms are designed with couples in mind, with big, comfortable beds and high-end amenities. As one of the best hotels in Stillwater, we offer two types of rooms, from our modern King Rooms to elegant, vintage suites with antique furnishings—all rooms offer the perfect space to unwind and reconnect. Join us for a lovely breakfast each morning before setting out to discover all the best things to do in Stillwater. Book your room today!

One of the Most Romantic Hotels in Stillwater, MN
As a guest at one of the most romantic hotels in Stillwater, MN, you’ll be near all the best things to do in the area. Our location is ideal for heading out to explore, and you can relax knowing you have a private, comfortable guest suite awaiting your return, as well as lovely places to grab a drink, a hot meal, and even enjoy live music.
Here’s everything you need to know about our hotel in Stillwater, MN:
- An Elegant History: Our 61-room Victorian hotel is housed in the historic Lumber Exchange Building, constructed around 1890 by local lumber barons during the peak of logging on the St. Croix River. This building was among the first in the state to feature modern amenities such as heating, plumbing, electricity, and an elevator, and it originally accommodated storefronts, a post office, a barbershop, and an upscale saloon.
- Ideal Riverfront Location: Located in the historic waterfront district, as one of the best hotels in Stillwater, MN, you’ll quickly see why our location is perfect. We’re only 30 minutes from the Twin Cities, which is the ideal distance to slip away for a romantic getaway.
- Beautiful Unique Guest Rooms: We offer a variety of guest rooms and suites that blend historic charm with modern amenities. Accommodations range from spacious Tower Suites featuring king beds, fireplaces, and wet bar cabinets to King Balcony Riverview rooms that provide panoramic views of the St. Croix River from private balconies. Many suites have double whirlpool tubs and gas fireplaces for a romantic touch, creating a cozy ambiance for couples to relax and connect.
- On-Site Restaurants and Bars: Water Street Inn has two unique dining options on-site, Charlie’s Restaurant & Irish Pub and our seasonal rooftop restaurant, Papa’s. The pub often hosts live music, while the rooftop boasts a stunning panoramic view of the Stillwater Lift Bridge and beyond.
- Popular Minnesota Wedding Venue: Romance is often in the air, as many happy couples say “I do” in our elegant ballroom, one of the best wedding venues in Minnesota. Our location is also popular for business meetings and conferences.

The Most Romantic Things to do in Stillwater, MN
Stillwater, MN, is consistently ranked as one of Minnesota’s most charming small towns, possibly due to all of the romantic things to do in the area. It helps that Stillwater is located on the picturesque shores of the St. Croix River, with beautiful parks, lovely specialty shops, fantastic restaurants and rooftop bars, and outdoor adventures. Start planning your next romantic getaway and add these activities to your itinerary!
Here are the most romantic things to do in Stillwater, MN, this year:
- Enjoy a Romantic Stillwater Riverboat Ride: One of the most popular things to do near our hotel is to take a ride on the Stillwater Riverboats. All cruises include a meal (brunch, lunch, or dinner) in the ticket pricing. The two-hour excursions head up and down the scenic byway with beautiful views of the bridges in the area, rolling forested hills, and historical landmarks.
- An Intimate Gondola Experience: For those staying at one of the best hotels in Stillwater, MN, with romance in mind, sailing with Gondola Romantica is a must! It’s a touch of Venice right here in our charming midwest town.
- Explore the Shops in Downtown Stillwater: There are some lovely shops to puruse in the downtown area, from charming boutiques, specialty stores, and cozy cafes for a coffee and a treat.
- Hiking the Brown’s Creek State Trail: For couples who bond over outdoor advenutes, the Brown’s Creek State Trail is a 6.4 mile paved route for multi-use for long walks and getting your steps in.
- Biking the St. Croix River Crossing Loop Trail: This amazing bike trail connects Minnesota and Wisconsin over two bridges – historic lift bridge and the new St. Croix Crossing bridge – along the St. Croix river back to downtown Stillwater for a total of 4.7 miles.
With one of the best hotels in Stillwater, MN, as your home base, you’ll be so excited to return after your busy day exploring. Our dining options make it easy to plan your evening, and we also have great add-on packages for snacks and wine to await your return to your room. We can’t wait to host you in Stillwater; book your lodging today!