Where to Stay in Stillwater, MN

Stillwater's historic Main Street runs parallel to the St. Croix River, lined with independent restaurants, wine bars, and antique shops. The Lora Hotel on Chestnut Street and Water Street Inn on South Water Street anchor the area with boutique lodging. Lowell Park sits at the foot of Chestnut Street, giving you direct riverfront access year-round. Summer weekends fill fast and street parking disappears between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Book three months ahead for October fall festivals when leaf-peepers pack every property on the river. The pedestrian lift bridge connects to Wisconsin for cyclists. Most of Stillwater's best dining is within four blocks of Main and Chestnut.

Best for

First-time visitorscouplesanyone who wants to walk everywhere and skip the car entirely

Walk times

Lowell Park riverfront 2 min
Stillwater Lift Bridge 4 min
Main Street restaurants 1 min

Skip if: You are on a tight budget or arriving on a summer festival weekend without a reservation already locked in

Local tip: Park in the public ramp on Second Street North. It costs around $5 to $8 per day and fills last while metered spots on Main vanish by 10am on Saturdays.

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Prices shown for 1 room, 2 adults. Click to see current availability.

$224per night

South Hill

Victorian B&Bs and Stillwater's most storied inn, one short walk above the river

Mid-range $150-$280/night

South Hill sits one to three blocks above the downtown bustle, anchored by Myrtle Street and Pine Street West. The Lowell Inn at 102 North Second Street is Stillwater's most historic property, a Georgian Colonial built in the late 1920s with formal dining rooms and period decor that has barely changed in decades. Rivertown Inn at 306 West Olive Street is a Victorian bed and breakfast with river views and individually decorated rooms. The walk to Main Street takes eight minutes via Chestnut Street on mostly flat pavement. Quieter than the riverfront but close enough to walk to dinner. Properties here are small, so availability is limited year-round.

Best for

Couples on anniversary tripsanyone wanting character over amenitiesguests who like a proper breakfast included

Walk times

Main Street shops 8 min
Lowell Park 10 min
Stillwater Lift Bridge 12 min

Skip if: You need accessible rooms, a fitness center, or a pool. None of the B&Bs here offer those.

Local tip: The Lowell Inn dining room runs a fixed-price dinner that books out weeks in advance, separate from room reservations. Call ahead before you arrive.

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Prices shown for 1 room, 2 adults. Click to see current availability.

$168per night

North Hill

Residential vacation rentals with full kitchens and private parking, ten minutes from Main

Mid-range $120-$220/night

North Hill stretches from the edge of downtown toward Oak Street and Churchill Street, offering a quieter residential Stillwater that most tourists never see. Vacation rentals dominate here, mostly Victorian and Craftsman homes on Third Street North and Laurel Street with full kitchens, living rooms, and off-street parking. It is a ten-minute walk to Main Street shops, downhill on the way in and uphill on the return. Stillwater's public library and a small coffee shop anchor the neighborhood for slow mornings. No hotel lobby or daily housekeeping. Right for families or small groups renting for a full weekend who want space and a kitchen, not a concierge.

Best for

Familiesfriend groups of four or moreand anyone who wants a kitchen and a parking spot without paying downtown rates

Walk times

Main Street shops 10 min
Stillwater Farmers Market (Saturdays) 8 min
Lowell Park 14 min

Skip if: You are visiting solo for one or two nights or want a staffed front desk and daily housekeeping service

Local tip: Book through VRBO or Airbnb and filter for properties with private off-street parking. Street parking on most North Hill blocks is permit-only after 9pm.

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Prices shown for 1 room, 2 adults. Click to see current availability.

$134per night

Highway 36 Corridor

Chain hotels with pools and free breakfast, eight minutes from downtown by car

Mid-range $100-$180/night

The Highway 36 strip between Oak Park Heights and west Stillwater holds the bulk of the area's chain hotel inventory. Hampton Inn and other brand-name properties cluster near the Curve Crest Boulevard interchange, roughly two miles from Main Street. Drive time to Chestnut Street is eight minutes outside peak hours, longer on summer Saturdays when weekend traffic backs up on the two-lane approach into the historic core. Rideshare runs easily during Lumberjack Days in July. The main reason to stay here is price. You get a pool, complimentary hot breakfast, and predictable consistency for roughly half the boutique downtown rate. Good value if the car is always part of the plan.

Best for

Budget travelersfamilies who need a poolroad trippersand anyone attending events without a strong preference for the historic core

Walk times

Main Street shops (on foot) 38 min
Oak Park Heights dining 6 min
Downtown Stillwater (by car) 8 min

Skip if: You came specifically for the river town experience and want to walk out your door straight into it

Local tip: Fill up on gas here before heading downtown. There are no gas stations in the historic core and prices near Curve Crest run 15 to 20 cents cheaper per gallon than anywhere near Main Street.

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Prices shown for 1 room, 2 adults. Click to see current availability.

$112per night