Published by Alex on August 5, 2026
Sustainable travel is an eco-conscious effort that contributes to the well-being of our planet. But where to start? Below you’ll find an itinerary of a sustainable and eco-friendly trip to Stillwater. Besides from feeling good about making sustainable choices, you’ll also find activities that are fun—because sustainability doesn’t mean sacrificing fun. From farm-to-table restaurants with fresh organic ingredients, outdoor non-motorized activities and plenty of eco-conscious businesses are just a few of the things you’ll find to help you plan your next sustainable and enjoyable journey to Stillwater.
Start your trip with some paddleboarding! If you’re interested in taking paddleboard classes, check out Brown Dog Paddleboard Co. You can book a private lesson time that is convenient for you with all equipment provided. They also offer long-term classes for a variety of skill levels.
Looking to just explore on your own? From May to October, Washington County’s iPaddlePort offers kayak and paddleboard rentals for people to pick up at parks within Washington County.
If it’s winter time, consider going to Green Acres for some snow tubing! From December to March, head over to Green Acres and experience the thrill while enjoying the beautiful winter scenery. Furthermore, if you need to warm up or get something to eat, you’ll find a cozy chalet near the tubing hill.
End the day with dinner at Matchstick Restaurant & Spirits. Located in the Hotel Crosby, you’ll find classics like cheeseburgers, fish, lobster, salads, and ribs with ingredients all sourced from local farmers. Moreover, you can also enjoy a collection of over 2000 wines and spirits to go with it
Start your day with a trip to one of Stillwater’s local farmer’s markets.
As a CSA, Axdahl’s Garden Farm & Greenhouse offers fresh fruit and vegetables as well as gardening supplies and flowers during the April-December season. Moreover, they offer seasonal activities like Christmas tree shopping and pumpkin picking.
Stillwater Farmers Market
3rd & Pine Street, Riverview Parking Lot of the Stillwater Memorial, across from the Historic Courthouse. Each week, you’ll find a variety of fresh fruits, veggies, organic foods, and crafts from new local vendors.
Cherry Street Bread is a sourdough micro-bakery offering a variety of bread products from pizza shells, sandwich bread, to loaves. You can place a custom order starting on Sunday after viewing their weekly menu and pick up your custom order on Thursday.
To keep on the path of fresh organic food, stop for lunch at River Market Community Co-op. River markets offer fresh and organic produce along with pre-made hot and cold sandwiches, salads, and other ready-to-eat options. Perfect to grab and go, or consider sitting outside to overlook the Stillwater Lift Bridge and the St. Croix River.
After lunch, head onto one of Stillwater’s many trails for a bike ride or a hike. Consider renting an e-bike from Herman Electric behind Green Bridge Coffee Shop located in downtown.
St. Croix Crossing Loop Trail is a 4.7 mile paved trail open all year round. The trail is seven miles North of Hudson, eight miles southwest of Somerset. Also, the trail crosses both the St. Croix Crossing Bridge and the historic lift bridge and is open to pedestrains and bikers.
The Brown’s Creek State Trail is just under 6 miles and connects the Gateway State Trail to the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway. The trail is level and accessible for users of all abilities. Learn more here
The Gateway State Trail is an 18 mile paved multi-use trail that begins in St. Paul, MN and ends in Pine Point Regional Park. The trail is level and wheelchair accessible.
End your day with dinner at Wild Hare where you’ll find a wide variety of gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan options along with sustainable meats. Furthermore, you’ll also be able to enjoy the atmosphere of 90s rock through music videos and songs.
Start your day with breakfast at Mon Petit Cheri, a bakery and coffee shop located in Downtown Stillwater. Mon Petit Cheri is committed to being an environmentally conscious-friendly business. They receive ingredients from local farmers and make all their food in-house. Additionally, they have a rotating menu, adapting to what is available, limiting and reducing food waste.
While you’re in downtown, you might as well spend some time shopping at other local businesses that are committed to being environmentally conscious. A lot of the businesses listed are a part of Sustainable Stillwater, a collection of stores and businesses that have committed to being environmentally conscious and practice it in the ways they run their businesses. If a store isn’t part of Sustainable Stillwater, that doesn’t mean they are not sustainable.
Green Bridge Coffee is a coffee shop that also rents out electric bikes to encourage people to use energy-saving forms of transportation. Additionally, they use biodegradable packaging, sourcing from local supplies and temperature regulation to conserve the use of electricity.
Locale Makers Market practices sustainability by using biodegradable packaging and as well offering discounts as an incentive for customers to bring their own reusable bags. All the goods are handmade from repurposed materials and ethically sourced ingredients.
Modern Roots sells non-toxic skin care products that are made with natural ingredients and science-backed practices. Without the use of harsh chemicals, Modern Roots uses only real, simple and sustainably sourced ingredients for their products.
Smith and Trade Mercantile utilizes old and reclaimed display features. The store also mainly showcase artists who are committed to performing eco-friendly practices.
Toxy Free offers non-toxic essentials like clothing and cookware. They use natural ingredients and reuse shipping materials to reduce waste. The owners also educate customers through classes on the importance of utilizing things without harmful chemicals, helping them make better choices for themselves and the planet.
Galeria Saro sells handcrafted goods made by local artists. Galeria Saro works to find creative ways to reuse packaging and tags, generating significantly less waste
By nature, second-hand shops are eco-friendly as it prioritizes reusing and repurposing gently used furniture, clothing, books, and toys. Be sure to check out the ones in Stillwater and Oak Park Heights, MN.
At Rose’s Collectibles, you’ll find vintage jewelry, coin collections, clothing, and records. Additionally, you can sell them gold, silver coins and jewelry even if they are broken which results in reduced waste.
StylexChange is a program of Valley Outreach, a nonprofit in Stillwater dedicated to providing food, clothing, and emergency assistance to people in need. All proceeds go to support Valley Outreach and its efforts.
Restored Thrift Store offers a wide variety of goods, including clothing, toys, books, furniture, and more. Proceeds go to support local and global ministries.
Reclaiming Beautiful specializes in repurposing and reusing furniture. You’ll find gently used or new beds, couches, chairs, lamps, and kitchenware. Upgrade your home or workspace with refurbished furniture in an environmentally friendly way!
After a morning of shopping, stop for lunch at You and Me Cafe. You and Me Cafe takes a sustainable approach in many ways. They utilize local ingredients and offer many vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options. Additionally, they only use recyclable or compostable products, and their waste program also produces minimal trash as they can recycle or compost everything. You and Me Cafe has a goal of being 100% hydrocarbon free in the coming years.
After lunch, head off to some rock climbing. Forged Guides Rock Climbing offers personalized and guided climbs in and around Interstate Park. Choose between a full, half-day, or multi-day adventure. Your guide will adapt to your skill level and preferred difficulty.
Consider checking out a ski and snowboard attraction in the winter months. Whether you’re a beginner or an expert, you’ll find something for everyone at these places.
Afton Alps
Wild Mountain
Trollhaugen Outdoor Recreation Area
Head on back to Stillwater for some dinner at Stillwater Proper. Located in Downtown, Stillwater Proper partners with local farmers, distillers, and brewers. These partnerships ensure the freshest and most organic ingredients are used in their cooking.
End your evening with a special gondola ride down the St. Croix River. Even though mostly advertised for couples, these gondolas hold 6 passengers and are perfect for families or friend groups. This evening activity provides picturesque sights and is environmentally friendly as the gondola is non-motorized.
If you’re looking to extend your stay, here are a few other outdoor activities that use minimal energy and generate a low carbon-footprint.
Get out on the water and enjoy a guided fishing trip at Croix Boys Guided Fishing Adventures or Hook Line and Sinker. Croix Boys offers open water guided fishing trip and Hook Line and Sinker offers open water and ice fishing.
Take a guided horseback trail ride at Painted Skies Stable
If you own an EV or are renting one for your trip, here are a list of places throughout Stillwater and Oak Park Heights to charge your vehicle.
InCharge Energy Charging Station
EV Connect
5900 Stillwater Boulevard N
Stillwater, MN
Bwl Il Station Bwl Il Station1
ChargePoint
5590 Norwhich Parkway
Oak Park Heights, MN
Wash County Gov Ctr 2
ChargePoint
14949 62nd St N, Stillwater
Wash County Gov Ctr 1
ChargePoint
14949 62nd St N
Stillwater, MN
Goodwill
5980 Krueger Ln
Oak Park Heights, MN 55082
Twin Cities Orthopedics
5745 Memorial Ave N
Stillwater, MN 55082
O’Neill Electric Inc
6143 Osgood Avenue North
Stillwater, MN 55082
Sandhill Shores
105 Bridgewater Way
Stillwater, MN 55082
Sustainable travel shouldn’t be hard, If you are looking to be environmentally conscious, Stillwater, MN has lots to offer. Farm-to-table restaurants with locally sourced ingredients, sustainable shops that have a goal of minimizing their carbon footprint, non-motorized activities, local farmers markets and coops, you can feel confident in your ability to be sustainable and enjoy all that Stillwater has to offer.
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