The Taylors Falls scenic boat tours begin in May! This is a Minnesota must if you love the water, nature, and history. The Taylors Falls boat tours run 7-days a week through October. I recommend visiting each season to see the landscape change. The St. Croix River boat tours are also great for celebrating special events. The tours begin with perfect timing for Mother’s Day!
Paddlewheel River Boat Tours on the St. Croix River
The two authentic paddlewheel Taylors Falls excursion boats are the first to be this far upstream since 1924.
History of the Taylors Falls Paddlewheel Boats
Taylors Falls Scenic Boat Tours has operated as a family business since 1906! A little more history from Taylors Falls Boat Tours President, Amy Frischmon:
The first boat was the Pinafore, a small power boat that carried 8 passengers. In 1910, Carl Muller (Amy’s Great Grandfather) added canoes and row boats for rent. Some canoes were rented in Taylors Falls and were paddled down river, some all the way to Stillwater. Carl would drive the tour boat down the river after a day of tours and bring back the canoes late in the night. This was the start of the Taylors Falls Canoe Rental. Still in existence today, as the Taylors Falls Canoe & Kayak Rental.
Speaking of history, while on the paddlewheel river boat, the captain narrates the tour providing guests with history and more about the rock formations along the river. You will enjoy seeing the world famous Dalles of the St. Croix, and the beautiful cliffs and pinnacles.
Tip: Arrive early for a charcuterie board and wine on the Red Rock Patio. The Red Rock Patio opened in 2021. It’s a great spot to hang out before or after a boat tour and take in the views. You can also order ahead and have the food waiting onboard. They offer pizzas, sandwiches, pretzels, and soft service ice cream. Plus, watch their calendar for live music events!
This is such a unique way to see the river and spend the day with family and friends.
For more Taylors Falls day trip ideas, click HERE.
Welcome to Explore Local Together Episode 2! We share local gems in Minnesota, the Midwest, and Road-Tripping the USA. Each episode will include five places to explore, interviews, and, of course, TNT random rambles. This week we covered the St. Croix Valley and spending the day in Scandia and Marine on St. Croix, Minnesota. Below is the itinerary. We have a great day planned for you!
Rustic Roots Winery located about halfway between Stillwater and Taylors Falls on the St. Croix Scenic Byway/HWY 95.
Rustic Roots Winery has become a weekly adventure for us! We discovered the winery this winter and cannot wait to see what it is like in the summer out on the deck and watching the vines come back to life. While we love their wine, our favorite this winter has been the cider. Their food is fantastic! I really enjoy their dips and soups and Terry is a big fan of the pizza. We also are into the way they serve their charcuterie!
Try the Airstream Grill in the summer, which features burgers and other snacks. Rustic Roots Winery also has rotating food trucks on certain days. Check their calendar HERE.
Shopping in St. Croix Valley
Shoreline Goods is one mile down HWY 95 from the winery. Opening April 6, 2024! Shoreline Goods is a new shop filled with locally made home goods and soy candles. Creators, Cody and Kenny’s story is about trying something new for fun and then seeing it grow into a business and now storefront! We are so excited for them and to shop the store! The candles smell amazing and are inspired by the beautiful St. Croix Valley.
Crabtree’s Garden Gate is located next door to Shoreline Goods.
Crabtree’s is such a surprise when you pull off the highway and see all the fun and unique outdoor and indoor home decor. Plus so much more. They also offer super fun and beautiful bird feeders and you can buy your seed there. The bird seed mixes, have been locally developed by them over the last 15 years, and are mixed and delivered weekly for freshness. They also offer unique women’s clothing and accessories, plus fun gadgets for the kitchen. Don’t miss the samples of Minnesotan gourmet treats, coffee, and wine. Oh and they have awesome dog treats and toys!
St. Croix Chocolates is just a couple more miles down HWY 95. Did you know we have an international award-winning chocolate shop in Minnesota?! This is a great story about an ending that led to a wonderful beginning. When Chocolatier Robyn was laid off from a career in journalism, she studied fine chocolate techniques from top pastry chefs and St. Croix Chocolates was born!
The artisan chocolates are made by hand, delicious, and beautiful. There is always something unique in the case when we stop and just have to try it. We’ve had fun picking all the different flavors. There are gift boxes available for holidays, birthdays, or any special occasion.
St. Croix Valley State Parks
The last stop after your sweet treat is William O’Brien State Park. We are so lucky to have such amazing state parks in Minnesota with quality recreation. This is the perfect way to end your adventurous day. Enjoy a 2 mile walk on the Wetland Trail and see the park’s rolling, wooded hills. The park offers Camping, Hiking, Canoeing, Kayaking, Cross-country skiing, Naturalist Programs, Bird Watching, and they have an Oak Savanna Restoration. *There is construction through early 2025 on Riverway Campground, Riverside Group Camp, the Riverside Trail and the Mondale Day Use Area.
There are 4 Minnesota State Parks along the St. Croix including William O’Brien, Interstate State Park, Wild River State Park, and Afton State Park. Add them all to your bucket list!
If you’re visiting from our podcast, thank you for listening to our first episode of Explore Local Together! If not, you can check it out HERE. We are excited to build community around exploring. We kicked off Explore Local Together with an itinerary for our stomping grounds, Chisago Lakes, Minnesota. Did you know this area is only 40 minutes from the Twin Cities? Enjoy the day and keep exploring local…together!
Northwoods Roasterie has been roasting its own fairly-traded organic beans since 2006. The owner is passionate about the highest quality beans and serving a great cup of coffee. The coffee is fantastic and the highlight is the atmosphere. It’s cozy with spaces to connect with others or work alone on your laptop. There is an outdoor patio, and little nooks including a quiet upstairs area. And as we said on the podcast, we really like their sausage and cheese bagels! 😉
Antiquing in Lindstrom, Minnesota
Picket Fence Gals offers many unique and fun treasures! The gals are super helpful while you browse and make sure to take your items to hold at the front desk so you don’t have to carry everything around. There are two buildings with multiple vendors offering a wide array of styles, from Farmhouse to Modern to BOHO to Mid-century. Every day is different because the vendors add new stock each night. Make sure to check out the local bakery items!
Picket Fence Gals is only open once a month! Check their website for dates.
Rose’s Collectibles – A vintage collectible shop with locations in Stillwater and Lindstrom, Minnesota. This is TD’s favorite spot to shop for vinyl records.
Best Local Park in Lindstrom, Minnesota
Allemansrätt Park is a Wilderness & Swedish Heritage Park. This park is a true hidden gem.
From the Allemansrätt Parkwebsite: The term ‘Allemansrätt’ is a Swedish philosophy of the right of public access, and includes an implicit responsibility to protect and conserve.
Allemansrätt Park offers 125 acres to explore, including a 14-acre secluded lake and 10,000 feet of shoreline on three lakes (North Lindström Lake channel, North Center Lake, and Bull Lake), wetlands, a 5-acre island, a 33-acre peninsula, plus an 1853 homestead with educational and historic informational kiosks. There are trails, benches, restrooms, parking lots, and two campsites (camping is first come first serve for $15 a night).
You can walk, run, hike, go birding (over 100 species of birds), enjoy photography, ski, snowshoe, canoe/kayak or camp. The lakes are also part of the Chisago Lakes Water Trail which we will be discussing in an upcoming episode.
Top Burger Spot near Lindstrom, Minnesota
The Northern Lake Tavern & Grill
The Northern reminds us of the show Cheers. They have the traditional square bar setup with all your favorite locals. It’s a relaxed, cabin-style atmosphere with yummy bar food. Our favorites are the patty melt, fries, fish, and the reuben. There is also a large patio to enjoy lake views.
Spend the day in Stillwater, Minnesota, and enjoy delicious food, unique shopping, and beautiful views of the St. Croix River!
Many times, we think we need a big getaway. After spending the day in Stillwater, Minnesota, I was reminded that one day away or even a half day is revitalizing. So often, we talk about self-care, and we don’t discuss travel being part of it. I see too much of the 10-step nightly face routine. 😉 Travel is expensive but so are women’s beauty products. It’s about prioritizing what works for you and getting creative. It doesn’t have to be a 10-day trip to an exotic island to have the same effects. A smaller dose of relaxation and filling your soul is worth it!
A Day Trip to Discover Stillwater
Best Small Towns in Minnesota
We started the day at Feller Restaurant for lunch. We really loved the cozy atmosphere with comfortable bar stools and big windows that look out to Stillwater’s historic Main Street. We enjoyed the Nicoise Salad and Foragers Crostini but the star of the show was the Bacon Wrapped Dates! They were so delicious. They deserve another close up picture!
After lunch, we walked and shopped Main Street. Our favorite stop was the Stillwater Olive Oil Company, where you can sample a variety of extra virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar. It’s a unique tasting experience and so yummy! The service was fantastic too with the staff being super helpful and answering all of our questions.
Next, we walked down by the St. Croix River and took in all the views. The Stillwater historic lift bridge is such a sight to see and fun to walk across to take in the river views and downtown Stillwater.
Last, we had a delicious cup of coffee at Made Coffee before hitting the road. My favorite is a hot oat milk miel. The weather in Minnesota has been so crazy warm so it was nice to sit by the fire and then inside the cozy Lora Hotel. Don’t forget, a simple day trip with a friend can make a huge difference in your mental health.
Holiday Events in Lindstrom, Minnesota, and surrounding communities
The holiday events start the first weekend of November!
You will find an abundance of holiday spirit in Chisago Lakes, Minnesota. There is so much holiday magic, I believe Santa has a special place in his heart for these Minnesota communities. In fact, you will see Santa at most of the Chisago Lakes holiday events arriving in epic fashion! Chisago Lakes is a 40 minute drive from the Twin Cities and encompasses Chisago City, Lindstrom, Center City, Shafer, Taylors Falls & Almelund.
Where to See Santa This Holiday Season
The Chisago Lakes area is known for celebrations year-round, but over the holidays, it is extra magical.
The holiday season events are what you imagine or remember when you think of wholesome fun, connection, and community. You will feel wonderment and joy watching Santa ride in on his sleigh, singing Christmas carols, taking horse-drawn sleigh rides, counting down and anticipating a town tree-lighting, shopping for the perfect homemade gifts, experiencing Swedish traditions, drinking hot chocolate, and seeing historic houses lit up in spectacular lights.
Calendar of Holiday Events in Chisago Lakes
Check out these festive annual events in November and December!
Kick off the holiday season at the huge Chisago Lakes PTO Annual Craft Fair at the Wildcat Community Center! 150+ booths with vendors and local crafters, plus food trucks and fresh baked goods. Free admission, easy parking, and building access. This event has been taking place for over 30 years!
Experience unique wines paired with amazing chocolates and rare cheeses the winery has specially selected for this special weekend. Winehaven Winery and Vineyard is a family-owned and operated winery located in Chisago City, Minnesota, and has been in operation since 1995. Its vineyard consists of 15 acres of various winter-hardy grapes.
Another can’t miss event at Winehaven. Enjoy a fantastic dinner and dueling piano show! The winery will be filled with the sounds of music from the 1970s through current favorites. Grab your family, friends, and favorite song requests for a fun night of food and music.
The quaint town of Taylors Falls, Minnesota, becomes a Christmas Card Village! This event has been held on the Friday after Thanksgiving since 1985. The Lighting Festival includes a parade, medallion hunt, craft fairs, Christmas at the 1855 Folsom House Museum, an ecumenical Choral Vesper Service, family Bingo, Mrs. Claus at the library, a giant bonfire, and snowman making. Watch for the limited edition Lighting Festival ornament and make sure to wear your lumberjack flannel!
Santa arrives in a fire truck! Small Town Christmas is hosted by the Center City Fire Department Auxiliary at the Center City Fire Hall. The annual small-town Christmas evening includes cookie decorating, cocoa, popcorn, raffles, and a Christmas story read aloud. Put your Christmas jammies on and celebrate! This is a FREE family event. All proceeds from the raffles go to local residents in need this holiday season.
The annual Christmas Bazaar has been a tradition for over 20 years. Including more than 30 vendors and their always popular “Bethlehem Bakery,” stocked full of fresh baked goodies, including lefse! They serve hot cinnamon rolls and coffee in the mornings and then a sloppy joe lunch in the afternoon. There are also antiques and a raffle with great prizes!
The Holiday Craft Boutique is hosted by the Center City Fire Department Auxiliary at the Center City Fire Hall. Their annual Holiday Boutique has many vendors, crafters, and baked goods! There will be unique gifts for teachers, family, co-workers, friends, and so much more. Raffle tickets will be available for a chance to win prize baskets. Lunch will also be available for sale. Do some holiday shopping while supporting a great cause! All proceeds go towards local residents in need.
Have a fun day shopping! The Holiday Craft Fair has several vendors with a wide variety of items, including holiday gifts, Scentsy, jewelry, handcrafted items, and gifts. You can make a day of it and attend two other craft shows on the same day in Center City (within 4 miles of each other). Visit the above link to the Facebook event page with a Google Map and information. Local Cub Scout Pack #144 will be selling food and beverages, plus wreaths and garland.
Don’t miss Lindström’s Annual Tree Lighting Festival at Lindström’s Memorial Park! FREE Admission.
Visit a winter wonderland and see live reindeer, take pictures with Santa, stay warm with hot cocoa, coffee and a bonfire, enjoy a freshly grilled hot dog or brat, make a s’more with Boy Scout Troop 159, meet the KOD/Chisago Lakes Ambassadors, plus listen to live music: High School Brass Ensemble & Santa Lucia Carolers.
Chisago City’s Annual Tree Lighting Festival at Moberg Park.
Come to Moberg Park for Chisago City’s Annual Lighting Festival! FREE Admission.
Events include horse-drawn sleigh rides, music, caroling, refreshments, and of course, Santa! Bring your letters to Santa with a returned addressed envelope, and Santa will reply.
Picket Fence Gals is a one-of-a-kind sale! They have become one of the premier occasional sales in Minnesota. Through the years, Picket Fence Gals has grown to 2 buildings and added Picket Fence Guys. Each vendor has their own design aesthetic that gives Picket Fence Gals a wide array of styles that shoppers will love, from Farmhouse to Modern to BOHO to Mid-century. Every day during the sale is different because the vendors restock each night. Have fun and find wonderful treasures.
Join the Chisago Lakes Chamber team for their Annual Meeting and Holiday Gala. Get to know the community and the team during a social hour then enjoy a delicious buffet dinner and desserts!
For more events in Chisago Lakes, visit the Chisago Lakes Chamber calendar!
Another fun and unique spot to shop is Pleasant Valley Orchard. Plus, you can pick up fresh apples for your Thanksgiving pie.
Life is short, never stop searching for what stirs your soul. ❤️
Pleasant Valley Orchard is open for apple season starting 9/2/2023! The family owned apple orchard is located near Taylors Falls, Minnesota, in the scenic St. Croix River Valley. Judy and Jim are passionate about the land and growing top-quality apples and pumpkins. The fall season kicks off with a bang including many fun family-friendly events; hay rides, live music, local artisans fair, their second annual authors event, and the orchard’s anniversary event. There is a fully stocked bakery and the Pleasant Valley Food Trailer which serves yummy apple donuts, apple brats and apple cider slushies. Follow my Instagram stories for opening weekend and apple season fun!
*Hayrides and the full menu of weekend activities begin September 16 & 17. The food trailer will have limited hours opening weekend and will be fully open starting September 9 & 10. See —LIVE MUSIC CALENDAR.
Celebrate the Halloween season October 20-31 at Pleasant Valley Orchard. The 12 Days of Halloween is the big end up season event including daily sales, spooky story time for the kids, scavenger hunt for all ages, pie baking and pumpkin carving.
