WWingAwayWEEKENDSFly to lunchDestination guide 158
Minnesota · Couples · Two nights

Stillwater & the St. Croix

A historic river town on the St. Croix.

Stillwater is Minnesota’s birthplace, an old lumber town of brick storefronts and bluffs along the St. Croix River. Stay at the Lora Hotel, walk across the 1931 Lift Bridge, browse the bookshops and antique stores, take a trolley tour, hike the bluffs at William O’Brien or Interstate State Park and have dinner at a wine bar.

River townBoutique hotelBluffs
See the weekend itineraryFlight & arrival details
Fall color in Stillwater, Minnesota
Autumn in Stillwater
YOUR ROUTEKMYR to 21D
STRAIGHT-LINE DISTANCE~935 NM
ILLUSTRATIVE FLIGHT TIME~6 hr 29 min
WEEKEND STYLETwo nights · Rental car

Time illustration: direct distance at 150 KTAS plus 15 minutes for departure and arrival, matching the discovery page. Use ForeFlight for your actual flight plan.

01 / Aviation & getting around

Land at Lake Elmo.

21D, Lake Elmo Airport, is a non-towered field about 15 minutes from Stillwater. The main runway is 3,504 by 75 feet.

The FBO

Lake Elmo Aero

Lake Elmo Airport, Lake Elmo, MN

651-777-1399

Shorter runway: check performance. For a longer runway, St. Paul Downtown (KSTP) is about 30 minutes away. Confirm fuel and a ride. No live fuel price is shown.

Upper Midwest weather: summer thunderstorms, fast-moving fronts, and cold, snowy winters with icing. About 940 nm from Myrtle Beach: a long cross-country day with two fuel stops. Plan four or more nights, or break the trip with an overnight on the way.

02 / Where to stay

Boutique hotels on Main Street.

Rates and availability need travel dates. Summer and fall weekends book early.

03 / Where to eat

A wine bar and a hotel restaurant.

Reserve weekend dinners.

04 / Things to do

River, bridge and bluffs.

Easy, walkable days with one park outing.

01

Stillwater Lift Bridge

A 1931 lift bridge, now a walking loop over the river.

Discover Stillwater
02

Stillwater Trolley

Narrated tours of the old lumber town.

Trolley
05 / What’s happening

Sometimes the season is the reason to fly.

This prototype links to the local visitor site. It does not yet match events to your travel dates.

Late September–October

Fall color

The St. Croix bluffs at their best.

Summer

River season

Boats and patios.

Concerts, festivals & local happenings

Check the local calendar when choosing a weekend, and confirm dates and tickets with the organizer.

Browse Stillwater events
06 / Suggested itinerary

Friday in. Sunday home.

A sample long weekend in a river town. This is a long flight; plan four or more nights. No bookings or availability confirmed.

DAY 1

Arrive

  1. Arrival

    Land at 21D, subject to weather, your fuel stops and your actual flight plan.

  2. Afternoon

    Walk Main Street and the Lift Bridge.

  3. Evening

    Dinner at Feller.

DAY 2

Explore

  1. Morning

    A trolley tour.

  2. Afternoon

    The bluffs at William O’Brien.

  3. Evening

    Dinner at Domaćin.

DAY 3

One more day

  1. Morning

    Bookshops and coffee.

  2. Before leaving

    Allow time at the airport.

  3. Fly home

    A long trip south-east; start early and plan your fuel stops.

07 / Good to know

Keep the weekend easy to change.

These details make the difference between an appealing list and a usable getaway.

Book in this order

Lodging first.

Long flight

About 935 nm. Plan two fuel stops and four or more nights.

Runway

Lake Elmo is short; KSTP is the alternative.

Best seasons

May to October.

Reviewed · Destination 158

Reviewed November 5, 2026.

Picks and links reviewed by WingAway Weekends. Hours, prices, menus and availability change often, so confirm directly with each place before booking.

WingAway Weekends helps you discover the destination. Use ForeFlight and current official aviation information for route, performance, weather, NOTAMs and preflight decisions. Flight planning and PIC responsibility stay with the pilot.