By Britt Aamodt

Whatever trip is on your horizon, chances are your goal is to have fun. But, as you know, traveling in large groups can sometimes be a bit challenging, what with scheduling guides and customized tours, deciding where to dine, and—worse yet—finding a place to park your motorcoach.

The best part of a tour for the group traveler is the destination. The best part of the tour for the group travel planner is the destination representative who can enhance your pre-planning by helping you locate group discounts, ample parking and the kind of local-color hot spots, landmarks, and events that can transform a trip into a cherished experience.

If you’re looking for that special destination geared to the group traveler, then Stillwater, Minnesota has your name all over it. Called the birthplace of Minnesota, Stillwater has had some practice rolling out the red carpet for tourists. Stillwater’s Chamber of Commerce provides the kind of insight only a local organization could. Like, got any public restrooms in the town? Or, which joint really has the best burgers in town?

One of the first things you’re likely to hear about Stillwater is that it’s the place to go for antiques, with dozens of furniture, houseware, book, and clothing shops huddled behind storefronts as historic as their wares. But that’s not all Stillwater is known for. (This is where your inside scoop comes in handy.) Did you know that downtown Brine’s Restaurant is home to Minnesota’s one and only Frozen Bocce Ball Tournament?

If you figured winter was for bundling indoors, then you haven’t visited Stillwater. Locals consider winter just an extension of summer (with a few more added layers). Spread along the shores of the St. Croix River, Stillwater attracts legions of outdoor enthusiasts in search of snowshoeing and cross-country ski trails. Of course, if you’re like me, that last thing you want to do is step off a bus and launch into a two-mile winter hike.

The best kind of slog in Stillwater, whether winter or summer, is the downtown stretch. You can park your motorcoach at one end, and have it pick you up at the other. (And your Chamber representative knows exactly where you can park.) But you’ll want to allow a generous margin of time for stragglers lured in by every candy shop, art gallery, bead emporium, toyshop, jeweler’s, and specialty store tucked into the town’s many nooks and crannies. Part of the fascination of Stillwater is deciding you’ve found the cutest, quaintest boutique on earth, only to discover another down the block.

If you’re looking for good eats or fine dining, you have your pick in Stillwater. You can ask the Chamber for breakfast and dinner recommendations, or let your nose do the searching for you. Downtown is always wafting with good smells: popcorn, fresh-baked bread, Italian, Thai, Mexican, barbecue and—the traveler’s best friend—coffee!

For a cup of the strong stuff, you can't do much better than Grumpy Steve's Coffee House, built into an ancient river cliff with the Joseph Wolf Cave behind it. The cave got its name from Joseph Wolf who early in the 20th century used the cave to craft and store his German-inspired brews. Or if wine is more your style, Northern Vineyards Winery on Main Street puts on daily wine tastings.

One of Stillwater's most venerable eating establishments and hotels is Lowell Inn. Opened in 1927, the 23-room inn boasts several uniquely furnished dining rooms—perfect for groups—with lunch and dinner menus. The Lowell Inn High Tea is a treat with unlimited pots of fresh-brewed tea to the accompaniment of warm scones, soup, tea sandwiches, and dessert platter.

To get a real taste of Stillwater, ask about Stillwater’s “alternative” travel options. You can’t have a river town without a paddleboat cruise, and lucky for you the St. Croix Boat & Packet Company caters to groups. So does the Minnesota Zephyr, five restored dining cars that offer 5-course white-linen dinners along a track that wends through the lush St. Croix River Valley. Arrive early because the Stillwater Depot, where you meet to board the Zephyr, has a first-rate gift shop and a full-service martini bar, and they have a lot sized for motorcoach groups.

You can bone up on Stillwater’s lumberjack history, architecture and its Hollywood connections (the town has been the location for several films, including Grumpy Old Men) with a ride on the Stillwater Trolley. Aamodt’s Apple Farm, just outside downtown, offers hot air balloon rides, along with some of the sweetest apple cider this side of the St. Croix.

Don’t know where or when to start your Stillwater itinerary? Bet the Stillwater Chamber could give you some ideas.

Journalist

http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/itiner... 

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