A favorite destination year-round, Stillwater has been voted one of the “Top 5 Midwest Towns to Visit Now,” and “One of the Top Ten Prettiest Towns in America” by Forbes. For anyone who’s ever spent time in the city, it’s easy to see why. The natural beauty of being nestled alongside the St. Croix River, towering bluffs and historic architecture make it look like it was plucked straight from a painting.

Water activities are a way of life in the city. Swimming, fishing and watercrafts of all makes and sizes are welcome here. Don’t have a boat? No problem. Stillwater Boat Club and Ole Sawmill Marina offer boat rentals for those without a vessel of their own. If you want to traverse the waters without the help of an engine, Brown Dog Paddleboard Co. offers group paddleboard instructions and rentals. And St. Croix Boat & Packet Co. River Cruises serve up lunch and dinner cruises onboard their paddlewheel boats.

Brew and wine devotees will find plenty of spirited options to tantalize their taste buds. Lift Bridge Brewery and Maple Island Brewing craft their own unique menu of suds, and Northern Vineyards Winery and Saint Croix Vineyards are just a couple of the many wineries that have set up shop in Stillwater. BierCycle Adventures is a great way to explore this picturesque city with 12 of your closest friends as you drink and peddle your way downtown and along the river.

The gem of Stillwater might also be its sweetest. Nelson’s Ice Cream has been lauded for their generous-sized scoops—often resembling softballs—and long list of delicious flavors. For anyone with a bottomless stomach, The Lumberjack is a worthy adversary for trying to fill it. If you’re able to finish this five-scoop goliath on your own, your picture will be forever enshrined on Nelson’s “Wall of Fame.”

The water entertainment, rocky bluffs and old-town charm surrounding Stillwater make it one stop you don’t want to miss.