Stillwater named most picturesque small town by USA Today

Recently Stillwater was named the most picturesque small town by USA Today, as their selection for the state of Minnesota.

“Stillwater is all around just a beautiful town, it’s not really a surprise to me that it won. It’s such a pretty place to live and if you don’t live there, it’s a very pretty place to visit and explore for a day,” sophomore Mariah Marsnik said.

Downtown Stillwater is a very popular place for up and coming businesses because it will draw more attention to them and more people are likely to stop in while they are walking around.

“When I was first going to open, I had the option of opening right off of highway 36 and downtown, and I thought downtown was more inspiring and it breathed art for an art studio so I chose to open up down here,” Kari Patsy said, owner of Kari’s Create & Paint Studio.

Being named the most picturesque small town will start to draw more attention and more people to come visit downtown Stillwater.

“I think it’ll start to bring more out of state people to come visit. Most people in Minnesota already know how pretty Stillwater is but I hope it’ll start to draw more attention down here,” Patsy said.

Downtown Stillwater is overall a very beautiful place for anything. People get married here and take wedding pictures, some take their senior pictures downtown because of its beautiful  scenery.

“I think it says a lot that people take their senior pictures or wedding pictures down here. A lot of people have to drive farther away from where they live to take those pictures, but for us it’s just  convenient, but it still makes for beautiful pictures,” said Marsnik.

A lot of things set Stillwater apart from other small towns in Minnesota, such as the unique businesses and one of a kind shops.

“I think not only the beauty of it made it win but just the uniqueness that it has. It’s in the revitalization stage, with new businesses coming in such as our studio it’s becoming more kid and teen friendly and not just antique stores,” Patsy said.

Stillwater is known for specific attractions such as the river and the lift bridge but all over there is little hidden gems that you have to look for that makes its even more beautiful.

“Its not all architecture if you just walk around and explore a little you can find little hidden places that are just really pretty, you just have to explore and you’ll find them,” Marsnik said.

Stillwater is over all a beautiful town to live in and to visit if you do not live here. There is always something or somewhere new to visit.

“Living here is honestly just fun. There’s so much for everyone to do here and if there’s nothing you want to do, exploring is so fun going to find new places to take pictures and hang out is always fun especially when it’s so pretty here,” Marsnik said.