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LENGTH: 123 Miles
ROUTE: Between Afton and Sandstone
ALONG THE BYWAYS
Afton House Inn and
Afton*Hudson Cruise Line
3291 S St. Croix Trail, Box 326, Afton, 55001
651-436-8883
www.aftonhouseinn.com
25-room historic country inn with gas fireplace and Jacuzzi. Upscale dining in Wheel Room and casual dining in Catfish Saloon. Private and public boat cruises May through October. We’re sure you’ll enjoy your next getaway to Afton on the scenic St. Croix River.
Pine City Area Chamber of Commerce
900 Fourth St SE, Ste. 112, Pine City, 55063
320-629-4565
www.pinecitychamber.com Conveniently located midway between Minneapolis-St. Paul and Duluth-Superior, Pine City is a beautiful, thriving community with 3,000-plus acres of boatable water plus the Snake River, promoting economic growth and development while maintaining a friendly, small-town atmosphere. |
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The St. Croix Scenic Byway rambles along the alternately wild and pastoral St. Croix River, a National Scenic Riverway, from just south of Afton State Park to Banning State Park north of Sandstone. This byway passes through historic river towns that still retain the character and architecture of decades past. Numerous B&Bs in these towns are perfect places for rest and relaxation. There are five state parks along the St. Croix River, offering miles of wooded hiking trails.
Day 1
Begin your outing in the pretty village of Afton with charming homes and shops dating back to the 1850s-1870s. Enjoy a riverboat cruise or, in late summer or fall, visit a local apple orchard. The nearby town of Stillwater, the self-proclaimed “Birthplace of Minnesota,” is best known for its picturesque Main Street lined with unique restaurants, antique dealers and art galleries. Hop on the Stillwater Trolley for a full tour of this lively town.
Day 2
Explore the state parks, rolling countryside, river shores and rugged landscapes of the route. Start out in the picturesque town of Marine on St. Croix, where you can view the Marine Mill ruins, with portions of the stone foundations of a once booming sawmill.
Enjoy a mid-morning jaunt through William O’Brien State Park, or head to the Gammelgarden Museum in Scandia (Gammelgarden means “old small farm”), home to restored structures built by Swedish immigrants, including one of the oldest Lutheran Churches in the state, built in 1856. Interstate State Park in Taylors Falls features boat tours, glacial potholes, rock climbing and canoe and kayak rental. In Taylors Falls, stroll through the Angel Hill District, a cluster of Greek Revival-style homes, including the Folsom House, open for tours. North of town, Wild Mountain recreation area has a water park, alpine slides and go carts, with skiing in the winter.
Day 3
Museums and spots of historical interest align the byway. Wild River State Park, with its wooded hiking trails, provides some great views of the St. Croix River. Stop at the North West Company Fur Post in Pine City before traveling up Highway 61 to Hinckley’s Fire Museum, which tells the story of the fire of 1894 that destroyed six towns. Make a stop at St. Croix State Park, Minnesota’s largest state park with more than 34,000 acres, and enjoy five miles of paved bike trails or 21 miles of mountain biking paths. |
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