Have an upcoming family photo session in the St. Croix Valley? Consider making an entire day of it! Check out these fun and family friendly things to do in the area.
My family and I have lived in the St. Croix Valley area for almost 4 years now (we just LOVE it here). As a mom of 3 crazy and energetic littles, I like to think of myself as an expert guide on the top local kid-friendly spots and nearby fun things to do with your family. I try to get us out of the house and on some kind of an adventure almost daily to preserve even a little bit of my sanity. (you can only tolerate 3 kids running around screaming inside for so long ya know?).
I’ve put together a list of our family’s favorite restaurants, coffee shops, parks, dessert spots, and other fun activities in the St. Croix Valley for you below, and linked everything for you too! If you have an upcoming photo session with me at my Somerset, WI studio, I highly recommend making a full day of your family photos and checking out a few of these spots! The kids will have a blast, you’ll have fun making sweet new memories with them, and they will be nice and tired when you get home. Win win win!
Fun things to do with your family in the St. Croix Valley:
The Grounds Restaurant – Somerset WI
This is one of our favorite places to get dinner as a fam! They are located at the St. Croix National Golf Center. They have the tastiest wood fired pizzas and their patio has amazing views of the golf course.
Lolo’s – Locations in both Stillwater and Hudson
They have such a fun menu (their burgers and sticky rice bowls are the best!) and plenty of fun cocktails. We have several (very) picky eaters in our house and they always find something they like here!
St. Croix Baking Company – Hudson, WI
Looking for a fun place to stop for dessert while you are in the area? This is one of our favorite places to stop in Hudson. They have so many fun treats (the macarons are the best)! And if you have a one year cake smash with me you’ll already get a taste of what they offer!
Mabel’s Ice Cream – Bayport, MN
This is the cutest local, small town ice cream shop! We come here waayyy too often in the summer. Moms, they have a decent coffee menu too!
Lotus Creamery – Hudson, WI
Fun little seasonal ice cream shop in Hudson with a ton of yummy and unique flavors! They’re located right in downtown Hudson so it’s a perfect place to grab some ice cream and go for a walk.
Hullabaloo – Stillwater, MN
This indoor playground is the perfect activity for younger kids! We love visiting during the winter when we need to find something fun and entertaining to do outside of the house. They even have a little party room for all your future birthday parties!
Hudson GNG – Hudson, WI
This indoor playground is awesome and perfect for kids of all ages! They have a massive jungle gym/playground, blacklight mini golf, and arcade games. You could seriously spend the entire day there and your kids will still not want to leave. They also do birthday parties! If you are coming to my studio for a milestone birthday session for your child, you could coordinate the timing of your session and plan their birthday party there afterwards!
Teddy Bear Park – Stillwater, MN
This playground is right near downtown Stillwater. It’s filled with a bunch of fun and unique playground equipment and gets it’s name from all of the cute teddy bear statues. This is the perfect outdoor, kid-friendly activity for warm and sunny days! They also have a cute gazebo and lots of picnic tables so it is the perfect spot for a summer picnic lunch!
Stillwater Trolley, Stillwater, MN
If you are looking for something fun and different to do while in the area, our kids love the trolley tours! They even have story time rides specifically for kids!
Wheelhouse Coffee – Somerset, WI
If you’re looking for a cute local coffee spot to stop at either before or after your session, Wheelhouse Coffee is my absolute favorite! They’re also attached to Caffeine Choas & Crafts which makes it the perfect spot to grab some coffee and some locally made gifts!
Lux Coffee Company – New Richmond, WI
This is another one of my favorite coffee shops in the area. The vibe is super cute and cozy inside, so it’s a great option if you are looking for somewhere to hang out for a bit!
Your guide to the best family-friendly activities in the St. Croix Valley
I hope you found this list of family-friendly activities in the St. Croix Valley area fun and helpful! And if you need any additional recommendations or help making a full day out of your studio session with me, just reach out! I would love to offer more tips and ideas and help you plan the perfect day of fun activities for your family!
More tips to help you prep for your upcoming family photo session:
