Exciting Book-Themed Weekend Getaway!

theadventurer91

Jun 11

3 min read

I was bursting with excitement to surprise my friend Dani with a book-themed weekend getaway! You've probably seen those amazing videos or stories about book retreats, right? That's where I got this brilliant idea. About two months in advance, I mailed her a mysterious package with a clue about our destination. Inside, she found Agatha Christie's Murder on the Orient Express, along with an invite and a card detailing everything she needed to know—except the location, of course!

Saturday, June 6

We set off on an adventure heading north towards the Twin Cities, where an Asian Street Food Night Market was in full swing for the weekend. With over 60 food and merchandise vendors and live music, it was a feast for the senses! We devoured delicious pork and chicken skewers drizzled with a sweet and sour sauce. For drinks, we sipped on the exotic Dragon Blood drink, complete with a fancy straw and a cute umbrella. It was so tasty! And for dessert, we indulged in mini donuts—because who can resist them? Dani chose Oreo-topped donuts, and I went for Cinnabon with sugar. Simply amazing!

Next, we drove 30 minutes east to our enchanting destination: Stillwater, MN. We arrived at the Rivertown Inn, and it felt like stepping into the pages of one of our beloved books. The gardens were stunning, dotted with hidden statues, and not a single weed in sight. The gazebo was the stuff of dreams, with an interior setup I absolutely adored—I could have taken that carpet home! As we wandered through the gardens to the front door and entered the house, I was utterly speechless. It was everything I ever wanted! Each room was filled with delightful details that kept catching my eye, especially the wallpaper. My favorite was the music room—or maybe it was the formal dining room. We then headed to the carriage house where our grand suite awaited, themed after none other than Agatha Christie! Fun fact: every room at the Rivertown Inn is inspired by a different literary author. Stepping inside felt like boarding a train car, with every detail perfectly executed. It was a chef’s kiss of design!

As we all know, Agatha Christie is the Queen of Crime. She spent quite a bit of time in Cairo, Egypt, both in her youth and later as an archaeologist's wife. Speaking of Cairo, the bathroom was a treasure trove with a replica of King Tut’s sarcophagus—one of my favorite features of the suite! Side note: Egypt is in my top five must-visit places in the world. The suite was adorned with all of Christie's works displayed on various bookshelves, which was a lovely touch. I could rave about the room and the main house forever, but I'll let the pictures do the talking. While waiting for supper, we immersed ourselves in our own books, soaking up the suite's incredible ambiance.

We explored downtown Stillwater with excitement, discovering charming little shops and delightful eateries. We chose to dine at Melt Pizza Company, a fantastic Detroit-style pizza restaurant and bar. After savoring delicious pizza and drinks, we embarked on a quest to find the rabbit... or rather, The Velveteen speakeasy. Hidden in the basement of the JX Event Center, The Velveteen boasted stunning art deco walls and a vibrant 1920s vibe. The cocktail menu was brimming with enticing options, and I eagerly chose the Thyme After Thyme. With drinks enjoyed and music savored, we happily returned to the Inn for the night.

Sunday, June 7

Good morning! Waking up in the train car suite was an extraordinary experience—I wish I could start every day like this. While waiting for our breakfast, we indulged in some more reading time, because why not? Breakfast was far fancier than my usual fare, featuring Tea Cake, Watermelon Granita, and Southwest Strata. It was absolutely delicious, except for the mushrooms and the watermelon. We soaked up every moment in our room before it was time to bid farewell and head back home.

This weekend getaway may not have been packed with activities, but it was wonderfully refreshing to explore a new town, of course reading and staying at an incredible Rivertown Inn, which I am definitely planning to revisit. More book-themed trips might be on the horizon—who knows what adventures await? Enjoy the pictures and happy reading!