Teddy Bear Park

Beloved toys around the world, teddy bears are icons of childhood wonder. These plush effigies put soft paws and friendly faces on one of nature's most dangerous creatures. Normally, they're tiny, confined to bedrooms and car backseats — except in Stillwater. The 'Birthplace of Minnesota' houses a park bristling with some of the only teddy bears in the world that are larger than their animal namesakes. 

The park, a five-million-dollar investment featuring over half a dozen teddy bear statues that range in height from two to over ten feet tall, was given to the city as a completely anonymous gift in the mid-2000s. The identities of the benefactors have since been revealed: former Dell executive Tom Armstrong and his wife, who also committed millions of dollars to other local parks. The resolution of that mystery has robbed the park of none of its magic, however. 

The person-sized teddy bears are posed enjoying the other amenities of the park, such as the amphitheater and some of the rides. The park also features a two-story building available as an event venue, a playground area with a miniature of the historic Stillwater Lift Bridge, a climbing wall, and more.