The start of a new season in Minnesota means the start of new, exciting activities and adventures. My friends and family from other areas of the country have asked how Minnesotans survive the long winter days. I want to share my list of our favorite winter activities that I have given to friends & family on how to thrive (not just survive) the snowy days ahead. Save this list for ideas of things to do in Minnesota this winter!
1. Ice Castle Adventures in Maple Grove
Explore beautiful Minnesota Ice Castles in Maple Grove and sculptures, which includes going down an icy slide as well! We enjoyed the frosty bars, holiday-themed cocktails and food trucks. All dates and hours are weather dependent. At night time, you can walk through the ice castles as they light up the night.
2. Cold Plunges and Saunas in MN
Nothing says Minnesota like a cold plunge followed by a sauna session. And in Minnesota, we have tons of sauna options with the most beautiful view! If you love Lake Superior, consider checking out Sisu & Loyly, located in Grand Marais, MN. They offer a unique floating sauna experience, as well as their original location overlooking Lake Superior. Located in Duluth and Minneapolis, Cedar & Stone Nordic Sauna offers events and group sessions (perfect for a spa day or friends day!). For hot tub experiences, Bluefin Bay in Tofte, MN has a gorgeous hot tub sunrise view near Lake Superior. Hotel Crosby in Stillwater, MN offers a lovely rooftop hot tub experience downtown.
3. Stroll the Holiday Light Shows in MN
Minnesota is home to several unique light show experiences! My personal favorite (and it’s free!) is the Kiwanis Light Show at Sibley Park in Mankato, MN. Open Thursday through Sunday, you can walk or drive thru millions of lights. We love walking through because we love the warming house with the mini donuts & hot chocolate. You can also go ice skating & visit the reindeer. The Zollmon Zoo at Oxbow Park in Byron, MN also has their Zoo Dazzle, 2 day event, which is free!
If you are looking for adventures in the metro area, consider exploring GLOW Holiday (you can zip line over the lights!) in St. Paul, Holidazzle in Loring Park (a free event with food trucks, pop up shops), Sever’s Holiday Lights drive thru, and Minnesota Landscape Arboretum Winter Lights. If you love Duluth, don’t forget to visit Bentleyville Lights Tour & visit Santa (free event)! Fun fact- you can actually book a helicopter ride & fly over the lights tour!
4. Shop Christmas Markets
Nothing says Christmas like shopping small, local & enjoying unique Christmas markets! Located at the Union Depot in St. Paul, MN, The European Christmas Market has over 70 vendors, a holiday train, live entertainment and tons of delicious food! Duluth, MN hosts the Winter Village featuring tons of vendors from local shops, fire pits, drinks and food all with the backdrop of Lake Superior and the Lift Bridge. Fitger’s Inn turns into a winter wonderland with festive store fronts, reindeer, festive food stops and a nice stroll along Lake Superior. Duluth is also home to the Engers Loft Deck the Halls event, and farther along the North Shore, Grand Marais hosts the Holiday Harbor Village weekend! The newest holiday market, Christkindlsmrkt, is located in Excelsior, MN. Tickets are $5.75, and the market features vendors, the holiday trolley, food, events and more!
5. Indulge in Holiday-Themed Coffee Flights in MN
Check out your favorite local coffee shops to see if they offer seasonal holiday flights! My sister and I traded a night out for a morning about. We went to the French Hen for breakfast, then visited some of our favorite coffee shops to experience their seasonal flights. Our favorite Minnesota coffee shops that feature holiday flights are Froth & Cork in Hastings, Annabelle House in Osseo, Bascamp Coffee & Provisions in Minnetonka, Third Space Coffee in St. Paul, the Fillmore in Mankato, MN and CREAM Cafe in Minneapolis. Check out my article, Coffee Flights in Minnesota, for my full list!
6. Spend a Weekend in a Minnesota Hallmark Town
Winter is magical in Minnesota, and we have several towns that are straight out of a Hallmark movie, making the perfect winter getaway. We love renting cozy cabins in these small towns because they are intimate, slow going and sprinkle the season with a sense of nostalgia. Some of our favorite getaways are Grand Marais (or anywhere on the North Shore), Taylors Falls, Stillwater, Crosby, Ely, Lanesboro and Northfield. Check out my blog article, A Guide to Minnesota’s Most Charming Towns.
7. Ride the Holiday Train
All aboard Santa’s Train Shop at the Jackson Street Roundhouse, presented by the Minnesota Transportation Museum. Presented on the first 3 weekends of December, this annual Christmas event creates unforgettable memories for the whole family! Meet Santa for cherished photos, hop on a festive caboose ride, explore our enchanting Christmas Lego Land, and let the little ones play in our Kids Area. Enjoy guided tours of our historic shop and museum, shop for unique gifts, and be captivated by live holiday entertainment and so much more!
8. Outdoor Winter Activities in MN
Minnesota is full of exciting, outdoor options to keep you busy in the winter time. We love snow tubing at Buck Hills in Burnsville, and we also love the Lutsen Mountain Ski Resort. Hiking and snowshoeing the Minnesota State Park trail system is a favorite of ours. If you are looking for a unique outdoor experience, consider booking a fun dog sledding experience, offered in Ely, MN and Grand Marais, MN.
9. Northern Starlight Express in Minneapolis
If you love immersive holiday experiences, then the Northern Starlight is for you! Step back in time aboard the Northern Starlight for a festive, immersive holiday experience featuring handcrafted cocktails and seasonal bites in a cozy, nostalgic train-car setting. Reservations are required and must be made in groups of two or four. Here is the excerpt from the website regarding reservations: “Due to demand, reservations will be released one week before the date requested. Please arrive 10-15 minutes early for your reservation, as the experience will start promptly at your reservation time” (The Depot Minneapolis, 2024).
10. Walk Through a Rain Forest at Como Zoo
If you are looking to experience the outdoors inside, we love visiting the Como Zoo in the winter time-especially the conservatory! They still are festive for the holidays, yet you can tropical vibes as you walk through the zoo. Also- it’s a lot more quiet in the winter time- and it’s free!
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