Things To Do In Minnesota This Winter

I used to dread winter. As a person who has lived nearly their entire life in the midwest, this is somewhat problematic. It really wasn’t until I was out of college that I started to shift my mindset and realized that winter can be really fun! Not to mention, it’s a whole lot more enjoyable when you’re properly dressed for it!

Minnesotan’s are an active bunch and take full advantage of the outdoor spaces we have. That might be even more true in the winter because it’s not easy to get out and about, but we do it anyway.

So rather than hiding under a heated blanket until Spring, here are some insider tips for things to do in Minnesota this winter, embrace the cold like a local and break up that cabin fever!

First Things First, Get Dressed for the Cold

I used to be so miserable in the winter because I would literally walk out of my house wearing chucks and a hoodie. My feet would be numb in a manner of minutes and I could feel the wind blow right through that over-washed, flimsy piece of fabric I would call a coat. I would dash inside as quickly as possible and dread having to go back outside.

When I finally invested in winter gear - a proper coat, snow boots, insulated gloves and countless pairs of wool socks, it was a total game changer!

Dressing in layers is the key to success. It’s important to dress in layers, because not only you don’t want to be too cold, it’s equally as dangerous to over-heat and start sweating. As soon as that sweat meets the frigid air, it will turn to ice, and start sucking out your core warmth.

So before you take on any winter activities, you gotta start with the basics and dress for it! You don’t need the most expensive gear, but you do need some protection from the elements. Apart from being a lot more comfortable, it can actually be dangerous at times if you are underdressed for the cold!

Chase a Frozen Waterfall

Minnesota is home to countless waterfalls made even more beautiful when frozen. Right in Minneapolis you can find Minnehaha Falls, the most popular of destinations even in winter. Many locals climb up behind the falls, though this is technically trespassing, so climb at your own risk!

Other falls outside the Twin Cities to add to your bucket list:

Minneopa Falls, Mankato MN
Gooseberry Falls, Two Harbors MN
Winnewissa Falls, Pipestone MN
Devil’s Kettle Falls, Hovland MN
Temperance River Falls, Schroeder MN
Devil’s Punchbowl, Menomonie, WI

Go Snow Tubing

Picking up a childhood favorite activity, snow tubing quickly became one my favorite things again during the pandemic. Turns out zooming down hills, laughing my head off is such a huge stress reliever for me!

My favorite sledding/tubing hills are at Powderhorn Park, Theo-Wirth Park and in Highland Park, St Paul. For a more comprehensive list of great sledding hills in the surrounding metro, check out this amazing list!

Hit the Ice

There’s no shortage of frozen water in Minnesota, so whether you’re lacing up your skates or grabbing a fishing pole, you can easily spend an entire afternoon out on the lake!

Want to go ice skating but not sure where to start? Check out this great article of outdoor rinks in the Twin Cities.

Attend a Winter Festival

Minnesotan’s will take any opportunity to get together, even if it’s freezing out! From snow and ice sculpting championships, ice fishing challenges and art festivals, there’s no shortage of fun things to do every winter.

St Paul Winter Festival - Jan 28 - Feb 6, 2022

Art Shanty’s Project - Jan. 15th - Feb. 6, 2022

The Great Northern - Jan. 27th - Feb. 6, 2022

Luminary Loppet - Feb. 5th, 2022

Stillwater Winter Fest - Feb. 13th, 2022

Ely Winter Festival, Feb. 3 - 13, 2022

Related Article: Winter Kite Festival and Art Shanty Project

See Some Sculptures - In the Snow!

World Snow Sculpting Championships, 2022

Sculptures in the snow or made from snow, either way you can see them during the winter months in Minnesota!

Franconia sculpture park is located just outside of Taylors Falls, about 40 mins from the Twin Cities and is open year round.

Downtown Stillwater, MN (about 35 mins from the Twin Cities) is home to the world snow sculpting championship and the work will be on display until it gets warm enough to melt.

The Walker Art Center just outside of downtown Minneapolis has a beautiful sculpture garden that is free to visit year round.

Explore the Ice Castles

If you want to feel like you’re in the heart of an ice cave but only minutes from home, the beautifully man-made ice castles in New Brighton, MN are an absolute must see!

Tickets are required in advance, and definitely make sure you dress extra warm for this activity!

Take a (Winter) Hike!

Don’t let the cold weather stop you from hitting the trails. There are so many amazing places to hike in and around the Twin Cities. So lace up those boots or put on those snow shoes and get walkin’!

Here’s a list of some of my favorite easy hikes you can do near the Twin Cities.

Have a Winter Cabin Getaway

Even if you can’t escape winter, you can still take a winter escape from your own house. Like a lot of people, I now work mostly remotely because of the pandemic, so there are days where I’m so sick of seeing my own house!

Taking even just a weekend to go literally anywhere else can really help break up the cabin fever!

Go Exploring at Night

Those winter nights are extra long, so why not make the most of them? I’ve found exploring (outside) at night can be really invigorating and break up the routine of just binging another show on Netflix.

I particularly enjoy walking across the Stone Arch Bridge at night and seeing the city all lit up.

Take a Sauna

Warm up those frigid bones in an extra hot sauna! Don’t have access to a sauna, never fear! There are a few options in the Twin Cities you can look into booking like the ice sauna at Freehouse courtesy of Cedar and Stone. Or head to the Mall of America for a sauna and ice bath with Embrace North + LuluLemon

Escape the Cold at an Indoor Dog Park + Bar

I can’t even begin to tell you how excited I was when I first heard about Unleashed Hounds and Hops in Minneapolis. We have an older basset hound who can’t really do an all-day play session at doggy day care, but an hour at an indoor dog park is perfect for us! On those extra cold days having a place we can take him to let him burn off some extra energy, sip on a beer and see some adorable dogs is truly just the best!

The best part is, you don’t even have to have a dog to go. So if you need some puppy love and some good food and drinks, check out Unleashed Hops & Hounds!

If you do have a dog and want to take them, just follow the directions on their website to make sure your pup is registered in advance.

Revisit Your Favorite Outdoor Places

If the winter blues got you down, try re-visiting some of your favorite places. Being a space that makes you happy can do wonders for the soul. And it’s amazing how a blanket of snow can really transform a place! I’ve found revisiting some of my favorite places in winter can make it feel completely new and exciting again.

Related Article: Mini Adventure Ideas for Exploring Close to Home

There you have it! I hope you found this list inspiring to not only get through those extra frigid days this winter, but maybe even embrace the season and bring a smile to your cold face. If you have any other ideas I missed, let me know in the comments!

Until next time, happy adventuring!
Xoxo,
Karen