❄ winter is a wonderland of adventure -





explore minnesota | minnesota explorer | a snowy day | a kid in a red snowsuit walks through an icy tunnel with icicles in various shades of blue [ [link removed] ]





magical minnesota activities

It might be too soon to say...but it seems like our signature winter weather is back! But winter isn't just a season here, it's a state of mind, and the key is to embrace (rather than escape) the cold by loading up your calendar with magical celebrations.

 

*FIND YOUR WINTER WONDER* [ [link removed] ]






laughing person in large black winter coat, red plaid bomber hat, and reflective sunglasses is on the ice with a large crowd [ [link removed] ]





festive cheer is always near

This is your friendly nudge to stop hiding from winter weather. These outdoor events embrace the playfulness of the chill - from frozen turkey bowling to ice bar tippling to golfing on ice! It might be just enough to swap your fuzzy slippers for those warm boots.

 

*BUNDLE UP ON FUN* [ [link removed] ]






Iron archway with a hanging lantern lit in front of a log cabin with red shutters. Snow lightly falls on already covered ground. [ [link removed] ]





come on baby, let's get away

Minnesota can give you a warm and cozy stay with fireplaces, saunas and intimate dinners or a bracing adventure in the elements by skiing, dogsledding or snowshoeing through the trees. Both give you a break from your day-to-day and — bonus — the Star of the North doesn’t make you choose one or the other.

 

*GO ON AN ESCAPADE* [ [link removed] ]











NOW TRENDING

A Canadian Pacific train is decorated it moving and colorful lights. Snowflakes, wreaths, and bells are amongst the lighted subjects. [ [link removed] ]

*JOIN THE HYPE TRAIN >> [ [link removed] ]*










10 things to do this winter

FIND SOMETHING NEW

the backs of two people in winter gear, glide on cross-country skis on white powdery snow. The sun rising in the background. [ [link removed] ]

1. tackle trails 

Whether you lace up your boots for a winter walk or prefer exploring powdery paths on snowshoes, snowmobile, fat bike or cross-country skis, you'll find plenty of room to roam on Minnesota's thousands of miles of winter trails. More than two dozen Minnesota state parks offer groomed trails for skiing.

 

In the Minneapolis-St. Paul area, some popular cross-country spots are *Elm Creek Park Reserve* [ [link removed] ] in Maple Grove, *Hyland Lake Park Reserve [ [link removed] ]* in Bloomington and *Theodore Wirth Regional Park [ [link removed] ]* in Minneapolis. Snowshoe rentals are common in state and local park systems, but call ahead to confirm availability before heading out.

 

Since nature centers are often surrounded by trails, they make a great starting point for snowshoeing, winter hiking, snowmobiling or cross-country skiing. Options include the *River Bend Nature Cente*r [ [link removed] ] in Faribault (skiing and snowmobiling), *Maplewood Nature Center [ [link removed] ]* (snowshoeing) and *Hartley Nature Center [ [link removed] ]* in Duluth (skiing).

 

For the ultimate winter outing, check out a popular *luminary event [ [link removed] ]* where trails are illuminated by cozy candlelight. These events are suitable for all ages and ability levels.

 

 

Two adults and two kids in winter coats, gloves, and hockey skates, play a friendly game of hockey on an outdoor ice rink. [ [link removed] ]

2. glide on some ice 

Lace up your skates and glide onto the Riverbend Skate Path, one of the longest ice-skating trails in the United States. It connects to *Doc's Harbor Inn [ [link removed] ]*’s public skating rink as well as several private rinks to provide 5 miles of open skating for all to enjoy in Warroad.

 

You can skate North America’s largest outdoor refrigerated rink in Roseville, or head to Maple Grove to carve your way across one of the country’s only refrigerated ice skating trails. If frozen lakes are more your style, head to Edina, Buffalo, or one of three lakes in Minneapolis - Lake of the Isles, Nokomis and Powderhorn. Lace up at the Infinity Loop on Lake Minnetonka’s Wayzata Bay during the *Wayzata Chilly Open [ [link removed] ]* in February and you can even watch a movie on a jumbo screen as you skate.

 

 

a small town main street looks like a postcard covered in fresh snow, with a garland of wreaths strung from one side of the street to the other. [ [link removed] ]

3. shop til you drop 

During the holiday season, support local makers marts, *European-inspired holiday markets [ [link removed] ]* or find festive decorations and celebrations at *Mall of America [ [link removed] ]*. Stroll through *charming downtowns [ [link removed] ]*, shop *Minnesota-made goods [ [link removed] ]* or shop without your coat at one of our many indoor malls. Best of all, there is no sales tax on clothing or shoes in Minnesota so go ahead and treat yourself this season.

 

 

*DISCOVER 7 MORE THINGS TO DO THIS WINTER* [ [link removed] ]
















Two men outside on big open lake frozen over, peak into a hole in the ice, their fishing poles hovering in their hands. [ [link removed] ]





travel inspiration

YOUR ULTIMATE ICE FISHING ITINERARY

 


* Sauna like a Scandinavian at Sauna Camp

 


* Warm up with the world’s first cold-peated whiskey at Brother Justus

 


* Fill your freezer with meat raffle winnings at pretty much any local bar

 


* Snag a keeper on Pelican Lake 

 

*PLAN NOW* [ [link removed] ]











take the chill away

WITH OWAMNI’S HERBAL HOT TEA

 

this perfect seasonal recipe is created by market herbal specialist francesca garcia.

*START BREWING >>* [ [link removed] ]










our partners

CLICK-WORTHY SPONSORED CONTENT





Ad: Lake of the Woods Minnesota | Come Ice Fishing... We Got You | lakeofthewoodsmn.com [ [link removed] ]










move over spotify wrapped

WE’VE GOT ALL THE ROUND-UPS YOU NEED





*CAN'T MISS WINTER EVENTS TO GET YOU IN THE SPIRIT* [ [link removed] ]


*THE MOST ENTERTAINING THEATER PERFORMANCES* [ [link removed] ]


*CONCERTS TO GET YOU ON YOUR FEET THIS SEASON* [ [link removed] ]











related content

MORE WAYS TO ENJOY THE COLD

 

?? *Meander these Hallmark-like towns >> [ [link removed] ]*

 

?? *Cozy-up at the best Minnesota B&Bs >> [ [link removed] ]*

 

?? *Learn how Winona became THE place for outdoor recreation >> [ [link removed] ]*

 

?? *Set the scene: our Yule Log video will take you back to summer >> [ [link removed] ]*

 






"from top to bottom: Ice Castles at Long Lake Regional Park in New Brighton, photo by Ryan Taylor  |  Chilly Open on Lake Minnetonka in Wayzata, photo by Dynamic Photowerks courtesy of Greater Wayzata Area Chamber of Commerce  |  Fawcett House at Breezy Point Resort in Pequot Lakes, photo by Riley Hallaway  |  video still: Canadian Pacific Holiday Train  |  Whitetail Woods Regional Park in Farmington, photo by Paul Vincent  |  Riverbend Skate Path in Warroad, photo by Jonah Cory  |  Downtown in New Ulm, photo by Kyle Krenz  |  video still: Breezy Point Resort in Pequot Lakes, photo by Paul Vincent"






Minnesota designed playing cards, and a light canvas Star of the North tote [ [link removed] ]



*MINNESOTA HAS GREAT LAKES & GREAT MERCH.  **SHOP NOW >>* [ [link removed] ]





*YOUR TEN MUST-DO THINGS THIS WINTER IN MINNESOTA >> [ [link removed] ]*





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