Minnesotans don’t shy away from fun in any season or any temperature. The winter may bring the cold but the warmth of the fun holiday charm really brings the state together. From bars decorated with holiday decor and seasoned menus, holiday markets, coffee flights, cozy cabins and outdoor adventures like dog sledding and snow tubing, you’ll find something fun for you to do this holiday season. Grab a friend, loved one or yourself and go explore Minnesota during this holiday season. Here’s 10 things to do this holiday season in Minnesota!
1. Visit A Holiday Decorated Pop Up Bar or Cafe
Holiday bars are popping up all over the state to celebrate the holiday cheer (literally – cheers to you!). Cafes, coffee shops, breweries, wineries and bars are decorating their store fronts with Christmas decor and seasonal menus and drinks. Bring a friend, family member, partner or visit one alone! Plus, a lot of them have alcohol free options too. Check out my blog with places to go, including a map to make planning easy!
2. Go to a Holiday Market
Holiday markets are so fun this time of year and Minnesota has a wide variety of them. Pick and choose the theme you wanted to find yourself celebrating the holiday spirit in from a European Christmas to a craft holiday fair!
- Holidays on Nicollet (Minneapolis)
- Four Season Nordic Villages (Minneapolis)
- A handmade holiday market (Minneapolis)
- Minneapolis Christkindl Market
- Europen Chrsitmas Market (Saint Paul)
- Standord Holiday Chritmas Market (Edina)
- Christmas in Excelsior
- Minnesota Merry Market at State Fair (Saint Paul)
- Duluth Winter Village
3. Walk or Drive Through a Christmas Light Show
This is a great activity to do with anyone, as there are options for everyone, drive through and walk through lifeshows. Some of the ones around the state are:
- Bentleyville (Duluth)
- Magic of Lights (Eagan)
- Glow Holiday Festival (Saint Paul)
- Kawnis Light Show (Mankato)
- Trista Lights at Severs (Shakpoee)
- Northern Lights at Arboretum (Chaska)
4. Skate at an Outdoor Rink
There are a few places around Minnesota that you can rent or bring your own skates and skate at. Here’s ones I know of:
- Guidant John Rose Minnesota Oval (Roseville)
- Central Park Ice Skating Loop (Maple Grove)
- Wells Fargo Winter Skate (Saint Paul)
- Depot Rink (Minneapolis)
- River Bend Skate Path (Warrod)
- Northland Arboretum (Baxter)
5. Coffee Flight at a Local Coffee Shop
If you love a good cup of Joe, then a coffee flight is the best way for you to find a new favorite! Here’s a few I recommend around the state:
- Froth & Cork (Hastings)
- Annabelle House (Osseo)
- C.R.E.A.M. Cafe (Minneapolis)
- Coffee Smith (Forest Lake)
- Roasted Rail Coffee House (Dilworth)
- Compassion Coffee (Anoka)
- Ember Coffee Company (Big Lake)
- Loco Esspresso (Brainerd)
- Cuppa More (Inver Grove Heights)
- OMNI Brewery & Taproom (Maple Grove)
6. Dog Sledding Adventure
I personally have been on a dog Sledding Adventure with Cast Outdoor Adventures up in Ely, Minnesota. This was one of my most memorable memories in Minnesota, and a great way to have an adventure in the winter. They offer a few different tours but I recommend the sun set one. You are provided with some extra layers to stay warm, and hot coco at the end of the tour under the lights. You get to learn all about the dogs and the rolls they play in where they are placed in the dog sledding arrangement. This is a great adventure for a family, couples, friends or even a solo adventure. Book your sun set adventure here!
7. Cold Plunges and Sauna Session
You can’t go wrong with a self care day that involves a warm and cold, sauna and cold plunges are a Nordic way to enjoy the holidays and winter!
- Saunna Camp (Loretto) has saunas along the lake shore where you can cold plunge in the lake
- PORTAL thermaculture (Minnespolis) is a spa like experience with saunas, hot tubs and cold Plunges
- Cedar and Stone Nordic Sauna (Duluth) dip into Lake Superiors shore and warm up with the sauna near by
8. Rent a Cozy Cabin
I have far too many recommendations for cozy cabins I could recommend for winter, but I’ll name a few that providence unique experiences!
- Cuyuna Cove (Crosby) this a romantic getaway for two or solo adventure with on site sauna, near town and winter hikes/adventures
- Aurora Modern Cabin (Ely) great option for friends, couples or a small family to have a cozy time with fireplace, sauna and surrounded by woods
- White Eagle Resort (Vermillion) a family friendly or group gathering cabin right on the lake with a sauna on site, great spot to nest for a winter weekend!
- Big Oak Cabin (Pine City) a quant cabin with a fire pit and sauna, relaxing space for a couple or small group of friends.
9. Dine in an Igloo
This is such a fun way to get outside during the cold winter season, by eating a delicious meal in an Igloo. Make sure to get a reservation, as most require it. Here’s a few restraunts around Minnesota that have them:
- Dukes on 7 (Minnetonka)
- Lock & Damn Eatery (Hastings)
- Four Seasons Hotel Nordic Village (Minneapolis)
- Grand View Lodge (Nisswa)
- B’s on the River (Watertown)
10. Snow Tubing
If you aren’t much of a skier or snowboarder, snow tubing may be the fun way for you to experience the slopes this winter season. Try it out at:
- Buck Hill (Burnsville)
- Elm Creek Park (Maple Grove)
- Wild Shutes Mountain (Taylors Falls)
- Power Ridge (Kimball)
- Spirit Mountain (Duluth)
- Detroit Mountain Recreation Area (Detroit Lakes)
- Giants Ridge (Biwabik)
- Mount Ski Gull (Nisswa)
- Steeplechase Ski Hill (Mazeppa)
I hope this inspired you to get outside and explore Minnesota even during the cold winter season, especially during the holidays. It’s the time to celebrate family and friends, and find joy in the little things. You don’t need to make it a big adventure, sometimes a little fun in life, such as grabbing a drink in a festive bar, a coffee light or fun outdoor adventure can make the season a little bit brighter! Which one are you most excited to do?
