The Best Things To Do In Minnesota In Winter

While Minnesota is bustling with life in the summer from the lakes to our countless state parks, you may be surprised to find out how many fun and interesting things you can do in the winter as well. Bundle up and prepare to get outside this winter!

Dog Sledding

Did you know Ely, Minnesota is called the “Dog Sledding Capital of the World”?

Dog sledding vacations are popular in Nordic destinations like Sweden but so few Minnesotans realize they live in a state with premium dog sledding!

Check out Chilly Dogs and Wintergreen Dog Sledding in Ely.

Visit Frozen Waterfalls

If the frozen lakes of Minnesota weren’t enough, our beautiful waterfalls freeze over in winter as well.

Be sure to check out these falls:

Gooseberry Falls
Minnehaha Falls
Winnewissa Falls
High Falls of the Pigeon River
Devil’s Kettle Falls
Temperance River Falls

Chase the Northern Lights

Like dog sledding, many Midwesterns think you have to travel far to experience the wonder of the Aurora Borealis. But the Northern Lights are visible right here in Minnesota. Typically, you’ll need to head farther north.

The Gunflint Trail in Cook County is a great place to spot them!

Read: WHERE TO SEE THE NORTHERN LIGHTS IN MINNESOTA

Have a drink at Lake of the Woods Igloo Bar on a frozen lake

Just look at this dreamy igloo bar set up on a frozen lake in Northern Minnesota!

This winter favorite is located 3 miles out from Zippel Bay on Lake of the Woods. It’s over 1,000 square feet and serves alcohol and hot food. Complete with big screen TV’s and lots of fun!

Mother Nature determines how long this bar is open each year since the ice must be thick enough to safely operate. But it’s typically open just after Christmas to March!

Snowshoe through a candlelit trail at the Luminary Loppet

JANUARY 29-31 & FEBRUARY 5-7, 2021

Deemed “the most magical event of the season” this one-of-kind event lets you walk or snowshoe over Theodore Wirth Park’s groomed ski trails alongside candle-lit luminaries outlining a serene landscape to celebrate winter.

More information here.

Give ice fishing a try

A great way to get into ice fishing is to rent an ice fishing shelter from a resort on a popular fishing lake. These rental houses come with pre-drilled holes in the ice, heaters and a wide variety of amenities that make it really easy for first timers!

Places like Appeldoorn’s Sunset Bay Resort provide rental houses.

Check out this list of the best lakes in Minnesota for ice fishing.

Visit Mid-America’s largest ski resort- Lutsen Mountains

“Lutsen Mountains offers the Midwest’s only true mountain ski area experience. Four interconnected peaks overlooking Lake Superior bring big mountain skiing with Up North authenticity.

Whether you’re looking for a family ski holiday, a romantic retreat or a weekend ski or snowboard getaway with friends, you’ll discover a real mountain vacation at Lutsen.”

Mid-America’s largest ski resort
4 mountains, 95 runs, 825’ vertical rise
Slopeside lodging & dining
Live music 7 days/week
New (2015) 8 passenger gondola
New (2013) 6 passenger high-speed chairlift
$9 million snowmaking upgrade
10 feet average annual snowfall

Snowmobiling

Minnesota is home to over 22,000 miles of groomed snowmobile trails.

Places like Fractional Toys provide rentals all over the state.

Visit the beautiful Cook County

Cook County is home to countless winter activities, ski slopes, trails and breathtaking winter landscapes.

With so much to see and do here, you could come back every winter and experience something new!

Stay at Minnesota’s Igloo Airbnb

This dreamy winter igloo is located in Afton, a small town in Southeast Minnesota (nearly at the Wisconsin border!)

Crawl under the cover and look up at a starry winter sky! With no city lights around, it’s the perfect place for stargazing.

There is also a private hot tub onsite.

Book the Airbnb here.

Attend St. Paul’s Winter Carnival

January 28 – February 7, 2021

This winter will be the 135th Saint Paul Winter Carnival, the “Coolest Celebration on Earth” since 1886.

Here you can marvel at ice sculptures, compete in an ice fishing tournament or enjoy live music.

Snowshoe at a State Park

31 Minnesota State Parks offer $6 a day snowshoe rentals!

With countless trails and endless options for snowshoeing, it would be a shame to miss out on the chance to experience the serenity of winter from the snow covered trails of a state park.

Try Ice Skating

Few places do ice skating better than the Twin Cities!

And while some ice rinks won’t be opening this year with Covid, plenty are gearing up to open on December 31st.

Check out this article to find the best skating rinks that are open this winter!

Book a Winter Package at Gunflint Lodge

To this day, Gunflint Lodge remains one of my favorite Minnesota getaways! The hiking trails are outstanding, the food is delicious, the sunsets over the lake cannot be beat and they offer fantastic winter packages as well.

Winter Packages include:

Dog sledding
Ice Fishing
Snowshoeing
Snowmobiling
Cross Country Skiing and more!

Read: GUNFLINT LODGE: YOUR COMPLETE GUIDE TO THE ULTIMATE MINNESOTA ADVENTURE

Stay at Cragun’s Family Resort

If you’re looking for a winter resort vacation, be sure to check out Cragun’s Family Resort.

“What’s your idea of a fun winter vacation? Having a hot cup of cocoa before a crackling fire or taking a swim in a beautiful indoor pool? Maybe it’s a bit more adventurous—like your first dog sled ride or buzzing through the forest on a snow-draped winter snowmobile trail.

From more traditional warm and cozy indoor activities to the unique, Minnesota winter activities like ice fishing or horse-drawn trolley rides, Cragun’s has all of the Minnesota winter activities you need for a great winter getaway.

Cragun’s Resort is your complete outfitter for whatever you need for fun in the snow, from rental gear to guides to lessons.”