10 Things To Do In The Twin Cities This Winter

Without a doubt winter in the Twin Cities is magical and beautiful, especially once the snow falls. But it can also be long and cold, so it’s best to have a lot of ideas up your sleeve on how to spend the winter months. With the pandemic, the list of activities that are possible has shrunk considerably, but there are still so many great ways you can pass your time this winter season! These are my ten best ideas on how to spend winter in the Twin Cities safely this year.

1. Grab Hot Cocoa from Your Favorite Café.

One of my favorite things to do in the winter is go for a hot cocoa date. Since we can’t sit inside in restaurants right now, take the cocoa to-go and stroll. The ideal time of day is right at sunset, so you can catch the pretty winter hues and then see the world light up with Christmas lights. It can be magical to just walk around your neighborhood and take in the lights, especially with something warm to sip on!

2. Skate at Lake of the Isles.

Forget your neighborhood recreation center rink, and instead head to Lake of the Isles for a skate (once it’s frozen, of course). There is always a large patch of ice nicely shoveled off for people to play hockey, and skate in laps. I love how freeing it feels to skate on this part of the lake! And the setting is gorgeous. Just watch yourself, because the ice can be a little uneven since it’s a lake and not man-made.

3. See the Lights in Rice Park.

One of my favorite things to do over the holidays is to go see a show at the Ordway. Since live performances aren’t a thing this winter, I’ll settle for just taking a walk through the beautiful Rice Park, which is always decked to the nines and surrounded by some of my favorite buildings in downtown Saint Paul: the Landmark Center, the James J. Hill Library, the Saint Paul Hotel, and of course the Ordway. One fun fact about the Ordway: it’s windows on the mezzanine mimic the architecture of the other buildings on the park.

4. Go skiing or snowboarding.

Winter in the Twin Cities isn’t complete until you’ve made a trip to one of the ski hills for a day on the slopes. My favorite spot to ski is Afton Alps, where Olympic skier Lindsey Vonn grew up training! It’s also where I learned to ski and where I visit at least once a year to hit the slopes. I love a day with no other plans but to ski until the sun goes down. I don’t know what the chalet situation will be like this winter, but I’m sure you could still find a place to warm up and rest in between runs.

5. See the frozen Minnehaha Falls.

Minnehaha Falls is a popular destination for people in the Twin Cities in the summer, but it’s just as beautiful in the winter! Once it snows or the conditions are icy, the trails around the falls are typically closed. But you can still walk around on some of the other paths, and view the frozen waterfall. It’s pretty cool when you think about it, that we have a waterfall practically in the middle of the city! If you’re looking for a spot to run or bike, I love going on the path that follows the Minnehaha Creek, all the way to Lake Harriet.

6. Go on a Winter Hike at Afton State Park.

I highly recommend visiting this state park in the winter months, because the landscape just becomes more beautiful when it’s caught under frost and snow! There’s a lot of different path options, through prairie fields or the woods, with views of the ski hill just next door. I think Afton State Park should be on everyone’s list for winter in the Twin Cities, it’s the perfect escape from the city for a morning or afternoon.  

7. Walk around the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory.

If you’re looking for an activity that’s warm and tropical, then the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory should be on your list. This conservatory, located in Como near the zoo, is one of my favorite places to visit in the winter, especially when I don’t have any trips to a warmer climate planned for the winter. Each year they have a different flower display, in addition to the beautiful greenhouses filled with all kinds of plants. The air is warm and filled with the scent of the Earth, just what I need during the winter months.

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8. Visit the Minneapolis Institute of the Arts.

Hopefully the museums will be open again soon, because a visit to the Art Institute is always on my list of things to do during winter in the Twin Cities. I love it so much that last year for part of my birthday celebrations, I decided to bring my friends to the museum. It’s such a nice escape! Get lost in the galleries of Impressionism, or wander through the Asian art. Whatever kind of style you like, I can guarantee you’ll find something fascinating at this beautiful museum. I can’t wait to go back!

9. See the Sculpture Garden.

The Walker Art Center is another great museum in the Twin Cities, if you’re into more contemporary art. But, this winter the Sculpture Garden should be on your list as well! It’s located just across the street from the Walker, and contains a wide variety of unique and beautiful sculptures. Bundle up and walk through the garden with a friend. Don’t forget to visit the classic cherry on the spoon that has become quite famous and was the setting for my grandparent’s Christmas card one year. It’s a fond memory!

10. Visit the Ice Castles.

This was my absolute favorite winter activity to do as a kid, and it still fills me with awe when I see the ice castles in person. My favorite year was when the Ice Castle was in downtown Saint Paul, right by the Xcel Energy Center. This year you’ll have to drive out to New Brighton, but from the pictures it definitely looks like it will be worth the trip! You’ll feel like you’ve landed in your wildest winter fantasy. 

Do you have any other ideas for winter in the Twin Cities? Leave them in the comments below!

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