12 Spots In Minnesota That Will Drop Your Frozen Jaw This Winter
Jo Magliocco
Author
Minnesota is beautiful year-round, but the winter holds a special place in many Minnesotans’ hearts. The sparkling snow fields and the icy North Shore add to the holiday magic, and nothing beats a snowy sunrise or sunset. Luckily, many Minnesota photographers brave the freezing temperatures to capture some of that magic, and help us find some of Minnesota’s stunning winter views. Here are some amazing spots that are guaranteed to have you praising the cold – winter in Minnesota is a special time, after all.
1. The ice on Superior in Grand Marais combined with the morning mist is unbelievably gorgeous.
2. Great River Bluffs State Park is a wonderful place to start, but all along the bluffs of Southeastern Minnesota you'll find spectacular views.
4. Minnehaha Falls is one of Minnesota's best winter destinations. The view will astound you both inside and out.
4. The view from McQuade Road in Duluth is amazing, especially when you look at this epic frozen railing.
5. The Pike River Resevoir in Tower is unforgettable with a blanket of snow...though photos of that are tough to come by!
6. The fields surrounding St. Cloud are wonderful in the winter. Check them out for a rural winter adventure.
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7. Biwabik looks amazing in the winter months. Who's visiting Giants Ridge this year?
8. Duluth is always beautiful but even more so with some ice. This is a typical end of winter view you can find on a Duluth evening.
9 The Minnesota River in New Ulm looks amazing after our first snows this year. Nothing beats the winter waters of MN, especially once they freeze!
10. Gooseberry Falls is one of Minnesota's most stunning summer locations, and it's no different in the winter. The amazing frozen waterfalls are even climbable. You can also see all the way down to the North Shore, and the view is unforgettable.
11. Prairie's Edge Wildlife Drive is the perfect way to enjoy the amazing MN scenery on a cold day. You don't even have to get out of the car, but the lookout points sure are stunning! You might even find an eagle or two!
12. Hastings is another beautiful winter destination, and another fantastic place to see some wildlife.
What are your favorite places to capture the MN winter scenery? Share your favorite “winter in Minnesota” photos with us on the Only In Minnesota Facebook Page. Planning to stay in? Check out our awesome staycation checklist for some staycation ideas.
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Winter in Minnesota
What is winter in Minnesota like?
Winter in Minnesota is, without a doubt, COLD. Of course, you already knew that – but just how cold is “cold”? Well, here are a few things about Minnesota winters you ought to know:
- The coldest temperature ever recorded in Minnesota was –60 degrees on February 2nd, 1996.
- The average winter temperature in Minnesota is 15 to 25 degrees.
- Despite the cold, there are plenty of things to do in Minnesota when there’s snow on the ground! Our state parks are open all year, and there are always winter festivals going on in various towns and cities.
Learn more about things nobody tells you about winter in Minnesota.
What is there to do during the chilly Minnesota winters?
Believe it or not, winter in Minnesota is actually a really fun time filled with all sorts of things to do, see, and experience! This winter, be sure to check out some of the coolest (see what we did there?) winter attractions in Minnesota, such as:
- Tree lightings, Christmas displays, and other winter festivities – No matter where you go, you’ll find plenty of these just about everywhere.
- Go snow tubing – Places like Buck Hill make for absolutely amazing winter wonderlands filled with fun!
- Attend the St. Paul Winter Carnival – This amazing event attracts folks from all over the Midwest and is a guaranteed amazing, magical wintery time.
Learn more about the best things to do during a Minnesota winter.
Where are the most beautiful places in Minnesota during the winter?
Minnesota is gorgeous all year round, but during the winter, it becomes especially awe-inspiring. Everything’s more beautiful covered in snow, don’t you think? Some can’t-miss, absolutely beautiful places in Minnesota during the winter include:
- Go dogsledding in Ely – It doesn’t get more wintery fun than this age-old tradition.
- Drive the Scenic North Shore Highway – Otherwise known as Highway 61, this drive is jaw-dropping in the winter.
- Visit Minnehaha Falls – What's better than a waterfall? A frozen waterfall. This is that frozen waterfall.
Learn more about beautiful winter places in Minnesota.