Minnesota is well-known for its cold and snowy climate. It is one thing outsiders know our state for, perhaps even more than our 10,000 lakes. But our reputation doesn’t just end with the weather. Because of the northern climate, many excellent activities have sprung up to help people truly enjoy the beauty of winter. If you want the true winter experience in this state, you’ll definitely want to visit these eight awesome places for winter recreation in Minnesota this season:

1. Walk through Minnesota's largest light display.
704 W Railroad St, Duluth, MN 55802, USA
Ruin Raider/Flickr
Made up of thousands upon thousands of lights, Bentleyville is not only the largest light display in Minnesota. It is also the largest in the Midwest. In December, travel to Duluth to take part in the completely free display complete with a fire, timed lights, and even snacks.

Visit our previous coverage for more information.
2. Celebrate the season at one of Minnesota's many winter festivals.
Rochester WinterFest/Facebook
Minnesota has dozens of fantastically fun winter festivals. From polar plunges to ice fishing contests to dazzling lights displays, you're bound to find a fun festival no matter your interests - and it's bound to be unforgettable. You'll have so much fun with these unique activities for winter recreation in Minnesota.

Read our previous coverage for more information.
3. Ride a giant snow slide at Vulcan Snow Park.
Vulcan Snow Park, 1362 Underwood St, Falcon Heights, MN 55113, USA
Vulcan Snow Park/Facebook
Every year, Vulcan Snow Park puts on an event that is unlike any other in Minnesota. It's full of food, snow sculptures, and other unique fun. But perhaps the most fun attraction is the giant slide. It's made entirely of snow, and it's the perfect way to enjoy all that winter has to offer. It's one of the most exhilarating sled-riding hills in Minnesota.

Read this post for more information.
4. Take an enchanting stroll through an incredible ice castle.
1500 Old Hwy 8, New Brighton, MN 55112, USA
Nicholas Willette/Google
One of the most unique things to do for winter recreation in Minnesota is to walk through an ice castle. Stillwater, Minnesota is home to a gorgeous ice castle during the season. This is an attraction that must be seen to be believed! The castle will open by late December or January, and it will include LED lights that make for an enchanting experience.

Visit the Ice Castles website for more information and to book your tickets.

Related Stories

These 11 State Parks In Minnesota Will Knock Your Socks Off

These 11 State Parks In Minnesota Will Knock Your Socks Off

 The One Snow-Covered Trail In Minnesota That You Have To Hike This Winter

The One Snow-Covered Trail In Minnesota That You Have To Hike This Winter

 A Visit To This Unique Snow Tubing Course Will Make Your Minnesota Winter Infinitely More Fun

A Visit To This Unique Snow Tubing Course Will Make Your Minnesota Winter Infinitely More Fun
5. Ski, snowboard, or snow tube all day at Wild Mountain.
37200 Wild Mountain Rd, Taylors Falls, MN 55084, USA
Wild Mountain/Taylors Falls Recreation/Facebook
In Taylors Falls, Wild Mountain is the ideal place to get in some winter fun. Guests can snowboard, ski, or snow tube down its 26 runs. No matter your interest or skill level, you're bound to have a good time. And if you're looking for a unique snow tubing course in Minnesota, try Starlight Tubing at night.

Read this post for more information.
6. Visit one of Minnesota's many frozen waterfalls.
Michael Janke/Flickr
Minnesota is home to many beautiful waterfalls. From Gooseberry and Minnehaha to lesser-known falls, there's one in just about every region of the state. So why not enjoy them even when the temperature drops? Frozen falls have a beauty all their own, and they're definitely worth seeing this winter. You can go winter hiking in Minnesota to see many of the frozen falls around the state.

Read our previous coverage for more information.
7. Visit one of the small towns that come alive in the wintertime.
Visit Winona/Facebook
Across all of Minnesota, there are many small and large towns that, while beautiful in every season, are even more special in the winter. Under a coat of snow, their charming downtowns and beautiful natural scenery make them look like they come from a snow globe. If you're up for traveling the state this winter, there are many small towns that will do.

Read our previous coverage for more information.
8. Take an extraordinary hike through a secluded park.
Lakeside/Lester Park, Duluth, MN 55804, USA
KBTravels07/TripAdvisor
In beautiful Duluth, Lester Park is a place of stunning beauty year-round. But in the winter, the tall trees are covered in a blanket of snow, and the park's atmosphere becomes hushed and still. A quiet walk through this spot is recommended for anyone who wants to take a moment away from the grind. It's one of the best places for winter hiking in Minnesota.

Read our previous coverage for more information.

Have you visited any of these places? What other places do you like visiting for winter recreation in Minnesota? Let us know in the comments below.

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

More to Explore

Winter Recreation In Minnesota

Melissa M. | January 23, 2022

Where can I find some of the best snow tubing runs in Minnesota?

Minnesota is quite a snowy place come wintertime but that just means plenty of opportunities for some cold-weather fun! One of the best things about winter in this state is going snow tubing down an epic hill. Buck Hill in Burnsville happens to be the largest snow tubing hill in the state. Offering 12 lanes, you won’t have to wait long to have a turn flying down a hill. In Kimball, Powder Ridge also has an exhilarating snow tubing hill and even offers nighttime Lazer Light Tubing for something different. In Nisswa, Mount Ski Gull has some of the longest tubing runs in the state at 700 feet long.

What are some of the best ski resorts in Minnesota?

Outdoor recreation is a big part of life in Minnesota and if you’re looking for places to go skiing, you’re in luck! The Land of 10,000 Lakes, while not known well for its mountains, is home to numerous places for skiing. Among the most popular places to ski in the state are the Lutsen Mountains, Giants Ridge in Biwabik with its 35 runs, Mt. Itasca Winter Sports Center in Coleraine, Buena Vista Ski Area in Bemidji, and Hyland Hills Ski Area in Bloomington. Where do you prefer to ski?

Where can I go sled riding in Minnesota?

Do you have kids or want to feel like a kid again? Nothing can make a person feel more like a kid again than flying downhill on a sled during the winter! Did you know that you can go sledding at one of Minnesota’s many state parks? Eleven parks, in particular, allow sledding when conditions are favorable. So, grab your sled and head out to  Buffalo River State Park, Frontenac State Park, Lake Carlos State Park, Split Rock Creek State Park, and Upper Sioux Agency State Park, among others. You can find a full list on the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources website. 

 

Related Articles

Explore Minnesota