9 Outdoor Winter Activities To Do in Minnesota

If you are like us, the thought of being cooped up inside all winter feels pretty terrible. With Covid cases on the rise, majority of indoor activities in Minnesota will be limited to help minimize the spread and keep everyone safe.

Knowing this, we were determined to come up with a list of outdoor winter activities in Minnesota that we would still be able to experience safely this season.

Minnesotans are no strangers to the cold, so luckily there are still a lot of great events taking place outside this winter.

So bundle up, grab your face mask, and enjoy these 9 Minnesota outdoor winter activities.

1. Holiday Farmer’s Market

For when you want to support local….The Farmer’s Market Annex on Lyndale Ave in Minneapolis is the perfect spot for your holiday shopping. Shop local vendors for gifts and food like homemade salsas, baked goods, and local meats.

This market is also a Christmas farm! You can pick up Christmas trees, pots, wreaths, and garland made on site. Open Saturdays and Sundays.

Also for holiday shopping, make sure to check out our curated list of 13 local Minneapolis small businesses to support this Holiday season.

2. Ice Skating & Beer

For when you need to reward yourself for physical activity…Ice Skating with a side of beer? Check out one of Minneapolis’s newest craft breweries located in Fridley MN, Forgotten Star Brewing.

The building is a converted World War II production facility, so there are a lot of historic details to appreciate. They added an outdoor ice rink so people could have a Covid-friendly activity to do during the winter months. They also plan to have boot hockey and curling leagues starting January 2021!

3. Drive-Thru Christmas Light Show

For when it’s too cold to be outside…. The Valley Fair grounds are putting on a light show, Christmas in Color, that you can enjoy from the comfort of your car. From end of November to January 1st, you can experience this outdoor winter activity for, $30 per vehicle.

Roll down your windows, and drive through millions of lights that are synchronized to holiday music! Open daily from 5:30 PM to 10:00 PM. Reserve your ticket here. Also, a portion of the ticket proceeds will be donated to the Make-A-Wish foundation!

MN STATE FAIR: The second driving tour that we are excited about is a NEW event hosted by the Minnesota State Fair. You read that right! GLOW Holiday Festival: is Minnesota’s newest Holiday lights attraction. It’s a 30 minute drive of holiday cheer that you can explore throughout the State Fair grounds.

Visitors will also have access to the State Fair Food Cart at the end of the ride. Each night is a different theme, so check out the schedule and reserve your tickets here! November 19 – January 3, Sundays-Thursdays: 4:30pm-9:00pm and Fridays and Saturdays: 4:30pm-10:00pm

4. Christmas Lights Walking Show

For when you need to get those extra steps in….If you are looking to enjoy the holiday lights at your own pace, consider a walking Christmas lights tour. The LED Music Light Show in Stillwater is an awesome experience!

Located on Chestnut Street in Downtown Stillwater, they have setup a Christmas light show that is set to fun music. When we were there, they had us bumping to Michael Jackson, Prince, and Billy Joel. It’s a free event that takes place every night from 5pm – 10pm, through March.

5. IGLOO DINING

For when you miss going out to eat…One of the hardest adjustments since covid is not being able to enjoy the usual dining out with friends. The individual igloo tents at Broken Clock Brewing Co-op allow you and your trusted quarantine crew to experience restaurant dining safely again.

The igloo tents are $20/hr and fit up to 6 people. Grab your friends or your significant other and enjoy a cozy night out!

6. HORSEDRAWN CARRIAGE

For when you are in need of a double date night…. A Horse ride with The Hitching Company is a unique and a safe way to experience downtown Minneapolis this winter. The tour takes your across the Stone Arch Bridge on the Mississippi River and along the Cobblestone’s of Main Street.

They offer both 30 min and 60 min rides that you can safely experience with up to 4 people. It’s the perfect activity to do for a date night or double date night out! December is their busiest month, so reserve your spot soon!

7. ICE Sculptures at the St. Paul Winter Carnival

For when you are in the mood for something artsy…This is one of the winter activities in Minnesota we look forward to every year!

Converted into a drive-thru event for 2021, you are still able to check out the incredible ice sculptures at the St. Paul Winter Carnival, located at the MN State Fair Grounds this year.

Drive through the Carnival where they have ice sculptures on display free of charge and open to the public. This will be it’s 135th year and it goes from January 28th – February 7th 2021.

8. Sledding in st. paul

For when you need to bring out the kid in you…. Who says that adults can’t go sledding? Grab some cheap sleds from Target and head to the hills. One of our favorite spots within the cities to go sledding is Theodore Wirth Regional Park.

You’ll find some smooth hills and great views! If Theodore Wirth Park is not your jam, you can find a full list of St. Paul sledding spots here.

9. Hiking at Minnehaha Falls

For when you’ve got the itch to explore…. If you are from Minnesota, and live near the cities, you are probably no stranger to Minnehaha Falls. But have you visited these trails during the winter?

We started going to Minnehaha during the winter a few years ago, and now we visit during this time every year. Even though the trails are open for free year round, in the winter, you don’t have to deal with crowds. It’s also awesome to see the iconic 53-ft waterfall completely frozen.

And that’s a wrap! We hope you enjoy the outdoor side of Minnesota this winter. Let us know if you discover any other outdoor winter activities in Minnesota that we didn’t include! We’d really love to hear it.