Warm and Cozy Twin Cities Winter Activities for the Family

by Myra Jensen

Minnesotans know that fully embracing the snow, ice, and cold is the best way to survive the long winter. Here are some fun winter activities — indoors and out — that will prevent cabin fever and keep you feeling warm and cozy all season long!

The St. Paul Winter Carnival

The St. Paul Winter Carnival is a 10-day event that takes place in late January through early February. Legend has it that King Boreas, God of the Northern Wind, takes over the city of St. Paul as his winter playground until being removed by Vulcanus Rex, God of Fire, to make way for summer. There are hundreds of mostly free events throughout St. Paul during the carnival, including the Grande Day Parade, Torchlight Parade, and Medallion Hunt!

St. Paul · wintercarnival.com

Art Shanty Projects

Each winter, Art Shanty Projects gathers local artists to build brightly colored temporary structures — or “shanties” — on a frozen local lake, making a small interactive, artistic village! The festival is open for four weekends from the end of January through mid-February.

artshantyprojects.org

Ice Castles

Explore the glowing ice castles, slides, caverns, tunnels, and arches during your visit to the Ice Castles at Long Lake Regional Park. Tickets can be purchased online. Pro Tip: visit Monday, Wednesday, or Thursday for smaller crowds and lower ticket prices.

Long Lake Regional Park · icecastles.com/minnesota/

Night Trains

The Twin City Model Railroad Museum boasts 10,000 square feet of model train layouts. This is captivating for both kids and adults all through the year, but it's even more magical when the lights are dimmed and the trains, buildings, and landscapes of the Twin Cities are all lit up for the Night Train exhibit! The Night Trains run from November through February on Saturdays from 3pm - 7pm. Check the website for hours.

668 Transfer Road, St. Paul · tcmrm.org

Canadian Pacific Holiday Train

If big trains are more your thing, the Canadian Pacific Holiday Train travels through Canada and the U.S. each December, collecting donations for local food shelves. The 14-car holiday decorated train makes several stops throughout Minnesota mid-December with a presentation and live music performance at each stop.

cpr.ca/en/holiday-train/united-states

Photo by Lorie Shaull

Twin Cities Regional Parks

There are 56 Regional Parks and Park Reserves and over 20 Nature Centers throughout the metropolitan area. Most have a variety of winter activities including hiking, snowboarding, sledding, snowshoeing, cross-country, downhill skiing, and more. Many of the parks offer lessons and inexpensive equipment rentals.

The Elm Creek Park Reserve in Maple Grove features a dedicated winter recreation area with tubing, sledding, snowboarding, downhill skiing (beginner and child), cross-country skiing and warming chalet with rentals. Theodore Wirth Regional Park is a beautiful winter setting with ski trails, a skiing, snowboarding and snow-tubing hill, winter fat biking trails, and a warming shelter. Keep your eyes peeled for Zug Zug, an iceman sculpture hiding in the park.

Como Regional Park in St. Paul features “Mount Como”, the Como Park Ski Center with ski, snowshoe, and snowboard rentals. There is downhill skiing and snowboarding with tow ropes, and over 3 miles of cross-country ski trails. The Como Zoo and Conservatory are also open all winter!

Visit mn.gov/greatoutdoors/ to search for winter activities near you!