Winter Adventures Across Minnesota

When the snow starts to fall, Minnesota shifts into a different rhythm. The trails fill with skiers in Ely, the lakes with ice anglers in Bemidji and the woods with snowmobiles cutting through the pines near Brainerd. In the Twin Cities, the day might start on a bike and end at a concert hall. Down in Lanesboro, it’s snowshoes and small-town comfort.

These five adventures highlight how winter brings the state together in motion, outdoors and always ready to raise a glass when the day is done.

Skiing in Ely (Northeast Minnesota)

Winter in Ely has a way of pulling you outdoors. The quiet trails, fresh snow and crisp air make it an easy place to trade screens for skis.

Embrace the Chill: Cross-country skiing through the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness offers peaceful trails lined with pine and birch. Ely Outfitting Company can gear you up for a day of skiing, snowshoeing or dogsledding, depending on your pace.

Stay the Night: Grand Ely Lodge overlooks Shagawa Lake and delivers that classic northwoods mix of comfort and wilderness views.

Grab a Bite: Insula Restaurant serves modern comfort food in the heart of downtown, perfect after a day in the snow.

Raise a Glass: Stop by Boathouse Brewpub & Restaurant for a local beer brewed on-site.

Local Favorite: The International Wolf Center offers a close look at Minnesota’s most elusive winter residents.

In Ely, winter is quiet, steady and worth slowing down for. Out here, it’s just you, the trail and the sound of skis on snow.

Ice Fishing in Bemidji (Northwest Minnesota)

Ice fishing in Minnesota is less about the catch and more about the ritual: drilling the hole, setting up camp and settling in for a day that moves at the speed of the weather.

Embrace the Chill: Ice fishing on Lake Bemidji, where anglers gather over walleye, perch and northern pike. Heated houses scatter the frozen lake each winter, and local outfitters make it easy to get started, whether you’re a first-timer or a lifelong angler.

Stay the Night: Ruttger’s Birchmont Lodge sits right on the lake, offering cozy cabins, hearty breakfasts and the kind of northwoods hospitality that’s been a tradition here for generations.

Grab a Bite: Fozzie’s Smokin Bar-B-Q dishes out ribs and sandwiches that hit the spot after a cold day outdoors.

Raise a Glass: Bemidji Brewing serves locally crafted beers perfect for unwinding by the fire.

Local Favorite: Snap a photo with Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox before heading back out for one more round on the ice.

Pack a thermos, dress in layers and take your time. In Bemidji, a quiet day on the ice still counts as a good one.

Snowmobiling in the Brainerd Lakes Area (Central Minnesota)

Central Minnesota is built for winter adventure, and few places celebrate it better than the Brainerd Lakes Area. With hundreds of miles of groomed trails weaving through forest and lake country, it’s the kind of place where the day’s plan starts with the sound of an engine warming up.

Embrace the Chill: Snowmobiling through the Paul Bunyan Trail connects riders to scenic stretches of pine forest, frozen lakes and small-town stops that welcome sleds right up to their doors.

Stay the Night: Grand View Lodge in Nisswa combines lakeside comfort with timeless Minnesota charm and easy access to the trails.

Grab a Bite: Bar Harbor Supper Club serves walleye, steaks and cocktails with a view of Gull Lake.

Raise a Glass: Zorbaz on Gull Lake is a lakeside staple where snowmobilers pull right up for pizza, nachos and local brews.

Local Favorite: Mount Ski Gull adds downhill action to the mix, offering skiing, snowboarding and tubing nearby.

Throttle down, take in the view and let the trail show you why winter runs strong in the Brainerd Lakes Area.

Fat-Tire Biking & Winter Culture (Twin Cities Metro)

Winter in the Twin Cities feels intentional. Minneapolis embraces its season fully, offering outdoor adventure, downtown comfort and culture within easy reach.

Embrace the Chill: Fat-tire biking and Nordic skiing at Theodore Wirth Park, maintained by the Loppet Foundation, keep outdoor enthusiasts active all season. The trails are carefully groomed, rentals are simple and the park’s wooded terrain makes you forget you’re still in the city.

Stay the Night: Hilton Garden Inn Downtown Minneapolis places you in the heart of the city with modern rooms and welcoming service.

Grab a Bite: The Local on Nicollet Mall serves hearty comfort food in a warm, wood-paneled setting. It’s only steps from Orchestra Hall, Brit’s Pub and the Hilton, making it the ideal stop before or after a show.

Raise a Glass: Brit’s Pub pours British pints and winter cocktails beside its fireside lounge, a favorite gathering spot for a late-night or afternoon warm-up.

Local Favorite: Minnesota Orchestra fills downtown with world-class sound, turning winter evenings into something timeless.

The best part: your hotel, dining and nightlife are all within a few city blocks, making it easy to move from the trails to a pint to the orchestra without missing a beat.

Snowshoeing in Lanesboro (Southern Minnesota)

Set in the Root River Valley, Lanesboro moves at its own pace. Winter here feels unhurried, with bluffs, quiet woods and riverside trails that make slowing down easy.

Embrace the Chill: Snowshoe along the Root River State Trail for miles of peaceful scenery through bluff country. The trail follows the river through open valleys and small towns, with plenty of spots to stop and take in the stillness.

Stay the Night: Stone Mill Hotel & Suites blends rustic comfort with small-town charm, offering individually themed rooms, warm interiors and a short walk to downtown shops and cafés.

Grab a Bite: Juniper’s serves locally inspired dishes and craft cocktails inside the Cottage House Inn. The restaurant brings a fresh, modern touch to Lanesboro dining while keeping a relaxed, small-town atmosphere.

Raise a Glass: High Court Pub is the spot for local beer, classic cocktails and easy conversation. It’s where locals and visitors gather for live music and small-town stories that last well into the night.

Local Favorite: The Commonweal Theatre Company, founded in 1989, brings professional live performances to the heart of Lanesboro. It’s a cultural cornerstone that adds a creative spark to this quiet river town.

No rush, no noise — just the steady rhythm of winter in bluff country.

Minnesota Creativity — Stages, Craft and Community

When the temperature drops, Minnesota’s creative side warms up. From center stage to riverside taprooms, it’s a season made for gathering, creating and connecting.

The Ordway Center for the Performing Arts (St. Paul): The cultural centerpiece of downtown St. Paul, The Ordway hosts Broadway tours, concerts and special events just steps from the restaurants and winter lights of Rice Park.

Chanhassen Dinner Theatres: Dinner, drinks and a show all under one roof — a winter tradition that proves going out is part of the season.

Spiral Brewing (Hastings): Along the Mississippi River, this community-minded brewery embodies the relaxed spirit of Southern Minnesota with its seasonal releases and welcoming taproom.

Art Shanty Projects (Minneapolis): For four weekends each winter, the Art Shanty Projects transforms frozen Lake Harriet/Bdé Umá? into a vibrant village of artist-built shanties, interactive installations and performances, inviting visitors to embrace the cold outdoors with creativity, community and surprise.

From music and theater to handmade art and hometown brews, Minnesota’s creativity runs year-round.

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PHOTO CREDITS: Skier iStock/Elena Perova, Ice Fishing BigStock/Steve mc, Snowmobiling BigStock/wallbanger, Orchestra BigStock/stokkete, Snowshoeing BigStock/Christopher babcock, Craft Beers BigStock/Massimo Parisi