Top 5 Best Places to Visit in Winter in Minnesota

The Best Minnesota Towns to Visit During Winter

Just because the weather is getting colder and the days are getting shorter, doesn’t mean our fun has to stop. One of the things I appreciate most about Minnesotans is their hardiness when it comes to the cold. With some warm boots and a great hat, Minnesotans will be outside all winter long. Although I grew up on Long Island where winters are much more mild, my family would go to Vermont every winter for a ski trip. With the right clothing and attitude, nothing is too cold! Read on for the five best places to visit in winter in Minnesota.

Northfield, Minnesota

My husband and I lived in Northfield for three years, and my husband went to St. Olaf College. I love this charming town, it has so many great gift shops, bakeries, and coffee shops. There’s an independently owned bookstore, several breweries, a yoga studio and a great yarn shop I’ve been to many times. There are also many walking paths and parks to enjoy and play in the snow. Click here for my full blog post on Northfield.

Faribault, Minnesota

Faribault is another super cute small town south of the Twin Cities. The Faribault Woolen Mill offers tours, there’s a great craft distillery, the Cheese Cave and a handful of cute coffee shops and bakeries. Be sure to visit Circle Lake for ice fishing and hockey. Plus, the Nerstrand Big Woods State Park is just a short drive from downtown Faribault. It’s a gorgeous hike in the woods with a waterfall at the entrance. Read more about Faribault here.

Red Wing, Minnesota

Red Wing is a super cute town in any season, but in winter it’s a really charming, romantic escape. Stay at the St. James Hotel, stop by Hanisch Bakery and the Uffda Shop. Enjoy beautiful views of the bluffs, stop by the Pottery Museum, the Red Wing Brewery and more. Read my two Red Wing blog posts here and here for more inspiration.

Duluth, Minnesota

Duluth is incredible during the winter months and Canal Park is an especially gorgeous place for a winter getaway. Enjoy beautiful views of frozen Lake Superior, then warm up in the breweries, distilleries and bars in town. Then visit somewhere cozy to eat, shop and people watch. Take a tour of the incredible Glensheen, then go snowshoeing around their property. Read my full Duluth blog post here for many more ideas.

Lutsen, Minnesota

I have not yet been to Lutsen, but I’m planning a ski trip there with some friends this winter. Lutsen is clearly a great spot for those who love to ski and snowboard. It’s also a great destination for anyone who appreciates the beauty of winter. There are so many cozy hotels and Airbnbs if you want to snuggle up inside, light a fire and watch the snow fall. Whether you want to go snowshoeing, have cocktails by a fire place or look at the stars from a hot tub, Lutsen has it all. I am so excited for my trip to Lutsen this winter! I will share all the details with you after it happens. Until then, check out this awesome post about Lutsen by Lizanne Lately, another Minnesota travel blogger.

8 Comments

Farrah

November 16, 2020 at 11:40 pm Reply

I passed by Minnesota on my road trip back home last year but wasn’t there for too long–I’d love to check out these towns someday, especially Northfield + Red Wing! <3

Kristen Glazer
November 17, 2020 at 12:34 am Reply
Absolutely! I lived in Northfield for a few years. It’s a really adorable town!

Karen

November 17, 2020 at 8:08 am Reply

These are great suggestions for charming and fun MN towns. I admire Minnesotans for their willingness to get out in the cold and thoroughly enjoy winter.

Kristen Glazer
November 19, 2020 at 3:32 pm Reply
The cold does not stop anyone here! 🙂

Josy A

November 17, 2020 at 2:15 pm Reply

This all loooks sooo pretty in the snow! I hope you get plenty of cold sunny days to enjoy Minnesota’s beauty this winter! Have fun skiing in Lutsen too! 😀

Kristen Glazer
November 19, 2020 at 3:32 pm Reply
Thank you! I’m looking forward to it!

Tara

November 18, 2020 at 6:32 am Reply

I’ve always admired communities that embrace winter, and these small towns sound perfect for a cold-weather getaway! Fingers crossed that I will be traveling again soon!