Winter Destinations  
Minnesota Winter Vacation Ideas

The coolest winter destinations are found in Minnesota!  These winter vacation ideas will help you plan a Minnesota winter getaway full of action and relaxation.

It's probably no surprise that Minnesota winter vacation spots are some of the same Minnesota vacation destinations that we love in summer.

They just take on a whole new "flavor" in winter. 

"He who marvels at the beauty of the world in summer will find equal cause for wonder and admiration in winter.... In winter the stars seem to have rekindled their fires, the moon achieves a fuller triumph, and the heavens wear a look of a more exalted simplicity." ~John Burroughs, The Snow-Walkers, 1866

As we say so often: "We don't hide from winter; we get out and play." 

Minnesota Lodging - The same hotels, resorts, and bed & breakfast inns that we love in summer are open for your winter getaways.

A cozy bed and breakfast inn is a perfect getaway. Baptism River Inn Bed & Breakfast, shown above, is a favorite winter destination for couples.

Many resorts and lodges are located in prime areas for winter fun like ski areas, ice fishing lakes, dog sled tours, and the many winter festivals hosted all across the state. Most resorts in Minnesota offer winter vacation packages for families, singles and couples. You can choose to stay indoors or get out and play in the snow.

Minnesota ski resorts offer the perfect winter vacation. Even if you don't ski, you can go snowboarding, tubing, snowshoeing and discover many other ways to have fun in the snow. If you want to learn to ski, you will find lessons for all ages.

Read reviews of Minnesota travel destinations and tourist attractions

North Shore Winter Vacation Ideas

Another favorite winter destination is the North Shore of Lake Superior. It's amazing to see this great lake dressed for winter. One of our favorite winter vacation ideas is to rent a room at the Hampton Inn in Canal Park in Duluth. Be sure to ask for a lakeside room. You can view the winter "lakescape" from your room, take a wintery walk on the lake walk, or drive up scenic Highway 61, returning in the evening to your cozy room.

Duluth Minnesota Hotels:  choose the perfect location for your winter vacation.

Photo Credit: John Heino

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Twin Cities Winter Destinations

10 Best Winter Vacation Spots are where you can truly celebrate your love for winter.

Minnesota Waterpark Hotels are great family winter getaway destinations in many parts of the state. You can enjoy outdoor winter activities then retreat to the tropical environment of a water park.

The Twin Cities of St. Paul and Minneapolis are truly all-season cities. Our cold and snowy winters are no hindrance to enjoying the art, culture and nightlife in "the cities." You can explore much of downtown St. Paul and Minneapolis via miles of climate-controlled skyways. Minneapolis tourism destinations that are top picks for summer vacations can be even more fun in winter. The same is true for Saint Paul Minnesota vacations

Visit the Science Museum, the Children's Museum, the Minneapolis Institute of Art, the Walker, our famous theaters and so much more. Stay right downtown in a comfortable hotel.

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Winter Destination Vacations in Minnesota

• Participate in Minnesota Winter Festvals. The most famous of these is the St. Paul Winter Carnival. Many other Minnesota towns and cities have Winter Festivals as well.
• Plan a dogsledding tour. This unusual and fun type of outing is a great Minnesota tradition. You can find dog-sledding opportunities in many areas of the state.
• Minnesota's casino hotels offer great prices for rooms as well as good dining. If you like a little gaming, and even if you don't, you'll enjoy these.
• Visit the Nickelodeon Universe Indoor Theme Park inside Minnesota's Mall of America. While you are there, visit Underwater World as well.
• Do some winter camping in Minnesota State Parks. Lots of groomed trails are available for hiking and cross-country skiing.
• Rent snowmobiles and explore the groomed snowmobile trails that criss-cross many areas of Minnesota. Snowmobiling Minnesota is a popular activity for families.

The Moon Minnesota Handbook by Tricia Cornell

Winter Destination Vacations and Winter Getaways

• Minnesota Winter Activities - Get out of the house and into the fun!
• List of Winter Sports - Ski, snowshoe, dog sled, skijor, ... if you don't know how we'll point you to the "how to."
• Winter on the North Shore - The coolest place in winter...in every way!

Top Minnesota Vacation Destinations

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Minnesota Vacation Rentals  -  A vacation rental will give you the feel of your own cabin or chalet in Minnesota. Choose a vacation rental in a specific area or get ideas about some of the best Minnesota vacation destinations before you decide. There are  fantastic rental properties and amazing locations that will be perfect for your group of any size.

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