Top places to visit in Minnesota in winter

It’s officially winter in Minnesota again! If you’re having some cabin fever like me, keep scrolling to find my top 5 places to visit in Minnesota in winter. Whether you want to get outside, stay inside and drink beer, or explore some Minnesota hidden gems – there’s something here for everyone!

Now turn off Netflix, get in your car, and explore some fun Minnesota destinations that you might not know about!

New Ulm, Minnesota

Best for: History

New Ulm, Minnesota is about an hour and 45 minutes southwest of the Twin Cities. This little town is full of so much German history! We especially loved touring Schell’s brewery (not your ordinary brewery tour!), shopping around downtown in the German shops, and watching the glockenspiel show! See how we spent a full day in New Ulm here!

Lutsen, Minnesota

Best for: Outdoor activities

We live in Minnesota, so we have to embrace the snow! Lutsen is just past Duluth on the North Shore of Lake Superior and is an outdoor-lover’s paradise. I love to downhill ski, and Lutsen is hands down the best skiing in Minnesota. If you’ve never been during the winter, you MUST go. It’s so peaceful and beautiful! Click here to learn more about our weekend in Lutsen over New Years Eve!

Northfield, Minnesota

Best for: Shopping

Northfield, Minnesota is such a hidden gem. It’s full of history, food, beer, etc. but the best part is the shopping in the historic downtown. From little boutiques to trendy thrift stores to refurbished art, it’s so easy to spend a whole day in Northfield. Make sure to get some drinks at a local brewery or distillery afterwards. Perfect for a girl’s day! See more of our day in Northfield here!

Rochester, Minnesota

Best for: Food

Donuts, burgers, pizza…you name it and Rochester’s got it! About an hour and 20 minutes south of the Twin Cities, Rochester is known as the home of Mayo Clinic, but it’s really so much more than that. We ate our way through the city and even stopped to see some alpacas! Read more about our time in Rochester here!

Red Wing, Minnesota

Best for: Beer

Red Wing, Minnesota is located about an hour southeast of the Twin Cities on the Mississippi. One of my favorite Minnesota breweries is there, Red Wing Brewery, and it offers a great escape from the cold! If you’re a lover of the MN brewery scene and have yet to visit this spot, make sure to add it to your list! And make sure to stop by the famous Red Wing shoe store. For the full details of our time in Red Wing, click here!

Nisswa, Minnesota

Best for: Resort

A Grand View Lodge winter getaway has everything you need to make the most of the magic of winter. From horse drawn wagon rides to igloos, Grand View Lodge has it all! Located in Nisswa, Minnesota, Grand View Lodge is about 2 hours north of the Twin Cities. The surrounding area has plenty of shops, restaurants, breweries, and outdoor activities to explore. See my post on Things to do in Nisswa Minnesota here.

Crosby, Minnesota

Best for: Tiny home cabin

Cuyuna cove is located in Crosby, Minnesota, about 2 hours north of Minneapolis. It consists of 5 tiny-home style cabins, and all cabins have their own bathrooms, an outdoor grill, and all the cooking basics you’ll need for your stay. The sourrounding area, Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area, is so beautiful and provide the perfect back drop to enjoy some outdoor winter activities like snowshoeing,  fat tire biking or even cross country skiing. Crosby is just a short drive away and features some great boutique shops, restaurants, and a fun brewery. Book your stay here or explore my full post about Cuyuna Cove.

Each of these places to visit in Minnesota have so much to offer! There’s still a few weeks left of winter…where should we go next??