1. Capture 20-foot Ice Castles before they melt.
Twenty million pounds of ice are sculpted and shaped into technicolor slides, fountains, and tunnels at Brent Christensen’s annual pop-up, which is built, icicle by icicle, in just six North American cities every winter. Its latest Minnesota locale — after stints in Stillwater, Excelsior, and Eden Prairie — is at Long Lake Regional Park in New Brighton. Standby tickets are sold throughout the week, but reservations are highly recommended. Anyone looking for lower prices and leaner crowds should secure a spot during the week, when general admission is $15 for anyone 12 and up, and $11 for children between the ages of 4-11.
2. Bundle Up and Go Fat Biking
Photo courtesy of Twin Cities Gateway
Take your love of biking to the snowy season at the fat tire biking trails at Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Park Reserve in Lino Lakes. The 3.2 kilometers of trails include plenty of space for biking and cross-country skiing!
3. Grab Your Pup and Try Skijoring
Head to Bunker Hills Regional Park, where you can go skiing or snowshoeing or combine winter sports and spending time with your furry best friend!
Bunker Hills Regional Park is home to 12 miles of skijoring trails to enjoy the sport that combines cross-country skiing and dog sledding with your pup! More than eight kilometers of groomed trail meanders through the oaks, pines, and prairie in the western portion of the park.
4. Enjoy a Sleigh Ride
Experience winter trails in a new way! Sleigh rides are available at Bunker Park Stable. With a variety of sleighs to suit any group or occasion, take a ride on the 2-4-person Antique Sleigh, a 14-person Red Bench Seat Sleigh, and two 25-person Flatbed Sleighs. The Antique Sleigh ride is half an hour and the larger sleighs are approximately 45-minute-long rides. Reservations are necessary and COVID protocols are in place to ensure all visitors and staff are safe and healthy.
Photo courtesy of Twin Cities Gateway
5. Take a Candlelit Snowshoe Stroll
Bring yourself, a friend, or your whole family on an evening stroll through the trail at Springbrook Nature Center in Fridley. Naturalists will guide your way with the cozy glow of lantern light on the trails, and let you warm your hands over a fire. If conditions allow, you may rent or bring your own snowshoes!
Looking for a place to stay? Well, you’re in luck, because the Twin Cities Gateway is home to 23 great hotels with health and safety protocols in place to keep you safe and healthy, that are all conveniently located within minutes of all favorite Twin Cities activities and attractions.
