7 Best Towns In Minnesota For A Winter Getaway
Known as the "Land of 10,000 Lakes," Minnesota often gets overlooked due to its frigid weather and rural landscape — however, if you dig a little into the nation's 12th largest state, you will find plenty to do. Whether it is lucky enough to catch the surreal northern lights in the atmosphere, trekking over 1,300 miles of state trails, or uncovering its rich cultural and natural history, the North Star State offers a vast range of tourist attractions, making it a suitable state for an exciting winter getaway.
Ely
Ely is small with just 2.74 square miles of area and a population of around 3,000. However, don't let its small size fool you! This town is an outdoor lovers' paradise and is home to some of the nation's most pristine forests and lakes. It's also home to a bustling commercial district and hosts the Ely Arts & Heritage Center and the Dorothy Molter Museum. Another feature of this town is its close proximity to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area — the ancient one-million-acre park is a perfect destination to get some fresh air and soak in nature — whether your cup of tea is canoeing, hiking or camping, you're bound to meet a fun and challenging quest here.
Moreover, parts of this area were inhabited by the Paleo Indians in 8000 BC, with some remnants of artifacts still present today. A fun pastime activity among locals is revving through the snow as the surrounding area yields miles of snowmobiling trails. When deciding where to stay, the Grand Ely Lodge Resort & Event Center provides an affordable option to sleep in for the night.
Grand Marais
First inhabited by Native Americans and, subsequently, fur traders, Grand Marais has flourished into a vibrant modern-day town, with tourism serving as a significant economic driver. While summer is the best time to visit, winter bestows its own vibe — one such popular winter activity is catching the northern lights. Contrary to popular belief, you don't need to travel to Greenland and Yukon to view them, as they can be witnessed in other parts of the world, too!
Grand Marais provides ample opportunities to see these ethereal lights, provided the skies are clear and your pearly eyes are awake from 9 pm TO 4 am, away from light pollution. The East Bay Suites, Best Western, and Hungry Hippie Farm all serve visitors reasonably priced accommodations in the area.
Park Rapids
When thinking about Park Rapids, two things instantly come to mind: Lots of parks and woods. One of the town's earliest settlers, Frank C. Rice, named the city "Park Rapids "after witnessing the surplus of groves situated by the Fish Hook River — which is suitable considering the town has over 70 lakes, many of which render great opportunities for boating, fishing, and other outdoor activities. And less than 30 minutes from Park Rapids lies Itasca State Park; spanning more than 32,000 acres and serving as Minnesota's oldest park, it's home to over 100 lakes and harbors some of America's finest exotic wildlife animals, including the esteemed bald eagle.
To get a full scope of the park, Lake Itasca Tours Inc. offers specialized tours providing trips to critical landmarks so you can capture the finest photographs — whether you come across the bald eagle, sea hawk, or the elusive blue herons, you're bound to get lucky and witness the something beautiful as you explore your way around. For lodging options, Heartland Inn Hotel & Suites, formerly known as C'monn Inc., provides wallet-friendly accommodations with the added bonus of an indoor swimming pool.
Red Wing
A nirvana for outdoor enthusiasts, this small town is named after a Dakota Sioux chief from the early 1800s. And, while the city has no visible red wings, the vibrant landscape offers many red-hot activities. For starters, consider renting a bike to traverse the Cannon Valley Trail; it covers over 19 miles of paved paths and allows you to explore the trail and stumble on new exciting journeys such as the archeological Silvernale Site, the Welsch Village Sky Resort (where you can partake in night skiing), and the Welch Mill Canoeing, a fun opportunity to dip in the water with rentable tubes.
Other points of interest include the Hanisch Bakery — winner of Minnesota's best bakery and doughnut award for two consecutive years, and the Barn Bluff, a historic nature preserve near the Mississippi River.
Lanesboro
Known for its bike trails and delicious food, Lanesboro grants a serene vibe with the bonus of a warm and welcoming tight-knit community. A key feature of Lanesboro is its Root River State Trail; the 42-mile-long paved can be used for cross-country skiing, hiking, and even in-line skating — all the while seeing scenic spots, including abandoned historic sites and exotic wild animals.
In addition, Lanesboro is also home to the renowned Lanesboro Arts, a multidisciplinary gallery that began 40 years ago to showcase talented local artists. Not long after its inception, the gallery was so successful that Lanesboro earned the prestigious accolade of being among the "100 Best Art Towns in America." For places to stay, consider the Root River Inn & Suites and the cozy Stone Mill Hotel & Suites.
Lindstrom
You're not mistaken if this town's name screams European to you. In fact, the name is most commonly used in Scandinavia — a suitable name for a city known as "America's Little Sweden." Lindstrom is surrounded by lakes on all sides, making Beach Park an appropriate first stop to revel in its sandy beach, fishing dock, and picnic tables.
To better understand the town and its history, the Lindstrom Antique Mall delivers 40 outlets on two floors, allowing you the opportunity to find all sorts of neat collectibles and vintage goodies. For accommodations, the Lindstrom Hotel is an excellent 3-star hotel for visitors, offering an amalgamation of new and old designs influenced by Scandinavian architecture, living up to the town's storied history.
Stillwater
Despite its name, your getaway here will be anything but static as the list of things to do in Stillwater is endless. Whether your forte is history and sightseeing, theater and live music, or biking and hiking trails, Stillwater has you covered. A local favorite spot to break a sweat and sightsee is Brown's Creek State Trail; the six-mile-long trail grants access to some of the most breathtaking spots in the state, including the majestic St. Croix River and National Scenic Riverway.
And since Stillwater is considered the historic birthmark of Minnesota, consider visiting the Stillwater Commercial Historic District to journey through the town's heritage-rich history. For overnight stays, you can choose Holiday Inn Express, Hampton Inn & Suites, and the Country Inn & Suites.
In conclusion, Minnesota is more than just a frigid cold state; whether you end up in Ely's pristine forests and lakes or are lucky enough to see the heavenly northern lights in Grand Marais, there will always be plenty of exciting outdoor activities to do and see, making the North Star State a must-visit state for a winter getaway.
