As winter slowly creeps its way into Minnesota and we enjoy the on-and-off sunny days, we dread the inevitable cold ones. Our days of leisurely outdoor strolls are limited, and winter date ideas in Minneapolis just got a bit more complicated. It’s hard to pick a place to go, and once you get inside, you have to take off six layers of clothing just to put them back on in another hour. But there’s hope for us yet! Not only are there a plethora of amazing winter date places in MN, but some are even outside, so we can forget that whole layering issue. Here are some of our favorite dates for winter in Minneapolis:

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Which of these winter date ideas in Minneapolis have you tried before? Which are you most excited to try? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!

While it might be hard to imagine it when you are in the thick of winter, check out (make plans to visit!) these awesome summer destinations in Minnesota.

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Winter in Minnesota

Where can I go skiing in Minnesota?

While maybe not as popular as Colorado or Wyoming, there are plenty of places to go skiing in Minnesota. Here are some great choices for winter date ideas in Minneapolis and its surrounding areas:

Spirit Mountain: Located in Duluth, this resort has a 700-foot vertical drop and 22 trails with a mix of intermediate and beginner levels. There are seven lifts throughout as well as five different places to grab a bite to eat. In addition to skiing, you can also snowboard, night ski, or fat bike.

Afton Alps Resort: Located in Hastings, this ski resort has 48 trails with 18 chairlifts. The vertical drop is 350 feet. There is also a terrain park for snowboarding.

Buck Hill Ski Area: Located in Burnsville, this small ski area has 16 trails with ten lifts. The vertical drop is 309 feet. There is also snowboarding, night skiing, and a tubing hill here.

Can I ride the Polar Express in Minnesota?

Although there may not be much to choose from, you can ride a Polar Express in Minnesota. Located in Saint Paul, here, you and your loved ones can take an hour-long ride on the North Pole Express, complete with cookies, letter writing, elves, and of course, Santa Claus! Depending on when you go, you’ll ride either a 1944 steam locomotive or a 1956 diesel train.

What are the best Christmas towns in Minnesota?

There are several Christmas towns in Minnesota to visit during the holidays. Here are some of the best if you are searching for fun date ideas during a Minneapolis winter:

New Ulm: Located in Brown County, here, you can take in the picturesque downtown all dressed for Christmas. There is an annual parade of lights, ample holiday shopping available, workshops, events, and more.

Red Wing: Located in Goodhue County, this city is named after the famous shoe company. It celebrates the holiday with a Holiday Stroll, where you can take in the festive lights and decorations outside as well as inside many venues. There are also holiday events, parties, and shows every year.

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