8 Holiday Adventures Around Minnesota

1: Historic Home-Tours

There are some gorgeous homes all around the state. Three that really stand out to us are The Charles A. Lindbergh house in Little Falls, The Hubbard House in Mankato, and the Mayowood Mansion in Rochester.

2: Holiday Trains

There are two ways to enjoy a Holiday Train in Minnesota! One way is to watch in awe as the Canadian Pacific Holiday Train rolls through one of more than two-dozen Minnesota towns. It makes its way through the northern U.S. every year. The train will visit St. Paul, Minneapolis, Wabasha, Thief River Falls, and more!

Or- you can be a passenger! The Christmas City Express in Duluth takes riders on a wonderful ride, complete with holiday stories & live carolers.

3: European-Style Christmas Markets

Choose from one of many authentic, European-style Christmas markets throughout the state. Such markets include the Glensheen Mansion, Christkindlsmarkt’s KinderWorld, European Christmas Market, and a special market at the North Shore Winery in Lutsen.

4: Make, Bake, & Take Goodies

You can choose- do you want to be the baker of your own holiday treats, at events such as The Mill City Museum’s Family Baking get-together OR would you rather leave the baking to someone else as you stroll the  delicious smelling bake sale at Union Depot? Either way, there are treats!

5: Holiday Light Displays

Downtown Minneapolis’ entertainment district, Nicollet, brings back the lively department store window displays at the former Dayton’s location. The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum presents Winter In Bloom, featuring huge outdoor nature-themed light displays. In Mankato, visit Sibley Park to see over 1.5 million twinkling lights at the Kiwanis Holiday Lights driving or walking tour.

6: Holiday Festivals

You can make the trek to downtown Park Rapids for their annual Yuletide sampler & see Santa light up the Historic Central school and take a stroll through a market with dozens of crafters and vendors. In St. Paul at CHS field, you can celebrate winter at Destination Winer Saint Paul and enjoy some ice skating, tubing, or sliding down the 130-foot slide! And, always a Minnesota favorite, Holidazzle is happening in downtown Minneapolis every Thursday-Sunday from Nov. 29th-Dec. 22nd

7: Holiday High Tea

You can celebrate the season with a warm cup of tea and a baked treat at several places around the state, including The Saint Paul Hotel, and Lowell Inn in Stillwater, or the Mad Hatter in Anoka.

8: Holiday Pop-Up Bars

Sipping spirits and making spirits bright, holiday pop-up bars are a fun way to socialize and celebrate. Offering festive drinks & an undeniable atmosphere, consider checking out a pop-up at Betty Danger’s or Lawless Distillery, just to name a couple.