RECREATION & OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
Year-round adventures for all walks of life.
Image by Erica Loeks/Greenspring Media
The Twin Cities are more than just a concrete jungle. Perhaps their most beautiful feature is the lush, green parks spread across the metro. In the Trust for Land’s annual Parkscore index for 2016, Minneapolis donned the crown for best city parks in the country, an honor it has held for the past four years, and St. Paul finished right on its tail in a close second place. Talk about a win-win for residents. With all these beautiful areas, it is easy to see why Minneapolis ranked No. 6 and St. Paul No. 23 in Best and Worst Cities for an Active Lifestyle. With more than 50 parks and reserves and 340 miles of trails crawling their way through Minneapolis and St. Paul, these beautiful spaces will have even the biggest of couch potatoes trading their TV remotes for running shoes.
If you are looking for an adrenaline-packed day, look no further than Valleyfair. This theme park in Shakopee offers thrills in the form of high-energy rollercoasters, a wet and wild waterpark, and myriad other family oriented rides. Brave riders will feel their heart pound through their chest as their train slowly click-clacks its way to the top of the first monstrous drop, and then scream as they touch the sky before plummeting 200 feet back to Earth at 74 mph on the iconic Wild Thing roller coaster. And Xtreme Swing transforms one of your neighborhood park favorites into a 125-foot-high, 60 mph ride through the sky. Full of rides, food and other attractions, there is always an adventure to be found at the Midwest’s largest outdoor theme park.
While we are on the subject of the great outdoors in the Twin Cities, we might as well address the elephant in the room. Yes, it can get cold here, and sometimes it can get really, really cold. But don’t let commonly held myths about this “frozen tundra” fool you. The Twin Cities have more in common weather-wise with Chicago and Boston than our brothers to the north in Winnipeg and Fairbanks. In fact, the Twin Cities are geographically closer to Missouri than Canada, and have more sunny days annually than both Chicago and Indianapolis. So throw on some extra layers and enjoy this incredible winter wonderland—we promise Jack Frost’s bark is much worse than his bite.
Formed by the juncture of a glacier and the Minnesota River, Buck Hill offers 15 ski and snowboard runs, a tubing hill, 11 lifts and one of the best powder-making systems in the Midwest. Just a short drive south of Minneapolis, skiers and snowboarders alike are able to hit the same slopes Olympic gold medalist Lindsey Vonn did while learning to become one of the sport’s very best. With daily group and private lessons and runs varying in difficulty, all skill levels, from shredding through the moguls to learning the ropes on the bunny hill, are welcome. For even more skiing and snowboarding fun, Hyland Hills Ski Area in Bloomington offers nine runs, a terrain park and lessons of their own.
The Twin Cities are also ground zero for other fun-filled winter events including Red Bull Crashed Ice and the Saint Paul Winter Carnival. Filled with activities like the Beer Dabbler, Securian Winter Run, parades, an ice palace and more, this-week-and-a-half-long festival takes place in the heart of St. Paul, attracts more than 250,000 visitors annually, and showcases why winter in Minnesota is truly a magical time.
Recreation IN MINNEAPOLIS & ST. PAUL
MINNEAPOLIS & ST. PAUL Recreation Stories
Five Ways to Meet Our City and Our People
Whether you’re a visitor or local, meet people and explore our local venues with this guide. Sponsored by Pedal Pub Twin Cities:
Mother’s Day 2018
Check out more than a dozen Mother’s Day ideas around the Twin Cities
Top 5 hiking trails in and around Minneapolis
These are the top 5 places to hike when you’re in Minneapolis
Baby Farm Animals
Three springtime farms for the family to experience life on the farm and, of course, pet some baby animals.
Springtime Must-Dos
It’s above freezing, which officially means spring is here.
Ten Runs, Two Months
Run the sweetest 5K around, conquer inflatable obstacles and more this spring. Plus, as a bonus, check out five of our favorite St. Patrick’s Day runs.
Riders Cup 2018 at Hyland Hills
Think Red Bull Crashed Ice except by riders, for riders. Back-to-back ice cross champion and Minnesota local Cameron Naasz tells us what to expect at this year’s only U.S. Riders Cup Feb. 22 at Hyland Hills in Bloomington.
Wingin’ It at the Amateur Snow Sculpting Contest
Exploring the Vulcan Snow Park and its snow sculptures is one of the best ways to end winter, but making a snow sculpture for it is even better. See the state and amateur sculptures through Feb. 11.
Top 5 Unique Indoor Attractions
No matter when you visit Minneapolis and St. Paul, we always have something good in store. Here are five of our favorite Twin Cities indoor attractions that will make your visit, whether you’re the biggest Prince fan or a super sleuth. Sponsored by:
My Twin Cities: Zach Parise
Learn more about NHL all-star and Minnesota native Zach Parise’s love for hockey, the Twin Cities and his growing family.
Fat Biking Through Minneapolis and St. Paul
Fat biking is a way of life in Minneapolis and St. Paul in the winter. Check out our list of the best trails in the Twin Cities.
Eight Holiday Quick Trips
Minneapolis and St. Paul aren’t the only Minnesota cities in the holiday spirit. Explore festivities only a quick trip away in surrounding cities.
Snowshoe Season
Try snowshoeing on trails at places like Tamarack Nature Center, Afton State Park and more, or enjoy the quiet of a candlelight trek.
Cambridge: The City on the Rum River
Take a road trip up north this fall and visit Cambridge for its lighted Snowflake Parade (Nov. 18) and other quaint, small town charms.
Turkey-Timed Trots and Brunch Spots
This November, give thanks for fun runs and delicious brunch spots, all in time for Thanksgiving.
Wells Fargo WinterSkate
Grab some friends and head down to the historic Landmark Center in downtown St. Paul for an evening of ice skating and fun at Wells Fargo WinterSkate.
Magnificent Minneapolis Murals
The Twin Cities have long been known as a hotbed for the arts, and the proof is in the paintings with this list of Minneapolis Murals.
Life on the Farm: Seasonal Programs at Oliver Kelley Farm
See what Oliver Kelley Farm is cooking up this season with harvest, Thanksgiving and Christmas programs on the historic farmstead in Elk River.
5 Horseback Riding Hotspots
These five horseback riding venues are sure to inspire your inner equestrian as you explore the beautiful Minnesota outdoors.
Stillwater Winery Tour
With a historic downtown, gorgeous scenery and a brand new winery, the road trip around Stillwater is full of charming surprises.