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
Twin Cities Thrifty Traveler-Fall Edition
Experience the wonders of the Twin Cities in the best way possible—for free! Follow our daily schedule for a week packed with free fall entertainment.
Top 5 Jazz Venues
Jazz is all over Minneapolis and St. Paul. Get ready to tap your toes at five of our favorite jazz venues.
Hudson Winery Tour
Be transported from the bustling city to relaxed country living and delicious homemade wine in the beautiful Hudson River Valley.
A Chat with a Minnesota RollerGirl
Meet co-captain of the Minnesota RollerGirls roller derby team, Jessica Sawicki, or as fans and teammates call her, Hurtude Stein.
Red Wing Winery Tour
Take a hour drive southeast of Minneapolis and St. Paul to the land made famous for its shoes, pottery and local wine, Red Wing.
Set Your Sights on the Skies at the Fall Raptor Release
The Raptor Center’s free annual event on Sept. 23 releases about six rehabilitated birds of prey into the wild during a day of activities, learning and close encounters with animals.
13 Dive Bars to Spend Your Night At
Our top 13 dive bars offer cheap drinks, karaoke, meat raffles, live music and tough love service that goes back to the 1880s.
Fall Color Favorites
The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum and Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge top our list for the best Minneapolis and St. Paul fall colors hotspots.
Waconia Winery Tour
On the Waconia winery tour, half the fun is getting there with stops in small towns and natural outlooks. And the three local wineries don’t hurt either.
Taylors Falls Winery Tour
With incredible natural views, a sculpture park and three scenic wineries, there’s almost too much fun to be had on a day trip to Taylors Falls.
Winery Day Trips to Take this Fall
Take a day trip one of five locations just outside the Twin Cities metro area to sample Minnesota-made wine and enjoy local attractions along the way.
Ten Spas to Get Some R&R
Treat yourself during your vacation to Minneapolis or St. Paul with one of our favorite spas.
Light Rail Adventure
The MetroTransit light rails offer one of the best ways to get to the attractions, dining, theater and nightlife of Minneapolis and St. Paul.
Tree Houses at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum
Crawl into the tree house of your childhood dreams at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. The summer exhibit includes 12 unconventional tree houses built by local artists, architects and hobbyists.
Top 5 Things to Do in St. Paul
St. Paul, one half of Minnesota’s sister cities, is brimming with historic landmarks, museums, parks, charming neighborhoods and more.
Jay Cooke State Park
Visit Jay Cooke State Park, Minnesota’s seventh largest park for more than 50 trails of hiking, gorgeous views of the St. Louis River and more.
Downtown St. Paul Brewery Biking Tour
Pedal your way through downtown St. Paul to see a mix of architectural landmarks, historic houses and charming local breweries.
Gay Bars and Clubs in the Twin Cities
Gay bars and clubs in the Twin Cities have all of the dancing, drag shows and drinks you could want. Check out nine of our favorites!
U of M/St. Paul Brewery Biking Tour
Bike from the University of Minnesota campus through St. Paul to discover a small pocket of local breweries with premier drafts on tap.
Nerstrand Big Woods State Park
One of the last remnants of a huge stretch of forest, Nerstrand provides the perfect quick trip away from the cities.