Minnesota is known nationwide for its frigid winters. But just because the temperature drops for a few months doesn’t mean that we all head indoors. Quite the opposite, in fact! Minnesotans love to get out and explore, even during the cold and snowy season. Some of our favorite places to explore? The little towns that are decked out for the holidays! These cozy towns make perfect places to snuggle up and enjoy the season. Check them out:
- Stillwater
Discover Stillwater/Facebook The eastern Minnesota town of Stillwater pulls out all the stops during the holiday season. From twinkling lights that line their busy downtown to costumed carolers who stroll the streets, there’s no shortage of the Christmas spirit here. There’s plenty to do here, from walking along the St. Croix River to doing a little shopping in the town’s many stores!
- Mankato
Visit Mankato/Facebook
- Winona
Visit Winona/Facebook Here’s another southern Minnesota Christmas town that will make you feel warm and fuzzy with the holiday spirit. Many in Winona decorate their houses and storefronts with lights and garlands that add a dose of magic to the holiday season. Beyond the lights, visitors can see live music and theater performances, shop, dine, and more.
- Anoka
City of Anoka, Minnesota/Facebook Just north of the Twin Cities, Anoka is a well-known spot for antique lovers. Come Christmastime, Anoka’s downtown area becomes even more fun to explore. Stores decked out in festive decorations, twinkling lights, and busy streets full of shoppers make this little town one of the coziest to visit during the holiday season.
- Lanesboro
Lanesboro, Minnesota in Fillmore County/Facebook No matter the season, the tiny southern Minnesota town of Lanesboro is one of the cutest in the state. Its little downtown area is full of shops, and a lovely dam adds even more scenic beauty to this Bluff Country town. There’s plenty to do throughout the winter, from taking in a play from the Lanesboro Community Theater to exploring the lovely scenery along the Root River Trail.
- Walker
Leech Lake Area Chamber of Commerce/Facebook Walker is most often visited in the summertime when countless anglers descend on nearby Leech Lake for some of the best fishing in the state. But Walker is also a lovely place to visit in the wintertime. The snow-covered town offers plenty of opportunity for cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, ice fishing, and sledding. When you’re done for the day, head back to your cozy resort to warm up.
- Excelsior
Excelsior, Minnesota/Facebook Excelsior is a small city in the Twin Cities metro. Despite its proximity to Minneapolis, its lovely downtown gives it a small-town feel. During the holiday season, it’s all decked out in lights and garlands. If you’d like to go somewhere with a small-town feel without venturing too far from the metro, consider a stroll through Excelsior this holiday season.
- Ely
Tony Webster/Flickr Ely may be known as the entry to the Boundary Waters. But it’s so much more than that! This little town is worth visiting all year thanks to its natural beauty and plentiful activities. It’s fun to stroll through town to check out shops and restaurants, especially when they’re under a blanket of snow. If you’d rather spend time in nature, nearby Bear Head Lake State Park is absolutely beautiful in winter!
- Fergus Falls
Visit Fergus Falls/Facebook Fergus Falls is a west-central Minnesota town about 175 miles northwest of the Twin Cities. It’s also a lovely place to visit during winter! From its charming downtown bedecked in lights to its festive events, snow-covered scenery, and more, you’ll be glad you visited this small town. It’s simply magical!
What’s your favorite Minnesota Christmas town? What would you add to the list? Let us know your favorite Minnesota towns by filling out our nomination form!
Discover Stillwater/Facebook
The eastern Minnesota town of Stillwater pulls out all the stops during the holiday season. From twinkling lights that line their busy downtown to costumed carolers who stroll the streets, there’s no shortage of the Christmas spirit here. There’s plenty to do here, from walking along the St. Croix River to doing a little shopping in the town’s many stores!
Visit Mankato/Facebook
Visit Winona/Facebook
Here’s another southern Minnesota Christmas town that will make you feel warm and fuzzy with the holiday spirit. Many in Winona decorate their houses and storefronts with lights and garlands that add a dose of magic to the holiday season. Beyond the lights, visitors can see live music and theater performances, shop, dine, and more.
City of Anoka, Minnesota/Facebook
Just north of the Twin Cities, Anoka is a well-known spot for antique lovers. Come Christmastime, Anoka’s downtown area becomes even more fun to explore. Stores decked out in festive decorations, twinkling lights, and busy streets full of shoppers make this little town one of the coziest to visit during the holiday season.
Lanesboro, Minnesota in Fillmore County/Facebook
No matter the season, the tiny southern Minnesota town of Lanesboro is one of the cutest in the state. Its little downtown area is full of shops, and a lovely dam adds even more scenic beauty to this Bluff Country town. There’s plenty to do throughout the winter, from taking in a play from the Lanesboro Community Theater to exploring the lovely scenery along the Root River Trail.
Leech Lake Area Chamber of Commerce/Facebook
Walker is most often visited in the summertime when countless anglers descend on nearby Leech Lake for some of the best fishing in the state. But Walker is also a lovely place to visit in the wintertime. The snow-covered town offers plenty of opportunity for cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, ice fishing, and sledding. When you’re done for the day, head back to your cozy resort to warm up.
Excelsior, Minnesota/Facebook
Excelsior is a small city in the Twin Cities metro. Despite its proximity to Minneapolis, its lovely downtown gives it a small-town feel. During the holiday season, it’s all decked out in lights and garlands. If you’d like to go somewhere with a small-town feel without venturing too far from the metro, consider a stroll through Excelsior this holiday season.
Tony Webster/Flickr
Ely may be known as the entry to the Boundary Waters. But it’s so much more than that! This little town is worth visiting all year thanks to its natural beauty and plentiful activities. It’s fun to stroll through town to check out shops and restaurants, especially when they’re under a blanket of snow. If you’d rather spend time in nature, nearby Bear Head Lake State Park is absolutely beautiful in winter!
Visit Fergus Falls/Facebook
Fergus Falls is a west-central Minnesota town about 175 miles northwest of the Twin Cities. It’s also a lovely place to visit during winter! From its charming downtown bedecked in lights to its festive events, snow-covered scenery, and more, you’ll be glad you visited this small town. It’s simply magical!
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Address: Stillwater, MN 55082, USAAddress: Mankato, MN, USAAddress: Winona, MN 55987, USAAddress: Anoka, MN, USAAddress: Lanesboro, MN 55949, USAAddress: Walker, MN, USAAddress: Excelsior, MN 55331, USAAddress: Ely, MN 55731, USAAddress: Fergus Falls, MN 56537, USA
