I actually did this two years ago, for December 24-26. I needed 599 miles to reach status and my dog and I weren’t doing anything else for Christmas. I walked around downtown, checked out the stadiums and the old mills, went to the art museum, ate some amazing food, and we ended the trip at Mall of America the morning of the return flight. Minneapolis was so much cooler than I thought it was and we had a great time.

9 days is quite a lot for minneapolis unless you REALLY like winter activities. you will want to make sure you have really good head to toe winter gear with you.

Americans don't tend to do that. Not that it's not a perfectly nice, but it's the sort of place you would live, not get excited about vacationing.

I. LOVE. MINNESOTA. Excellent vibe there. I would so go there over winter. Either a cabin somewhere, or all what the city has to offer. Your choice. Have fun!

As long as you don’t mind it being cold AF. Bring lots of wool layers, base layers, good winter boots, heavy jacket, sturdy mittens

It’s not a usual tourist destination by any means, but if you want an affordable American city to check out, it’s not a bad option. Especially if you want more of a typical American experience rather than a NYC/LA experience. Minneapolis has a lot of momentum in recent years, so you’ll find a lot to do and it’s a very nice & livable city in my opinion

I photographed a wedding there and there was a little town called Stillwater that looked cute! We took pictures there before the reception

There is good stuff! Mall of America is decked out, and there are lots of holiday pop ups in cocktail bars. Super great fine dining scene in Minneapolis and Edina. Rice park in St. Paul is gorgeous, you could catch a holiday play at The Ordway. And I know there’s tons of neighborhoods that go all out with lights. Maybe sledding or carriage ride? Probably recommend to rent a car unless you plan on staying in Mpls/St Paul the whole time. I think you could pull off a poor man’s New York!

MN is the one of the best in the winter! There’s old museums, unique restaurants, local breweries, cafes, parks, local family winter events, etc. They have also have Christmas winter markets that sell good food, beer, and crafts!

I would say don’t go to MOA and to venture more out in Minneapolis and the west side of MN (Maple Grove, Eden Prairie, St Louis Park, Edina, etc) for a different experience.

For more events, set your location to Minneapolis on FB events and check out to see what’s going on the week you plan to come here!

You can come here…. Depends on what you’d like to do. We have ice castles, the St Paul Saints stadium is all decked out for winter activities. We have a few Christmas markets set up and lots of cocktail bars decorate for Christmas. Where are you coming from? It’s so cold here right now

Minnehaha falls is a great park to walk. The frozen waterfall is epic.

Only to visit family, not really a vacation spot

If I may ask, where are you from? Winters in America are vastly different than in most other countries. Minnesota can get blisteringly cold with feet of snow falling at a time. They built sky bridges for pedestrians to walk between buildings because of how bad it gets. I would temper your winter wonderland budget vacation. New England however might be a happy medium. The temps usually not terrible they have small quaint villages to visit that all have holiday charm and there is skiing and snowboarding pretty close to the city. Plus there is outer ice skating and a ton of museums to visit.

I did, but only because my grandparents lived there and they did the best Christmases.

Winter yes, wonderland no so much

Concerts, 1st rate museums and NBA games quite affordable. Good winter activities.

You could try flying into NYC and staying in a town upstate (depending on what your activity goals are). That way, you could do NYC things on your arrival and departure days without NYC hotel prices. There's frequent commuter train service with many stops between NYC and Poughkeepsie. Also Amtrak service to Albany, Montreal, and points between. The train ride up the Hudson is very scenic.

There's also Buffalo/Niagara Falls/Toronto as a wintry alternative (my hometown). Niagara Falls is definitely worth seeing if you're coming from far away, which it sounds like you are.

Yes! A MN holiday visit would be lovely. As a local who’s traveled the USA pretty extensively, here are my recommendations for a solid 9 days in the twin cities (winter edition):

Start your trip in Northeast Minneapolis & the North Loop. Stay at the Hewing Hotel and enjoy a rooftop hot tub in the snow. Vintage shop around northeast Mpls. Brunch at Diane’s Place (book a reservation well in advance!) or Chimborazo. Dinner at Bar La Grassa, Porzana, or Owamni. Hit up a sauna (embrace north, portal, watershed spa, etc) Hit up the Christkindl holiday market and one of the many weekend holiday Art/craft shows (look up Minneapolis Craft Market or Minneapolis Vintage market). See an old school Christmas movie at the Heights Theatre complete with an organist, and check out a couple of our great breweries or distilleries after. Lunch at one of the great casual restaurants in Central Ave in northeast. On a warmer day, take a walk down St Anthony Main and the Mississippi River walk. Live music at first Avenue or one of its associated venues, or a free show at 331 Club.

Then head to south Minneapolis and stay in an Airbnb near one of the many lakes. Check out the American Swedish Institute for a cozy afternoon and see the beautifully decorated mansion. Tour of one of our many holiday pop-up bars. Brunch at Guavas Cuban Cafe Dinner at a cozy spot like George & the Dragon or a renowned spot like Colita with fun drinks. Antiquing and exploring at Hunt & Gather. Google “meat raffles near me” or bingo nights for a cozy night inside. Spend an afternoon at Midtown Global market checking out the booths, shops and food stalls. Fancy shopping day at Edina’s Galleria. A sit-down concert at the Cedar Cultural Center

A day or two in St Paul: Como Conservatory to breathe a little humid air and refresh amongst the trees and botanicals. They also host music nights so definitely check the calendar. If you have kids, a day at the science museum is a must. Check out a show at one of the many theatres (this goes for Minneapolis too!) If you come in January St Paul hosts the winter carnival which is tons of whimsical fun in the freezing cold. They have a parade and everything.

That’s all I have off the very top of my head but I love the twin cities and would be glad to answer any questions about our neighborhoods or things to do!! Hope you decide to visit :)

Art museum, mall of America, European Christmas market, LUMINISCENCE at the basilica, soooo much good food and pop up Christmas bars, winter plays.

Lots of cute cities like red wing or still water that are on the river and have an incredible vintage scene.

with 9 days you could take a day trip up to the north shore which is so so beautiful.

Someone mentioned flights not making it out of MSP which unless we’re getting a foot a snow, flights are still taking off.

I grew up there and generally hate it, but a lot of people I’ve met since that aren’t from Minnesota think it’s really neat. My reasons for hating are probably more family/local centric so it’s not really a reason for someone else to hate it.

They do have an appreciation for Christmas above and beyond any of the other places I’ve lived, so that’s kind of neat. It truly gives a Winter Wonderland kind of feeling to be the Twin Cities at Christmas. When I was a kid there used to be a dinner train you’d get dressed up for, and they’d do a few hours ride and it was insanely beautiful at Christmas time; I don’t know if that’s still a thing, but it was the most magical Christmas experience I ever did.

If you like winter sports, there’s amazing cross country skiing, snowshoeing, and ice skating to be had.

If you, like my husband, are a Prince super fan, you must go out to Chanhassen for a tour of Paisley Park.

And then obviously, the Mall of America is easy to enjoy at Christmas if you get sick of the cold weather.

Just remember that a lot of the city is car centric, so you’ll need to have a plan for that if you don’t want to stay in very specific areas reachable by the light rail. Also, if you yourself aren’t from someplace cold, don’t underestimate how horribly cold it can be if you do use public transportation and walk places. It’s not the kind of cold you can get away with not wearing crazy gear and hopefully just dipping into warm places enough if you use public transportation.

Everywhere is in demand Christmas week because people go to see their relatives.

Mall of America, a cold hike to minnehaha falls, cross country skiing, downhill skiing, sledding/tubing, ice fishing, ice skating…so much stuff to do here for winter activities. Just make sure to pack warm clothes & boots! Or if you make the short drive to Duluth there’s Bentlyville (walk or drive through Christmas lights) or only 40 min from Minneapolis in wi is Sam’s Christmas village that is pretty cool too

I would spend money just to not have to go to Minnesota in the winter

This is probably a specific um, demographic, kinda thing. I personally can't say I know anyone that would want to go be a part of that ridiculous cold for Christmas.

I am from there! It’s 100% worth the trip. Message me for recs!

Never been there but I know people there. It’s really, really cold in winter.

Snow mobiling is really fun up there. They've some trails that go hundreds of miles.

But for the most part, people avoid the dead of winter up there. Gets really cold, hard to get anywhere with snow often on the roads.

I personally do lakes and fishing and boating and such in the summertime.

Go wherever you want that works for you. Just because some people don’t ‘vacation’ there doesn’t mean there’s no value. I’m SURE it’s beautiful, there are fun things to do, it’s a new adventure, and you’ll have a great time! Enjoy!

It is really really cold…a friend lives there and does not go out because he is afraid of falling on the ice.

Sounds cold. Maybe summer. 

Great city. Freezing cold. Go if you're fine with the cold and can entertain yourself on Christmas day--everything will be closed. Bring layers.

$2000 to visit minnesota in winter 😭😭 bro what

No. Americans like to travel to warm places like Florida in the in winter

If you like to ski, check out Giant's Ridge a few hours north of the twin cities. Very reasonable compared to anything out west.

I actually traveled to Minnesota two Januarys in a row in 2024 and 2025, but we were also considering moving up there (and eventually did) so that was kind of the bigger influence

What I’ll say is that this winter might not be the right one to visit. It’s going to be a very strong winter with lower than average temperatures and higher than average snowfall; it already hit -12°F this past weekend and the snowfall rate is very high compared to the last two winters

I think it is a good long weekend vacation spot. I don’t think it is a 9 day spot. That being said I don’t think any city is worth 9 days unless staying with friends/family. If you can rent a car and travel around that would change things.

And yet you didn’t mention Minneapolis….not to mention… but vail, Lake Tahoe, and Jackson hole are quite shoestring destinations

I live in Minnesota and we have A LOT of snow Right now. We haven't had this much by Christmas time in a few years actually.

As far as "wonderland" I dunno. I personally hate temps below zero and tons of snow s, but if that's what you're interested in seeing this would be a good place.

I don't really know what one would do for fun or entertainment here for nine days tho. Planning on renting a car? Just be prepared for an intense driving experience if you're not used to it

Come to Boston or any of the New England states, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine. I am bias though.

NYC, here I come for Xmas Eve and day. Hopping on Amtrak to save money and avoid the airport.

DO NOT COUNT ON snow in Minneapolis. Yes we had a lot, but today we are supposed to be AT LEAST 44 degrees F. The temp rises very rapidly with sun and south wind (compare to how fast a stove heats water). You can get rain, ice or blinding, strong, incessant sunshine in the winter. Snowfall is hit or miss, and sometimes we can go a month between significant snows in winter. Yo Yo temps and climate change and solar maximum just making the sun more aggressive. I moved from LA 12 years ago and found out over half the days here are cloudless and blinding year around. I can't stand the sun, and medically am not supposed to be out in it much. I am giving a "white" Christmas 50/50 this year.

9 days is a lot in Minneapolis IMO...for me personally, 9 days is a lot in pretty much any city. I'm sure there are some people who decide to just go spend some time in Minnesota for a winter vacation, but not that many. With Christmas, most people are traveling to see family or they're traveling to places like NYC for the experience or Colorado for a ski vacation. Winter in Minneapolis is very cold.

No one seems to have mentioned yet... Minnesota has no sales tax on clothes and shoes, so come with an empty suitcase and go on a shopping spree!

I’ve been to over 40 US states and over 50 countries. Minnesota is absolutely beautiful, but it’s incredibly cold.

You should go to Chicago instead

Yes. A friend of mine guess most every year to rent snowmobiles and spend a week riding snowmobiles over various trails. It sounds like a super fun time.

Wow. I’m going to look at flights. I’d love to have a hotel vacation where I can see a new place and hang out and read.

No they do not

MN also does ice castles at the State fair grounds that are pretty cool. I don't remember when the open though. Or if you can get up to Duluth MN they have an awesome Christmas light display at Bentleyville theres lots of winter activities in that area

Of course! Hockey, Mall of America, ski slope, snow tubing, tons of things to do. 

Northern New England is a more common destination for a cozy winter getaway 

I visit MN every winter to see my buddy, and have a blast. The catch is he has a cabin on a lake with snowmobiles, an ice fishing hut, 4x4s, etc. And he still is amazed that I like visiting him. MN is extremely cold during the winter. No, do not go to Minneapolis for 9 days. MAYBE a weekend. There is a weekend you can get cheap flights and hotels... You could possible combine it with Chicago and Detroit and do 3 days in each? But personally, I'd only do this if I was staying in luxury hotels. You are not going to want to be outside.

I’m working near Duluth for the winter. It’s got a bit of a skiing scene up north but it’s mostly just like a place ppl live in the winter. I think the summer would be prettier. 

Nope. I live where weather is often cold and snowy in December.

I do - but thats bc I grew up there and all my family is there

Nah, I'd rather stay in my cute little part of the country if I was interested in experiencing winter. At least here I know it's nice.

So the snow in December is not quite what it used to be, but if you like winter sports, Minnesota can be great. A number of the parks in the suburbs of Minneapolis have lighted cross country skiing, I believe one has winter camping.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Three_Rivers_Park_District

There was a lighted snowshoe trail in the St. Cloud area. We used to take day trips and go skiing on rail trails and golf courses. It was a great reason to see new towns.

We also rented snowmobiles in the Alexandria area. In Wisconsin, Madeline Island is truly special in winter. We went dogsledding there, and drove on the ice road over the water to Bayfield. Duluth is interesting too. So if you like wintery stuff, the region is fun.

why would ANYONE travel to MN unless they had to?! it's hardly a dream vacation location!🤣 (and yes, i'm minnesotan… and love it)

If you’ve got snow in your state consider going there first, or up into the nearest rural mountains.

No… that’s why flights are cheap. Have you been to Minnesota in the winter? Cold is an understatement. 9 days is also a long time. What are you planning to do?

Read what you wrote and think logically for a minute, maybe two....

If people traveled to Minnesota for winter vacation would flights and hotels be cheap?

I would imagine that any city with an NBA or NHL team gets winter visitors who plan a vacation around seeing a game.

9 days in Minnesota is....a long time in Minnesota, even in the summers.

It's cold.  Mall of America has had a history of violence. A complete stranger threw a child over a 3rd story balcony.   Roads can be snow covered and slippery.  Are you a good winter driver? Not a place I would go however that's me.  Maybe Wisconsin Dells water parks? At least you'd be warm!

If you end up doing this I would highly encourage you to take a least a few days and head north if you can. Duluth is really magical around Christmas and if you go even further up the north shore, it’s SO beautiful in the winter. Go all the way to Lutsen if you ski. 

9 days is a lot. I’d do part in Minneapolis and if you can rent a car then head up north along Lake Superior. It’s lovely and you can rent a cabin for decent prices.

Some of the nicest people I’ve ever met are in Minnesota. Lots of great restaurants & shopping, in and around Minneapolis/St. Paul. I especially liked Wayzata.

It certainly can be a beautiful winter wonderland if you dress for it (though the last two winters have not been). Less so in the city itself (car exhaust filled snow banks) but there's still plenty to do. Minneapolis has a pretty robust theater scene and some great museums. University of Minnesota hockey games are also a great time, though over christmas break they're less rowdy.

Cross-country skiing and skating are the prime outdoor Winter Wonderland activities (though relatively few places rent skates, as a lot of people have their own). There are a few spots in the city to ski, most notably Theodore Wirth Park, plus a lot of golf courses make ski trails in the winter. Outside the city you can there's snowmobiling and some dogsledding outfitters. In forests you can add snowshoeing to the list.

If you want to get out of the city, some Minnesota state parks offer cabins for about 90 per night, with a few offering snowshoe and XC ski rentals. Yes heat, yes electricity, but toilets are outhouses and there aren't showers. A few of these are pretty close to the city, and of course if you go further there are more naturey bits.

If you were to come for 9 days in the winter, I'd suggest some in Minneapolis/Twin Cities, and the rest around Duluth and the shore of Lake Superior.

Someone else said Stillwater, and can confirm that it's cute.

Only if they have relatives there and enjoy staying indoors.

I know 1 person that has ever gone to Minnesota and it was for hockey. What would you even do there?

I fly for $10 on American

we dont travel to Minnesota ever

I am not flying to Minnesota for Christmas but I will be in North Dakota which is equally cold.

St. Paul is cool

Way too cold for my liking 

this is a lil late but MSP is a delta fortress hub which means overall less competition, thus flight prices are higher than typical airports

I live there and don’t really see a lot of people visiting unless they have relatives. Or short trips to MOA

We’re going, but we’ll be coming from our cabin nearby in NW Wisconsin. Looking forward to meals at Diane’s Place and Owamni.

If you’ve got time I’d hit the north shore and rent a cabin and do some skiing or snow shoeing too.

Make sure you rent a car and drive along the St Croix River - go to Taylors Falls, then drive south on the MN side of the river, then take the bridge crossing over into Wisconsin and go to Osceola and have a drink at PY's (iconic dive bar), cross the bridge back into MN and drive to Marine on St. Croix (one of MN oldest town and where part of Grumpy Old Men was shot), then onto Stillwater (the prettiest town in MN in my opinion), then onto Afton to go skiing. This is a gorgeous drive and will give you a good rounded tour of the small towns in MN.

MN can be fun in the winter time.St Paul Winter Carnival is fun. I once played golf on a frozen lake; they auger holes, play with neon colored balls, had ice fishing houses as warming stations with adult hot chocolate.

Also, try to rent some snowmobiles and go bar hopping - tons of fun.

No. 9 days would be ridiculously long. You can go sledding or ice skating but those activities aren't really worth flying for, and we don't really have an iconic place for ice skating like NYC or Quebec City. The ski areas will all be busy but you could try Wild Mountain which is still cheapish and not quite as packed, and has a nice bar and dining area. If you just want a cheap getaway to relax in a hotel and eat out for several days I guess its fine, but if you want some winter wonderland adventure, I'd say just go somewhere actually cool for less days. You could fly to Minneapolis and drive to the upper peninsula of Michigan, that would be more of an adventure.

Reasons to visit while staying out of the cold: The Guthrie Theater, Minneapolis Institute of Art, Science Museum of MN in St. Paul, tour the Capitol building and the St. Paul Cathedral in St. Paul, watch curling at a restaurant in Shakopee,, the Bell Museum, Can Can Wonderland miniature golf in St. Paul, Mall of America, Chanhassen Dinner Theater, MN Vikings football game, MN Wild hockey game, MN Lynx women’s bball game, concerts at First Avenue, the Fine Line, the Turf Club, the Fitzgerald Theater, the Armory, Orchestra Hall, tour Paisley Park (Prince’s home and studio), visit MN’s Largest Candy Store, visit the Swedish Institute, hear some music (often jazz) while having a meal at The Dakota in Mpls, and go shopping at The Galleria, Ridgedale, Southdale (like someone said earlier: no tax on clothing). There are several good restaurants. To experience the cold: go ice skating and sledding at local parks, go cross country skiing at Theodore Wirth Park, sauna and cold plunge at Back Channel Brewery near Lake Minnetonka. Then warm up again and walk through the skyways in downtown Mpls., tour the museum and step outside at the top of the Foshay Tower, visit the Russian Museum of Art (small, but interesting and nesting dolls!), tour the Weisman Museum of Art on U of M campus (beautiful, unusual building), visit the Bakken Museum, Norway House and the Walker Art Museum and don’t skip the Sculpture Garden outside, walk across the St. Anthony bridge from Mpls that goes over the Mississippi and a man-made dam and cross back again. I haven’t been, but there is now a Somali Museum. If it’s not so cold, walk/run/fat tire bike around a lake like Lake Harriet, Lake Bde Maka Ska, Lake of the Isles, then grab a coffee or cocoa at a nearby coffee shop. I wouldn’t avoid the Twin Cities because of the cold. You don’t have to live there, and there are plenty of things to do for nine days; you just don’t have to cram them all in and you can pace yourself. Feel free to message me if you have questions or need ideas.

Ex wife was from Minnesota. No accident we never visited during winter.

Stay home

I was there at Thanksgiving and drove back in a blinding blizzard and ice. I will only fly after October 15 from now on. It’s so so cold. My son doesn’t want me up there due to the cold and snow until April.

I live in MPLS city proper. It depends on what you’re looking for. It’s a great place to live with lots of things to do if you’re a local. For a tourist, it’s nothing crazy. Every weekend I think there’s a Xmas market in both cities if you’re into that. Let me put it this way. If you’re expecting white people holiday things, you’d like it. They be having winter festival and stuff. In Feb, we even hold festivals on frozen lakes and Skate around it. It’s a vibe ngl. If you’re wanting full MPLS experience and culture, you should come in the summer. IMO, you would like the city more in the Summer. It’s hella diverse and lots of food options from all sorts of cultures, and ever more things happen in the city. Plus, rn ICE is raiding every so business are closing early to protect working immigrants.

It is cold af tho ngl. This past weekend was -30 windchills. 20 mins of exposed skin and you have frostbite. Bring a heavy jacket

Chicago?

A lot of America isn’t really a vacation spot but a living spot if you get it

Sounds terrible. Pass.

absolutely not on purpose

If you go head out to MN head out of the city and visit the Farmington Steakhouse. Hands down one of the best quality steaks you can eat in the state and it’s affordable.