| As the nights draw in and the temperature | | | | resorts can rent you an icehouse out on the |
| drops, some of us dream of warm sun and sandy | | | | frozen lake, the plushest of which are |
| beaches, tropical resorts and big drinks with | | | | outfitted with carpets, tables & chairs, and |
| little umbrellas in them. But there's a group | | | | a nice cozy heater. You can even rent a |
| of people -- special, hardy people, who laugh | | | | "sleeper" house, complete with bunks ... but |
| mockingly at the winter chill -- who dream | | | | most of us prefer to retreat to a lakeside |
| instead of heading north to Minnesota to | | | | lodge for a gourmet meal and a restorative |
| revel in the snow.There's no getting away | | | | beverage by a roaring fire.The Culture of |
| from it; Minnesota is cold in the winter. But | | | | WinterThere's a range of cultural activities |
| along with the cold you get a frosty | | | | throughout Minnesota, but the Twin Cities of |
| playground, full of activities for the eager | | | | Minneapolis and St. Paul are the natural |
| visitor who remembered to bring their hats & | | | | destination for those seeking the best |
| mittens. Whether you're an outdoors | | | | selection of artistic attractions. There are |
| enthusiast, or a culture vulture with a taste | | | | at least three nationally known art museums |
| for the arts, Minnesota's a fine place for a | | | | in the Twin Cities: the Minneapolis Institute |
| winter getaway.Outdoor AdventuresWhether you | | | | of Art, the Walker Art Center, and the |
| like cross-country skiing, hiking, | | | | Weissman Art Museum.Theatre lovers are well |
| snowmobiling, or ice fishing, there are great | | | | served by the Guthrie Theatre, which presents |
| opportunities throughout Minnesota for a | | | | a repertory season as well as an annual |
| winter vacation. With almost 20,000 miles of | | | | production of "A Christmas Carol," and the |
| groomed snowmobile trails, lovingly | | | | Ordway which hosts touring Broadway shows. |
| maintained by local snowmobiling clubs in | | | | There's also the Children's Theatre Company, |
| partnership with the state, snowmobilers can | | | | regularly recognized as America's premier |
| see the whole of Minnesota, winding their way | | | | children's theatre.For classical music fans, |
| around lakes, through forests, and across | | | | the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra and the |
| frozen rivers.The State Parks are host to | | | | Minnesota Orchestra are the best-known of the |
| many miles of prepared cross-country ski | | | | rich array of performers in the Twin Cities, |
| trails, and in many parks you can rent | | | | and like the theatres they offer both a |
| equipment to give this relaxing and | | | | subscription season and single-ticket sales |
| highly-aerobic workout a try. It's easy to | | | | throughout the winter months.Whether you're |
| pick up the basics of cross-country skiing in | | | | looking for a family vacation or a weekend |
| an hour or so, but don't be intimidated by | | | | getaway with your spouse, Minnesota in the |
| the fleet-footed youngsters whizzing past you | | | | winter is a magical place. Cold -- but |
| ... Minnesota kids learn to ski almost as | | | | magical.For more information on winter |
| soon as they learn to walk.Ice fishing isn't | | | | vacations in Minnesota please visit where you |
| actually the official state sport of | | | | can read about other great destinations for |
| Minnesota, but it probably should be. Many | | | | your next Minnesota vacation. |