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