So, you’re stuck in Minnesota over spring break? Minnesota has tons of fun things to do, right in your own backyard. While your classmates have fun in the sun, here is a list of awesome things you can do without breaking the bank.
1. Tubing, Skiing or Snowboarding
Embrace the “spring” weather in Minnesota and use your week off to have your own mini ski trip. So what you can’t have a chalet weekend in Colorado, there are plenty of places in the state to hit the slopes.
2. Visit a Museum or Visitors Center
Who says a break can’t involve learning as well? Minnesota has some great museums all over the state. From the Minnesota History Center in St. Paul to Split Rock Lighthouse in Two Harbors there are plenty of places to just spend the day or make a whole week of learning something new about our beautiful state.
3. Indoor Waterparks
Lucky for us between Minnesota and Wisconsin (“The Waterpark Capital of the World”) there are plenty of opportunities to wear that new bikini even when it’s -11 degrees outside. Keep it local and hit up the Water Park of America or take a quick road trip to our neighbor state and spend a few days in the Dells. Bonus; you won’t have any ugly tan lines to worry about.
4. Enjoy Nature
In Minnesota the motto is, “There’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing.” Embrace your Minnesotan blood and enjoy some of the many State Parks and scenic beauty the state has to offer. Some of these places are especially beautiful when covered in snow. Stay close to home and see the frozen waterfalls of Minnehaha Park or travel up north to Duluth and take a cruise around Minnesota’s North Shore Scenic Drive (you won’t even have to get out of the car).
5. Shopping
We have the biggest mall in the nation, so why not take advantage of it!? Not only does the Mall of America have great places to shop but restaurants, movies and even a hotel. Take a few days, grab some friends and shop ‘til you drop. Who needs cheap souvenirs from Cancun? You can score pretty much anything your heart desires without worrying if it will fit in your suitcase or not.
6. Be a Tourist
Maybe you’ve lived here your entire life (like me) or maybe you’re new to the state; there are endless places to explore in Minnesota Go to some of the well-known tourist traps like the Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox Statue in Brainerd. You could also check out something new like the Franconia Sculpture Park in St. Croix. Exploring your own state can be just as fun as exploring a different one.
7. Just Chill
I dare you to find a college student who wouldn’t want to stay in bed for week. For most of us spring break is the week after midterms, and we’ve all earned a well-deserved rest. So grab your snacks and get your Netflix queued up because this spring break is all about taking a break (pun intended).