Want to make the most of your winter vacation? These Midwest cities don’t let snow stop them from having a good time.
survive in a neighborhood known forwinters so coldthat they sometimesout - immobilise Mars , the Midwest engenders a sealed sense of resilience and camaraderie for those square enough to hold out it . for certain , it ’s easy to be intimate a place when it ’s atits summery best , replete with endless medicine festivals , closure company , androoftop bar . But it ’s the darker , colder months , when the rest of the country whine about Daylight Savings Time , that Midwesterners really show the world how it ’s done . Ironically , winter in the Midwest is mighty heartwarming .
While some fair - weather metropolis and states might hibernate for the season , the Midwest leans into it — opposite vortexes be damned . Real ones eff that wintertime is n’t a metre for withdrawal and closing off , but for real - deal wonderland , convincingly BavarianChristmas marketplace , and bundled recreation .
These particular Midwestern city and Ithiel Town are all in for wintertime , impart that same verve for spirit as they do for summertime and fall , and proving that there ’s still metre for patio beer , no matter the glacial prognosis . Not only do they proffer unique - to - winter activity and family - favorable picnic , but there ’s a surprising teemingness of festivals , graphics installation , and way-out traditions galore . Plus , from bratwursts to frosting wine-coloured , winter dining and drinking in the Midwest is the stuff of caption . So bunch up up and book your winter trip to any of these Midwestern cities that really shine during the holiday , and beyond .
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Minneapolis, Minnesota
It ’s middling voiceless to find a better Midwestern wintertime destination than the tumid city in Minnesota — a land withno famine of big thing to doduring the long , dusty winters . After all , locals amply embrace the cold and take advantage of a pot of coolheaded ( pun intended ) seasonal activities .
main among them is theGreat Northern Festival , an yearly winter extravaganza that snuff it down in late January . During the 10 - daylight fete , you ’ll find live music , graphics installations , chef - driven nutrient experience , invertebrate foot golf game , ardor perdition , clime talk , an ice bar , the US Pond Hockey Championships , and skijoring — which isbasically dogsledding without the sled . Bold North , indeed .
While the Great Northern is king on the festival front , other seasonal events like theWinter Beer DabblerandVikings Winter SKOLsticemake for a fun moth-eaten - weather sojourn to the City of Lakes . Travelers should also consider a Winter Solstice Sound Bath at theWalker Art Center .
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After that outdoorsy fun , strong up at theWatershed Baths & Spa , a first - of - its - tolerant , holistically apt communal bathhouse . On the dining side , for an peculiarly deluxe wintertime repast , agree out the private rooftop cabin at theFour Seasons Hotel Minneapolis , nickname theNordic Village , where guest are treated to four - course dinners .
Columbus, Ohio
One of the fastest growing cities in the country , Columbusis the kind of metropolitan township that thrives year - round , and winter is no exception . In fact , Columbus go intemperately for the holiday , pulling out all the stops with a surplus of festivals , lights displays , shopping , and makeshift North Poles .
Downtown ’s Short North Arts District transforms into a veritableShort North Pole , wherein its bustling street come clad with festive window decorations and light-headed showing , an Elk Trail , and the Holiday Hop , which has an internal-combustion engine rink , a Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree lot , and visits with the Clauses . Christmas tree take top charge at theCenter of Science and Industry(COSI ) , an reverence - root on scientific discipline museum that gets a peculiar sojourn from the Capitol Christmas Tree — en path to D.C.—on November 17 , survey by 60 or so trees on display through the holiday , along with synergistic exhibit like “ rooted Chess . ”
An tending analogue for a Bavarian Christmas village , Columbus’German Villageputs on a specially magic lights display , and a special German - urge Striezelmarkt on December 8 . Afterwards , cozy up to a tapas fete at German Village ’s Spanish classic , Barcelona , where a heated year - one shot terrace offer the stark bay in which to pair wine and tres leches with cranberry gastrique .
Photo courtesy of Traverse City
Being a big - conference metropolis , Columbus offers all the crucial screening for vacation traditions , from “ The Nutcracker ” and “ A Christmas Carol , ” to “ Holiday Pops ” at the Columbus Symphony . But do n’t be afraid to get a small naughty at “ A Drag Queen Christmas , ” host by local puff icon , Nina West .
Traverse City & Petoskey, Michigan
well known for itsstellar wineand cherries , Traverse City ( aka the pinkie fingerbreadth on the mitten that is of Michigan ’s Lower Peninsula ) is a legit winter haven . Many of the sphere ’s famous wineries have unique offer during the slow time of year , like snowshoe trails between vineyard , roasting s’mores around a communal fire pit , and the annualFire and Ice Wine DinneratChateau Chantal , held as part ofIce Wine Festivalhosted by the pioneer of cold climate viniculture .
While there , do n’t skip the nearbySleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshoreand its loom sandscapes open up up for special hikes during the time of year . The super pop Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive is closed to vehicles and or else heart-to-heart for cross - country skiing , hiking , and snowshoeing .
Meanwhile , a spectacular 90 - moment drive along one of the body politic ’s most scenic shorelines away you ’ll get another great wintertime escape : Petoskey . The townsfolk , discover after the famous Michigan - only stones , is a former Hemingway stamping ground ( his family still has a lake house in the area ) . The annualPetoskey Holiday Open Houseis a winning choice , especially since a special liquor licence allow for stroll alfresco with an adult beverage or four .
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During this fest , the downtown street are transformed into a pedestrian hub and merchandiser ride out subject late for vacation shopping fueled by mulled wine and spiked hot cocoa . Afterwards , check out theEnchanted Trailin next Harbor Springs , a two - mile snowshoe hike through a mesmerizingly illuminated timberland to a cozy yurt .
Cleveland, Ohio
There ’s much more to this lakeside urban center than the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and the famedChristmas Story house . business district comes to life all season long with the annualWinterLandcelebration — think ice skating , concert , fire cavity , the works . Then get your adrenaline pumping on thetoboggan chutesat Mill Stream Run , where riders can skyrocket down the state ’s tallest ice chute ( 700 feet , woohoo ) .
Best of all , just outside the city isCuyahoga Valley National Park , which earns winter wonderland condition with its nose candy tubing , downhill skiing , snowshoeing , and sparkler hike . Warm up with a glass of vino craft from Ohio - grown grape atthe wineryINSIDE the park .
Another other one-year winter draw is February’sBrite Winter . Held in the Flats locality , it ’s a full day of music , art , food , game , and illumination .
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Chicago, Illinois
The Windy City is pure magic in the summer , but do n’t be turned aside by the constant public lecture of the vicious winters — Chicago shines hopeful even during the cold months . Get a taste of traditionalGerman Christmas marketsstateside at the annualChristkindlmarket Chicagocelebration . Skate on the ice rink on Wrigley Field ( or by " the Bean " in Millennium Park for any Cubs haters ) . Additionally , Chicago fire up up withLightscapeat the Botanic Garden , Illumination : Tree Lights at The Morton Arboretum , andHoliday Magicat the Brookfield Zoo .
But perhaps the adept reason to see Chicago during wintertime is the gay pop - up bars . You could try a peck of choice , such as theFairmont Lodge , Winter Wonderlandat The Godfrey Hotel , Rudolph ’s Rooftopat LondonHouse Chicago , Happy ’s : A Holiday Pop - Up Barat the Chicago Athletic Association , or8 Crazy Nights , Chicago ’s only Hanukkah - theme pop - up barroom at The Graystone Tavern in Wrigleyville . Whatever you do , be certain and stop byMiller ’s Pubfor a Tom & Jerry — a drunken vacation custom at this Loop classic .
Duluth, Minnesota
In condition of cobwebby frigidness , on the shore of a frozen Great Lake that seem more like the Arctic Sea , Duluth is a utter clone for the North Pole . And yet , no matter how dramatically the temperatures may plummet here , topical anesthetic revel in the time of year . And you will too , whether you ’re skiing or tube downSpirit Mountain(at 700 - foot , it ’s the second tall in the province ) , hitting one of themanysnowmobile trailsin townspeople , or marveling at the stateliness of the holiday lights in nearbyBentleyville , where an annual display kick off with fireworks on November 23 , and feature alive reindeer in December . Find more merriment at theChristmas City Express , a fairy tale - esque train ride that starts with caroller at the Lake Superior Railroad Museum , before chug along the lake with hot cocoa . Then there ’s the return of Duluth’sWinter Village , taking place December 7 - 8 , a holiday tradition that turns wooden cabins into pop - up - style shops , and surrounds them with fire pits and lovesome swallow .
total January , the annualJohn Beargrease Sled Dog Marathonis a wintertime custom for more than 40 years . Among the frontmost sled dog competitions on the continent , let in the longest sled dog endurance contest in the lower 48 , it ’s a spectacle to behold . And the dog are just having the times of their lifetime . This is follow byCold Front , a February festival that really tend into wintertime ’s fun side with cross - country skiing , sledding , s’mores , curling , and more .
You ’ll find batch of seasonal sustainment and international comfort foods around these share too . Such as fume fish and deli - style sandwich atNorthern Waters Smokehaus , bison beefburger with burberry - bacon compote atLyric Kitchen Bar , and all mode of pita , falafel , and hummus at Palestinian securities industry and cafe , Falastin . To drink , assay the Christmas Cookie Cream Ale atBent Paddle Brewing , or sip your fashion through a variety of spiced cyder and THC seltzers atDuluth Cider .
Spearfish Canyon Lodge
Spearfish, South Dakota
Our pick forSouth Dakota ’s best low town bringssome serious heat to SoDak ’s deeply irregular wintertime landscape , but it ’s not just the welcome bars and restaurants lining the Old West business district that should convey you to Spearfish this winter . perch on the western border of the res publica , this is the perfect base coterie for explore one of the mostcriminally overlooked winter destinationsin the Midwest .
In Spearfish proper , you ’ll be rewardedfrozen waterfallsand zig - zagging snowmobile trails likewise , with the iconicSpearfish Canyon Lodgehooking up the gear rentals and comfortable way all wintertime long . The nearby Custer State Park is rest home to the towering Needles Highway and the typically frozen mantrap of Sylvan Lake . Head west to see a C. P. Snow - coveredDevil ’s Towerjust over the Wyoming delimitation , or make the longer trek east to behold a stoically uncrowded Mount Rushmore or the ice - coveredBadlands . Or just cruise over to nearby Deadwood and have your pick of the cassino games without the rockers who fall upon the scenic town each summertime for the Sturgis Rally .
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Milwaukeeans have evolved , over the long time , to not only survive the brutal Great Lakes winters . They ’ve learned to boom . It set out with some of the heartiest consolation food on the satellite ( bratwurst , curd , beer … you betcha ! ) served up at warm , favorable neighborhood barsthat seem to be situated on every quoin of the metropolis . But it ’s not just thebars , breweries , and mom and pop restaurants that keep thing endure around here : Milwaukee has a habit of issue forth to life once things get sub - zero .
vacation festival are a requisite around here , with this year ’s slate to include aSnowGlobe Festival , complete with a lights maze , Christmas pop - up prevention and cocktails , an internal-combustion engine skating lead , and a ramp up - your - own Teddy Bear station . And do n’t missWild Lights , at the Milwaukee County Zoo , wherein the entire place is perch up with twinkle lights along its many meandering walkways .
For a picayune outdoor recreation , Red Arrow Parkhosts a giant ice rink , you ’ll determine skiing and sledding at nearby Franklin’sCrystal Ridge , andWilmot Mountainoffers skiing , tubing , and snowboard , along with fall back wintry event , like Snow Limbo and an Après Music Series .
Milwaukee Downtown
And in character you thought patio dining come in to a halt in the wintertime , never lowball Milwaukeans ’ content for drinking al fresco . European - inspiredCafé Beneluxoffers heat domes on its rooftop ( perfect for moules frites and Balkan Eggplant Schnitzel ) , andMovidawarms guest with ardour pitfall on its covered patio , whilst serving Spanish fare like Patatas Bravas , Crab Tostas , and Paella .
