The first full month of winter is also the coldest in Minnesota, but that’s no reason to stay indoors! Cure the common cold by doing something different (and outdoors) this month.
1. The hottest event of the winter is the St. Paul Winter Carnival, where families can see snow sculpture competitions, catch the parade, take part in the treasure hunt, watch the coronation of the king and queen, and take a spin on the ice rink. Downtown St. Paul at Rice Park. Jan. 22–Feb. 1. For more information, including schedules, call 651-223-4700 or visit Winter-Carnival.com
2. Before refrigerators, ice was a hot commodity. At Ice Harvest Day families can use historical tools to try it themselves, enjoy an outdoor campfire, and a wagon ride pulled by Percheron horses through the winter prairie. Richardson Nature Center,
8737 East Bush Lake Rd., Bloomington. Saturday, Jan. 24, 11 a.m.–3 p.m. $7. For more information, call 763-694-7676 or visit
ThreeRiversParkDistrict.org.
3. The moon bouncing off the snow is the perfect time for an Owl and Snowshoe Hike. Visitors can explore the woods of Warner via moonlight (and snowshoes) in search of the resident barred owl. The Science Museum of Minnesota’s Warner Nature Center, 15375 Norell Ave. N., Marine-on-St. Croix. Jan. 17, 7–9 p.m. $6 per person. For more information or to register, call 651-433-2427 ext. 10 or visit
SMM.org/warnernaturecenter.
