Now that winter has set in here in the Land of 10,000 Lakes, Minnesotans are in for one of the most beautiful times of year. A blanket of snow makes anything look gorgeous, but there are a few places around the state that take beautiful to the next level. Under freshly fallen snow, these 10 enchanting towns in Minnesota will make you feel like you’ve fallen into a snow globe.
- Stillwater
Discover Stillwater/Facebook Stillwater is a beautiful town all year, with its charming downtown and close proximity to the St. Croix River. But winter really highlights its charm. Covered in snow, Stillwater looks like something out of a storybook. And the town’s many holiday and winter events take that charm to the next level.
- New Ulm
New Ulm, Minnesota… Having fun since 1854./Facebook New Ulm’s German heritage makes it an interesting town to visit no matter the time of year. From its famous glockenspiel to its charming Hermann statue, this town is full of a unique charm all its own. And when snow starts to fall, it only gets more beautiful.
- Lanesboro
Lanesboro, Minnesota in Fillmore County/Facebook Tucked away in southeastern Minnesota, Lanesboro is not the biggest town in the state. But its s undoubtedly among the most beautiful. When a blanket of snow falls on the surrounding hills and bluffs, the town is perfectly peaceful. If winter isn’t your favorite season, Lanesboro will help you tolerate it a little more.
- Winona
Visit Winona/Facebook Another Bluff Country town, Winona may be best viewed from above. If you can brave the cold, pay Great River Bluffs State Park a wintertime visit. It’ll give you breathtaking views of the Mississippi River, downtown Winona, and even Wisconsin in the distance. The view only gets better when snowflakes start to fall.
- Pine City
pinecitykid/TripAdvisor Pine City is a small town in east central Minnesota. But it goes all out when it comes to winter cheer. There’s lots to do around town, from hiking its trails to fishing in its lakes. And when you visit downtown Pine City under a gentle snowfall, you won’t want to be anywhere else. The charming park surrounded by local businesses is like something you only see in photos.
- Ely
Visit Ely, MN/Facebook Ely is one of Minnesota’s most beautiful towns, period. Any time you visit, you’re going to feel like you’re in another world. But when the tourist season dies down each winter, the town is filled with a quiet and peacefulness that you can’t get anywhere. The snow only makes the small town of Ely even more serene.
- Fergus Falls
City of Fergus Falls/Facebook Being far from most of Minnesota’s major cities, Fergus Falls doesn’t get much attention. But maybe it should. This little town has a cute main street that looks picture-perfect after a snow.
- Mankato
Visit Mankato/TripAdvisor Mankato is surrounded by natural beauty, from Minneopa State Park to the local Sibley Park. And downtown Mankato is pretty, too. All of the buildings lined up on the main street, with snow gently falling snow - especially at night - is a truly magical sight.
- Luverne
Luverne Area Chamber/Facebook In the southwestern corner of Minnesota, winter is just as beautiful as it is up north. The prairies and quartzite cliffs of this unique part of Minnesota are full of incredible beauty that will blow you away in the summertime. And in winter, the snow-covered town is gorgeous.
- Grand Marais
Grand Marais MN/Facebook Grand Marais is a bit of a hike for most Minnesotans. But in the winter, it’s absolutely worth it. This small town is full of fun in the summertime, but winter brings a unique feel to the town that you just can’t get during tourist season. The frozen waters of Lake Superior, paired with the quiet town, is like something from a snow globe.
Would you add any towns to the list? What other beautiful places do you like to go in the winter? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below.
Discover Stillwater/Facebook
Stillwater is a beautiful town all year, with its charming downtown and close proximity to the St. Croix River. But winter really highlights its charm. Covered in snow, Stillwater looks like something out of a storybook. And the town’s many holiday and winter events take that charm to the next level.
New Ulm, Minnesota… Having fun since 1854./Facebook
New Ulm’s German heritage makes it an interesting town to visit no matter the time of year. From its famous glockenspiel to its charming Hermann statue, this town is full of a unique charm all its own. And when snow starts to fall, it only gets more beautiful.
Lanesboro, Minnesota in Fillmore County/Facebook
Tucked away in southeastern Minnesota, Lanesboro is not the biggest town in the state. But its s undoubtedly among the most beautiful. When a blanket of snow falls on the surrounding hills and bluffs, the town is perfectly peaceful. If winter isn’t your favorite season, Lanesboro will help you tolerate it a little more.
Visit Winona/Facebook
Another Bluff Country town, Winona may be best viewed from above. If you can brave the cold, pay Great River Bluffs State Park a wintertime visit. It’ll give you breathtaking views of the Mississippi River, downtown Winona, and even Wisconsin in the distance. The view only gets better when snowflakes start to fall.
pinecitykid/TripAdvisor
Pine City is a small town in east central Minnesota. But it goes all out when it comes to winter cheer. There’s lots to do around town, from hiking its trails to fishing in its lakes. And when you visit downtown Pine City under a gentle snowfall, you won’t want to be anywhere else. The charming park surrounded by local businesses is like something you only see in photos.
Visit Ely, MN/Facebook
Ely is one of Minnesota’s most beautiful towns, period. Any time you visit, you’re going to feel like you’re in another world. But when the tourist season dies down each winter, the town is filled with a quiet and peacefulness that you can’t get anywhere. The snow only makes the small town of Ely even more serene.
City of Fergus Falls/Facebook
Being far from most of Minnesota’s major cities, Fergus Falls doesn’t get much attention. But maybe it should. This little town has a cute main street that looks picture-perfect after a snow.
Visit Mankato/TripAdvisor
Mankato is surrounded by natural beauty, from Minneopa State Park to the local Sibley Park. And downtown Mankato is pretty, too. All of the buildings lined up on the main street, with snow gently falling snow - especially at night - is a truly magical sight.
Luverne Area Chamber/Facebook
In the southwestern corner of Minnesota, winter is just as beautiful as it is up north. The prairies and quartzite cliffs of this unique part of Minnesota are full of incredible beauty that will blow you away in the summertime. And in winter, the snow-covered town is gorgeous.
Grand Marais MN/Facebook
Grand Marais is a bit of a hike for most Minnesotans. But in the winter, it’s absolutely worth it. This small town is full of fun in the summertime, but winter brings a unique feel to the town that you just can’t get during tourist season. The frozen waters of Lake Superior, paired with the quiet town, is like something from a snow globe.
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