As the winter really settles in over Practically Canada, the grumbling tends to start. Oh, boy…here comes six months of frozen misery. For those that don’t complain {especially for those newish to the area} it can be a very uncertain time. What do you do all winter? It’s true, activities do have to be altered a bit, and you might need to get creative. However, this doesn’t have to be a time of woes and frostbite.
I’ve put together a quick list of 30 awesome things you can do right here in Practically Canada to fill these winter months. Some are Christmasy and time sensitive…those are first. Others are here until the thaw. And if this isn’t enough, you can review last year’s list of 40 fun things to do during the cold season. Here we go…37 Things to do in Minot this winter. {Maybe it’s better to say…in and around Minot…but you get the idea…}
1. It’s a Wonderful Life, a radio play–put on by the MSU theatre department. I love this story and tickets are cheap–only $6 for adults. More info here. Runs 12/11-14
2. Minot Symphony Orchestra’s Christmas concert–I’ve never heard a negative word breathed about the MSO. Their holiday concert will feature Christmas classics, followed by select scenes from the Nutcracker {performed by the Rinat Mouzafarov Institute of Dance & Ballet Theater}. More here. Concert 12/11
3. Historical Society Christmas Tea–This is the first year that the Minot Historical Society will be hosting an old fashioned Christmas Tea and Caroling. Will it be spectaular? I don’t know. It’s the first year. But I do know that events only get better if they are supported by the community. And I know that it’s better than sulking at home because you hate winter. So give it a try, and sip some tea, darn it. Tea on 12/13 2-4pm
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4. See the Canadian Pacific Holiday Train roll through town. Bundle up for one of my favorite holiday events! Music, dazzling lights, a concert, and {of course} an appearance from Santa. See their website here for complete dates and details. It rolls through Minot on 12/16.
5. Drive through Oak Park to see light displays. It’s not the Girswold house, but it’s still fun to see all the lights, and kiddos love it! Just a $5 donation per car that supports the Sertoma Club of Minot. Runs through 12/31. Info here.
6. Catch a concert from the Minot Chamber Chorale. See dates here.
7. Skate at the Maysa Arena. Rental is cheap and skating is cheap too. Check here for open skating hours.
8. Get skating lessons at Maysa Arena from the Magic City Figure Skating Club. Learn a new winter skill. Go to their website for links to coaches, classes and events.
9. Skate for free on weekends at the State Fair Grounds! You heard me. If you own skates it is FREE. Otherwise, just pay rental. Details here.
10. See a play by the Mouse River Players. Schedule here.
11. Paint along with a local artist at the Taube Museum’s “Paint the Town Red” series. Here’s their website, but the most current dates aren’t up. I have {from a good source} that painting classes are happening on Dec 16, Jan 27 and Feb 24. You have to register, so call them to be sure.
12. Take a class or simply pop in and paint ceramics at Margie’s Art Glass Studio. {During December she’s offering fused ornament and glass blowing ornament classes.}
13. Learn to cook something cool at a class from Gourmet Chef.
14. Take your kids to story time with Ms. Danielle at Main Street Books. They offer several day time story times through the week and an evening story time on the first Thursday of the month.
15. Cross country ski in Minot at Oak Park, or at Lake Metigoshe State Park, or Cross Ranch State Park.
16. Escape for the weekend by renting a cabin…like we did last winter. The North Dakota tourism site has this list of 7 great, cozy cabin getaways.
17. Ski at Huff Hills or the Bottineau Winter Park.
18. Tube the lazy way at Bottineau Winter Park {a conveyor belt pulls you back to the top of the hill!}
19. Take the kids to Minot’s “Discovery Center,” the first phase of a permanent children’s museum. Admission is only $4. Supporting this mini-museum will help raise funds for a bigger, awesome, permanent museum for Minot’s curious kiddos.
20. Sled with the locals at the hill at Magic City Campus {Minot High}
21. Build your own hot cocoa at Sweet & Flour. It’s the best in town.
22. Go to open mic night at the Beaver Brew. Check their website for dates.
23. Get midnight breakfast, or what is rumored to be Minot’s best milkshake at Schatz Crossroads. Yes it is a truck stop. Yes, the locals have told me it’s a well kept secret and totally worth hitting up.
24. Learn to curl! The Minot curling season has already started, but you can contact the club to arrange an event for your organization or private party. Or, stop in and watch a game from the club house.
25. Stay in and read. Did you know Minot’s public library offers eBooks? You know what that means? You can check out a book for your eReader right from the library website. No cold air exposure whatsoever. Getting a library card is as easy as showing proof that you live here.
26. Learn to dog sled. Yes, you heard me right. Visit Prairie Isle’s website for more.
27. Catch a class at the Minot Adult Learning Center. They offer all kinds of classes, from PowerPoint to yoga to watercolor…it’s a little known resource that offers lots of fun stuff. Some classes are one session and let you walk away with a finished product, like a wreath, pie, or paining. Here is the fall schedule to give you an idea of what is offered. New classes will start early in 2015. If you have a skill you’d like to share, they are always looking for good instructors.
28. Go to a hockey game. The Minotauros play all winter long. Schedule here.
29. Go to a game at MSU. It might not be the Big 10, but it’s still fun to take in a college game every now and then.
30. No gym membership? No problem. Get your cardio in at the MSU dome. It’s open to the public for walking and jogging. Mom’s even bring strollers…or just let their little ones jog ahead to wear them out. It’s totally free, and a great way to get out and be active while the world around us looks like Elsa’s been turned loose on it. Here‘s the public walking schedule.
31. Get your laser tag on at Planet Pizza. It’s a pretty good set up. If you go on a week night, or after 9pm…you’ll hit a sweet spot when there is no line of sweaty middle schoolers. Also, if there isn’t a line and you joke with the attendant, chances are he’ll give you bonus minutes of playing time.
32. Ice fish. Now, I’ll be honest. I’ve never been…and I don’t have a deep desire to try it. However, a friend called me out last night for not including it on the list. She loves it. And this winter time only activity does, indeed, deserve to be on the list. Woodland Resort has full equipment rentals. They are in Devil’s Lake, not too far from Minot.
33. Pretend it’s summer with indoor water slides at Splashdown Dakota.
34. Go bowling. Bowling is fun…but no one ever thinks about bowling. Minot only has one alley, but it’s big, smoke free and it turns galactic-glow-in-the-dark on weekends. Games are reasonable. And they offer a military discount. So…yeah. Here’s the North Hill Bowl site.
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35. Take a weekend trip to Fargo to explore the city and catch a flick at the historic Fargo Theatre. They feature a classic film series, indie movies, foreign films {they showed Belle!!}, and movies that don’t always make it to Minot. The theatre also boasts live performances too.
36. Rent snowmobiles and go riding. A rental place is tricky to come by, but…if you are military you can rent on base. I haven’t found a rental place for civilians yet. If you know of one–leave it in the comments.
37. Skate outdoors at Corbett Field or Polaris Park. The rinks are open now, and warming houses will be open as of December 15th.
PS–you should also follow the Things to Do in Minot page. They are the BEST at keeping me filled in on what’s happening.
