The first tips are obvious at this point. Stay home as much as you can. Support local businesses. Follow guidelines. With that said, here are some things that were sent to me that you could safely do. A lot keep you in the confines of your car. The top part of the list was submitted by people on Instagram (thank you!). You'll want to look those up to make sure they are 100% happening and get additional details. HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
Virtual Holiday Train
Sam's Christmas Village (Somerset WI)
Nature Illuminated Minnesota Zoo Light Show
Anoka Co Fairground Drive Thru Lights 12/4-1/2 5-9p
Bentleyville Drive Thru in Duluth $10 per car
Sovereign Estate Christmas Lights in Waconia
Drive Thru Festival of Lights in Fergus Falls 12/2-12/5
Donate Blood to the Red Cross (it is something to do and it helps!)
Michelangelo Sistine Chapel Gallery Exhibit MOA
Hansen Tree Farm 50+ Firepits
Virtual Holidazzle
Shoutout to Emily who put together all of the info below!
1. Drive Through Light Shows:
https://www.seversholidaylights.com/
https://christmasincolor.net/valleyfair/
https://www.mnstatefair.org/glow-holiday-festival/ (also has state fair food)
2. State/County/City Park Events
*Eagle Viewing:https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/birds/eagles/winter_redwing.html
*Silverwood Park: https://www.threeriversparks.org/silverwoodpark
Always plowed. There is an outdoor sculpture garden. You can rent kicksleds (so FUN!). They also give away free nature art kits and host outdoor art projects through the winter. (https://web2.vermontsystems.com/wbwsc/mnthreeriverswt.wsc/search.html?module=AR&type=ART&location=SIL)
*MN Arboretum:https://arb.umn.edu/
3 mile walk is always plowed. Lots of XC ski and snowshoe trails. They have their outdoor winter lights tour, but it is sold out because of limited capacity with the exception of "photography" night. You can go to the apple house through December. It has a apple cider food truck.
*Theodore Wirth Park
XC ski and snowshoe trails (you can rent). Also has a new restaurant that has vast outdoor seating and picnic style.
*Osprey Wilds(Formerly known as Audubon Center of the Northwoods): There are hiking, snowshoe, and xc trails. They also have their raptors (owl, eagle, hawk, kestrel) outside for viewing. Earlier this year they had been doing picnic meals where you could get a to-go meal and eat anywhere on their property. This is close toBanning State Park where there is also good hiking.
4. Other:
* Heavy Metal Drive-Thru in Hastings:https://www.extremesandbox.com/heavy-metal-drive-thru/
(No new dates at this time. We did this for Todd's birthday. Each family was in their own vehicle. We also went to the falls in Hastings and picked up some wine from Alexis Bailey Vineyards.)
*Gingerbread Wonderland: https://www.norwayhouse.org/gbw2020
They are accepting submissions until December 6. You can submit your own gingerbread house and view the house online (or get tickets for in person). We picked up a free kit from the Norway House. I do not think they have any more kits but they have their recipe on their webpage.
*Northfield: We have done a day trip toBIG WOODS STATE PARK(waterfall viewing!) and picked up some beer to go from their local brewery (Chapel Hill Brewery, Tanzenwald), apples from Fireside Apple Orchard, and hard cider from Keepsake Cidery. The cidery also sells local meats and cheeses. Northfield also has an artisan bagel place (tandem bagels) and yummy bakery (?) if you want some homemade treats to bring home.
*Carson's Lovable Llama's: https://www.carlsonsllovablellamas.com/Waconia also has a brewery and two wineries if you wanted to pick up some wine to go!