Minnesota in winter, on purpose

January is the real Minnesota. Dress in layers, then more layers; everything here is better than it sounds.

12345

1. 1 Winter Carnival ice sculptures in Rice Park

   Late January into February. Go after dark, when they're lit.

   Nadia did it 1 Feb

   Rice Park
2. 2 Pond hockey on a frozen lake Lake Nokomis

   Lake Nokomis hosts the championships. Anyone can watch.
3. 3 Ice fishing on Mille Lacs Mille Lacs Lake

   Rent a heated fish house. Walleye optional.
4. 4 Minnehaha Falls, frozen

   The whole waterfall turns to ice. Stay behind the railings.
5. 5 Cross-country ski at Theodore Wirth Park

   Rentals at the chalet, lit trails after dark.
6. 6 The skyways, all of them

   St. Paul's are the underrated ones. Minneapolis's go on for eight miles.

   Nadia did it 17 Feb