Warm Activities for Cold Days

Have you heard? Minnesota’s newest fad is pickleball, and Saint Paul has numerous spots to get in a game. Check the city’s website for drop-in play or sign up for lessons to learn the basics. Or try your hand at rock climbing by heading to Vertical Endeavors. At the Saint Paul location, you’ll find one of the Midwest’s premier climbing destinations where you can attempt rope climbs, bouldering areas, and sport lead climbing. There is also a fitness facility and yoga studio on site. Climbing is offered for all ages and abilities (but those under 14 need an adult present).

Embrace your inner Viking spirit at FlannelJax’s, where families gather for friendly fun and competition in axe throwing, thump the stump, and crosscut sawing. Coaches are present to help you and your group be safe, adopt the correct form, and rack up points.

If you're feeling some artistic inspiration, ArtStart offers a hybrid approach to classes (on Zoom and in person), suitable for youth, adults, and families at the Creators Space in Lowertown. If you decide you want to take a class from home, ArtStart will make you a kit filled with all the materials you’ll need—and they’ll even mail it to you if you can’t pick it up in person. Classes span a variety of artistic mediums and will leave you with a project to be proud of. Check the studio’s calendar to see what classes they have coming up.

For an equally unique experience, add some color to your life (and home) by taking a class at Mosaic On a Stick in the Hamline Park neighborhood. Mosaic On a Stick is a community space created to promote mosaic art by selling quality supplies and teaching mosaic classes. Class difficulties range from beginner to experienced and include all the materials and tools needed. (Hint, hint—you’ve probably seen their work at Peace Park in Midway.)

Try a round of whimsical indoor mini golf at Saint Paul’s Can Can Wonderland. Along with the local artist designed putt-putt course, try out the vintage arcade games, wall of beers and wines to sample, and full menu for dinner. Then head upstairs to Black Stack Brewing for a beer and a snack at the resident food truck.

Can’t decide what to have for dinner? Head over to the Seventh Street Truck Park for a little bit of everything, perfect to please every palate. The indoor food truck park has everything from street tacos, fried chicken, dry rubbed ribs, and more—not to mention $3 domestic beers, cocktails, wine, and live music every Friday and Saturday.

For a one-stop shop experience, head over to Keg and Case Market to do some shopping, eat delicious food, and be part of the diverse community—the variety of eateries, games and local artist booths make it a perfect stop.

Saint Paul's array of museums are ready to welcome you this winter with rotating exhibits and room to run. Pull away from the screens and pay a visit to the Minnesota Children's Museum, located in Downtown Saint Paul and offering three floors of fun with 11 unique kid-powered play spaces.

Just a few blocks away you will find the Science Museum of Minnesota, fun for both young and old. They host different events throughout the year, movies in the Omnitheater, interactive science exhibits, plus a cafe where you can refuel for more fun.

The Bell Museum offers a different kind of history; one with plants, animals and nature of all kinds. Take amazing journeys from the far reaches of the cosmos to deep inside the human brain. Plus, engage all your senses in the Touch & See Lab with 10,000-year-old fossils, living plants and animals, and more.