Things To Do in Minnesota This Weekend

It has been a cold week here in the state of Minnesota. In fact, it was so cold that many schools closed on Tuesday before opening back up Wednesday when temperatures warmed up a few degrees to -11. The good news is that the warm light at the end of the tunnel is ahead this weekend as temps are headed for the 30s and even the 40s in some places. Here are some ideas on how you can go out and enjoy this great weekend of weather!

1. Bentleyville

I visited Bentleyville back in December and it was truly a sight to behold. The "Tour of Lights" began in 2001 at Nathan Bentley's house in Esko, which is located near Cloquet but if you hit Proctor you have gone too far. After outgrowing his yard, Nathan's display moved to Bayfront Park in Duluth, which is just past Hinckley but if you hit Grand Marais you have gone too far. Located on the shores of Lake Superior, Bayfront Park is the perfect host to this incredible display of literally hundreds of lights! Best of all, it is completely free though donations are recommended so maybe you oughta open up that wallet of yours and help keep the lights on.

2. The Dead End Hayride

If getting scared is something you enjoy, The Dead End Hayride is here for you. You will be so darn afraid you won't even know what to do with yourself! After a haunted hayride through the woods, the "Dead End" part of the attraction's name rears its ugly head when you are dropped off, left to fend for yourself as you find your way back to your car through the scraggly Wyoming woods. Don't worry, I mean Wyoming, Minnesota, NOT the state of Wyoming. Though this place may be worth the drive even if it was located in the state of Wyoming, which it isn't. It is actually in the CITY of Wyoming, and if you hit Stacy you have gone too far.

3. Minnesota State Fair

What better way to warm up than with a giant bucket of fresh, hot out of the oven cookies?! The Great Minnesota Stay-Warm Together is a great spot this weekend to try some of the great food, fun and festivities. They even have the Coliseum where they host ice hockey, which makes sense because why would The State of Hockey's state fairgrounds not have an ice rink? It makes perfect sense to have hockey games there, especially the games that sell out the Coliseum, which is due for a renovation that, I imagine, will include some funds to help with hosting the state's official sport that the state's official Fairgrounds. If hockey isn't your thing be sure to catch a race at the State Fair Speedway located at the Grandstand.

4. Ozzfest

Rumor has it that Ozzy Osbourne is retiring at some point this year, so I would get out to Somerset, Wisconsin while you still can to see the legendary rock vocalist perform at this weekend's Ozzfest.