Get Outdoors This Weekend

It’s so easy to hibernate this time of year. Or, if you do get out and about, you stick to the warm, indoor spots (which is totally fine). But if you’re feeling a little bit of cabin fever, there are always events taking place outdoors this time of year. Minnesotans are made of hardy stock, so a little cold or windchill doesn’t keep us from a 5K or snowshoe adventure. Here are just a few fun activities taking place this weekend:

Tubbs Romp to Stomp, Minnesota Landscape Arboretum (Feb. 9): The Tubbs Romp to Stomp Out Breast Cancer snowshoe series is now in its eleventh year (and more than $2 million raised), but this is only year two for Minnesota. And what better place than the Arboretum in Chaska, which offers picturesque trails for snowshoeing. First-timers, as well as kids of all ages, are welcome, and snowshoe demos are free (first come, first served). You can participate in the snowshoe 3K or if you prefer to walk, try the 3K/5K later in the morning. Wear pink, bring a team, and have fun!

Valentine’s Day TC 5K, Lake Harriet, Minneapolis (Feb. 9): The Twin Cities Marathon is a very popular event come October, but the organization keeps folks active all year round with other activites. Come out for this 5K, the Twin Cities’ oldest winter running event. Come in costume, win fun prizes, and shop the Valentine’s candy shop. Interested in finding love? Put on a “relationship status” backtag and hope to meet Mr. or Miss Right!

Trails by Candlelight, Lebanon Hills Regional Park, Eagan (Feb. 9): This weekend, Lebanon Hills, one of the most popular parks in the south metro, lights a four-mile trail through the woods with candles. (Would you rather ice skate by candlelight? A half-mile path is lit just for you.) Bring the family, take a stroll in the moonlight, warm up by the bonfires, grab some hot cocoa at the concession stand, and just enjoy the outdoors.