Skiing, Snowboarding and Snowtubing
This makes a lot of sense, if you consider that some lucky people will be receiving new snow sports gear in their Christmas stockings, and will want to try it out immediately.
2011 is threatening to give us a non White Christmas - so check websites or call for the most up to date opening hours and snow conditions.
Afton Alps is open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Wild Mountain will be open from noon on Christmas Day until 9 p.m.
Buck Hill is open from noon - 8 p.m., and in Wisconsin, Trollhaugen is open from noon - 8 p.m. on Christmas Day. Trollhaugen's lift tickets are $20 all day.
Welch Village and Hyland Ski and Snowboard Area will be closed on Christmas Day.
Como Park and Como Zoo
It's open 356 days every year, and Christmas Day is no exception. The Zoo and Conservatory will be open on Christmas Day with the regular hours of 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. And why not - wouldn't it be fun to go and visit penguins and polar bears on Christmas Day?
Go For a Walk or Hike in a Park
Depending on how much snow we have, you could be hiking, or you will be cross country skiing or snowshoeing. You can visit parks in town like Minnehaha Park and the awesome frozen-solid Minnehaha Falls, go snowshoeing at Fort Snelling State Park, or look out for winter birds and other wildlife at the Minnesota Valley State Recreation Area.Minneapolis Sculpture Garden
The Minneapolis Sculpture Garden is open daily from 6 a.m. until midnight. The Minneapolis Sculpture Garden's centerpiece, the colossal Spoonbridge and Cherry sculpture, is one of the icons of Minneapolis and a great place for a photo opportunity with out-of-town visitors. The giant spoon is kept company by some 40 other artworks. If you are interested in photography, then the sculptures, many with stark lines or bold colors, take on a new appearance against the white snow and make for interesting images.
See a Movie
Movie theaters are traditionally busy on Christmas Day, for family movies, and this year's holiday movies, like family animated movie Arthus Christmas, or star-packed New Year's Eve, which are showing at theaters across the metro area.Christmas Dinner Restaurants
Many bars are open on Christmas day, and several metro area restaurants are open for Christmas lunch and dinner.Chinese restaurants are traditionally open on Christmas day, as are many other international restaurants whose staff and customers don't celebrate Christmas.
Go Ice Skating on Christmas Day
Most outdoor rinks in local parks are open for skating every day. And for indoor skating, the ice rink at the Depot in downtown Minneapolis is open from noon - 9 p.m on Christmas day.
Bars and Clubs
As with restaurants, some bars and clubs are open, some are closed on Christmas day. Among the ones that are O'Gara's Garage in St. Paul who always have a Christmas party with live music from Outside and several other bands.
In Minneapolis, Bunker's, in downtown, has a blend of rock and R&B from Dr. Mambo's Combo.
