Get Fit
We have it hard here in the Twin Cities. Just as we make our new year's resolutions, it's too cold to get outside for exercise. Or is it? Ice skating, skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing are all popular and great exercise. You can even ride your bike in the snow. Or try something extreme like snow kiting, riding across a frozen lake with a snowboard and a parachute.
And there are many ways to get fit indoors too. Beginners can try gentle mall-walking, and then there's inline skating, rock climbing, cycling, and plenty of other ways to be active indoors in the Twin Cities.
Spend More Time With Your Family
Many of us resolve to spend more quality time with our families. Try doing outdoor activities with children, like sledding, or inside fun, like visiting a family-friendly museum or attraction. Here's a list of free things to do in Minneapolis and St. Paul, and here's more free children's activities.
And for spending more time with your significant other, here's some romantic restaurants in Minneapolis and St. Paul, and a list of romantic places to visit together.
Quit Smoking
Many of us resolve to kick the evil weed at the start of each year. About 17% of Minnesotans consider themselves smokers (compared to a national average of around 20%) so if you want to get that percentage down even lower, here's resources to help you quit smoking in Minneapolis, St. Paul and around the Twin Cities.
Quit Drinking
There are hundreds of AA meetings in the Twin Cities. To find the nearest meeting to you, Referals to Alcoholics Anonymous groups for Minneapolis and western suburbs
Referals to Alcoholics Anonymous groups for St. Paul and eastern suburbs
Minnesota Teen Challenge provides services to teenagers who have problems with alcohol or drugs.
Al-Anon and AlAteen are a network of support groups in the Twin Cities helping people who are being affected by someone else's drinking.
Go Traveling
What's better value for money, and truly longer lasting? An experience creates memories that last forever, instead of an object that wears out. If you resolve to spend your spare money on doing things rather than buying things, Duluth is a center for outdoor recreation, and a weekend trip from the Twin Cities.
Chicago is a great place for a long weekend city break of shopping, museums, arts and sightseeing.
And if you can find a slashed-to-the-bone airfare somewhere further afield, we have Minneapolis-St. Paul airport right in the center of the metro area for convenient travel.
Volunteer to Help Others
Minneapolis and St. Paul have the highest percentage of adults who give time to volunteer work in the nation: almost 40% of us did some volunteer work last year. If you resolve to start volunteering, or to do more, it's a great way to spend your free time.
It usually doesn't cost anything, you'll probably meet some interesting new people, and you'll be making the Twin Cities even better. Local organizations need people with all kinds of skills, from computer work, to caring for animals, to repairing furniture, to driving, to teaching, to just being willing and able to help out.
Resources to find volunteer opportunities in the Twin Cities,
