There’s something about winter in Minnesota that makes the whole state feel like a postcard. Maybe it’s the fresh snow that settles on the pines, the way city streets glow under holiday lights, or the fact that we know how to make the most of even the coldest nights. Whatever it is, holiday road trips hit differently here.
Whether you’re planning a Thanksgiving weekend drive, a cozy early-winter escape, or a Christmas lights centered cruise with the family, Minnesota offers some of the best scenic routes in the Midwest. And the good news? Many of the routes that shine in fall stay beautiful straight through Christmas and New Year’s.
Below are five core scenic drives in Minnesota, plus several bonus routes and honorable mentions that deserve a spot on your Minnesota holiday list.
Table of Contents
- Why Holiday Scenic Drives Hit Different in Minnesota
- 1. St. Croix Valley Holiday Lights Drive (Stillwater → Taylors Falls)
- 2. Duluth Bentleyville & North Shore Holiday Drive (I-35 → Highway 61)
- 3. Wayzata & Lake Minnetonka Holiday Lights Cruise
- 4. Brainerd Lakes Area Winter Scenic Lights Route (Nisswa → Pequot Lakes → Breezy Point)
- 5. Mankato Kiwanis Holiday Lights Drive (Sibley Park & River Valley Byway)
- BONUS SCENIC DRIVES & HONORABLE MENTIONS
- Tips for Safe Winter Scenic Drives in Minnesota
- The Perfect Ride for Minnesota Holiday Drives
- FAQs
Why Holiday Scenic Drives Hit Different in Minnesota
Minnesota drivers know that late fall and early winter can be magical if you time it right. Early snow mixes with fall colors in November. By December, towns like Stillwater, Excelsior, Duluth, and Mankato glow with lights and holiday displays.
Add in:
Frozen lakes
Snow-covered farmland
Historic river towns
Holiday pop-up events
And the occasional perfect pink winter sunset
…and you’ve got the recipe for a memorable seasonal drive.
You don’t need a perfect forecast, either. Some of the best views happen during light flurries or when ice forms on the trees after a cold snap.
1. St. Croix Valley Holiday Lights Drive (Stillwater → Taylors Falls)
If you’re looking for a festive drive close to the Twin Cities, it’s hard to beat the St. Croix Valley. This region is a year-round scenic route, but it transforms in December.
Why It’s a Great Holiday Drive
Stillwater’s Hometown for the Holidays brings lights, decorations, and a Christmas-movie vibe to downtown.
The drive north along Highway 95 hugs the St. Croix River, offering cliffside views and rolling hills.
Taylors Falls hosts its own lights, surrounded by snow-covered pines and rocky bluffs.
What to See Along the Route
Stillwater Lift Bridge & riverfront
Historic homes decorated for the season
Franconia Sculpture Park (quirky winter stop)
Tawny winter views of Interstate State Park
Perfect For
Families, couples, cozy weekend plans, and anyone wanting festive small-town charm.
2. Duluth Bentleyville & North Shore Holiday Drive (I-35 → Highway 61)
If holiday lights were a sport, Duluth would be the defending champion. Bentleyville “Tour of Lights” decorates Bayfront Park in Duluth with over 5,000,000 lights! is one of the largest free walk-through displays in the country, and you can pair it with a North Shore scenic drive for the ultimate winter weekend.
Bentleyville Tour of LightsStart with Bentleyville
The glow reflecting off Lake Superior alone is worth the trip. You can see the lights from I-35 as you come into downtown Duluth, which already makes this drive feel special.
Check out a trip CarSoup sponsored to Bentleyville recently!
Continue Along the North Shore
Highway 61, Minnesota’s most famous scenic byway, turns into a quiet, peaceful winter road lined with icy cliffs, pine forests, and open water.
Top Stops
Canal Park → holiday lights + lake effect snow
Brighton Beach → winter waves
Split Rock Lighthouse lit for the season
Gooseberry Falls partially frozen
Perfect For
Photography lovers, EV drivers (plenty of chargers from Duluth to Grand Marais), and anyone who wants that classic Minnesota winter scenery.
3. Wayzata & Lake Minnetonka Holiday Lights Cruise
Minnetonka isn’t just a summer lake—it’s also home to several of the area’s best holiday lights, including lakeside mansion displays and community light shows.
Highlights
Wayzata’s tree-lined lakefront, decorated with warm white lights
Multi-million-dollar lake homes that go all-in on Christmas décor
Visits to Excelsior, one of the cutest holiday towns in Minnesota
Optional Extensions
Continue along Shoreline Drive (CR-15) for a true Minnetonka loop
Wrap through Mound or Spring Park for sunset-over-the-ice views
Perfect For
Date nights, relaxed driving, and capturing those glowing-lake-at-dusk photos.
4. Brainerd Lakes Area Winter Scenic Lights Route (Nisswa → Pequot Lakes → Breezy Point)
Brainerd is a favorite summer cabin region, but its winter charm might be even better.
Why This Route Works in Winter
Lots of long tree-lined stretches that look incredible after fresh snow
Classic small-town holiday decorations
The glow of cabins and resorts around Gull Lake
What to See
Downtown Nisswa lights
Paul Bunyan Trail access points
The Breezy Point ice village (when open)
Light-wrapped pines along County Road 18
Perfect For
Cabin weekends, early-winter family trips, and anyone who wants both scenic winter roads and plenty of hot-chocolate stops.
5. Mankato Kiwanis Holiday Lights Drive (Sibley Park & River Valley Byway)
Southern Minnesota doesn’t get enough credit, especially during the holidays. Kiwanis Holiday Lights in Mankato is one of the best drive-through or walk-through attractions in the state—and it pairs beautifully with a Minnesota River Valley scenic drive.
The Route
Start in North Mankato
Follow the river along Highway 66 or Highway 169
Cruise into Sibley Park for the Kiwanis Holiday Lights
Kiwanis Holiday Lights in Sibley Park
Why It’s Worth the Trip
Huge display with tunnels, animated lights, and holiday music
Gentle bluffs and open farmland create a peaceful winter backdrop
Easy, relaxed driving
Perfect For
Families with little kids, fall-to-winter scenic drives, and anyone exploring southern Minnesota.
BONUS SCENIC DRIVES & HONORABLE MENTIONS
You said it doesn’t have to stop at five—so here are additional routes totally worth adding to your holiday list:
6. Mississippi River Bluffs Drive — Red Wing to Wabasha
Winter bluffs + river views + Christmas storefronts.
Wabasha even hosts Grumpy Old Men Festival vibes in late winter.
7. Minneapolis–St. Paul Christmas Lights Loop
A DIY Twin Cities holiday route:
Summit Avenue (St. Paul)
Rice Park
Minneapolis Lakes (Calhoun/Bde Maka Ska, Harriet)
Edina Country Club district
Cruise through Centennial Lakes Park in Edina (they light the entire pond)
Great for EV drivers thanks to city charging.
Rice Park Holiday Lights - St. Paul, MN
8. Rochester to Lanesboro Driftless Area Drive
Southeastern Minnesota’s rolling hills look like a Christmas card when dusted with snow. Start in charming Lanesboro (voted most beautiful small town more than once), drive the Root River valley to Preston, Rushford, and Houston. Every little town strings lights across Main Street and over the river bridges. If Niagara Cave is doing their holiday light tour, it’s worth the short detour.
9. Iron Range Northern Lights (if you time it right)
Some years you’ll catch a glimpse north of Virginia, Ely, or Tower—mixed with snowy Superior National Forest roads.
10. Mille Lacs Scenic Loop
Big lake views + winter ice houses + small-town holiday charm.
Tips for Safe Winter Scenic Drives in Minnesota
Check road conditions via 511 MN
Keep blankets and a charged phone
EV drivers should precondition the battery before charging
Always fill up or charge before heading north of Duluth
Pack an ice scraper (yes, always)
The Perfect Ride for Minnesota Holiday Drives
All these routes are gorgeous, but they’re even better when you’re not white-knuckling the steering wheel on icy roads. Right now on CarSoup you’ll find hundreds of AWD and 4×4 SUVs ready for winter:
- Subaru Outback & Forester (legendary in Duluth snow)
- Toyota RAV4 Hybrid (great mileage for long North Shore runs)
- Honda CR-V & Jeep Grand Cherokee (perfect for Bluff Country hills)
Search “AWD under 100k miles” on CarSoup and get pre-approved before the best ones are gone.
Bundle up, queue up the Mariah Carey, and go make some Minnesota holiday memories.
Which route are you hitting first? Have your own favorite scenic drive in Minnesota? Drop it in the comments!
FAQs
When do most Minnesota Christmas light displays turn on for the year?
Bentleyville opens the Saturday before Thanksgiving. Most other displays (Stillwater, Kiwanis, Phalen, etc.) start the weekend after Thanksgiving and run through New Year’s Day.
Are Minnesota scenic drives safe in winter?
Yes—as long as you check conditions and drive slower on snowy or icy roads. Holiday routes near the Twin Cities and Duluth are well maintained.
Are EVs good for winter scenic drives in Minnesota?
Modern EVs handle winter very well. Expect slightly reduced range, but with pre-conditioning, cabin heat pumps, and plenty of chargers on major byways, EV road-tripping is easier than ever.
Which scenic drive is best for Christmas lights?
Bentleyville in Duluth and Kiwanis Holiday Lights in Mankato are the biggest attractions. For small-town charm, Stillwater is hard to beat.
What’s the best Thanksgiving scenic drive in Minnesota?
The Minnesota River Valley, St. Croix Valley, and the Driftless Area offer late-season fall color mixed with early snow.
What’s the most iconic Minnesota winter scenic drive?
Highway 61 along the North Shore—no question. It delivers classic winter views, frozen waterfalls, and Superior shoreline drama.
Can I do these drives in one weekend?
You can combine the St. Croix Valley + Twin Cities lights in one evening. Duluth/North Shore or Brainerd typically deserve a full day or weekend.
Any free drive-through light displays in Minnesota?
Yes! Bentleyville (drive-through lane), Mankato Kiwanis Holiday Lights, and Phalen Park’s Holiday Lights in the Park are all free (donations welcomed).
