Planning an Affordable Winter Getaway in Burnsville, Minnesota
Looking for an affordable Minnesota winter getaway? Whether you’re traveling to visit family and friends, planning a weekend escape, or simply looking for a fun winter destination that won’t break the budget, Burnsville, Minnesota, makes a great home base.
Located just south of Minneapolis and Saint Paul, Burnsville puts you close to many of the Twin Cities’ biggest attractions while offering plenty to see and do right here. From skiing and snow tubing to live entertainment, indoor family fun, shopping and cozy places to eat, you can pack a lot into a winter weekend without packing your itinerary with long drives.
Here’s our guide to planning a budget-friendly winter getaway in Burnsville.
Where to Stay in Burnsville
One of the easiest ways to stretch your travel budget is choosing the right home base. Burnsville offers convenient access to Minneapolis, Saint Paul, Mall of America and other Twin Cities attractions without requiring you to stay in the middle of the metro.
Even better, staying in Burnsville means you’ll have restaurants, shopping, entertainment and outdoor recreation nearby.
Burnsville has a variety of hotels to fit different travel styles and budgets. Options include:
AmericInn & Suites Burnsville – Breakfast included, fitness center, and indoor pool
Wyndham Minneapolis South/Burnsville – Pet friendly, fitness center, and indoor pool
Fairfield Inn & Suites – Complimentary coffee and tea, indoor pool and fitness center
Hampton Inn Burnsville – Free breakfast, parking, and Wi-Fi
LivINN Hotels – Pet Friendly, onsite guest laundry services, and hot breakfast
Prime Rate Inn – Complimentary snacks and drinks, indoor pool and arcade area
Find Plenty of Indoor Fun
Minnesota winters are part of the adventure, but sometimes you need a break from the cold. Burnsville has plenty of indoor attractions to keep everyone entertained.
Catch a Show at the Ames Center
Make a night of it at Ames Center, Burnsville’s performing arts destination. The venue hosts theater productions, concerts, dance performances and other events throughout the year. It’s also home to an art gallery featuring rotating exhibitions.
Check the Ames Center event calendar before your trip and consider purchasing tickets in advance.
Make a Splash at Your Hotel
Want an inexpensive way to keep the kids entertained? Book a Burnsville hotel with an indoor pool.
After a day exploring the Twin Cities or playing outside in the snow, there’s nothing quite like coming back to the hotel and letting the kids burn off a little more energy in the pool. Check our list of Burnsville hotels to find properties with indoor pools and other amenities.
Shop Local and Gear Up for the Snow
Leave a little room in your itinerary for shopping. Burnsville offers everything from locally owned shops to familiar retailers.
If skiing or snowboarding is part of your plans, stop at Zombie Boardshop, an independent skate and snowboard shop where you can check out winter gear before heading to Buck Hill.
Explore more things to do in Burnsville while planning your visit.
Play at Grand Slam Sports
Traveling with kids — or adults who still like to play like kids? Grand Slam Sports is packed with indoor entertainment, including laser tag, pirate-themed mini golf, trampolines, arcade games, batting cages, bumper cars and more.
It’s an easy addition to a family weekend, especially when Minnesota weather has you looking for something fun to do indoors.
Race at ProKART Indoor Racing
Add a little adrenaline to your winter getaway at ProKART Indoor Racing. Drivers can race specially designed karts around an indoor road-course-style track featuring straightaways and hairpin turns.
Check current racing options, age and height requirements, hours and availability before visiting.
SkaterApolis Indoor Skate Park
Snow on the ground doesn’t mean skateboard season has to end. SkaterApolis offers an indoor space for skateboarding and scooters, making it a fun stop for riders who want to keep practicing all winter.
Follow SkaterApolis on Instagram for current hours and information.
Go Roller Skating at Skateville
For an affordable activity that gets everyone moving, head to Skateville. Roller skating is a classic way to spend a Minnesota winter afternoon or evening without worrying about the temperature outside.
Check current hours and pricing before you go.
Escapology
Premium real life escape game experience where players will be challenged in this attraction by working together to find clues, solve puzzles, and pick locks that will free them from their private game. Explore their game options today.
Burnsville Ice Center
Lace up those skates and hit the ice at this indoor rink. The Ice Center offers skate rental, public skating time, skate sharpening, and lessons. View their schedule and pricing here.
Get Outside and Enjoy a Minnesota Winter
Don’t spend your entire getaway indoors. A snowy Minnesota day can be one of the highlights of your trip — especially when you have these outdoor activities just minutes from your Burnsville hotel.
Ski, Snowboard or Snow Tube at Buck Hill
You don’t have to drive hours north to hit the slopes.
Buck Hill is right here in Burnsville, making skiing, snowboarding and snow tubing easy to add to your weekend itinerary. Whether you’re an experienced skier or introducing the kids to snow sports for the first time, Buck Hill offers winter recreation close to your hotel, restaurants and other Burnsville attractions.
Check Buck Hill’s current conditions, hours, lift tickets, rentals and tubing availability when planning your visit.
Explore Alimagnet Park
Looking for a quieter way to enjoy the snow? Alimagnet Park encompasses 178 acres and offers opportunities for winter recreation, including cross-country skiing when conditions allow.
Traveling with your four-legged family member? The park is also home to a large off-leash dog area.
Make Burnsville Your Home Base for the Twin Cities
One of the best parts of staying in Burnsville is that you don’t have to choose between a local getaway and a Twin Cities vacation.
Spend part of your weekend exploring Burnsville, then venture out to some of the Minneapolis-Saint Paul area’s best-known attractions. Mall of America, Minneapolis museums, professional sports, theaters and other metro-area destinations are all within reach.
At the end of the day, head back to Burnsville for a comfortable place to stay — and start planning tomorrow’s adventure.
Plan Your Winter Getaway Today
You don’t need an elaborate itinerary or a huge travel budget to enjoy winter in Minnesota.
Come to Burnsville to visit family and turn the trip into a getaway. Bring the kids for a weekend of swimming, skiing and indoor adventures. Plan a couple’s weekend with dinner and a show. Or make Burnsville your affordable home base while exploring everything the Twin Cities have to offer.
However, you choose to spend your trip, there’s plenty waiting for you in Burnsville this winter.
Start planning by exploring more things to do in Burnsville and places to stay.
