Minnesota winters are long, but they come with one great perk: sitting in hot water while the air outside bites at your nose. Across the state, a handful of resorts, hotels, and retreats keep outdoor hot tubs ready for cold-weather soaking.
Some sit right on Lake Superior, one is perched on a Minneapolis rooftop, and another is heated by a wood fire deep in the forest. If you need a quiet break from snow shovels and gray skies, these six spots are a good place to start planning.
1. Glacial Waters Spa at Grand View Lodge, Nisswa, MN
A salt room is not something most people expect to find in lake country, and that is one reason this spa stands out. Glacial Waters sits at Grand View Lodge in Nisswa, a resort town in the Brainerd Lakes area.
The spa was recently renovated, and the upgrades go beyond fresh paint. Guests get access to an outdoor hot tub, a sauna, a steam room, and that salt room, plus robes in a range of sizes.
Massages and skincare treatments are the main draw for many visitors. I like pairing a treatment with time in the hot tub, since the facilities are built to be used before or after an appointment.
Appointments are required, and online scheduling makes booking simple. Hours run 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Monday through Saturday and 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday.
For the quietest visit, aim for a Wednesday or Saturday morning. Afternoons on Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday tend to be busier.
Free on-site parking and a restaurant at the resort round out the stop.
2. Larsmont Cottages on Lake Superior, Two Harbors, MN
Few things beat watching Lake Superior in winter from a tub of hot water. At Larsmont Cottages, just up the North Shore from Two Harbors, that view comes standard.
The resort offers rooms and one- to three-bedroom cottages along the shoreline, many with lake views. The outdoor hot tub is a favorite in the colder months, and an indoor pool gives you another warm option.
Night owls, take note. The sauna is open around the clock, so a late-evening sweat session is fair game.
Beyond the water, the property has fire pits and hammocks along the shore, plus hiking, crafting activities, and massages. A make-your-own hot chocolate bar is a sweet bonus after time outside.
There is also an on-site restaurant, which means you can stay put once the snow starts falling. I would save this one for a weekend when the goal is doing very little, very slowly.
3. Bluefin Bay on Lake Superior, Tofte, MN
Heated flooring outside might be the most Minnesota amenity ever invented. Bluefin Bay in Tofte has exactly that around its outdoor pool and hot tub, so bare feet stay warm on the walk in.
The outdoor soaking area is surrounded by glass, which blocks the wind while keeping the Lake Superior views open all year.
That is only half the water story. A separate spa building holds a sauna, a shallow pool about three to four feet deep, and a large hot tub, all available before or after a massage or other spa service.
The resort has plush rooms and apartments, three restaurants, and two pools. Many units include fireplaces and full kitchens, with firewood and gas grills on the grounds.
Complimentary daily activities add something to do between soaks. For a longer North Shore getaway, this is a strong home base.
4. Omni Viking Lakes Hotel, Eagan, MN
No long drive required for this one. The Omni Viking Lakes Hotel sits in Eagan, close enough to the Twin Cities for a quick winter escape.
The hotel leans into a Nordic style, and its newer outdoor hot tubs and saunas fit that theme well. Hopping between the two is a great way to shake off a cold day.
Inside, there is an indoor pool, a gym, and a Nordic-inspired spa offering treatments. Outdoor fire pits give you another spot to warm up after a soak.
Dining is part of the appeal too, including the on-site restaurant Ember and Ice. Some rooms and suites come with wide views of the surrounding area.
I like this stop for a metro staycation when you want resort amenities without leaving the suburbs. It is open around the clock for hotel guests.
5. Hewing Hotel, Minneapolis, MN
Soaking above the city skyline in January is a pretty great flex. The Hewing Hotel in the North Loop makes it possible with a rooftop that pairs a hot tub and heated pool with a full-sized sauna.
The hotel lives in a converted warehouse, and the rooms carry a stylish, upscale look. Its North Washington Avenue address puts you in one of the most walkable neighborhoods in Minneapolis.
Winter staycations are where this place shines. Heading up to the roof for a warm soak, then back down to a comfortable room, makes for an easy weekend reset.
A rooftop lounge sits alongside the water, so the space works for a relaxed evening too. If a long road trip is not in the cards, this is the city answer to a quiet soak.
6. Silvae Spiritus Forest Bathing, Sauna, and Nature Retreats, Finlayson, MN
Forget jets and chlorine. Out in the woods near Finlayson, the hot tub is heated by a wood fire.
Silvae Spiritus is a small retreat center built around guided forest bathing, a slow, mindful walk through the trees. Alongside those sessions, guests can use a wood-fired sauna, a wood-fired hot tub, and cold plunges.
The hosts prepare and tend the hot tub and its adjoining fire, so you can focus on resting. Clear nights are ideal for stargazing from the water.
This is the most rustic stop on the list, and that is the point. Rural east-central Minnesota offers plenty of quiet, making it a good fit for anyone wanting to unplug completely.
Plan ahead by checking the website or calling before you go, since this is a retreat rather than a walk-in spa.
Whether you pick a lakeside resort or a forest fire tub, Minnesota has more ways to warm up outdoors than most people realize. Pack a swimsuit and let winter work in your favor.
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