Top 10 Things To Do In St. Cloud To Fight Depression [Winter Edition]

By: Carlee & Dr. Miles

Back by popular demand, the return of our Top 10 list for St. Cloud activities! As many of you remember, a list was posted this Summer, and it was one of our most read blog posts. Miles Psychological Services has decided to continue the effort for a "Winter Edition" of positive activities to do around St. Cloud to help fight against the Winter blues. As stated in previous posts, one of the best ways to fight against depressive symptoms is through engagement in positive and rewarding activities. We have procured a list of 10 activities that will get you out of the house and engaging in something fun. These activities are for all ages, and whether you struggle with depression in the winter or not, you will likely find something on this list to do.

** New for this edition, we have worked with some of the local businesses to gain special deals for our blog readers. Check them out below!

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1. AirMaxx Trampoline Park

Great for children with an abundance of energy, AirMaxx has three trampoline courts to jump the night away. Just about all ages can explore the general jumping court, dodgeball court, and foam pit, and ages 5 and under can safely just in their “Mini Maxxers” court with parent assistance. When you get tired, take a break in the arcade room! AirMaxx is perfect for birthday parties, or just a weekend activity with some friends. Watch for their “Maxxercise” program for a fun way to get some exercise.

Hours

Monday: Closed

Tuesday: Closed

Wednesday: 3pm-8pm

Thursday: 3pm-8pm

Friday: 3pm-9pm

Saturday: 10am-9pm

Sunday: 11am-5pm

Prices are $8.00 plus tax for 30 minutes, and $4.50 plus tax for each additional 30 minutes. Socks are required to jump, however provided at $2.00 per pair. Parents must sign an electronic waiver for their children 18 and under prior to buying a ticket.

EXCLUSIVE DEAL: Get it here! We have four buy one get one (BOGO) 60-minute jump session passes to give out! Please contact Miles Psychological Services, LLC if you are interested in these passes!

To purchase tickets and for more information, click here: http://stcloudmn.airmaxxtrampolinepark.com/

2. Southway Bowling

If you’re looking for a fun and cheap activity to do with some friends on a Friday night, bowling is a great way to go. Southway Bowling is open 7 days a week and has a variety of activities and specials every day. If bowling is up your “alley”, Southway Bowling hosts various types of bowling leagues for all ages. They also include a bar with happy hour specials from 5pm-6pm, and when you get hungry, Jimmy’s Pizza has a wide array of food to choose from.

Monday-Thursday: $2.95 per person

Friday-Sunday: $4.25 per person

Shoe Rental: $2.95

Check out www.southwaybowl.com for more information on hours and specials.

3. Food Specials

Sometimes, an easy way to treat yourself during the winter is by catching up with some friends and loved ones at a sit-down restaurant, however it can be easy to rack up your tab. Many restaurants around the area offer cheap specials and discounts to help make a more affordable night out. Below are some of my favorite low-cost dining specials.

Cowboy Jacks

Tuesday - 5pm-10pm: 2lbs buckets of bone-in wings for $5

Wednesday - 5pm-10pm: 1/2lb. Angus beef burgers for $2 7pm: 18+ Bingo

Thursday - 5pm: 1/2 priced bottles of wine

Old Chicago

Tuesday - 8pm-11pm: $1 slices of pizza (cheese or pepperoni)

IHOP

January 2nd-February 12th - All you can eat pancakes!

Every Day - 4pm-8pm: Kids eat free (12 and under)

LaCasita

Monday - All Day: 1/2 price burritos

Tuesday - All Day: 1/2 price margaritas

Sunday - All Day: Kids eat free (8 and younger)

*Birthday Special: Free dinner with I.D.

4. Art As You Like It

Crafting and pottery are widely used as an outlet to rid everyday stressors. In fact, the combination of hand-eye coordination, spatial awareness, achievement, patience, creativity, and memory retrieval have many health benefits, and can be comparable to the benefits of meditation. A great way to break the winter blues is by learning a new activity/hobby, and Art As You Like It is a great place to start. They offer various pottery and canvas classes, from pottery painting, to glass fusing, to Paint N Party (canvas class with cocktails). They allow walk-ins and reservations and hours are Monday-Friday 12pm-8pm, Saturday 10am-6pm, and Sunday 12pm-5pm. (320) 257-2787

Art As You Like It opened in 2003 as a pottery painting studio, but has broadened their offers to include more classes and events. The owner, Charlene Ridlon, got her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from SCSU, and since has been assisting other young artists while creating new project ideas for herself.

EXCLUSIVE DEAL: Get it here! Get a FREE mug with any purchase of $15 or more in the studio by redeeming the coupon here: http://www.artasyoulikeit.net/free-mug.html

Here’s a few upcoming classes to keep in mind:

January 24th: Paint N Party, 6pm-9pm

January 25th: Living Waters Paint a Bowl for Empty Bowls, 6pm-7:30pm

January 30th: Funky Penguin, 6:30pm-8:30pm

January 31st: Paint N Party, 6pm-9pm

February 1st: Living Waters Paint a Bowl for Empty Bowls, 6pm-7:30pm

February 2nd: Let’s Play with Clay, 6:30pm-8:30pm

http://www.artasyoulikeit.net Also on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest

5. Lazer Light Tubing (Powder Ridge)

If you look forward to the snow, chances are you love to ski or snowboard. Powder Ridge is the best place to enjoy these winter activities in central Minnesota. For those who find it hard to keep their balance, Powder Ridge also includes a snow tubing hill to glide down. One of their most popular events, called Lazer Light Tubing, is held just a few Thursdays and Fridays each winter. This event includes a live DJ, laser and strobe lights, a bonfire, and concessions. Tickets are $20 per person for 2 hours. Due to popular demand, only advanced online tickets are available, and no tickets are sold on site.

To purchase tickets and for more information, explore their webpage here: http://www.powderridge.com/snowtubing/lazer-light-tubing

6. Paramount Center For The Arts

Since the Paramount Center has so much to offer, I decided to add it to both our summer and winter edition of things to do in St. Cloud to fight depression. The Paramount Center encourages people of all ages to use the arts as a stress relieving outlet. From GREAT Theatre performances, to art classes, to exhibitions, to education resources, there is something for everyone to enjoy! The box office is open on Monday-Friday from 10am-5pm and Saturday from 10am-2pm, for any questions you may have call (320) 259-5463.

Here are just a few of their many events coming up this winter/spring:

We Banjo 3: January 20th at 7:30pm

Bad Bad Hats: January 27th at 7:30pm

James and the Giant Peach: February 3rd-12th

The Vienna Boys Choir: February 19th at 3pm

Craig Karges, Mentalist and Illusionist: March 11th at 7:30pm

The Acrobats of Cirquetacular: March 12th at 1pm and 4pm

To buy tickets, find other events, and more, click here: www.paramountarts.org

7. St. Cloud Escape Rooms

Just this year, two brothers (Nate and David Sauer) from Cold Spring opened the first “escape rooms” in the central Minnesota. The St. Cloud Escape Rooms offer a new type of entertainment, so new that it only originated 15 years ago in Asia. So, what exactly is an escape room? It’s not as spooky as it may sound. You and your teammates are locked inside a themed room of your choice and have 60 minutes to complete puzzles and riddles. The goal is to complete the challenge and "escape" the room in as little time as possible.

Many teams do not escape in under an hour, so it can be quite a challenge! Children 10+ with an adult and teens 17+ can play.

EXCLUSIVE DEAL: The cost is $25.95 per ticket, but use our promotional code february15off to get an extra 15% off any booking in February. Only 10 discount codes are available, so book now before it’s too late! Take a look at the website to buy tickets and check out the different challenges they have to offer. www.stcloudescaperooms.com

8. Whitney Recreation Center

Looking for a place to get some physical activity indoors? The Whitney Recreation Center is an affordable place to get your exercise fix. With 3 basketball courts, 5 volleyball courts, a walking track, an exercise room, and various sports programs, there is something for all interests and skill levels. The gym/exercise room passes cost anywhere from $75-$150 annually. Day passes are also available. If you have children, the Whitney Recreation Center has a program called KinderGym, where preschoolers can work on gross motor skills while spending some quality time with their parents.

Youth Activities/Leagues: 3 on 3 basketball, aquatics/swim lessons, baseball/softball clinics, fishing activities, MN Comets basketball camp, volleyball, etc.

Adult Sports: Pickle Ball, softball, volleyball

Hours of Operation:

Monday-Thursday: 6:30am-9pm

Friday: 6:30am-8pm

Saturday: 7am-6pm

Sunday: Closed

Here’s the link: http://www.ci.stcloud.mn.us/178/Whitney-Recreation-Center

9. Ice Skating

Since we live in the land of 10,000 lakes (11,842 lakes to be exact), it’s no wonder why ice skating is such a popular winter activity in Minnesota. St. Cloud has a few different locations to play hockey or to free skate. If you don't own a pair of skates, don’t worry! Some rinks provide donated ice skates to check out (availability of sizes not guaranteed).

Lake George (425 East Lake Blvd.) turns into a free skating area during the winter, and includes skate rentals. They open their warming shelter from 4pm-8pm Monday-Friday, and 1pm-8pm Saturday-Sunday.

Here are some other rinks provided by the City of St. Cloud Park and Recreation Department:

For hockey skating:

Centennial Park

1725 Centennial Drive

Northway Park

2450 15th St N

Raymond Park

324 Raymond Ave. NE

Schmidt Park

751 18th St. S

For pleasure skating:

Lake George

425 Centennial Drive

Raymond Park

324 Raymond Ave NE

Southwood Heights

3500 17th Ave S

Seberger Park

2001 2nd St. N

To find other skating rinks around the area, click here: http://www.ci.stcloud.mn.us/781/Skating-Rinks

10. SCSU Hockey

Chances are you recognize St. Cloud State University as a college known for Division I hockey and die-hard fans. Everyone will love the atmosphere of the Herb Brooks National Hockey Center when the Huskies play some of the best hockey teams in the NCAA. Not to mention the roaring and entertaining student section (sieve, sieve, sieve)! Our Huskies play from October to March every winter.

Here’s a quick look at the upcoming home schedule:

1/20: University of Denver

1/21: University of Denver

2/10: Miami University (OH)

2/11: Miami University (OH)

3/3: Colorado College**

3/4: Colorado College (Senior Night)

EXCLUSIVE DEAL: Get it here! Buy one ticket, get one free when you enter the code BOGOCC at www.scsutickets.com for the game March 3rd versus Colorado College!

For away/playoff games, click here: http://www.scsuhuskies.com/index.aspx?path=mhockey

#Activities #Depression #Winter #Selfcare