⛸️Silly Sleds & Interesting Igloos

Plus, an INDOOR roadtrip?

Author

Joe Carmack
January 07, 2026

Aaaahhhh. The kids are back in school learing once again, which means we've survived Christmas break. ICYMI: the entire Hotdish archive is on our website - which could come in real handy if you're overdue for a date night that won’t cost billions. Scroll back, find something that fits your vibe, and take a night off. You deserve it.

-Joe & Haley

Your Weekend Forecast

Art Sled Rally

1/17

A winter afternoon built around creativity, humor, and a little friendly chaos, where custom art sleds take center stage. Some are clever, some are ridiculous, and watching them race downhill is half the fun. It’s casual and community-focused, with plenty of standing around, laughing, and cheering between runs. Even if you’re not racing, it’s entertaining just to see what people come up with when snow, art, and competition collide.

Yam Haus + Laamar

1/10

It’s a live show from a Minneapolis-born indie pop/rock outfit that’s grown from selling out small local stages to touring regionally. Expect catchy, hook-driven songs blending guitar energy with synth moments, honest lyrics, and a crowd that’s there to feel the music rather than just watch it.

 

 

Art Shanty Projects

1/17

For the next 4 weekends, it turns a frozen lake into a makeshift art village. Wander among quirky, artist-built shanties and interactive pieces on ice. Expect playful installations, performances and clever creations that make the winter landscape feel less like cold and more like a curious, improv experiment.

 

Blueman Group

2/13 - 2/15

It’s a live performance art show where three silent, blue-painted performers mix inventive percussion, physical comedy, quirky visuals and audience interaction without ever speaking. The rhythm-driven set leans into unusual instruments, bright lights and absurd skits making you laugh and wonder at the same time.

 

Rascal Flatts

1/23

Life is a Highway at this country concert built around polished harmonies and chart-topping favorites from a well-known trio, paired with sets from Lauren Alaina and Chris Lane. The night moves between big sing-along moments, modern country storytelling, and a mix of upbeat tracks and slower, familiar songs.

Dinner at Jellybean and Julia’s means barbecue that doesn’t try to be fancy and proudly doesn’t care about trends. It’s smoke-rich meats and hearty sandwiches with a local, DIY feel that came out of a food truck and grew into its own right. Their PB&J brisket sandwich is one of those “you might roll your eyes, then immediately order it” deals with tender chopped brisket, crunchy peanut butter and spicy jam that somehow works. There’s a relaxed, come-as-you-are energy with casual seating, a bar and a menu stacked with loaded mac, ribs, tacos, burgers and sides that feel more about flavor than fuss.

Seeing Jake McVey live after dinner leans into a night that’s a bit more music than museum. He’s a country-leaning singer and guitarist who’s spent years honing his craft on tour, blending upbeat rhythms and crowd-friendly songs that nod to classic roots with a modern kick. His shows tend to be engaging and lively rather than sit-still quiet, so you’ll be standing, tapping toes and soaking up honest playing and voices that fill the room without a thousand lights or gimmicks. It’s the kind of performance that feels personal, with a musician who’s clearly spent years on stage and isn’t afraid to lean into his sound.

Minnesota road trips in January are… less than ideal. An indoor road trip through the Mall of America, however, is the perfect cold-weather workaround when you’re needing out of the house. Roller coasters, mirror mazes, food stops, and shopping are the perfect cure, so save this week’s Up Yonder for your next snow day.

There are many ways to navigate the Mall of America but we thought alphabetically made the most sense for this trip.

Your first stop is Activate on the 3rd floor of the Mall of America. This is where you turn into the main character in a real-life video game with jump, climb, and interactive tech-reactive challenges that keep you laughing and moving.

It’s caffeine pit stop time at Caribou Coffee pick your favorite location because it is on the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd floors! Born in Edina, Minnesota in 1992, this local legend pours cozy lattes, bold brews, and sweet treats that warm you up faster than realizing you’ve circled the same wing twice. Good coffee, neighborhood vibes, zero judgment for ordering your third cup.

Now that you are properly energized, go find Faith and Grace Organics on the 2nd floor which offers handcrafted, natural skincare made with wholesome ingredients and a conscience, a chill place to grab something that doesn’t involve roller coasters or burgers.

Now that you’ve enjoyed a little chill time hit a few of your favorite stores and then it’s burger time! Back up to the 3rd floor we go to find Johnny Rockets. It is your classic diner stop with juicy burgers, creamy milkshakes, crispy fries, and throwback vibes that make a food break so fun.

To give that burger some time to settle check out Love Your Melon on the 1st floor. This isn’t just another apparel stop: they sell hats and gear while supporting pediatric cancer nonprofits, so your MOA purchase does a little good beyond looking good.

Hit a few more stores on your way up to the 2nd floor for some entertainment. Museum of Illusions messes with your eyes and brain in the best way, offering over 60 interactive optical illusions that are as fun to photograph as they are mind-bending. Think science meets magic where nothing is quite what it seems.

Take a lap around the mall for some people watching and then head to the Rainforest Cafe for a sit down meal. This place throws you into a jungle of animatronics and tropical vibes with hearty American and island-inspired fare, so you can eat, explore, and even shop for quirky souvenirs with the wild bunch.

Depending on who is with you Sox Appeal might be the next best stop you didn’t know you needed until you saw a display of ridiculously fun, vibrant, and weirdly specific socks. Whether you’re into tacos with googly eyes or just plain classics, this place turns foot fashion into a personality flex without forcing you to think too hard about it.

Need a softer ending to your day? Squishable brings giant plush toys and cuddly creatures to MOA, the kind of store that makes you question your life choices when you don’t buy a 3-foot narwhal. Perfect stop for goofy gifts, soft companions, or just something to hug after too many laps around the mall.

Our final stop on this little A-Z trip is Treats Cereal Bar & Boba on the 3rd floor. Here they serve cereal-infused ice cream and refreshing boba drinks that feel like a throwback to childhood snack attacks, perfect for a sweet pit stop during your MOA adventure.

You probably noticed we didn’t end the trip with the letter Z. We didn’t want to cause any trouble and make anyone think there was a proposal coming at the end of the night because to get the “Z” we would have had you end at Zales. Happy trails!

-Haley

PS: If you’re dreaming about a new home in 2026, give us a shout! We’d love to help.

Joe & Haley Carmack
LivingInMN.com