With winter break just around the corner, students want to maximize the fun while minimizing the cost. Here are some ideas for things to do over break for ten dollars and under.

Riverview Theater

The Riverview Theater is a nicely kept and cute 50s style theater in Minneapolis.The Riverview shows movies after they are out of other theaters, but normally before they are out on DVD. Tickets cost two dollars all day on Tuesdays or on any other day of the week before 6pm and three dollars after 6pm. The Riverview Theater also holds screenings of classic Christmas movies such as White Christmas, A Christmas Story and It’s a Wonderful Life. Dates and times for these movies are available on their website. With the donation of a non-perishable food item, tickets cost only one dollar. Tickets for these movies cost two dollars each or one dollar each with the donation of a non-perishable food item.

Wells Fargo Winter Skate

Wells Fargo Winter Skate is an ice rink located in the Landmark Plaza, and adjacent to Rice Park in downtown St. Paul. Skating is free and skate rental is only four dollars, however if you have a Wells Fargo Check Card or credit card, skate rental is free. There are very beautiful lights in Rice Park, “The lights are really pretty, you feel like you’re in a winter wonderland,” Freshman Ellie Findell said. All minors need to have a waiver signed by their parents, but they do not need to be there with you. A waiver is available to download off the website and should be signed and brought to the rink.

Walker Art Center

The Walker Art Center is a nationally renown art museum located in Minneapolis. Admission to the sculpture garden and conservatory is free for everyone and gallery admission is free for everyone under 18. “In the winter time it’s especially nice to spend some time in the conservatory they have next to the sculpture garden,” junior and member of the Walker Art Center Teen Art Council, Ingrid Topp-Johnson said.

Buck Hill Snow Tubing

Buck Hill is a ski and snowboard resort located in Burnsville. Although skiing and snowboarding there cost more than ten dollars, snow tubing is just as fun. And the late night special costs only ten dollars and allows you to tube starting one hour prior to close. They normally close at 9:30 p.m. or 10:00 p.m., but close earlier on actual holidays (you can find their hours here). On New Year’s Eve, though, Buck Hill tubing is open until midnight.

Como Park Zoo and Conservatory

Como Park Zoo and Conservatory is a beautiful zoo located in St. Paul. Como Zoo is one of only eight free zoos in the country. The Como Zoo has many indoor exhibits and the conservatory, which is also free, and so incredibly beautiful that you will think you are living in Hawaii. Como Zoo also has many interesting indoor and outdoor exhibits. Animals you may be able to see include polar bears, giraffes, and wolves.

Volunteering

Over break, many students will want to give back to the community. While serving meals and building houses may be popular forms of volunteering, there are also non-organized ways to give back. “The primary volunteering activity that I do in my spare time, or when it’s applicable, is walk around my neighborhood and remove graffiti from stop signs or stoplight posts et cetera. It beautifies my neighborhood!” senior co-president of Community Action and Service Samantha Linn said. Cleaning supplies are available at most police stations and won’t damage signs. “I do think that ‘spreading the love,’ however you may define it, is the ultimate form of giving back,” Linn said.