Living in St. Paul during the dead of a Midwest winter may not seem ideal, but the area is more than idyllic despite the unpredictable weather (you're surrounded by a sturdy cityscape, rolling terrain, and soothing lakes and rivers). And while this half of the Twin Cities may seem like more of a big city than a tight-knit community, you'll be pleasantly surprised to find small-town quaintness everywhere you go.

After all, where else can find a tool library? Yep, you heard right—St. Paul is notorious for its tool libraries, so if you're an avid DIYer, you can find everything from power drills and sanders to clothing steamers and electronic etchers at the St. Paul Tool Library. Would you rather enjoy the warm summer days outside? Hit up Highland National Golf Course on the weekends—the fifteenth hole bunker is shaped like Snoopy!—to improve your putt.

Want to take your kiddos along for some much-needed family time? Spend a day at the Como Park Zoo & Conservatory. Your littles will love seeing all the animals, and you can even take them to the Giraffe Feeding Station so they can let the tall, spotted beauts nibble lettuce from their hands.

If you have enough of a zoo at home with your kids, furry, feathered, scaled, or aquatic friends, no worries. Just settle everyone in for movie or game night, and let your ADT monitored security system help protect you while you relax—the wireless motion sensor is pet immune, so your animal pals won't trigger the alarm and interrupt your film or round of charades.