SUMMER IN MINNESOTA

Summers are short here in Minnesota and the warm temps are limited. So when the temps start to warm up we take full advantage. So how do you do summers in Minnesota? Here is our list of Minnesota favorite summer activities!

Take in a ball game whether its the Twins or the Saints. But you can also catch some fun town ball games.

One of our favorite things to do in the summer is hit up some local county fairs and of course the Minnesota State Fair. There is almost always a new food or brew to try and lots of fun things to see! And did you know that it is the second largest State Fair in the nation? We always try to attend our local Wright County Fair. You can find a list of local county fairs here.

There is nothing better than enjoying the great outdoors. It is pretty much a given for our family to take a jaunt up north once a summer to the superior coastline. The options are really endless, hikes through the Superior National Forest and scenic superior shoreline to secluding yourself in the Boundary Waters for some tenting and canoeing. And of course stopping through Duluth to view the large boats that come in and out of the harbor, the kids are always amazed!

Want to do some local hiking with some views? Head out to St. Anthony Falls and view the falls from the Guthrie’s endless bridge that jets over the Mississippi and follow the cobblestone path on St. Anthony Main to the Stone arch bridge – a Minneapolis landmark that spans 23 arches over the Mississippi. And there is more, enjoy a scenic walk through Loring Park, it’s the central park of Minneapolis. Or take a walk through Minnehaha and gaze up Minnehaha park’s 53-foot waterfall.

Of course it is a given right to most Minnesotan’s to hit the lakes in the summer. Whether it is to the beach, or on a boat we all like to enjoy our summer nights on the water!

Hitting up the local parks and rec’s. You can find rental pedal boats, kayaks, paddleboards, canoes and bikes from various parks and lake facilities making it fun to get out and enjoy Minnesota’s waters. There are some great spots to hike out in our neck of the woods, including Lake Mariah State Park and Stanley Eddy to name a few. Here is a list to all the parks throughout Minnesota. 

Local summer farmers markets! There is nothing better than eating local fresh produce throughout the summer months. Our local farmers market even offers incentives for the kiddos to stop out and shop and pick their own free produce! You can find a list to local farmers markets in Minnesota here.

Get out and drink a Minnesota-brewed beer or wine – outside! There are so many local brew houses and wineries in the area. Check out the links below.

Minnesota Brew Houses.

Minnesota Wineries 

Basilica Block Party. If you have not attended this outdoor music festival, you are missing out! The streets of downtown Minneapolis flood with concert goers in front of the Basilica for two nights of great tunes. This year it falls on July 12th and 13th. https://www.basilicablockparty.org/

Minneapolis Aquatennial, enjoy some of the best fireworks in the nation and be part of the largest nighttime parade in Minnesota, or participate in the Torchlight 5k.

We always bring the kids to the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum atleast once a year. There is so much fun to be had viewing all the plants, trees and playscapes for kids. It gets the kids out in nature!

Minnesota Renaissance Festival. This event keeps showing up every year! We are not a big fan of it but for others its a blast. You can basically take a trip to a 16th century England like fantasy kingdom right here in Minnesota.

And you can’t forget the typical summer go-places for kiddos, including the Minnesota and Como Zoo, the Mall of America and of course Valley Fair!

Cheers to the heat and enjoying our wonderful state of Minnesota!