Weekends are booking up with grad parties, sports events and trips to the cabin. This summer, don’t forget to do something different and fun amongst all the scheduled itineraries. We’ve compiled a list of some expected and some out-of-the-box ideas for you to truly take hold of the fleeting Minnesota summer.
- Road Trip to The Greatest Spectacle on Lake Superior to ‘catch a glimpse, step aboard, and even set sail on some of the grandest ships of yore’ August 18-21.
- Excelsior Streetcar Line. Enjoy a half-mile trip through historic Excelsior.
- Paisley Park tour. If you’re from Minnesota or live in Minnesota, it’s a must.
- Smaash Mall of America. Sky karting and Virtual Reality. Enough said.
- Historic Bike Tour of Fort Snelling State Park. Discover waterfalls, Dakota villages, military camps and old railroads on this easy guided bike tour.
- Day Trip to Stillwater. Shop the boutiques, take a river cruise, tour Lift Bridge Brewery, and dine on P.D. Pappy’s patio.
- Learn to brew your own beer at Northern Brewer Homebrew Supply.
- Local staycation at Hewing Hotel. Get a babysitter and head downtown to the North Loop, grab a very tasty Minnesota dinner at The Bachelor Farmer and stay the night at Hewing Hotel. In the morning, pop over to Spoon & Stable for their famous brunch.
- Walker Art Center and the Sculpture Garden. Re-opens in June after a huge renovation. Try Esker Grove for lunch, one of the most talked about restaurants in the city.
- Mystic Lake Casino. One of those 95 degree days? Try Cosmic Blackjack or Bingo in the comfort of air conditioning.
- Canterbury Park. Take on the races.
- Succulent Terrarium Workshop.
- Horseback riding at Big Valley Ranch.
- Music in the Zoo (check out the impressive lineup)
- Photography course at ColdSnap Photography on the shores of Lake Superior. This is the way to do it.
- Summit Avenue Walking Tour. Mansions and history.
- WW1 America Exhibit at the Minnesota History Center.
- Spa getaway at Kohler Waters Spa. No cabin and less of a fisher and more of a spa-goer? Take a drive to Wisconsin to this 5-star spa.
- Minnesota BBQ Society Competition. Yes, this is a thing, and you can enter.
- Can Can Wonderland’s Variety Show.
- Learn to act, sing, do voiceovers or just present at the Guthrie Theater.
- Lake Harriet Rose Garden. Definitely Instagram worthy.
- Anything at Target Field. Twins game, Billy Joel on July 28th, Backstreet Boys on July 29th.
- Rock the Garden, headlined by Bon Iver.
- Dine outside. As often as possible. Your home, a restaurant, a park…wherever.
