Summer is our season Minnesota! If you live in MN, you know we get a solid six to nine months of bad or mediocre weather here. However, about three of those good three to six months are pure bliss and as a Minnesotan, I need to take advantage of those as much as I can!

I have lived in two parts of Minnesota throughout my twenty-four years of life. The first twenty-two years were spent in the northern-central part of the state which is in the thick of “lakes country” as a child I didn’t know how beautiful this part of that was. I definitely took it for granted until I was old enough to travel away and then come back. Doing that helped me see how truly beautiful the state of Minnesota is (especially in summer). My childhood summers were centered around ice cream runs, late nights playing at the many parks we had around, bonfires, bike riding, backyard camping, and of course, lake days! 

For the last two, almost three, years I have lived in southern MN and have been able to experience the busier more industrial kind of summer. In the Twin Cities area, people love to spend time exploring downtown Minneapolis and all it has to offer. Amazing food, bike rides through the huge parks, mini golf, hiking, boating, pool days… all of which my little fam and I love to do as well. 

While these two areas of Minnesota are different, they’re also very similar and I have loved being able to experience both! Part of me misses the old days when I could drive ten minutes and be at a gorgeous lake ready to jump in the water whenever I wanted to, and another part of me is so thankful I get to go swimming on a rooftop pool overlooking the city now. All of it is beautiful! 

So, as an experienced Minnesotan, I want to share with all who want to know my recommendations for the best summer activities in MN. Whether you’ve lived here your life and want a fresh perspective to get out of the normal routine, you just moved here and need some ideas for a fun weekend, or you’re in from out of town to experience all MN has to offer. You’ve come to the right place! So without further adieu, let’s get into it.

1. Go to a New beach
   1. They don’t call it the Land of 10000 Lakes for nothing! I mean it when I tell you it is so easy to find a lake/beach you’ve never been to before. Now just because there are tons of lakes to visit, doesn’t always mean they’re swimmable. I recommend searching for lakes with public swim accesses and looking at the reviews and photos. I love swimming in clear/clean lakes. My favorite of all time is Eagle Lake. One of MN’s only spring-fed lakes. Because of this, it stays clear. It is the most beautiful lake I have ever been in, Minnesota’s best-kept secret.
2. Visit a State Park
   1. Even if you aren’t a die-hard hiker, trust me, the parks around here are worth visiting. If you do love hiking, you will find so much enjoyment in the hikes available. In the metro area, there are lots of parks with so many varying levels of difficulty. Not to mention the views are immaculate. Most of the trails will have a lake or two thrown in the middle somehow. 
3. Minnesota Zoo
   1. I have been to the Minnesota Zoo more times than I can count. Obviously, this is a fun one to do with kiddos, but even if you don’t have kids, I went a few different times with friends and still had such a blast! They have such a well-kept property and the enclosures always look very clean. They have a splash pad in the summertime as well which is perfect for the kids to cool down after walking around in the heat. They also have lots of food options with their cafeteria and other food/snack stands. This is an activity the whole family will love. Truly a perfect way to spend the day. I can’t wait to take Miss Alayah, she is finally old enough to care and it is going to be so adorable to watch her experience it.
4. Downtown Walks
   1. Exploring the downtown area of any town is always so much fun. This is one of the best ways to immerse yourself in your environment. I love looking at all the local shops. Usually, I find cute boutiques or gift shops where I will absolutely buy way too many things. Local coffee shops are another one of my favorite places to find, way better quality and more fun than hitting a big chain drive-thru. I’ve also stumbled across some of the best local eateries this way too. Nothing beats fresh local food after a long day of walking around.
5. Mini Golf
   1. I might be the most serious Mini Gloffer in the world. It is the only sport I take seriously. Yes, it is a sport to me. Minnesota has some really nice outdoor courses. This is such a great option on those cooler summer days when you want to be outside and do something but it’s not warm enough to jump in a lake. It takes about an hour to complete, maybe two depending on the size crew you have and how fast you are. It’s a great way to spend an afternoon.
6. Backyard BBQ
   1. This is what summer is all about, right? When it’s finally warm enough to enjoy some outdoor time, what better way to take full advantage than to cook out? Our favorite meal to make in the summer is grilled Italian chicken with pasta and veggies! So fresh and delicious for the summertime. Eating outside is the perfect summer vibe especially with some good music and drinks going! I even have a Spotify playlist for summer nights. We can easily spend an entire evening outside with the right food/drink combo. The best conversations are had on the back patio after a good meal and the heat of the day is dying down. We live for the perfect vibe around here!
7. Concerts
   1. Summertime concerts are unmatched! The feeling of the hot summer sun setting and fading to that perfect crisp temperature on you while you’re listening to live music with friends… I can’t think of many things I like more. One of our favorite concerts this year was Needtobreathe and it was perfect. It was held at an outdoor amphitheater. We danced, laughed, cried… and the weather was immaculate. I highly suggest finding a concert at an outdoor venue this summer! You will not regret it.
8. Sunrise
   1. Watching the sunrise is one of the most spiritual things I do. I feel so connected to God when I wake up and see the first light of day breaking across the sky. I sit there sipping my coffee and just taking it in. It has a way of helping me recenter myself in such a simple way. I tend to take a lot of deep breaths during this wonderful quiet, alone time. My goal is to start meditating each morning during sunrise. Overall, it helps my day start on the right foot. You’re grounded and relaxed. If I still have a bad day, I notice I handle problems a lot better. You can do this all this year around but summer sunrises hit different.
9. Planting
   1. This is a new one for me but one I will be doing every summer from now on. I planted an herb and tomato garden this spring and have been reaping the benefits of that all summer long. I started a garden completely from seeds, it has been one of the coolest, most beneficial things I have ever done and I think a big reason for that is just because of how proud I feel eating food knowing that I started on my own from a seed. I got to watch it grow through all the phases until I was able to take my first harvest. Pico de Gallo tastes WAY better with fresh ingredients. Basil can go in anything. Thyme has many uses and tastes better fresh than from a plastic spice bottle bought from the store. These are only a few things I have learned along the way. It’s easier than you think and way worth the time and effort. I promise!
10. Family game nights
    1. Listen, games are not always my favorite way to spend an evening. But this summer my perspective on that is changing. Many of my friends and family love games and I am starting to come around. Honestly, pulling out a board or card game after dinner and cleaning up, is super fun and such a good way to enjoy each other’s company. Staying up late and sitting outside while doing it is yet another easy, fun summer vibe. 

There you have it!

This is my top ten favorite summer activities. Summer seems to come and go in the blink of an eye. This year I was determined to make it last a little longer. This list has helped me do just that and I hope it helps inspire you as well. Let me know in the comments what your favorite summer activities are and let’s help each other have the best summer we have ever had!