Fun in the Sun all Summer Long
Looking for something fun to do this weekend? Don't worry, we've got your back!
Summertime in the Twin Cities is amazing because there are truly so many different things to do! If you aren't escaping to a cabin every weekend (one of our favorite things to do), there's plenty to keep you busy at the home front. Here are some of our favorite things to do in the metro area -
Eagan
Eagan Farmers Market - This Farmers Market is a great way to break up your week! Wednesday nights from 4:00pm - 8:00pm you can visit the market for local produce and for their concert series! They also have theme nights and they are rated Eagan's best outdoor venue for live music.
Cascade Bay - Cascade Bay is an ideal spot for entertaining the kiddos on a hot summer day! With 7 water slides, a lazy river, and the ability to host a party, this will be a hit for hours of the summer with your kids! Visit the site here for details on admission.
Apple Valley
MN Zoo - If you have never been to the MN Zoo, you are missing out! This has been one of our favorite things to do for years. From their amazing habitats for their animals, to the IMAX theater, and adult night out (highly recommend for a date or friend night out!), this place really is quite the treat. The best part is, they have a few indoor exhibits as well if you need to take little breaks from the heat. You can go here to the homepage of the site to see what else they have going on.
MN Zoo Concert Series - This is another great one. Also on the grounds of the MN zoo, this concert series runs all summer long. Outdoor concerts at it's finest allow a smaller venue and the ability to feel close to the performers. Being nestled in the heart of the zoo also helps you feel like you're on a little vacation. It doesn't get much better than that! Go here to see their line up this season.
Family Aquatic Center - Another way to spend the day in the sun and with the family! The aquatic center has plenty of room for a free swim, slides, and a lazy river. Bring your own snacks for the family or get some there. It will be a day to enjoy! Visit the site here for admission and details.
Prior Lake/Shakopee
Lakefront Music Fest - This is a 1 weekend affair, July 13th and 14th, but if you haven't been to this yet, you are missing out! Prior Lake's Lakefront Park is large enough to host a weekend musical festival that has brought in headliners like The Fray and Billy Currington. This year? They have Hunter Hayes, Thomson Square, and Chris Hawkey. So we'll see you there? Go here to check out the tickets.
Prior Lake Farmers Market - This every Saturday market is one of our favorites! Located right in the heart of downtown Prior Lake and right outside some of our favorite shops and Edelweiss, this is a fun stop on a weekend morning! Grab breakfast, fresh flowers, and some local produce for your week ahead.
Valleyfair - If you grew up in the Twin Cities, or spent enough time here, you know this is the place to go to get your local roller coaster fix! Valleyfair is a staple for summer. You can spend hours going from ride to ride, or you can go to their waterpark on the grounds. Not to mention, their website has a bunch of additional events listed, and they're not all just for kids! Go here to plan you day trip.
St. Paul
Saints Games - Does anything say summer more than a good baseball game? The Saint's play at CHS Field which is right new the Lowertown area of St. Paul. Not only are the games fun, the surrounding area has plenty of good eats or bars to go to before or after a game if you please. Check out their schedule here.
Highland Aquatic Center - Here's another great option for the kiddos! This water park may be easier to get to with your family if you are on the east side of town. It is also equipped for a splash area for your really little ones, deeper swimming for you, and an aquatic climbing wall. You can see details for this site here.
Summer Beer Dabbler - This may be a little more of an adult day out. Also a 1 weekend affair, this is a great all day activity for the social beer drinkers in your life. Local breweries join other nationwide craft brewers for 120+ different tastings for an afternoon at CHS field. There's also live music and fireworks at the end of the night. You can see the Facebook invite here.
Minneapolis
Uptown Art Fair - This annual event occurs at the beginning of August. Taking over blocks and blocks of Uptown Minneapolis, stroll the streets to visit different vendor booths, grab some yummy snacks, and go to the wine and beer gardens. This is a family friendly event if your kiddos don't mind the walk, or if you want to push the kids in a stroller. There's lots to see here!
Lake Calhoun (Bde Maka Ska Park) - Lake Calhoun is one of our favorite spots for people watching, a nice walk, or stopping to hang out at one of the beaches. This is especially fun if you then go back into the center of Uptown to enjoy some food after! You can walk just around Calhoun, or go to the adjoining lakes. They also have canoes and kayaks for rent if you want to get out on the water for the afternoon. Bikers are common around these lakes too, so bring your bike along for a more relaxing ride!
Lake Harriet Bandshell - The bandshell is a great place if you want to see some live music! They fill up the summer schedule with a variety of genres and seem to always be buzzing with excitement around their outdoor concerts. The music can range from orchestra to folk. Bring some snacks and make an evening of it! See their schedule here.
Twins Games - We Minnesotan's love our Twins! Target Field is right on the edge of downtown and it worth visiting just for the food options if you aren't into baseball. You can spend the game walking among the levels, stopping for a new snack, or grabbing a drink at one of the few bars on site. The whole family will love this! Pssst, they also sell general tickets that are generally less expensive, you just don't get a seat. So if you are there to bounce around, this is a great option to try!
We could go on and on with more to do in the Twin Cities - there really is never a reason to be bored! What are some of your favorite summer staples in the Twin Cities that we should know about?