For many college students, the summer is filled with working long hours and seeing all the friends who are home for break. However, trying to come up with new places to go and things to do can be difficult. Luckily, living near the Twin Cities means that there is always something going on. After spending 19 summers exploring the cities and making memories with family and friends, I have compiled a list of what, I believe, to be the ultimate Minnesota bucket list for summer fun.
- Shop at the Mall of America.
- Spend an afternoon in Downtown Stillwater.
- Take a weekend getaway to the North Shore — Duluth, Two Harbors.
- Swing dance at The Wabasha Street Caves in St. Paul.
- Cheer on the horses at Canterbury Park Racetrack.
- Visit Candyland in St. Paul Minnesota (try to find all the Snoopy characters while you are in the area).
- Win big at one of Minnesota’s many casinos (Black Bear, Mystic Lake, Treasure Island).
- Hike in Afton State Park on the St. Croix River (or one of the many other State Parks Minnesota has to offer).
- Visit the Walker Sculpture Garden in Minneapolis.
- Watch a movie at the Vali-Hi drive-in theater off Highway 94.
- Walk across the Stone Arch Bridge.
- Stock up on candy at Minnesota’s Largest Candy Store in Jordan, MN.
- Visit one of the many county fairs occurring all over the state throughout the summer.
- Fish on one of Minnesota’s (over) 10,000 lakes.
- Cliff jump and swim in the Quarries in St. Cloud, MN.
- Tube on the Cannon River with Welch Mill.
- Eat too much ice cream at Nelson’s Ice Cream in Stillwater, MN. Pro tip: The child’s size will be more than enough (pictured below).
- Caribou Coffee — This is definitely more than a once-a-summer visit.
- Watch a Minnesota Twins game at Target Field.
- Ride the coasters at Valleyfair Amusement Park.
- Experience a concert at the Xcel Energy Center.
- Spend a day surrounded by the art at the Minneapolis Institute of Art.
- Visit the animals at the Minnesota Zoo.
- See a show at one of the many theaters in the Twin Cities.
- End the summer at the Minnesota State Fair.
How many will you cross off this summer?
