8 Things to Add to Your Summer Bucket List

With summer in full swing , daydreams about lake days, park strolls, and picnicking are likely swirling around in your mind. Long, sunny days are ahead, and the possibilities are endless. To help indulge your summer reveries, we have developed a list of eight must-dos around the Twin Cities to add to your bucket list. Get ready to bask in the satisfaction of a summer well-planned.

Courtesy of Afton Apple

Go Berry Picking

Why buy batches of fruit at the grocery store when you can pick your own at a locally-grown farm? Grab a pale and pick strawberries at Afton Apple in Hastings or The Strawberry Basket in Monticello from mid-June through early July. Most strawberry patches also allow customers to cut their flowers and make a bouquet. Revel in your hand-picked berries and flowers!

Play Mini-Golf

If you are a fan of some friendly competition outdoors, bring your friends and family along for a game of mini-golf. There are a variety of mini-golf courses throughout the metro — some favorites include Edina’s Centennial Lake Park , St. Paul’s Como Park , and Bloomington’s The Links at Dred Scott putting course. If you want to make a night out of it, head to Puttery in Minneapolis for themed cocktails and cuisine at every course.

Take a Day Trip

Everyone needs to get away every once in a while, but long road trips and airfare are not always realistic options. Venture to new destinations near the Twin Cities. Check out our recommendations for day-trip ideas, all within 90 miles of the metro.

Visit a Sunflower Field

What better way to celebrate summer than to stroll through a beautiful sunflower field? Sunflower fields offer picturesque views and are grown in various locations throughout Minnesota. Look at the location-specific bloom times before you go, and check out Fish Sunflowers or Treasured Haven Farm .

Photo by Katie Klingbeil

Go to a Drive-in Movie Theater

Take a step back in time and enjoy the outdoors while watching your favorite movie. Drive-in movie theaters offer an idyllic place to spend a summer evening with the comfort of your car, blankets, and concessions on hand. While drive-ins are fewer and farther between, a number of locations throughout Minnesota offer weekly movies. Starlite Drive-In in Litchfield and Verne Drive-In in Luverne are options with family-friendly screenings available.

Gaze at the Stars

Get an evening away from the city pollution and breathe fresh air while observing the stunning night sky. Try Afton State Park or the Eagle Lake Conservatory for a short drive from the Twin Cities. If you are Up North, visit the Superior National Forest for dark skies and bright stars.

Read a Book by a Minnesotan Author

Summer calls for beach reads and a little escape from reality. Abby Jiminez is a popular romance author living in Minnesota. One of her latest books, “Just for the Summer”, is set in the Twin Cities. Or head to Birchbark Books to grab the latest Louise Erdrich page-turner. Curl up on your couch or lawn chair, and happy reading!

Have a Beach Day

Take advantage of one of Minnesota’s 10,000 lakes and spend some quality time relaxing in the sun (don’t forget the SPF!). Play some water sports, go fishing, or relax in the sand at your leisure. Explore some of our top beach picks around the Twin Cities for ideas.

Courtesy of the city of Saint Paul

Make the most out of the blue skies and warmer weather, and explore everything our great state has to offer. Whether you choose some activities from this bucket list or compile your own, we hope you enjoy the outdoors and make new memories with your loved ones this summer. Cheers!

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