The Twin Cities Summer Bucket List: 25 Things Every Local Should Do Before Labor Day

Why Twin Cities Summers Hit Different

When you've spent five months navigating ice and sub-zero temperatures, summer in the Twin Cities feels like a reward you've genuinely earned. The lakes come alive, the patios fill up, the music festivals stack up on the calendar, and the whole metro seems to collectively exhale. The problem is that summer goes fast — and if you don't have a plan, you'll blink and find yourself back in a parka wondering where July went.

On the Water

1. Kayak the Chain of Lakes. Rent a kayak at Bde Maka Ska and paddle through the connected chain of Minneapolis lakes. The route from Bde Maka Ska to Lake of the Isles to Cedar Lake is about 5 miles and takes 2–3 hours. It's one of the best urban paddling experiences in the country.

2. Swim at Taft Beach on White Bear Lake. Clean water, a sandy bottom, and a genuine beach town feel just 20 minutes from St. Paul.

3. Take the Stillwater Lift Bridge walk. The historic lift bridge in Stillwater offers stunning views of the St. Croix River. Pair it with lunch at one of the excellent restaurants on Main Street.

Food and Drink

4. Eat at the Minnesota State Fair. The Great Minnesota Get-Together is non-negotiable. The food alone — cheese curds, Sweet Martha's cookies, pronto pups — is worth the trip.

5. Do a brewery crawl in Northeast Minneapolis. Northeast has more breweries per square mile than almost anywhere in the country. Bauhaus Brew Labs, Indeed Brewing, Dangerous Man, and Able Seedhouse are all within walking or biking distance of each other.

6. Eat dinner on a rooftop. The Hewing Hotel rooftop, the Surly Brewing beer garden, and the rooftop at Spoon and Stable are all excellent options.

Music and Culture

7. See a show at First Avenue. Minneapolis's most iconic music venue has been launching careers since 1970. The main room has hosted everyone from Prince to Lizzo.

8. Attend the Twin Cities Jazz Festival. The free outdoor jazz festival in Mears Park in St. Paul is one of the best summer events in the metro.

9. Watch a movie at the Trylon Cinema. The Trylon is a small, independent cinema in South Minneapolis that shows classic films and curated series.

Parks and Nature

10. Walk the Minnehaha Falls trail. The falls are beautiful, and the trail that runs along the creek down to the Mississippi River is one of the best urban hikes in the metro.

11. Bike the Grand Rounds Scenic Byway. A 50-mile loop of connected parkways and trails that circles the city of Minneapolis. You can do the whole thing in a day or break it into sections.

12. Visit the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. The U of M's arboretum in Chaska is at its peak in summer — thousands of plant species and beautiful walking trails.

Neighborhoods and Markets

13. Shop the Minneapolis Farmers Market. The Lyndale Avenue farmers market is open daily from May through November and is one of the best in the Midwest.

14. Explore the Midtown Global Market. A food hall and market featuring vendors from more than 20 countries — one of the most genuinely diverse food experiences in the metro.

15. Walk the Grand Avenue shops in St. Paul. Independent boutiques, excellent restaurants, and beautiful Victorian architecture. Worth an afternoon.

Day Trips

16. Drive to Taylors Falls. The Interstate State Park has some of the most dramatic geology in the state — ancient lava flows and glacially carved potholes. About an hour from the metro.

17. Visit the Boundary Waters. If you have a long weekend, the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness is one of the most extraordinary places in North America.

Find Local Experts for Your Summer Projects

Summer is also the best time to tackle home projects — landscaping, deck building, exterior painting, and more. Twin Cities Experts has vetted local contractors ready to help.