Watch CBS News

WCCO Viewers' Choice For Best Beach In Minnesota

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) - Beach season is upon us, and everyone's angling for their favorite patch of sand.

But of all the beaches in our state, there can only be one Best of Minnesota.

Your votes sent Natalie Nyhus to an urban oasis: Thomas Beach at Lake Calhoun in Minneapolis.

"What better place to be in the city," said Jayne Miller, Superintendent of the Minneapolis Parks and Recreation Board. "You can see downtown."

Lake Calhoun is the largest lake in Minneapolis, the City of Lakes.

"It's also one of the busiest beaches and busiest lakes," Miller said. "There's a lot of people watching."

Surrounded by city parks and circled by bike and walking trails, Thomas Beach is on Calhoun's popular south side.

"This beach was created under Theodore Wirth in the 1920s," Miller said. "As he built out the park system, he created this beach. It's named after Thomas Avenue, which comes up to the beach."

Back then, Thomas Beach was considered a retreat for urbanites, a way to get out of the city and do what Minnesotans do -- go to the lake.

"It's beautiful," said Patty Morris, who was at the beach with three of her grandchildren. "I can see the city and skyline. Aesthetically, it's always been my favorite lake."

Even though the surf's not up at Thomas Beach, there's plenty to do.

"We have log rolling, we have sand volleyball courts, we have rollerbladers, runners, bikers, slack liners who hang out just on the other side of the beach," Miller said.

And it's all open to anyone and everyone.

"Most cities in the United States, bodies of water are privately owned, the land abutting them," Miller said. "In Minnesota, and Minneapolis in particular, the park system was designed so that all of the water bodies had public access along them."

So after 100 years, Thomas Beach remains as it was intended: an urban retreat, open to all.

"Even if you are an urban person, you can't tell me you don't like being out in nature where you breathe differently," Morris said. "We are really fortunate that we can do both. We've got it all,"

"How lucky are we to be in Minnesota, and be in Minneapolis, and have a day like today and be able to hang out at the beach in a major metropolitan area?" asked Miller. "How cool is that?"

Thomas Beach is open daily, with lifeguards working 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. A few of your other favorites were Lake Johanna Beach in Arden Hills, Carver Lake Beach in Woodbury, and Shady Oak Beach in Hopkins.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.