Top Spots Near Minnesota To Say Goodbye To Summer
Summer is fleeting, the warm weather quickly turning into autumn chill and then winter freeze. But we've never had a problem celebrating the sunshine in Minnesota. Here are a few ways to send the magnificence of summer off right.
Itasca State Park
36750 Main Park Drive
Park Rapids, MN 56470
(218) 699-7251
www.dnr.state.mn.us
The state's oldest park is more than just another place to pitch your tent and hang out in the lush natural areas before autumn sets in. Over 100 lakes are waiting to be explored by boat, canoe, or the strong arms of swimmers. There are plenty of ways to experience Minnesota's past as well before the cold sets in, with Itasca Indian Cemetery or Wegmann's Cabin open for viewing. As summer turns to fall, the area changes color, changing personality until it is no longer the beautiful summer park it was. Enjoy it while it lasts.
Minnehaha Falls
4825 Minnehaha Ave
Minneapolis, MN 55417
(612) 721-8990
www.minneapolisparks.org
For hikers, bikers, frisbee-throwers, and everyone else outside enjoying the weather, Minnehaha Falls has always been one of the best places to go in summer. Dip your toes into the water, stroll under still-green foliage - and make sure to eat at Sea Salt one last time before it closes up for the season. The small counter-service restaurants, serving awesome seafood (fish tacos, boils, fresh oysters) and cold beer, is one of the best ways top off a day outside.
Spend A Night On Minnesota's Patios
For example, W.A. Frost
374 Selby Ave
St Paul, MN 55102
(651) 224-5715
www.wafrost.com
We have W.A. Frost listed here, and with it's certainly one of the best and most romantic options, but there are plenty of other patios to hit before they close. Psycho Suzi's riverfront patio, and Stella's rooftop or OxCart Alehouse's rooftop should do the trick as well. Summer goes by too fast; when it begins we vow to spend as much time as possible under the sun. But then August arrives and September just around the corner and we realize we haven't made it to half of the places we promised we would. Get a group of friends together, find your favorite patio, and say to goodbye to summer in style.
Como Park Zoo
1225 Estabrook Dr
St Paul, MN 55103
(651) 487-8201
www.comozooconservatory.org
Strolling through grounds, seeing the animals in their expansive habitats, is fun for the whole family. When the cold weather sets in, the animals (just like us) are stuck inside. Como Zoo, and the surrounding park area, is best when the weather is warm.Como Town, the attached amusement park, is an excited addition for kids, and the historic, beautiful-preserved park grounds, with the famed Gates Ajar, and frog's pond, never fail to take your breath away.
Minnesota State Fair
1265 Snelling Ave
St Paul, MN 55108
(651) 288-4400
www.mnstatefair.org
If you haven't been yet... the fair seems to get bigger and better every year. There is always new food to try, new things to see, new rides to ride and new ways to get lost in the spirit of Minnesota. For some, the State Fair is summer in Minnesota. It's ends on labor day, when the real world starts up again, but up until that point you're free. Free to eat, smell, drink, watch, sing, play, dance and then do it all again. No matter you're interests, music at the bandstand, watching the horse shows, shopping at the international bazaar, cataloging how many different fried foods you can eat
Adrian Schramm is a resident Saint Paul writer with a passion for all things local. Through his work with Saint Paul Almanac and Minneapolis Examiner at Examiner.com, as well as in the kitchens of bars and restaurants around town, he has discovered what truly makes the Twin Cities tick.
