By: Audrey Smith

Summer in Minnesota is my favorite time of year. The weather is hot, but the many activities and lakes Minnesota has to offer makes this weather even better. I’ve put together some of the best things to do and places to go in Minnesota in the summer.

The first fun thing to do is spending a day on the lakes in Minneapolis. Some of my personal favorite lakes are lake Nokomis and lake Bde Maka Ska. Both of these lakes have activities such as boat rentals, bike rentals, and places to eat along the shore. I recommend renting a canoe and spending a day on the water.

The next fun thing to do is traveling on the north shore of Lake Superior. Northern Minnesota is a beautiful area of the state, and driving along the Great Lake is an amazing view and experience. My favorite thing to do near the north shore is picking blueberries at Palisade Head at high season in July, and hiking in the area. Palisade Head is in my opinion one of the most beautiful spots in Minnesota.

I also enjoy traveling to Duluth Minnesota. There are many things to do in Duluth, including hikes, places to eat, beautiful beaches, and more.

I also enjoy stopping at pie places along the shore up North. The two spots I visit are Betty’s Pies and the Rustic Cafe.

One more fun thing to do in the summer is go to the Minnesota State Fair. This is one of the largest State Fairs in the country and you wouldn’t want to miss it. It is about a week at the end of the summer before school starts up again, and it’s a fun activity to do for one last summer event before the school year. There are many activities such as trying all the famous foods, like Sweet Martha’s cookies and Key Lime pie on a stick. Many people also enjoy seeing all the animals and fish in the wildlife center. It’s also super fun to go to the midway and go on the rides.