RECREATION & OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
Year-round adventures for all walks of life.
Image by Erica Loeks/Greenspring Media
The Twin Cities are more than just a concrete jungle. Perhaps their most beautiful feature is the lush, green parks spread across the metro. In the Trust for Land’s annual Parkscore index for 2016, Minneapolis donned the crown for best city parks in the country, an honor it has held for the past four years, and St. Paul finished right on its tail in a close second place. Talk about a win-win for residents. With all these beautiful areas, it is easy to see why Minneapolis ranked No. 6 and St. Paul No. 23 in Best and Worst Cities for an Active Lifestyle. With more than 50 parks and reserves and 340 miles of trails crawling their way through Minneapolis and St. Paul, these beautiful spaces will have even the biggest of couch potatoes trading their TV remotes for running shoes.
If you are looking for an adrenaline-packed day, look no further than Valleyfair. This theme park in Shakopee offers thrills in the form of high-energy rollercoasters, a wet and wild waterpark, and myriad other family oriented rides. Brave riders will feel their heart pound through their chest as their train slowly click-clacks its way to the top of the first monstrous drop, and then scream as they touch the sky before plummeting 200 feet back to Earth at 74 mph on the iconic Wild Thing roller coaster. And Xtreme Swing transforms one of your neighborhood park favorites into a 125-foot-high, 60 mph ride through the sky. Full of rides, food and other attractions, there is always an adventure to be found at the Midwest’s largest outdoor theme park.
While we are on the subject of the great outdoors in the Twin Cities, we might as well address the elephant in the room. Yes, it can get cold here, and sometimes it can get really, really cold. But don’t let commonly held myths about this “frozen tundra” fool you. The Twin Cities have more in common weather-wise with Chicago and Boston than our brothers to the north in Winnipeg and Fairbanks. In fact, the Twin Cities are geographically closer to Missouri than Canada, and have more sunny days annually than both Chicago and Indianapolis. So throw on some extra layers and enjoy this incredible winter wonderland—we promise Jack Frost’s bark is much worse than his bite.
Formed by the juncture of a glacier and the Minnesota River, Buck Hill offers 15 ski and snowboard runs, a tubing hill, 11 lifts and one of the best powder-making systems in the Midwest. Just a short drive south of Minneapolis, skiers and snowboarders alike are able to hit the same slopes Olympic gold medalist Lindsey Vonn did while learning to become one of the sport’s very best. With daily group and private lessons and runs varying in difficulty, all skill levels, from shredding through the moguls to learning the ropes on the bunny hill, are welcome. For even more skiing and snowboarding fun, Hyland Hills Ski Area in Bloomington offers nine runs, a terrain park and lessons of their own.
The Twin Cities are also ground zero for other fun-filled winter events including Red Bull Crashed Ice and the Saint Paul Winter Carnival. Filled with activities like the Beer Dabbler, Securian Winter Run, parades, an ice palace and more, this-week-and-a-half-long festival takes place in the heart of St. Paul, attracts more than 250,000 visitors annually, and showcases why winter in Minnesota is truly a magical time.
Recreation IN MINNEAPOLIS & ST. PAUL
MINNEAPOLIS & ST. PAUL Recreation Stories
Valleyfair’s Food Truck Festival
Visit Valleyfair in Shakopee this Saturday and Sunday for the amusement park’s annual Food Truck Festival, featuring nearly 20 different restaurants on wheels.
Little Free Library
Twin Citians embrace their love for books with Little Free Library book exchanges that both inspire life-long readers and add flair to the neighborhood.
Best Twin Cities Sunset Spots
A beautiful sunset deserves an equally awesome spot to watch it from. Check out these Twin Cities viewing spots.
Minneapolis Sculpture Garden Grand Reopening
After two years of construction, the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden celebrates its grand reopening this Saturday, June 10.
Free Outdoor Movies at Target Field
Target Field will be showing free outdoor family-friendly movies this summer
Sensational State Parks: Como Regional Park
With a zoo, gardens, pool, picnic areas, athletic fields and much more, Como Regional Park in St. Paul is one of the best places to play this summer.
Memorial Day Events in the Twin Cities
Check out Memorial Day educational tours at Fort Snelling and a free outdoor concert featuring Rubber Soul The Tribute and Socaholix at the Lake Harriet Bandshell.
Downtown Minneapolis’ Gold Medal Park
Visit Minneapolis’ Gold Medal Park and Stone Arch bridge for a day of fun and relaxation.
Mother’s Day Events
Treat your mom to something special on Mother’s Day. See what festivities are happening around the Twin Cities this weekend to celebrate our favorite women.
Sensational State Parks: Lake Nokomis Park
A hidden gem of the Twin Cities, Lake Nokomis Park has all the amenities you could want and smaller crowds than other parks in the area.
Sensational State Parks: Centennial Lakes Park
With 24 acres of landscaped greenery and a 10-acre pond, Centennial Lakes Park is the ultimate place for a relaxing day at the park in the Twin Cities.
Sensational State Parks: Theodore Wirth Park
Explore the largest park in the Minneapolis park system in nearby suburb of Golden Valley that is filled with fun activities and amenities.
Twin Cities Geocaching Guide
Explore the Twin Cities on a geocaching expedition to local parks and other outdoor attractions.
Top 10 Rainy Day Activities in the Twin Cities
The Twin Cities have fun activities for all ages no matter what the weather forecast says.
Top 5 Paintball Courses in the Twin Cities
Set your sights on these Twin Cities paintball courses for some healthy competition on challenging, must-visit outdoor courses.
Hidden Gems of the Twin Cities: Urban Oases
See how these three green spaces are bringing together communities around the Twin Cities.
Twin Cities Easter Egg Hunts
Meet the Easter Bunny, hunt for eggs, munch on candy and enjoy other fun activities at these egg hunts throughout the Twin Cities.
Biking with Nice Ride Minnesota
Here it comes! Warm weather, bright skies, dry roads and with it comes something just as exciting. Those notable bright green cycles scattered throughout the streets of the Twin Cities are back for their eighth season!
Top 6 St. Paul Hiking Trails
Hit the trails at 6 regional and state parks around St. Paul for a day of hiking and outdoor fun.
Best Birding Locations in the Twin Cities
Grab your binoculars, camera and walking stick and head out to these parks and reserves for birding in the Twin Cities during spring migration.