Photos courtesy of Twin Cities Gateway Tourism
With Minnesota’s largest outdoor water park, a tropical indoor waterpark, a slew of splash pads, and some sweet local ice cream shops, we’ve got plenty of ways to stay cool and refreshed all summer long!
1. Catch Some Waves
Splash around at Minnesota’s largest outdoor water park, Bunker Beach! This expansive oasis of summer fun now features six towering waterslides, a 900′ lazy river tubing experience, leisure pool with climbing wall, a zero-entry pool with a water play structure, a creative sand play area, and as always, Minnesota’s largest outdoor wave pool! Large open areas for sunning and relaxing are scattered throughout the water park. Concession options, changing rooms, and a metro-area location, make Bunker Beach a perfect family destination.
2. Head To the Tropics
You don’t have to go far to experience a tropical vacation! Come experience this tropical-themed waterpark with activities designed for all ages at Tropics Indoor Water Park at the Shoreview Community Center. Enjoy Shipwreck Beach, its zero-depth play area that features a shipwreck boat slide, interactive splashing palm tree, and challenging and fun water walk. In the main pool, play water volleyball, slam-dunk a basketball or climb aboard one of the giant floating sea creatures that provide hours of family fun.
Riders of it’s three-story “Shark Attack” water slide will be able to experience our one-of-a-kind jukebox system. Riders will be able to choose from over 100 songs and enjoy a custom light and music show while they twist and turn down our thrilling slide. Adults can escape from the bustle of the waterpark and relax in the adult-only whirlpool and on the patio area.
3. Splash Around
For a quick cool-down, head to one of the many free community splash pads in Twin Cities Gateway! Head to the Splashdown Splash Pad at City Hall Park in Mounds View for a fun and refreshing time for the whole family!
4. Jump in a Lake!
Like we said, Minnesota is the Land of 10,000 Lakes, so we’ve got plenty of great beaches to enjoy and lakes to cool off in.
Long Lake Regional Park offers endless miles of biking and hiking trails, two playgrounds, sand volleyball courts, a fishing pier, and picnic areas, leading up to one of the largest beaches in the Twin Cities area.
5. Grab A Scoop of Ice Cream
Nothing says summer more deliciously than ice cream. You might consider it the cherry on top of a perfect summer day. You’ll find several premium ice cream parlors in the Twin Cities Gateway—each with its unique spin on a classic summer treat.
You can start your ice cream tour de yum in Coon Rapids at Cullens Ice Cream, where every day is sweet. You’ll find 32 flavors of hand-scooped ice cream, old-fashioned glass bottle soda, vintage, and specialty candy, and homemade vegan/dairy-free desserts.
Grandpa’s Homemade Ice Cream produces artisan homemade premium ice cream in small batches on site in Fridley. Grandpa’s strives to have unique flavors that you won’t find in other ice cream shops such as lime basil sorbet, blue moon, maple nut, maple bacon, black licorice, lavender, rosemary, and horchata.
Last, but certainly not least, you can dip your taste buds into the dreamy, creamy treats at Big Dipper Creamery in Blaine. Big Dipper is a family-owned business with a passion for ice cream that runs three generations strong. Variety is the spice of life, or, as they like to say, the sweetness of life, and they offer 52 flavors of ice cream available every day.
