Courtesy of Explore Edina
Minnesotans love their outdoor traditions and indoor diversions throughout the year, and Edina in the summertime yields activities and fun that combine both a sophisticated sheen as well as a family friendly, casual energy. Both long-time residents and visitors from around the country and the world delight in Edina’s plethora of restaurants and shops, paddle boats and biking trails, art fairs, golf courses, and walks with a favorite flavor of ice cream cone. Edina combines a sense of tradition with welcome surprises.
Summertime recreation at Centennial Lakes Park draws enthusiastic crowds out to enjoy the best of the warm weather season. The park comes alive with activity throughout the summer, with offerings including a Farmers Market, free movies and concerts by a fun and diverse range of performers in many genres, lawn games, beloved paddle boats (great for a date or for out-of-town visitors), and a putting course for honing golf skills in a casual setting. Artists of all levels love to paint, draw, and photograph the beautiful natural setting of the park, and the 80-foot greenway of the Edina Promenade comprises some of the most relaxing and enchanting views and moments in the Twin Cities, with blooming native trees and plants, safe and well-marked pedestrian and bike paths, and a rotating exhibition of conversation-starting public art.
You don’t have to be a young person to wholeheartedly enjoy the summertime attractions at the Edina Aquatic Center, but go ahead and close your eyes, imagine the sun and the water, and feel like you’re a kid again. (Don’t worry, we won’t tell anyone!) The Aquatic Center is a must-do destination for a perfect summer day, with ample opportunities to swim, slide, zip, dive, snack, and relax in a safe and welcoming environment. Kids love the body slide of the Pirates Plunge while their younger siblings delight in the Lil’ Lagoon Water Playground. The whole family can groove with the Lost Wave Surf Simulator, while the 50-meter lap pool with diving well is a favorite for warm-weather fitness enthusiasts. Season passes are available for making multiple trips more economical—you’ll want to come back again and again—and the center is also available for rentals and parties that everyone will remember once the snow starts falling again.
Courtesy of Explore Edina
For more grown-up tastes, the sophisticated pleasures of Edina’s 50th and France area are unbeatable for variety and charm. Grab a mimosa on a welcoming patio, or sit down for a world-class, chef-driven meal at one of the neighborhood’s award-winning restaurants. Shop for gourmet ingredients for your next evening entertaining on the back deck, or browse the best in fashion in one of the area’s tasteful and chic shops. While 50th and France can exhibit the intrigue and class of a sophisticated friend, it’s also a neighborhood that emphasizes community and connection, with events throughout the summer and an inviting feel from merchants and restaurateurs alike.
Courtesy of Explore Edina
Finally, it wouldn’t be a Minnesota summer without outdoor sports and games, and the re-opening of the Braemar Golf Course has links-lovers of all skill levels abuzz. The new Championship 18 course features restored Oak Savannahs, mature trees, and a responsible wildlife habitat. The course offers youth and adult lessons, the Red River Kitchen for good eating before or after a round with friends, gift cards, and easy-to-schedule tee times—whether you’re looking to shave points off your handicap or simply keep it on the fairway while you enjoy the sun and a cool breeze.
