Outside in Minnesota!
Help us inspire other Minnesotans to get out and enjoy the outdoors!
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Minnesotans! How are you getting outdoors?Share what you're up to this season by commenting in this blog, sharing via this survey or by emailing sporter@mpr.org. You can also share with us via Twitter and Instagram with #OutsideinMN. Be sure to include any photos, videos or audio from your adventures with us, too!For even more resources on getting outdoors — including a calendar of outdoor events near you and weather updates — download our "Outside in MN" app on iOS or Google Play!
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If you need some more inspiration, check out this bucket list we compiled a few years back:
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Cool treats to beat the heat
"Go to Nelson’s Ice Cream in St. Paul or Stillwater. Their kid’s size cone is practically the size of your face! They have a fun variety of flavor choices too." — AnneliesCurious? Here's more on Nelson's Ice Cream. -
Never been to the North Shore
Fog descends among the treetops to Baptism River Tuesday, April 9, 2019. Photo by Derek Montgomery for MPR News "Definitely would love to finally hike along the North Shore this summer! Minnesota born and raised and never been! Here I come Lake Superior!" — Julie -
Underground adventure
A tour group makes their way through Niagara Cave near Harmony, Minn., on June 21, 2011. Photo by Andrew Link | Winona Daily News. "Tour Niagara Cave in Harmony, Minn. It’s so cool! You can see an underground waterfall and fossils. Very different from the rest of Minnesota." — Anonymous -
Cooking that chases the bugs away
"Bonfire with a hot dog roast and s’mores are a summer must have for me. Nothing like enjoying the evening with friends and food., plus the smoke chases away the mosquitoes." — GretalCheck out some user submitted campfire recipes here! -
Bring on the bees
A bumble bee climbs into a rose. Photo by Euan Kerr | MPR News 2016 "I’m really excited to plant a bee-friendly pollinator garden! I’ll be enlisting my three boys to help research the appropriate flowers we should choose, and then they’ll assist me in planting. We’re thrilled to attract bees to our garden and also to help the environment!" — MargotWant to bring bees to your backyard? Here's one Minnesota author's guide. -
Pizza on the farm
"We always make a family trip to AtoZ Produce in Stockholm, Wis., for a ‘pizza on the farm’ night. The pizza is spectacular but I always say that the the scenery on the drive down is worth it alone!" — AnonymousAny other pizza farm fans out there? -
Helping others enjoy the open road!
"I've been riding motorcycles for almost nine years, have ridden probably 70k+ miles, and have taken the advanced and expert riding courses offered by Minnesota Department of Public Safety several times. This summer I'm hoping to be certified to coach motorcycle safety for the state. It's a pretty big deal for me, as the coaches tend to be among the better riders out there, and being good enough to join that cadre is somewhat daunting. However, even if someone doesn't want to coach, taking the courses offered by the MSF or attending one of the track/training events (like Hedonistic Enthusiasm next Sunday at DCTC) is a great way to maintain (and improve!) riding skills while having an absolute blast doing it!" — Alan -
Taking it easy
Here are some folks heading outside just to relax (a completely valid summer bucket list activity.)"Hammock time! That one is a permanent item on my bucket list." — Beth"We have a little beach house with a swinging bed in it. It’s our summer retreat and always enjoy getting it ready for a season of reading." — Diane"Having fun in the sun out on the beach." — Anonymous -
Hoping to settle down in a sunny spot and read this summer? Here are some books you'll want to take a look at.
Summer must-reads: Family secrets, sci-fi and buried history
From military fumbles to astonishing memoir to ghost stories on the frontier, this list of summer reads takes wild detours. What's on your summer reading list? -
Canceled due to flooding
Fort Snelling State Park assistant manager Nick Bartels talks about the plan to get the park's Snelling Lake fishing dock back in the water after flood waters beached the dock on a park path. Photo by Tim Nelson | MPR News "Unfortunately both Crosby Farms and Fort Snelling parks are closed due to flooding." — SharonIt's a bummer when your favorite summer spot is still a no-go zone after the spring flooding. What obstacles are you encountering as you start to plan your summer adventures? Let us know in the comments here or by using the form at the top of this page. -
The weather is going to be great the next few days. Perfect hiking weather!
5 great Twin Cities hiking spots for an afternoon outside
These are five of the finest hiking spots you can hit via public transit in the metro area. -
If going to a Twins game is on your bucket list you might want to check out their new bag restrictions before you head out.
Twins to ban backpacks, big bags at ballpark; no more emptying pockets
Only single-compartment bags will be allowed. The security changes come as the team's fortunes on the field have improved and security staff have struggled to get people quickly into Target Field while screening out weapons and other dangers. -
Bad news for those who had this special museum visit on your list. :(
Duluth's floating ship tourist attraction the William A. Irvin to be closed another year
The renovation of the iron ore freighter turned floating museum in Duluth had to wait for ships active on the Great Lakes. -
Getting caught in a storm isn't exactly something you want to plan for this summer, but this story MPR News editor Andrew Krueger is a good reminder that sometimes it pays to take the road less traveled!
As storm clouds swirl, an unexpected sanctuary appears in a small Minnesota town
On a turbulent afternoon in southern Minnesota, a random right turn and a chance encounter provided shelter from the storm — and a glimpse of history. -
Waiting for rain
Families pose in front of the rushing Minnehaha Falls in Minneapolis on June 29, 2014. Photo by Luke Taylor for MPR News. "Minnehaha Falls after a big rain. So pretty. And [accessible]." — AnonymousSpeaking of storms, here's an activity where a rainy day isn't a bad thing. What are some activities you enjoy that are made better with rain clouds? -
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Summer fun for the whole family
Updated: June 11Here's a look at what some folks are planning with their kids this summer. Join in on the conversation in our Raising Kids in Minnesota Facebook group."We are trying to hike every state park with our son, so we will visit a few more this summer. Also on the list: the Franconia Sculpture Park, canoeing on the St. Croix, and eating the world's best donuts in Grand Marais." — Maud"Hit every water park we can and have a family camping trip." — April"At least 2-3 trips up to Rainy Lake and we’re also doing an RV trip to the Black Hills 🌟" — Terri"Like many parents, I need to work over the summer. However, since the kids don't have school, I find I spend more time getting kids to activities than I do during the year, and have less time for my friends. Another friend who also works proposed a way to see each other over the summer: once a week, we meet up for the open swim at a local pool. The kids splash around and (hopefully) wear themselves out, and we get to spend time together. I have to admit, even though we are taking trips and have fun activities planned as a family, I'm most excited about lounging at a pool with a good friend." — Marta"We made a list last night at my 5-year-old's suggestion. Includes:
Reading the hobbit together.
Going to the bakery in Loretto, Minn.
Camping
Lots of time at parks and pools. (We try to do at least one night a week at a neighborhood park/pool with friends and dinner there.)" — Bethany"Park Point Beach in Duluth. Feels like the ocean, sandy and warm and gorgeous." — Anna"I will be tent camping with a Scout troop at Many Point Scout reservation for a week. My son is Scoutmaster and my grandson is an Eagle Scout. Three generations of Scouts will be there. Will probably spend most of my time there assisting merit badge counselors." — Roger -
Trying something new!
"I have a crazy busy summer planned, with several firsts:1) I’m going to try bicycle camping. Bike 30 miles with camping gear from Minneapolis to Carver Regional Park.2) Hammock camping.3) Wild cave tour at Mystery Cave with my 14-year-old nephew4) Adding two more State Parks to my State Park passport and experiencing the Soudan Mine Tour.5) Camping at a kayak campsite in Tettegouche State Park and doing day trip kayaking on the Superior Water Trail."
— Cynthia ReussWow! Way to go Cynthia! Is anyone else trying something for the first time this summer? -
Summer with a little bit of everything
"Fishing from shore Mississippi River and Minneapolis lakes and Minnehaha Creek. Bicycling around Hennepin County. Gardening in my yard. Eating (and cooking) outside in my yard and local parks and rarely restaurants. Concerts/music outside in parks and commercial venues." — Mary Yamashita -
Helping pollinators this summer!
It's #PollinatorWeek! We've had a few people write in saying that their goal this summer was to help pollinators. Whether it's keeping your own beehive, raising butterflies or planting a pollinator-friendly garden -- we've got some information you'll want to take a look at!
Minnesota author's guide to a bee-friendly backyard
With Minnesota beekeepers reporting they lost half of their bee colonies last year, some people are looking for ways to help pollinators thrive. A new book offers advice for urban gardeners.
Here's the colony-killing mistake backyard beekeepers make
While experts welcome the rising interest in beekeeping as a hobby, they warn novices may be inadvertently putting their hives, and hives for miles around, in danger.
How to plant a pollinator-friendly garden
"People are really understanding that the key to helping all of the bees and monarchs is getting more flowers in the ground," said Marla Spivak, a professor of entomology at the U of M.
Can planting more milkweed save monarch butterflies? It's complicated
Conservationists have long blamed farmers' use of pesticides for decimating the milkweed that monarch caterpillars like to eat. But scientists say simply planting more milkweed isn't the answer.
