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Four Seasons of Fun

With four distinct seasons and an abundance of natural resources, the Twin Cities area provides a rich array of recreational activities.

Imagine a city with 22 lakes and a metropolitan area with more than 1,000 lakes—and you can begin to get a sense of Minneapolis and the Twin Cities. A 13.3 mile biking/walking/jogging path connects Minneapolis’s Chain of Lakes, providing many beautiful settings for a variety of activities. Each major lake is encircled by two separate paths. One path is for biking and rollerblading in spring, summer, and fall and for cross-country skiing in winter. The second path is for pedestrians and joggers year round (this path does get plowed during the winter!).

Major city lakes have lifeguard-protected sand beaches, docks for sailboats, canoes, and kayaks, and fishing year-round. There are outdoor concerts and plays during the summer at the Lake Harriet Bandshell and other park venues, and ice skating in the winter.

A full four seasons of fun— and the seasons generally are not quite as extreme as some may think!

 

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Video: Richard Martinez, Assistant Professor, Department of Chicano Studies, at the Stone Arch Bridge over the Mississippi River on his way to the University. (click on video to play)

February
May
August
November
29°F
70°F
80°F
40°F

Table: Average high temperatures for the Twin Cities, from www.weather.com.

URBAN PARKS +TRAILS
The Chain of Lakes

Como Park Zoo and
Conservatory

Minneapolis Downtown Riverfront

Minneapolis Parks and
Recreation

Minnehaha Park and Falls

Minnesota Landscape
Arboretum

Minnesota Zoo

Saint Paul Division of Parks and Recreation

Theodore Wirth Park

Three Rivers Park District


OFF-LEASH DOG PARKS
Local Off-Leash Dog Parks and Areas

Minneapolis Off-Leash Dog Parks

St. Paul Off-Leash Dog Park


HISTORICAL SITES
Alexander Ramsey House

Eidem Homestead

Historic Fort Snelling

Gibbs Museum of Pioneer & Dakotah Life

James J. Hill House

Mill City Museum

Murphy’s Landing

Oliver H. Kelley Farm

Sibley House


DOWNHILL SKIING:
Afton Alps

Buck Hill

Hyland Hills Ski Area


CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING:
List of Metro Area Cross-Country Ski Trails



The 72-mile stretch of the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area runs through the Twin Cities.

The Grand Rounds, a National Scenic Byway, is a system of trails, paths, and roadways in a unique urban setting. The regional parks system includes 46 regional parks and park reserves and 22 trails.

four seasons
 
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