Beat The August Heat

The Minnesota State Fair always signifies the end of summer, and if there’s one place it’s packed and hot at the end of summer, it’s the State Fair! Summer is starting to wind down, but that doesn’t mean you can’t stay committed to having a good time! Here’s a list of places we think you should go, instead of, or maybe on top of the fair, to enjoy what’s left of summer while also staying cool! 

1. Paul Bunyan Land: Technically all of Minnesota is Paul Bunyan land, right? It gets even better than that! In Brainerd, MN there is an entire space dedicated to that wonderful, albeit fictitious, man. You can hang out in the amusement park, get some great old tyme photos, and there’s even a big ol’ candy store to get lost in! 
2. Itasca State Park: Welcome to the headwater of the Mississippi, and one of the most gorgeous places you’ll find statewide. Take the family to where they can “walk across the Mississippi,” so they can spread tall tales when they get back home! The head of the river is only 18 feet wide and knee deep, so prepare to get a little wet and have a lot of fun!
3. Jeffers Petroglyphs: This place is rich with history, and a beautiful adventure. This sacred space is covered in the carvings of American Indians where they portray scenes of their lives, along with an educational museum. You can venture through the park alone, or take a tour, but either way it is worth the trip!
4. St. Cloud Quarry Park & Nature Preserve: This trip doesn’t require a huge amount of planning, but it does require a fair amount of sun! It’s not necessarily geared towards bringing your kids along, so it’d be a good time to call your favorite babysitter. With loads of trails, a great swimming hole, and all the beauty you can ask for, this is a great way to cool off and enjoy some nature. 
5. Split Rock Lighthouse: Who doesn’t love a day trip up to Duluth? Anybody that says they don’t, hasn’t done it right… and they haven’t driven past Duluth to adventure out to the Split Rock Lighthouse! Yet another great place full of history, it’s worth the adventure North!
6. Crystal Caves: This one isn’t in Minnesota, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t a great place for a day trip! Not far outside of Minnesota in Wisconsin are the Crystal Caves, where you can wander through on an hour long tour in the caves. If you still haven’t had enough, there’s trails to check out, or you can follow up your tour by panning for your very own gemstones! 

Minnesota doesn’t have to be a boring place, and you shouldn’t spend the rest of your summer stuck inside the house! Check out one, or all of our recommended adventures and then let us know what you think of them! Better yet, share your favorite places to get outside and beat the end of summer heat!

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