6 New (Local!) Activities To Try This Summer
BY EMMA GEARY - JUNE 12, 2024
The days are long but a Minnesota summer is short, so why not try something new this season? At LAB, we’re always looking for ways to learn, grow, and explore opportunities outside of our comfort zone. Luckily, the Twin Cities are rife with opportunities to do just that. Here are a few fun local ideas to add spontaneity to your summer and check something unique off your summer bucket list.
Summer Sweets
The lineup of classes at Bakehouse in St. Louis Park will satisfy any sweet tooth, with offerings for date night, kids classes, and more. With decor tips from expert bakers that will help you create a cake too beautiful to eat, Bakehouse is the perfect place to have your cake and eat it too. Looking for something more savory? Cooks Bellecour offers classes on cuisines ranging from Asian street food to a Tuscan steak dinner.
Create in Color
There’s something deeply satisfying about creating something tangible with your hands, which is why summer is the perfect time to try a new skill and flex those creative muscles. Our favorite spot to play is Heartspace, an art studio that focuses more on the process than the product. Allow yourself a moment to explore, make a mess, and take home a creation that’s colorful and completely your own. Heartspace offers workshops and open “Adult Create” sessions weekly, so there’s something for every type of artist (even the ones who don’t think they’re creative!).
Stack Those Books
While I’ve lived a block from my local library for years, this is the first summer I’ve fully embraced the benefits of a trusty library card. With an easy online reservation system and shelves of new titles to discover, visit your local library to pick up a stack of books that pique your interest. Enjoy an afternoon paging through different titles and bringing home new-to-you stories. Throw it back to the grade-school days and celebrate completing your reading goal at the end of the summer with a pizza party! (Grabbing takeout from your favorite pie spot works well, too.)
Paddle Away
Across the Twin Cities, there are so many opportunities to embrace our 10,000 lakes with ease. Try a kayak or paddle board rental at a lake near you–bonus points for getting an annual pass and making it your exercise of choice this season. If you’re a downtown dweller, try the easy self-service kayaks from Paddle Share along the Mississippi River. Prefer a bit more wind in your hair? Learn to sail with a city view at the Minneapolis Sailing Center.
Wine Time
A cold glass of wine in the sun is always welcome, but how much do you know about what you’re sipping? Play with pairings for your favorite foods and experiment with varietals that capture the taste of summer with your newfound wine education. France 44 in Edina offers free classes, or travel through the regions of Tuscany or Portugal with Twin Cities Wine Education. The Vine Room in Hopkins also offers wine education every Tuesday at 6pm.
Design in Bloom
Whether you’re a budding gardener or a flower arrangement admirer, the Twin Cities have a wealth of resources for green thumbs. Make a date with your friends for a Sip N Bloom pop-up at a restaurant or brewery this summer, or dive deeper into the world of horticulture with workshops at Bachman’s or the University of Minnnesota. You’ll have a garden bursting with life in no time.
So, what’s next on your must-try list? Wishing you a summer of exploration, sunlight, and surprises. Cheers!
Emma Geary
Emma is the one writing it all down. She's been with LAB since 2021 and is finishing her MFA in Creative Writing in her spare time. Her favorite color right now is cobalt blue.
