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As we enter the summer season and temperatures rise, you may want to spend more time outside and explore your Bloomington, MN, neighborhood.
If you want to try a few new and fun activities this season, check out our list of 10 summer ideas to inspire your next adventure.
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Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge
Just a short drive from Bloomington, you’ll be amazed at this alluring urban oasis. The wildlife refuge extends for miles along the Mississippi River and offers great facilities, views, and trails. Start your tour by dropping into the visitor center to choose your destinations and sights you want to see. From there, enjoy strolling along the trail that entices you, where you’ll see a breathtaking variety of indigenous flora and fauna, including deer, bald eagles, beavers, ground squirrels, monarch butterflies, and wild turkeys. After exploring, you can revisit the visitor center to check out the small museum and gift shop. If you’re a bird-lover or photography buff, watch for the abundant variety of bird species from the Mississippi River banks attracted by the many bird feeders.
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The Bloomington Family Aquatic Center
Open daily from early June through early September, enjoy amenities including water slides, an aqua climbing wall, a ramped-entry swimming pool, interactive play features, diving boards, a newly renovated bathhouse, and a tempting concession stand to keep you cool and satisfied all day long.
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Bush Lake Beach
Use a daily or season pass to enjoy one of the state’s most popular beaches within the beautiful Hyland-Bush-Anderson Lakes Park Reserve. Besides swimming, wading, and canoeing, you can also take advantage of the picnic area, concession stands, playgrounds, trails, and volleyball courts to create full days of summer fun.
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Hyland Greens Golf Course
This family-friendly nine-hole municipal course is perfect for leisurely games and offers driving and chipping ranges. More experienced players will appreciate the added challenge of the course’s well-placed water hazards and sand traps. If you want to try something a little different, bring a soccer ball and kick your way around the course for a lively game of footgolf while you enjoy the fresh air, sunshine, and surprisingly fun exercise.
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Nickelodeon Universe
Want to entertain your kids during their break from school and escape the summer heat? Visit the Mall of America to treat them to this indoor theme park. The best time to visit is during the week when the mall first opens. With the unlimited wristband, kids can enjoy themselves for hours and meet fun characters, including Chase from Paw Patrol and SpongeBob SquarePants!
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Lego Imagination Center
Does anyone ever outgrow Legos? Also located in the Mall of America, this interactive experience includes a jaw-dropping three-story montage of characters from Star Wars to Transformers and a designated area stocked with Legos of nearly every shape and size for visitors to build creations. Bonus – this area has no charge or time limit, so children, teens, and adults can completely lose themselves in their masterpieces.
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Normandale Japanese Garden
This hidden gem is a must-see tucked away within the Normandale Community College campus, especially during the summer months. This well-kept two-acre oasis features a central pond surrounded by a loop path where you can stroll over bridges, past koi ponds, and through beautifully designed gardens. It’s the perfect place for quiet reflection and stunning photos. Better yet, there’s plenty of parking, and admission is free.
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Paisley Park
In Chanhassen, a few minutes from Bloomington, visit Prince’s home, recording studio, and museum. The tour includes some of his most iconic costumes, artwork, motorcycles, awards, instruments, and rare music and video recordings. Purchase the VIP package for an extended tour to see more rooms and studio spaces. Plus, on Thursdays, experience a unique opportunity to feel what it might have been like to record with the musical icon.
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The Bloomington Farmers Market
At this weekly gathering of local farmers and producers, meet community members, shop local, and enjoy unbelievable levels of quality and freshness. Visit the East Lot of the Bloomington Civic Plaza for the Outdoor Market and Midweek Music and Market.
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Town & Country RV Park and Campground
Located close to the Mall of America in Savage, MN, this campground boasts over 80 tent campsites and RV spaces with full hookups. Facilities include a heated saltwater pool, a hot tub, a game room, Wi-Fi, a small playground, and free, family-friendly activities. You’ll also appreciate the washers and dryers, clean restrooms, and hot showers. During your stay, take a 1.25-mile round-trip nature walk to the gorgeous Boiling Springs in Eagle Creek.
As you can see from the list above, Bloomington is a wonderful place to live and play. If you’re looking for a thoughtfully designed apartment in Bloomington, MN, in an ideal location, contact us at The Covington Apartment Homes. Our pet-friendly community offers spacious floor plans of studios, one, and two-bedroom homes, and desirable amenities. Our experienced and professional staff is here to schedule you a tour at your convenience, or you can view a virtual tour right now! We can’t wait to help you find the perfect apartment at The Covington.