40 Things You Can Still Do This Summer in Central Minnesota

Sure there's a pandemic. Sure the days are getting shorter. Sure the's not a county (or state) fair in sight. But that doesn't mean there's still not a ton of fun things to do here in Central Minnesota.

Pick your favorite country tune, 'Days Go By,' or 'Here & Now.' What about 'It's A Great Day To Be Alive,' or My Next 30 Years.' It;'s all about getting out and taking what life has to offer. Don't let a little global pandemic get in your way.

1. Hike & swim at Quarry Park.
2. Get some Fair Food from an area vendor parking lot set up.
3. Visit Clemens & Munsinger Gardens.
4. Go camping at Lake Maria State Park.
5. Get some take-out and have a picnic at Lake George.
6. Happy Hour on the patio at the Green Mill in St. Cloud.
7. Run around in the Eastman Park splash pad.
8. Drink from your backyard hose.
9. Go fishing on a Lake Mille Lacs resort launch.
10. Go for a swim at Warner Lake County Park.
11. Ride some rides at the MOA's Nickelodeon Universe.
12. Hit the mini-golf and go-carts at Summerland.
13. Burn your mouth on a freshly-roasted marshmallow (graham crackers & Hershey bars optional).
14. Make some sidewalk chalk drawings.
15. Grab a shake, burger, and a mountain of fries at Val's.
16. Adopt a City of St. Cloud storm drain.
17. Skip dinner and fill up on ice cream at Mr. Twisty's.
18. Hit up St. Cloud's Saturday morning Farmer's Market.
19. Have a bonfire.
20. Enjoy a growler from Beaver Island Brewing.
21. Go stargazing far away from the city lights.
22. Lunch on a sidewalk set-up somewhere on West St. Germain.
23. Feed a giraffe at Hemker Park Zoo.
24. Run through a sprinkler, play corn hole, lounge in a hammock.
25. Have a backyard picnic with your family.
26. Got to a St. Cloud Rox Game.
27. Cruise garage sales on a Saturday morning.
28. Rent a come or kayak from Clear Waters Outfitting.
29. Bike the Lake Wobegon Trail.
30. Win some moolah at Grand Casino in Onamia or Hinckley.
31. Rent an RV from Pleasureland and hit the road.
32. Have a slice of pie and coffee at Kay's Kitchen.
33. Explore the Stearns History Museum.
34. Rollerblade the Beaver Island Trail.
35. Go for a hike at Rockville County Park & Nature Preserve.
36. Golf one of Central Minnesota's courses.
37. Pray for NFL football this fall.
38. Play frisbee golf at Riverside Park in St. Cloud.
39. Float the Platte River near Royalton.
40. Listen to 98.1 Minnesota's New Country.

I'm sure there are a ton of other things that I didn't think of, so shoot me your ideas for this list at pete@minnesotasnewcountry.com.

Pete Hanson is on 98.1 Minnesota's New Country weekday mornings from 5:30 to 10:00.