Personalized summer vacation: the best activities of 2017

With the unstructured free time that accompanies summer, some students may accidentally squander their three months of freedom on Netflix and video games. Make the most of vacation by planning ahead. Check out five potential ways to kick off the summer that range from interactive activities in nature to relaxing time indoors. Take the quiz and find out which summer activity is best for you, then explore the results in the descriptions below. 

Lake Calhoun: If getting outdoors is the first priority for vacation, head to Lake Calhoun. The area hosts multiple public beaches, bike paths, and boat rentals. When hunger strikes, head to The Tin Fish which sits right next to the water and offers fresh seafood daily from noon to 8 p.m.

Can Can Wonderland: Looking to get out of the summer heat but stay active? Go to Can Can Wonderland. The unique, retro mini-golf course is an interactive work of art. Try out the collection of antique pinball machines, and snack on classic carnival food. The course is open Thursday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Izzy’s Ice Cream: With summer comes ice cream, and there’s no better place to go than Izzy’s Ice Cream. The local shop makes dozens of flavors of handmade ice cream that are available in two locations; one in downtown Minneapolis and the other on Marshall Avenue in St. Paul.

Minnehaha Park: Take in beautiful views and stay active at Minnehaha Regional Park. Rent a bike for the day, hike on trails to the 53-foot tall Minnehaha Falls, or look over the Mississippi River. The park is open daily from 6 a.m. to midnight.

Walker Art Center: Cool off inside while appreciating contemporary art at the Walker Art Center. After walking through exhibits, explore downtown Minneapolis and the newly renovated Minneapolis Sculpture Garden which reopens in June.