It's Summer and I'm Bored...and Broke..

There are free things to do, if you take a look around. Here are some activities you might want to check out:

First, some North Metro events:

Coon Rapids Dam has a series of free music events through the summer: some highlights include a Tribute to Elvis on 6-28; Family Pop Music on 7-12; and Island Party Dance on 7-26.

Springbrook Nature Center in Fridley is free to roam, offers free parking, and they also have Friday Night Movies for free. Movies start at 6:30. The movies are all G-rated and you can buy popcorn and lemonade for $1 if you choose to.

Anoka will have free music every Sunday evening at 7:00 p.m. in the George Green Park.  There will also be a Riverfest in Anoka on Saturday, 7-14-2012, in downtown Anoka, featuring live music, crafts, ghost tours, and free boat rides.

Blaine  will hold a Family Fun Night on July 17 from 6-8:00 p.m. at Aquatore Park featuring free ‘kiddie’ games, music, and you can check out a real police car and fire truck.

Check with your own city to see if they offer similar activities such as concerts in local parks, local festivals, or carnivals coming to your area to keep you active this summer. If you aren’t on a softball league, you could go and watch teams play close to your home-that would be free (bringing a lawn chair would be a good idea). You could also consider participating in the National Night Out in August, to meet new neighbors or get together and have food and entertainment with people who live near you.

Here are some other ideas for things to do:

Minneapolis Institute of Arts – free admission (parking is not free—plan on about $5 per car)

Walker Art Institute and Sculpture Garden (Cherry Spoon Bridge) is free on the 1^st Thursday of the month.

In late July and early August, you can watch the Vikings train in Mankato for free (if you can afford to travel to Mankato).

The Twin City River Rats is a group of waterskiers that perform tricks and formations in their weekly shows. You can watch them free at any of their events. The address given was 1758 West River Road in Minneapolis, and they generally do their show on the Mississippi River. For more details visit their website at tcriverrats.com .

Como Zoo south of Roseville is free, with extensive animal exhibits including a butterfly ‘house,’ and many interesting plant species, as well as a small ride park (that part is not free) and plenty of space for picnics and bike riding.

To find free live music events and outdoor movies in Minneapolis, go to mplsmusicandmovies.com and see what’s happening.

Enjoy your summer---and be safe!!