Chain of Lakes

The Minneapolis Chain of Lakes is a connected series of urban lakes with surrounding parkland that represents the best of what makes Minneapolis an exceptional family city. The chain includes Lake Harriet, Bde Maka Ska (formerly Lake Calhoun), Lake of the Isles, and Cedar Lake, all linked by the Grand Rounds bike path -- one of the most celebrated urban park systems in America.

For families, Lake Harriet is the star. Its north beach has a sandy swimming area with lifeguards on duty in summer, and the water is clean and comfortable for swimming by mid-June. The Lake Harriet Bandshell hosts free concerts most summer evenings at 7:30 PM -- families spread blankets on the sloped lawn, eat picnic dinners, and kids dance in front of the stage while local and touring musicians play jazz, rock, folk, and world music.

The atmosphere is pure Minnesota summer magic.

The Bread & Pickle cafe at Lake Harriet serves burgers, sandwiches, salads, and ice cream at a lakeside counter with picnic table seating overlooking the water. Lines form at lunch on hot days, but the food is good and the setting is hard to beat.

A restored vintage streetcar runs between Lake Harriet and Bde Maka Ska on summer weekends ($2/ride). The short, charming ride along the lake delights younger kids.

Bde Maka Ska (the largest lake in the chain) has the most active recreation scene -- sailboats, kayaks, paddleboards, and canoes share the water. Rental operations on the north shore offer kayaks ($15-20/hour) and paddleboards ($20-25/hour). The surrounding bike path is the busiest section of the Grand Rounds.

The Grand Rounds itself is a 50-mile network of parkways and paths connecting all the lakes. The section through the Chain of Lakes is flat, paved, separated from car traffic, and provides a family bike ride that showcases the best of the Minneapolis park system. With younger kids, biking just the Lake Harriet loop (3 miles) is manageable. Ambitious families can ride the full chain.

In winter, the lakes freeze solid (usually by late December) and the parks department maintains ice skating rinks with warming houses on Lake Harriet and Lake of the Isles. Cross-country skiing trails follow the lake paths. Ice fishing appears on the larger lakes. The winter transformation is dramatic and experiencing it is quintessentially Minnesotan.