Lake of the Isles in Minneapolis, MN

A little off the beaten path for tourists but definitely a must see is the Lake of the Isles in Minneapolis, MN. It was once a stagnant, murky swamp-like area back in the late 1800s. The city decided to dredge up this marshy area which was then turned into a lake. The dredged land was used to build up the surrounding areas and now there are some pricy, classy homes framing this man-made lake.

Today, you will find that this lake is stocked with plenty of fish which attracts fishermen of all ages. While swimming is not really a smart idea, given the cold water, the banks of the lake make for a great place to sun yourself or even have a picnic. Parks and Recreation put up a warming hut in the winter around the lake areas designated for ice skating and hockey and during the summer, it is a great place to set out in a canoe. Of course, any time of year you could take advantage of the trails for biking or jogging.

There are even soccer fields around this Lake of the Isles park area in Minneapolis along with other sporting amenities. And if you are a dog lover, why not take your beloved pet to the 3+ acre dog park? If you have a special permit from the city, you could even unleash your dog so that he can run free without the leash.

All in all, the Lake of the Isles in Minneapolis, MN is a little slice of heaven plopped down amidst a city venue. Beauty such as this park is always a bit unexpected, even in smaller cities like Minneapolis which is why appreciating the Lake of the Isles is that much sweeter.