Description: Do not go to Lake Calhoun on weekends! Do not go to Lake Calhoun on weekends! Do not go to Lake Calhoun on weekends!
If you go to any of the three beaches on Lake Calhoun on a Saturday or Sunday, you will find the entire population of Minneapolis, and then some, packed into a very small area. It is nearly impossible to spread out your towel, much less walk to the lake from the beach.
That being said, Lake Calhoun is gorgeous. It has a stunning view of downtown Minneapolis, and there are always plenty of sailboats to gaze at. You'll find a plethora of hard bodies as well, doing their daily exercises.
The beaches themselves are quite nice. The sand is smooth, and there is a large area for lounging. Lifeguards are on duty from noon to 8pm every day of the season. If you're not in the mood for lounging or swimming, there is also a walking and biking path that goes around the entire lake and feeds under Lake Street to Lake Harriet as well.
If you don't want to pay for parking, try to get a spot on the street. Again, this is impossible on weekends, but no problem during the week.
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