Summer in the City Minnesota

The hardest part about planning that all-important summertime corporate retreat, outing, company picnic, party, conference or team-building session isn’t the planning itself; it’s deciding which activity, get-together, festival, concert or event to select for your guests. With so much to choose from, picking the perfect one can seem a little like standing in front of the Ice Cream Truck trying to decide which flavor cone you want.

Fortunately, meetingpages.com can help you zero in on the perfect festival, happening, theme park, or venue in your city (and even outside the city limits) to make sure your event is a memorable summer experience.

Cool Corporate Retreats, Outings + Team-Building Adventures

If they can’t stand the heat, then get them out of the office—send them rollin’ down the river on one of Padelford Riverboats “theme” cruises, or set them sailing for seventh heaven aboard a Paradise Charter Cruise.

Nothing beats playing a round.  Book your hard-working workforce at Shakopee’s Stonebrooke Golf Club for dazzling water holes, or get them teed off at Brackett’s Crossing Country Club in Lakeville, named 2008 Golf Course of the Year. For a true Scottish experience, they’ll love the links at Brooklyn Park’s Edinburgh USA (kilt optional.) In fact, you can choose from dozens of lush golf courses metro-wide and beyond, including Stillwater’s StoneRidge Golf Club or Woodbury’s Prestwick Golf Club to name a few.

Then again, you may want to set your sites for something a little wild like trap or skeet shooting at the Minnesota Horse + Hunt Club. Or show your team the ropes with climbing challenges at the YMCA Conference + Retreat Center at Camp Induhapi or the Oak Ridge Hotel + Conference Center Challenge Course.

Hot Attractions + Activities

Take your company picnic or party beyond bologna sandwiches to any of the hot attractions in our fine state. Stop and smell the roses (plus 1000 acres of magnificent gardens) at The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum or bet on a winning time at Canterbury Park with live horse racing, poker and casino games. Enjoy the drama of an interactive Murder Mystery at the Wabasha Street Caves or shop ‘til you drop (and eat ‘til you burst) at the 520+ stores and restaurants of the world famous Mall of America.  Hang with the wild life at either the Minnesota Zoo or Como Park Zoo, or hit a homer with a game at the Twin’s new outdoor stadium, Target Field. Take a team photo by the iconic Spoonbridge + Cherry Sculpture at the Walker Art Center + Minneapolis Sculpture Garden’s, go for a spin on all 75 rides at Valleyfair amusement park, or set the pace with a race at the Elko Speedway Champions Event Center.

Sizzling Summer Conferences

Got a conference coming up? Start by booking the finest linens, tents and catering supplies from Ultimate Events. Then guarantee a grand getaway at one of the state’s finest resorts. Grand Superior Lodge on Lake Superior boasts waterside lodging, hiking trails and golf. If you’re casting about for the perfect fishing spot (with great golf, skiing and eateries too) try any of Minnesota’s best offerings -- Ruttger’s Bay Lake Lodge, Whitefish Lodge + Suites or Giants Ridge Golf + Ski Resort. Or bet on good time at Morton’s Jackpot Junction where you will Experience the Difference, Red Wing’s Treasure Island Resort + Casino or Tower’s Fortune Bay Resort + Casino. All feature luxury accommodations, grand meeting spaces and banquet facilities.

If you’re a fool for the city, reserve space at one of the metro’s finest hotels, including Minneapolis’s contemporary Aloft Minneapolis, the classic W Minneapolis - The Foshay or the historic Hotel Ivy, where sophistication and elegance abound.

Sunny Summer Places

Got a different locale in mind? Check in with any of the many Convention and Visitors Bureaus for advice on everything local, from venues to events, lodging and meeting spaces. Set off in any direction from the metro and discover what you’re looking for--up north for the Saint Cloud Area CVB or the Brainerd Lakes Chamber; back east for the Roseville Visitors Association and Red Wing VCB; or down south for the Bloomington CVB, Eagan CVB, Burnsville CVB, Visit Lakeville Minnesota, Owatonna Area Chamber of Commerce + Tourism or Albert Lea CVB.

With so much to choose from, your event is guaranteed to be hot fun in the summertime no matter where it takes place.