Are you looking for another fun city to see and more exciting things to discover on your next visit to Minnesota?
You will find an array of fun things to do in Big Lake. Minnesota! Do you enjoy water skiing? This city, which is nestled next to Lake Pepin and many other lakes, is the home of water skiing!
Big Lake will provide you with the perfect location to visit some great state parks, enjoy recreational water activities, including boating.
Whether you plan to view the beautiful lakesides, explore activities around the city, or enjoy the local’s favorite restaurants and bars, there is something for everyone!
Things to Do In Big Lake
Big Lake Community Fair
First on our list of the best things to do in Big Lake is to attend the Big Lake Community Fair, formerly known as the “Business Expo” or “Vendor Fair” in Minnesota.
This community fair is a family-friendly event with information on Big Lake products and services. Here you can sample different foods from around the county and try and win some door prizes!
The Big Lake Community Fair is where businesses, non-profit, and governmental organizations can present information about their products and services and even provide employment opportunities! It’s a good balance of business and fun that the whole family can enjoy!
Big Lake Spud Fest
This spud fest is a big deal around Big Lake, Minnesota. You can even find a countdown all year long till the big weekend on the community website.
This Big Lake Spud Fest is a 4-day community celebration that comes along with lots of entertainment, tasty food, and tons of family fun!
If you want to come and check it out, The Big Lake Spud Fest will be held in June during the weekend of the 23rd through the 26th of this year.
Great River Regional Library
Come explore the Great River Reginal Library in Big Lake, Minnesota!
Here at this city’s community library, you can enjoy a nice quiet moment with a book or participle in their social gatherings, such as their weekly themed activities!
A few of the activities this library will offer you are Art in the Library, Take and Make Crafts, and Cards and Crafts for Teens and Adults! In addition, you can view more opportunities on their monthly calendar located on their website.
Sherburne History Center
The Sherburne History Center near Big Lake, Minnesota, has preserved and made available a complete history of this county.
If you like history and are interested in learning anything more about this Minnesota county, you’re likely to find it at this center!
Expect to dig into and learn even more about the history of Big Lake, Minnesota, with their available guided group tours through their public museum!
Places to Go For a Drink and Food to Try
Lake Cafe
Are you looking for some delicious comfort food? You’ll find just that at Lake Cafe, a hometown dining experience located in Big Lake, Minnesota.
Lake Cafe has a menu that includes breakfast, burgers, soups, salads, comfort foods, dinner entrees, and so much more!
Inside this small-town restaurant, Lake Cafe, expect to find a delicious variety of foods and a mom-and-pop family dining experience you simply will never see with the larger chains.
Trails Grill and Sport’s Bar
Next, look into Trail’s Grill and Sport’s Bar for another well-liked restaurant in Big Lake.
Trails Grill and Sport’s Bar will offer you a menu variety of different foods that anyone’s sure to love! You will find wraps, tacos, sandwiches, burgers, hometown favorites, and more!
You will always find great food and friendly service during your visit to Trails Grill and Sports Bar; whether you want to stop in for a drink or need a bite to eat, Trails will remember you by name!
Big Lake Pizza Factory
Need another excellent recommendation? Come and enjoy a menu variety of specialty pizzas, pasta dinners. salads, and cheesy breadsticks at the Big Lake Pizza Factory!
Big Lake Pizza Factory comes highly rated by its customers and is one of the town’s best pizza places!
At Big Lake Pizza Factory, you can order pick-up, delivery, or choose to enjoy your meal in their well-maintained restaurant! Make sure to order some of their specialty pizza favorites such as Top Of The Line, Taco, Cheeseburger, Atsalottameat, and more!
The Friendly Buffalo
Lastly, this American Pub, The Friendly Buffalo, is located in Big Lake, Minnesota! This pub has been nicknamed “The Buff” and is known for its live music and outdoor bar games.
The Friendly Buffalo will not serve you the typical bar food you’d expect; instead, they call it elevated bar food. You’ll find a high-end menu of entrees, soups, salads, and more. When you visit, try some of their widespread foods, such as their cheesy pepperoni and green olive flatbread or zesty chipotle bleu burger with crispy onions and bacon!
Enjoy a fancy cocktail or two at their full-service bar, and make sure to check out the indoor and outdoor bar games they offer within their restaurant!
Outdoor Activities to Check Out in Big Lake and Nearby
Big Lake, Minnesota
Next on our list of awesome things to do in Big Lake is to spend lots of time at the lake. Get your fill of water sports during warmer months in another great lake! Big Lake is also a well-known fishing spot for locals and tourists to enjoy a day of fishing.
Come soak up the sun and spend a day relaxing and playing on the public beaches of Big Lake, Minnesota!
Lake Mitchell, Minnesota
Come and visit another great lake, Lake Mitchell, and enjoy more water activities such as boating, water skiing, and tubing. You can also enjoy some peaceful fishing along this lake as well. There are just so many great choices of lakes in this area!
Lake Mitchell, which is very close to Big Lake, will also offer you public swimming and shore beaches to relax on for a full, fun day in the sun!
Northstar Commuter Rail Line
Come and ride on the Northstar Commuter Rail Line, located at the intersection of 198th Avenue and County Road 43 NW.
Northstar Commuter Rail Line is a fun and easy form of transportation around the county that offers service between Big Lake and Downtown Minneapolis!
You can choose to ride these rails for a small fee to any of the many stops in Elk River, Ramsey, Anoka, Coon Rapids, and Fridley.
Sand Dunes State Forest
Last, but not least on our list of great things to do in Big Lake is a trip to Sand Dunes State Forest. Come and enjoy visiting the 5,000-year-old sand dunes located at the Sand Dunes State Forest!
If you love to fish, you will find even more fishing spots along the lakes, and for hiking opportunities, explore the miles of scenic trails in the state forest.
You can enjoy a few other activities along the Sand Dunes State Forest: such as biking or horseback riding along the beautiful trails!
Wrapping Up Things to Do in Big Lake, Minnesota
After looking at the activities found in Big Lake, Minnesota, you now know as a lake lover why this extraordinary city needs to make your list, and soon!
You can rest assured that you’ll have a great visit with the many things to do in Big Lake. We hope you enjoy your next vacation to Big Lake and discover what makes this city located in Minnesota so great!
Do you have favorite places in Big Lake you’d want to share with us? We would love to hear your recommendations!
- About the Author
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Born in Madelia, MN, to a now 5-generation Minnesota family, Ryan’s MN roots go deep.
A painter by day, Ryan founded Life in Minnesota in 2013 with his wife Kelly to chronicle their musings on everything Minnesota. Ryan and Kelly are raising their 7 kiddos in Maple Grove, MN.
When he’s not shuttling his kids around to hockey practice, you might find him in the shop working on his leatherwork. Undoubtedly, there will be a family trip to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area every summer, and of course weekends at Grandpa’s cabin up north in the summer.
Elisa Berry
Wednesday 27th of April 2022
I recommend Ember Coffee Company right on Highway 10 in big Lake. It’s a cozy and friendly atmosphere with handcrafted espresso drinks and ice cream. They also have kombucha on tap, and feature backwards bread pastries. Their website is www.embercoffee.com.