Located just northeast of Minneapolis, you will find a variety of unique things to do in Lino Lakes, Minnesota. From horseback riding, horse races, and casinos to seaplanes, fat tire riding, and several dining options, Lino Lakes is loaded with fun activities to explore in and around the city.
Come along and let’s discover some of the great things to do in Lino Lakes, Minnesota.
1. Wynoch Farm
First on our list of great things to do in Lino Lakes is a trip to Wynoch Farm. What better place to spend a Sunday morning than among beautiful plants and fresh produce than in this family-run garden center? Take your time browsing among the seedlings, flowers, shrubs, and trees. Check out the range of garden tools. Look for fresh fruit and vegetables to take home. What a selection! The kids can enjoy finding their way through the corn maze and don’t forget to check out the fun in the fall.
2. Marshan Park
Marshan is a lovely neighborhood park that is just the place to take a break from the hustle and bustle of life and recharge. Take a walk, or a hike, along the trail. Let the kids let off some energy in the playground, or on the soccer fields. There is also a huge open area just to play in. Have a picnic on the grass under some splendid trees and watch all the surrounding energy. Or just chill and enjoy the break. All of this will do the trick.
3. Chomonix Golf Course
Chomonix is an 18 hole golf course that opened in 1971. The slope rating of the course is 128 and it is predominantly Bluegrass. Par for the course is 72. Treat yourself to an afternoon on the links, pitting yourself against the course. Or your buddies. After the game, take a well-deserved moment in the clubhouse and celebrate your performance with a drink.
4. Running Aces Casino, Hotel and Racetrack
If you ever wanted a place to try your luck in a lot of ways, then Running Aces is the place to do just that. Spend the evening in the casino, playing the one-armed bandits or taking your chance at the tables. During the day, there is horseracing on the tracks to take your attention and test your luck. In between testing your luck, you can relax in your room in the hotel, which is a mixture between a luxury hotel and a cozy cabin of your own. To take time out from gambling, you can enjoy a show, or have a meal at one of the eateries.
5. Bald Eagle Lake
Next on our list of great things to do in Lino Lakes is a visit to Bald Eagle Lake. This lake gets its name from the bald eagles that nest on the island lake. The island has been used for a number of activities, including boys’ summer camps, and is now privately owned. The lake is not very deep, reaching a maximum depth of 36 feet (11 m), and offers fishermen the opportunity to catch Black Bullhead, Northern Pike, Walleye, White Crappie, and Yellow Perch, among other fish.
6. Lino Park
Sometimes, there is just that place that is the best thing for kids. With 7.5 acres of space and recreation facilities, Lino Park is a favorite with kids of all ages. There is a well-equipped playground, slides and swings, and soccer fields. The looped trail offers somewhere for kids to go that just brings them back to the beginning. And, of course, there will always be a picnic for the kids to be fed when they need restocking for the next round.
7. Wargo Nature Center
The Wargo Nature Center aims to help the community become more aware of nature and to understand the surrounding environment. It is not only the flora and fauna that Wargo targets, but also the cultural elements of the environment. The focus at the center is on helping people of all ages learn about their roles and responsibilities in relation to the natural world. This is achieved through programs offered to families and individuals. The center teaches via displays and an opportunity to touch nature. The gardens are the perfect frame for learning to appreciate nature.
Outside the Visitors’ Center at Wargo, you will find bird feeders set up specifically to attract wild birds. You can also find the butterfly garden, where all the plants have been selected specifically to attract butterflies. Just to round off your visit, you can rent a kayak or canoe and go for a paddle. In winter, there are kick sleds and snowshoes for hire, so that you can explore the surroundings in the snow.
8. Lochness Park
The gardens of Lochness Park are a peaceful place to take in the beauty of the world around you. There are miles of trails through the park, to enjoy on foot or bike. The lake is the perfect place for fishing, or just taking a break and appreciating the view over the water. You can also enjoy a picnic under one of the shelters. The park has a disc golf course for an alternative active enjoyment.
9. Surfside Seaplane Base
Unless you are an airplane boff or going somewhere, visiting an airport would likely be far from your list of things to do in Lino Lines. What if the airplanes are seaplanes, though? The Surfside Seaplane Base will make for an interesting outing, even if only to say you have seen a seaplane take off and land on the water.
10. Adventure Seaplanes
Then it could be your turn to take to the skies at Adventure Seaplanes. They say you can only really appreciate the features, layout, and beauty of the Twin Cities area from the air. Take a ride on a seaplane from the base in Lino Lines. You will never forget flying overhead on a vintage bush plane.
11. Centennial Sports Arena
The Centennial Sports Arena caters to sports and fun year-round. The Olympic size ice field is home to many an hour of skating and hosts both school and college training camps. Ice skate rental and blade sharpening are offered on-site. In summer, the arena is converted into an artificial surface and is used for indoor soccer, lacrosse, softball, and baseball.
12. Shadow Creek Stables
At Shadow Creek Stables, you will not only learn to ride but also to prepare your horse for riding and to clean and care for the tack. If you simply want to learn about horses, the community programs will give you just what you are looking for.
13. Woodloch Stables
Woodloch offers horse boarding and riding lessons. If you have your own horse, this is a good place to keep it stabled. If you are new to horseback riding, then this is the place to learn.
14. Fat Tire Biking
Winter is the time for exploring in unusual ways that you would not think of in Summer. Within the Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Park Reserve, there are 2 miles (3.2 km) of trails that are just perfect for fat tire biking. You can enjoy the beauty of the reserve and stop as you wish to take photographs, or just look at the view. If you are looking for a slightly quicker pace, then take to the trails cross country skiing.
15. Chili Thai Cuisine
One of the favorite eateries in Lino Lines is Chili Thai Cuisine, which is right near Marshan Lake, so you can order a meal, pick it up curbside and go to enjoy it in the park. Make sure that you order the Massan Curry with basil fried rice, or the Maki Sushi and Nagari. Or anything else on the menu, actually!
16. The Tavern on Main
Food of another style awaits you at The Tavern on Main, which is a sports bar and grille. It is a family-owned business, which means that every guest is practically family and the service and atmosphere are always friendly. Look out for daily specials, or browse through the menu for what suits your mood.
17. Fiesta Cancun Grill and Bar
Last, but not least on our list of great things to do in Lino Lakes, is to dine and celebrate at the Fiesta Cancun Grill and Bar. Have the best of Mexican cuisine and enjoy the party mood at Fiesta Cancun Grill and Bar. All the food is authentically Mexican and the drinks are full of Mexican flavor and flair. The atmosphere is relaxed, the service is efficient and your fun is assured. Try the Queso Fundido as a starter, followed by some Arroz con Mariscos for mains. If you want to know exactly what you will be eating, then you will just have to go to Fiesta Cancun.
See or Sea it All Again
Don’t let the ‘lakes’ in the name fool you when you are looking for things to do in Lino Lakes. There is plenty of water fun to have, but you can also go horseback riding, fat tire biking, visit a butterfly garden, or take a bet at the racetrack. When you think you have seen everything, then take a flight in a seaplane and see it all again!
Once you’ve seen all that Lino Lakes, Minnesota has to offer, let us know which activity you enjoyed the most!