Offering 28 parks and numerous indoor and outdoor activities you will find a ton of awesome things to do in Sartell, Minnesota. Enjoy the peaceful outdoors while hiking through beautiful natural surrounds or participate in one of the many organized runs held throughout the year.
What more activity could you ask for? Come along for a splash in a splash pad, visit a cultural site, or go bowling at one of the largest bowling facilities around? Including festivals, golf, and more, the list of fun things to do in Sartell, Minnesota will keep you busy throughout the year.
1. Watab Creek Park
Watab Creek Park must be the dream destination for the family. With a wading pool, playground with great equipment, swinging benches, and plenty of places to picnic, the whole family will have so much to keep them busy. Then, when you get hungry, head over to the picnic tables where you can have a family picnic or barbecue on the grills.
The fun does not end there. The park has a splash pad for some water fun and there is a softball and a volleyball pitch for some more organized games. If you want to make an occasion of it, then you can rent the park shelter and enjoy yourself with friends and family.
2. Sauk River Regional Park
Sauk River Regional Park is the perfect place to take a hike. There are trails you can follow to enjoy the peace and quiet of nature. A different kind of fun awaits you when you visit the water feature or the sliding hill. Why not let your inner child out?
3. Old Sartell Bridge
IN 1914, a bridge was built over the Mississippi River to join east and west Sartell. Now, the bridge is not accessible to the public, but you can still admire the 400 main spans and imagine the thousands of horses, carriages, and motor vehicles that crossed the bridge until 1984 when it was closed.
4. River Boat Depot Bar and Restaurant
If you and your group of friends want a night out to enjoy each other’s company in a vibing and busy atmosphere, then head for River Boat Depot Bar. Of course, there is also the restaurant where you can enjoy a delicious meal together. The ranch dressing is homemade and comes highly recommended.
5. Benton County History Museum
Benton County History Museum is home to a lot of resources, including books, documents, and government records. If you have an interest in your family and want to trace them as far back as possible, then the museum has the most comprehensive set of resources for this. It also houses a history of the Ojibwa and Sioux peoples, as well as information about the history of the whole area – including pictures of the first settlers in the county.
6. River Bowl and Partners Pub
Great River Bowl has been bowling Sartell over since 1979 and is still going strong. There are 32 lanes available, so you can understand why the capacity can be up to 940. If your looking for indoor things to do in Sartell, then River Bowl is definitely the place to take family and friends – and to have a party. Despite the size of the facility and the number of people that pass through the doors, the owners still strive to have some form of personal interaction with their customers.
7. Sartell Rotary Park
Minnesota has 10,000 lakes, so it’s not a surprise that water activities are very important in the state. Of course, there is also the Mississippi River that runs through cities like Sartell. What better way to spend some time sitting on the banks of the river with a fishing line waiting for a fish to bite? One of the best places to do this is Sartell Rotary Park. The fishing is excellent, the pier best suited for some serious angling and there are picnic benches for a quick snack between bites.
8. Pinecone Regional Park
Apart from being a beautiful park to enjoy, with easy access to walking trails and basketball hoops for you to use, there is a Rollerblading Rink at Pinecone Park. Bring your walking shoes, your picnic blanket, and your skates for a day of fun.
9. Celebration Pool and Park
When the sun is beating down, and you just have to find some cool, then head for Celebration Pool and Park. This pool is open to the community and has permanent shade structures to keep you out of the sun when you’re not in the pool. The kids can also enjoy the slides in the playground.
10. Golf
Never mind all the lakes in Minnesota, there are also some lovely golf courses. And two of them are right in Sartell.
Blackberry Ridge Golf Club
Blackberry had some lovely wooded terrain around the golf course, which is designed to challenge golfers – both playing recreational golf and league golf. The expert golf pro is on hand to give some tips to all members and guests. After a good game, there is always Grill 19, where you can enjoy a drink and something special off the menu. The club also has facilities for weddings, so it really does cater to everyone.
Pine Ridge Golf Course
If you are looking for a shorter game of golf, then Pine Ridge is just for you, with its nine holes. The course presents a challenge for the golfer, with trees and ponds around the holes. Let off some steam and practice your swing and aim at the driving range. If you are feeling just a little more competitive than during an average game of golf, you could play in a fun league.
11. Sartell Farmers Market
Sometimes you just need some fresh produce, don’t you? Heading down to the Sartell Farmers Market will mean you’ll be able to find what you are looking for. What is even better is that the fruit and vegetables are straight from the farm. Don’t stop there, though. You’ll also find excellent quality beef and chicken for sale, as well as various sauces, bread, and caramel corn to fill up your shopping basket.
12. Runs and Festival
Some of the most fun things to do in Sartell are the annual festivals and runs that take place throughout the year.
Runs
March is the time to take part in the Pot ‘o Gold run, which offers a 1 km (0.6 miles) and a 5 km (3 miles) option, depending on your level of fitness.
The 5 km (3 mile) Dezurik is run in April, as the weather is warming up.
May is the time for the Apple Duathlon, which is a multi-sport event that will challenge your fitness levels in different ways.
In September, the Rays of Hope Walk is something not to miss. This is a candlelit evening walk, which you will remember for a long time.
October means Halloween and Sartell observes this in style, with the Arc Midstate Freaky 5 km (3 mile) run. Naturally, this is a Halloween-themed event.
As a prelude to Christmas, the Jingle Bell 5 km is run in November, to involve the community and get you in the spirit.
Festivals
The Sartell Community Showcase is staged in March. This is the time to enjoy games, activities, and entertainment with your family and members of the community.
June is time for the Sartell Summer Fest Parade. Get ready for some impressive fireworks and historical tours of downtown Sartell.
In September, you could be part of the St Francis Xavier Frantober Fest, where you can find your favorite food amongst those available. Or you could discover a new taste.
The year ends with the Country Lights Festival, with the 100,000 lights to usher in the festive season.
Grab Your Keys
From the numerous parks and outdoor adventures to the great eateries and indoor activities, if you’re looking for fun things to do in Sartell throughout the year, we’ve got you covered. Grab your keys, this list, and head on out for some great adventures while discovering all the awesome things to do in Sartell, Minnesota.
If you’d like to suggest another awesome activity to do in Sartell, please let us know by leaving a suggestion or comment below.
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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.