Being the Land of 10,000 Lakes – not to mention rivers, creeks, and other bodies of water – Minnesota is home to more than a few waterfront towns. Each has its own charm, from riverside restaurants to lovely downtown shops. But there is one waterfront town that blows the rest out of the water. Detroit Lakes has endless opportunities for fun this summer, and you have to plan a visit. Here’s why:

Detroit Lakes is a northern Minnesota town about 200 miles northwest of the Twin Cities.

UMINN44/Wikipedia

This charming town has plenty to do all year…

Visit Detroit Lakes MN/Facebook

…but summer is its time to shine.

Visit Detroit Lakes MN/Facebook

Detroit Lakes lives up to its name. There are nearly 500 lakes within a 25-mile radius of the town.

Gene/Flickr

Any one of them is great for fishing, swimming, boating, or just enjoying the view. The town even has a beach perfect for a day in the sun.

Visit Detroit Lakes MN/Facebook

If you really want to spend some time outdoors, plenty of campsites and cabin rentals are available in and around Detroit Lakes.

Rainbow Resort/Facebook

A long weekend stay will give you all the time you need to explore the waters.

Rainbow Resort/Facebook

Speaking of exploring, there many trails in the area, too. Take a few hours to explore nearby Sucker Creek Preserve or Dunton Locks County Park. Both are wonderful excuses to get outdoors.

Visit Detroit Lakes MN/Facebook

If you want to get a little more extreme, check out the paths at Detroit Mountain Recreation Area.

Detroit Mountain Recreation Area, Inc./Facebook

Don’t forget to take a walk through the downtown area. Plenty of charming local restaurants and shops are at their best in the summertime.

Holly Hayes/Flickr

And if you’re up for it, there are loads of summer events in Detroit Lakes, like July’s Art in the Park. Eat great food and browse 100 booths full of treasures!

Visit Detroit Lakes

But by far the most popular event is WE Fest, a huge festival featuring some of the biggest country music stars.

WE Fest/Facebook

Detroit Lakes is so full of summertime activities, it’s hard to list them all. For a more complete list of things to do, check out the Visit Detroit Lakes website. And feel free to suggest some of your own favorite spots around town!

UMINN44/Wikipedia

Visit Detroit Lakes MN/Facebook

Gene/Flickr

Rainbow Resort/Facebook

Detroit Mountain Recreation Area, Inc./Facebook

Holly Hayes/Flickr

Visit Detroit Lakes

WE Fest/Facebook

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