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Lake Calhoun
Rating Details »
3000 Calhoun Pkwy
Minneapolis, MN 55408
(612) 230-6400
Minneapolis, MN 55408
(612) 230-6400
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
19 reviews for Lake Calhoun
There is a spot, between Thomas Beach and the sand volleyball courts, were one can experience the most beautiful view of the Minneapolis skyline from anywhere in the city.
There is a spot, just past the sand volleyball courts, near the weeping willow trees, where I took pictures on my wedding day. I'm no longer married, I no longer love the bastard, but I still love the spot between Thomas and the courts.
Come find me sitting beneath my favorite tree at my favorite spot in all of Minneapolis, four seasons a year.
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I couldn't think of a better way to use my vacation day than to head to Lake Calhoun. For three hours, I retreated to Thomas Beach (south end) to soak some rays and do my best Michael Phelps impression on the water. For the 20 and 30 somethings, this seems to be the place to be. In this recession, I found the beach even more crowded. I spoke with two men who lost their jobs, but they were delighted to be spending the afternoon. The ducks were unafraid of the visitors. They were eating from people's hands and invading picnics. They would only flee when a little kid would chase them.
Just two things:
1. No glass bottles. If you bring glass, see if you can transfer the beverage to a different container.
2. Wear sunscreen! I overestimated my skin's tolerance for the corona. I was as red as a lobster coming out.
Should be a 5 star place, but sadly going to Calhoun always turns out to be a big pain the ass. I hate myself for saying it, because it should really be just a beautiful lake.
This is a great lake if your looking for an active jog or roller-blade, good neighborhood, good view, and good looking people. Although i wouldn't recommend swimming in it... Definitely great for people watching on a hot MN summer day! Not to far from downtown and nearby uptown (hip young town) has great restaurants and shopping. Chino Latino, Independent are a just a few...
Alright guys, I love Lake Calhoun and everything, but watch out for the used tampons in the beach area! Seriously, I was so grossed out and jumped back out of the water! Keep it clean, MPLS...please!
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Calhoun is in the middle of the chain of lakes so if you're going on a long run, it's kinda hard to avoid. It's 3.2 miles and perfect for 5k training.
It's not perfect if you are looking to commune peacefully with nature or get away from society. It's crowded. Traffic is a bitch. Parking is a bitch. You are supposed to only bike one way. If you bike the wrong way, even if the bike path happens to be empty, people yell at you. It's poorly lit at night. I avoid Calhoun as much as possible. In a way, I'm glad it's crowded - it helps keeps the other 2 lakes free for a more peaceful run.
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Lake Calhoun has a special place in my heart since this was one of the first places my husband took me when we first met. I remember it was a nice summer evening and we'd just walk hand-in-hand enjoying the night. It's a good sized lake, with a lot of talk time walking around it. Friendly people walking by and saying 'hi' is always nice to hear because you don't want to put Minnesota in the 'stuck up' states category.
And during the day, it's got a lot of people walking, biking, rollerblading, running. It's nice to see the city is active and loves to be outdoors. Great views of the city and the lake itself is nice to sit and look at as well.
Great date place along with everything else in between.
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You know... Lke Calhoun isn't the best place in the city. I feel it's constantly way too crowded, way to dirty to swim in (honestly...why do you do it?), and over exaggerated.
Well, let me back up, for being right in the city, I guess its not too bad. I feel spoiled though, I was raised on the shores of Lake Superior, and after coming here and seeing this....EEK!!! I was grossed out. I enjoy nature, just not nature and 20,000 other people and landfills!
The only thing, in my eyes, that Calhoun has going for it, is the size. It does make for a good run or walk. Its a good distance, but on any average day, you will be fighting with a ton of other people just for a spot on the track around the lake. Oh and i guess its a good dumpoff spot for trash,.. I've seen so much garbage floating on the shores and cigarette butts everywhere. This is what initially set me off about this place. It looks great from a distance, but up close, its like the crack den of lakes. (if that even makes sense!)
For real though, it baffles me.. I guarantee those same people who preach to us about keep the environment clean and to preserve our lakes and parks ARE the same ones who get lazy and through their "Vitamin water" bottles on the trail when they don't want to carry it anymore. I've seen it. It's disgusting.
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The go-to place for gorgeous summer days. Easy to get to via the Greenway (another fave of mine), I spent almost every weekend here this past summer.
It's a great place to go and relax on the beach, enjoy the cool lake, grab a hot dog, exercise on the bike trail, or hang out with friends. Plus, the houses that line the lake are beautiful.
One the best things about Minneapolis, hands-down.
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Nice in the winter, better in the summer.
I like running around the entire chain of lakes and this just happens to be one of them. It's more crowded than Isles and Harriett, so be alert when you are near it. It's great to see in any season, from people watching in the summer to seeing a snowfall over the city in the winter.
There are definitely more activities around the lakes in the summer, from 5K races to canoeing and boating. It's also a good spot for a simple date.
The city also does a great job of plowing the paths during the winter and there is one (possibly two) emergency phones on the path in case you ever need to use one.
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Alright, I had to review this since warmer weather is approaching and this is one of my favorite places in the twin cities. Here is my top ten list about Lake Calhoun:
10) the view of the city from the Southwest corner of the lake is quite breathtaking.
9) drinking fountains grace every side of the lake.
8) it is a great link to the other lakes as well as the MPLS Grand Rounds.
7) a midnight picnic with your favorite person(s) creates a great memory.
6) who doesn't like to watch windsurfers???
5) the beaches are large, sandy, and relaxing.
4) canoes and paddle boats are available for rent.
3) the smooth trails are excellent for running, cycling, and blading.
2) the children's park is a great escape for the little rugrats.
1) seeing Sven Sundgaard from Kare 11 running around the lake makes my workout that much more fantastic!!
In one 3-mile loop you can observe the best of Minnesota in summer:
Sun-worshippers, sailors, exercisers, volleyballers, bikers, bladers, strollers, dog walkers, and, truly, everything in between.
Everyone's out to enjoy these few months when the weather's warm, the trees have leaves, and the days are long. Only if there were a stand that sold some food on a stick would it have everything this state has to offer.
Simple Bliss.
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Just a sampling of the conversations you'll hear while taking a stroll around Lake Calhoun:
"...and then she tried to bite me, and I was like-"
"telling him no, I said 'ToMAYto.' Douchebag."
(Singing) "Row row row row your boat..."
Ah yes, humans & nature co-exisiting in perfect harmony at Lake Calhoun.
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Oh, lovely Lake Calhoun. I miss you, now that I am in a land of perpetual 70 degree weather...
My first memory of Lake Calhoun is in the winter. I was in college, and a group of us decided it would be fun to walk out on to the lake and look at the stars. Pretty sure someone fell through the ice the next week...so not so smart.
It's such a great place year round - in the summer, beaches, boating, the trails are great for walking, and so many grassy areas for picnics or reading.
And the fall...oh, the fall! Beautiful.
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BEST rollerblading trail in town and great walking/jogging trail around the lake too. The distance around Lake Calhoun is 3.2 miles for bicycles and skaters and 3.1 for walkers and runners per their website. People flock to this place in the spring and summertime since we spend most of the winter in hibernation.
It's scenic since the lake is beautiful, there are lots of trees, and there's a great view of the Minneapolis skyline across the lake. Popular activities consist of jogging, walking, rollerblading, dog walking, suntanning, playing outdoor sports, and people watching. Groups of young urbanites and suburbanites make a day of this place since there's so much to see and to do here! It kind of reminds me of the spring break scene in Cancun except this is MN!
I absolutely love it here and make a point to come here whenever I can in the summer.
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I was on a walk with my roommate around Lake Calhoun to welcome spring a little prematurely and guess what tan little chipmunk ran by us? Sven Sungaard himself--the weatherman from Kare 11. You know the guy--he has stiff hair and likes to go outside into the Kare 11 Backyard to tell you just how cold it FEELS in the winter.
Anyhow, on his second time around I yelled out his name "SVEN!!" like a crazed maniac and he actually turned around mid-run, looked at me with his beady little eyes and waved grandiosely, flashing me a friendly Minnesota smile. This is why I love Lake Calhoun.
Minus one star for the summer bug infestation.
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Calhoun is so beautiful. My dad's house is just a few block away and I've taken many a gorgeous stroll along its shores. The trails are so nice and inviting. You'll find an abundance of entertainment and a feast for your eyes if you're into people watching like I am.
On the north shore you can go swimming during the day and play on the playground. The entire lake has superb biking, walking and rollerblading turf. At night you can go night swimming, but watch out for the cops. You can also partake in drunken/sober night swinging in the playground.
On the south shore you can play volleyball, catch Frisbees, go swimming and walk idiot guys on bikes and sports cars.
To the north west you can go swimming, fishing and rent canoes. There are usually a bunch of windsurfers too.
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One of my favorite place in the cities even though I'm not an outdoor person. The lake has its own microclimate. There are areas where the water is calm and with beaches. On the north side it is very windy and 15+ degrees cooler than anywhere on the lake. The wind is almost vacuumed through to the north end of the lake in summer. The north side has a sea wall because the waves are so large. When biking, I love to stop on the north side and take in that 20+ mph wind to cool me off. It's a great place to people watch and feel alive. There are play areas for children, sand volleyball courts, an eatery, restrooms, water fountains, bike/walking paths, kayak and canoe rentals, sail boat racing, fishing, wind surfing, and rollerblading. Be careful walking at night. It's an area known for the occasional robbery. I don't ever walk the lake at night.
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If you've never been to Lake Calhoun, I think you're missing out. Yes, it's just like any other lake out there but there's just something about this lake that I particularly love. I take my runs here at least once a week, and yes it gets pretty crowded but I like it. I like to people-watch anyway. For parking? May I suggest the north side of the lake across the Whole Foods plaza. They have a huge parking lot there and it's free. I usually come from the west side of the lake so I've never really experienced heavy traffic (unless it's rush hour). Of course, the lake gets pretty packed on the weekends. If you live close by, you probably already know that it's less crowded on a weekday. There's plenty of grass area for picnics. There are sand areas for that "beach" feel. There's a sand volleyball court, food court where they sell burgers, tacos and ice cream, and there's boat rentals. In the summertime, you see all kinds of people hiking, running, rollerblading, biking, boating and if it's windy enough, windsurfing. When it's clear out, it is best to watch the sun set from the east side. Anyway, I love this lake even though sometimes, it's overrated.
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