It’s the last hoorah of summer, the one weekend where you try to fit in as much as possible before the fall feels start to set in. Luckily, Labor Day Weekend in Minneapolis is still full of events and activities to help you in your end of summer celebration. Your only worry will be how you’ll fit it all in. Check out the best ways to spend your Labor Day Weekend in Minneapolis.

1. Act like a true Minnesotan at the State Fair

Head to the Minnesota State Fair where you can eat anything and everything on a stick, shop local goods from Christmas gifts to paddle boards, face your fears on a new ride or coast along on the sky glider, feed baby animals, and even catch a concert. Check out our guide to the Minnesota State Fair and plan your trip!

2. Get in one last beach day

Hit up one of the city's swimming spots before the kids go back to school and the days get cooler. Minneapolis is home to 12 public beaches and countless splashpads and pools. Grab your bathing suit and a towel and get ready to dive into our favorite swimming spots.

3. Have a picnic

Minneapolis is full of local markets, cheese shops, and sandwich places perfect for planning and packing a picnic. Here's where to get the best picnic ingredients! If the big cooler and all the preparation isn't your thing, make your picnic easy by grabbing some local takeout! No matter the method, head to one of our many parks to enjoy your food while you watch the sunset, overlook the Mississippi River, or take in views of the downtown skyline.

4. Shop local at one of our farmers markets

Grab a bite to eat, sip on a perfectly brewed coffee and peruse local goods and produce. Think the farmers market is just for getting groceries? Not in Minneapolis! Our farmers markets have local and hand-made goods from art pieces to jewelry to ceramics, plus plenty of baked goods if all of the fresh food is making you hungry. Check out our farmers market guide to see which one suits you!

5. Dine and unwind on one of our many patios

When we say “dine on a patio” what we really mean is eat a burger on a Ferris wheel, go lawn bowling on a rooftop, nosh on brunch with a view of the downtown skyline, sip a cocktail on the river, watch the sunset with some sushi, or enjoy tacos by a waterfall. Yes, you can do all of these and more in Minneapolis. You could say we’re a little over the top when it comes to our rooftop patios and outdoor dining. We wouldn’t have it any other way.

6. Catch a concert or watch a movie at Music & Movies in the Parks

Known for our top park system, Music & Movies in the Parks is always on our summer bucket list. Brought to you by the Minneapolis Parks and Recreation Board, parks across the city feature free outdoor music or movies through Labor Day! Perfect for a night of relaxation, grab a date, some friends, or the whole family (the pup is welcome too!).