By Claire Noack

We love our parks here in the Twin Cities, and with more than 67 of them around the state, the opportunities to see natural beauty and participate in outdoor recreation are endless. From kayaking, canoeing and biking to sledding and ice skating, we utilize our parks and lakes to get the most out of every season.

For locals and visitors who don’t have recreation equipment on hand, Wheel Fun Rentals offers select bike and water vehicles at six parks around the Twin Cities. And with included safety gear, including helmets, bike locks, baskets, paddles and life jackets, you’ll have everything you need to keep the fun going. Stop by the Wheel Fun Rentals stands at these parks and pay an hourly fee (price varies per item) for your preferred mode of exploration.

Lake Calhoun

This popular lake in Uptown Minneapolis offers the largest selection of Wheel Fun Rentals recreation equipment in the area. Peddle around the lake with cruiser, mountain, tandem and kids bikes, or take to the water with pedal boats, double pedal boats, kayaks, double kayaks, stand up paddleboards and canoes. Make a pit stop at The Tin Fish on the shore of Lake Calhoun to grab some fresh, fish tacos or crab cakes before heading back out into the summer sun.

Lake Como

A free zoo and conservatory isn’t all this St. Paul park has to offer. An expansive park and lake offer the perfect place for family-friendly recreation. Race between the numerous gardens scattered throughout the park on a Wheel Fun Rentals surrey or double surrey, or head down to the water with a pedal boat, double pedal boat, kayak, double kayak, canoe or stand up paddleboard. Lake Como even offers Duffy boat excursions, where up to six people can sit back and relax on a guided lake cruise.

Lake Harriet

At Lake Calhoun’s sister lake, Lake Harriet, visitors can swim, bike, sail, relax in hammocks and much more. Wheel Fun Rentals offers pedal boats, double pedal boats, kayaks, double kayaks, canoes, stand up paddleboards, cruiser bikes, mountain bikes and tandem bikes for lasting family entertainment. Walk through the Lyndale Rose Garden or Japanese Peace Garden, or listen to live music during the summer months at the Lake Harriet bandshell. A large playground and snacks from Bread & Pickle keep kids playing all day long.

Lake Nokomis

Southeast from the Chain of Lakes lies the serene Lake Nokomis. Although not as well known, its wide array of amenities and sandy beaches make Lake Nokomis one of the hidden gems of the Twin Cities. Rent out a variety of unique rides, including surreys, double surreys, deuce coupes, choppers and quad sports, or paddle around the lake in pedal boats, double pedal boats, kayaks, double kayaks, canoes and stand up paddleboards. Getting hungry from all the exercise? Sandcastle Minneapolis serves up American eats and ice cream shore-side.

Minnehaha Falls

The crown jewel of Minneapolis parks resides at Minnehaha Falls. Sandstone bluffs give way to the iconic 53-foot waterfall. Take a hike to see where the creek meets the Mighty Mississippi, or ride around the sizable park and take in picturesque river views on one of the Wheel Fun Rentals bikes. This location offers surreys, double surreys, choppers and quad sports. Listen to live entertainment in the park while chowing down on seasonal dishes from Sea Salt Eatery.

Veteran’s Park

In the southern suburb of Richfield, Veteran’s Park offers fun for the whole family. Between the ice arena, outdoor pool and 18-hole mini-golf course, you’ll want to come back again and again. Pick up treats, including grilled cheese sandwiches and malts, at Malt-T-Melt and take Wheel Fun Rentals surrey or double surrey out for a spin around the park.

This lake is located right off the southern part of French Regional Park in Plymouth. There is a public water access point on the northern shore of the lake in the park, making it easy to put your boat in and explore the lake.

Rent a boat for the day at Harty’s Boatworks. They have been renting vessels on Medicine Lake since the 1960s at their two locations, one on the north shore and one on the south.

As the second largest lake in the area, it may come as a surprise that this lake is quiet and serene. In other words, it’s the perfect place to launch a kayak or canoe and enjoy some peaceful paddle time. Located west of the Cities, Lake Waconia is just a short, scenic drive from Minneapolis.

Located in the western suburbs of Minneapolis, Lake Minnetonka is the largest lake in the area, clocking in at a whopping 14,000 acres in size. Its vast network of smaller lakes and channels stretches from Wayzata in the east all the way to Mound in the west.

Lake Minnetonka is a popular destination for all kinds of boating, and there are plenty of boat rentals in the area to help you set sail. Rent a pontoon for the day at Rockvam Boat Yards, or stop at Your Boat Club to choose from a fleet of over 100 pontoon, fishing and runabout boats. Enjoy slowly floating past shorelines with impressive mansions, zip around in a speedboat, or spend the day skiing or tubing. Locals love docking at Big Island Nature Park, located at the juncture in the Lower Lake.

During your day on Lake Minnetonka, be sure to jet over to Excelsior (the West Arm of the lake) for a bite to eat at Lord Fletcher’s Old Lake Lodge. Dock your vessel and enjoy a meal and refreshing drinks on the expansive patio—no matter where you sit, there’s a beautiful view of the water.tr