White Bear Lake--Big City Lake, Small Town Lifestyle
If you want a great lake lifestyle and experience while staying close to Metro roots, then White Bear Lake is a great place to be.
Called The City of Lakes and Legends, White Bear Lake was incorporated more than 125 years ago and is located on the northeast edge of Minneapolis and St. Paul, close to the hustle and bustle of the city, yet serene enough to make you feel like you are away from it all.
Those in this town of about 26,000 residents are proud of its 2,500 acre, 10-square-mile lake, which provides some of the best fishing, boating and outdoor recreational activities in the Twin Cities. Legend has it that F. Scott Fitzgerald's Winter Dreams, which describes life in Black Bear Lake, Minnesota, is based around life on White Bear Lake. In its early history during the prohibition era, White Bear Lake was a popular destination for gangsters of Chicago who often would head to the city and lake to cool off and get away from it all.
White Bear Lake may be close to the big city, but it stands alone when it comes to being a great place for a getaway. In the summer enjoy Marketfest, a free family festival held every Thursday from late June through late July in downtown White Bear Lake, featuring live entertainment, fine art, a farmers market, great food, children's activities and more. Marketfest celebrated its 16th year in 2006, and is a favorite event for locals and visitors from near and far. Tally's Dockside (where you can also rent boats) is known for its Summer Series Music by the Water, and the Manitou Days celebration is a must see, featuring numerous activities on the lake and in its historic downtown.
Downtown White Bear Lake can be a one-stop shop for all of your shopping, entertainment, dining and retail needs. A blend of unique new and old stores such as The Farmer's Daughter (featuring handmade and handcrafted gifts), Good things (unique clothes, gifts and homeware), and Select Vintage (Personalized gifts of fine wine and champagne), are sure to please the curious shopper.
Those looking for fun family events can head to one of the more than 20 parks in the White Bear Lake area, including Rotary Nature Preserve off of White Bear Lake Parkway, which has a popular hiking trail and picnic shelter. Other popular options include Pine Tree Apple Orchard which features its famous October Corn Maze and fall wagon rides.
If you love the lake, White Bear Lake is the place to be. The White Bear Yacht Club is a popular place for the many sailing enthusiasts who live on or visit the lake, and many yachting events and races for youth and adults are held throughout the summer. If you're looking to fish, White Bear Lake is home to walleye, bass, sunfish and crappie, and is a great spot to be in the summer and winter, where it provides some of the best ice fishing in the Twin Cities. Water sports are also popular on White Bear Lake, as jet skiing, water skiing and boating are among the favorites.
The city offers numerous other recreational activities, such as golf, with Manitou Ridge and Oneka Ridge Golf course among the favorites.
If you have friends over and want to entertain, take them on a boat ride through the gorgeous Dellwood neighborhood to see some of the areas most beautiful homes.
You can't take White Bear Lake out of the city, but you can head to White Bear Lake to feel like you are getting out of the city - and you don't have to drive far to do just that.
Contributed by Matt Krumrie. Matt is a freelance writer based out of Inver Grove, MN
