Growing up, I was never in love with my 5,000-some people hometown of Lake City, MN. While I like that 85 percent of my family lives here, it can be hard to find things to do, especially as a teenager! I used to hate it. The closest Target, movie theater, or fast food restaurant (besides Burger King, Subway or Dairy Queen) was in the next town over. Coming back as a college student, I have newfound appreciation for my hometown, so I wanted to share a list of some of my favorite things to do in Lake City.

1. Dairy Queen and the Riverwalk

Our Dairy Queen is conveniently located on MN State Highway 61, which is parallel to Lake Pepin (which is really just the Mississippi River, but hush). This makes it a prime location to get a Blizzard or frozen treat and walk along the river. I swear we have the best sunsets, so make sure to come in when the sun is beginning to set! It is beautiful and makes for great pictures!

2. Hok-Sil-A Beach

While you won't find a picturesque white sandy beach, you will find a small beach with beautiful views of the bluffs across the river in Wisconsin. It's the perfect place in town to get some sun with friends or bring the family! You have to walk down to the beach, but make sure to pause at the top to look out over the river. Be weary of the cottonwood trees in the summer, it looks like pretty snow, but little fluffs attacking you while you're trying to tan is a little annoying!

3. Papa Tronio's Pizza / Big Bear Pizza

It can be difficult to swear loyalty to one pizza place in town, so I get both! Papa T's thin but soft crust is completely different from Big Bear's thick chewy crust, but both are equally delicious. Both are located right in the middle of town, so they are easily accessible if you are a tourist for the day or weekend! I honestly can't pick a favorite, so you'll have to try both and tell me what you think!

4. Multiple Parks

We have over 10 parks in our little town! Not only was this great when I was child, but now as a young adult! My favorite as a child was the Lewis McChaill Memorial Park. This park is right on the river, near the Marina. You get a pretty view of the all the boats docked and again, those bluffs across the river! There is a playground with swings, slides and many other things! When I was a little girl, I would come here to feed ducks with my momma. The newest park is Underwood Park, is a little bit away from the city center, but is host to little kid soccer on the weekends and a really nice playground! It also hosts the ice hockey rink in the winter! Most famous is probably Patton Park, which is centrally located across the street from our post office on one side, and City Hall on the other! It boasts a fountain, picnic tables, and a gazebo.

5. The Railhouse Grill and Coffee Depot

My friends and I swear by Railhouse's Mac and Cheese and their Mac and Cheese Pizza. It's a staple in our diets! The Coffee Depot side is a great place to get some work done or visit with friends while enjoying a freshly baked Caramel Croissant (my favorite!) and an Iced Chai (also my favorite!). They have a large selection of perfectly-priced drinks and snacks to please everyone. I'm pretty sure everything on their chalkboard menu is $5 or less, so you're sure to find a good deal. They have live music on the weekends that always pulls in a crowd. This restaurant is located on the only other highway that runs through town, MN 63. ALSO: You have to get their fries, trust me.

6. Mini Donuts, Milkshakes and Cheese Curds at Water Ski Days

Water Ski Days is our annual town festival! We celebrate the fact that we are the birthplace of water skiing with music, art and delicious food. My favorites are mini donuts and cheese curds from near the Beer Tent and milkshakes from the Dairy truck! It's also fun to walk through the craft fair and ride some rides at the carnival! Check it out the last weekend of June!

These are only a couple of things I enjoy doing in Lake City. There are many more, and part of those are the people that I do them with! My best friends are family are all here (for the most part) which brings me the most joy of all.