Cool off around the Southwest Metro this Fourth of July Weekend

Written by Kevira Voegele

If the warm temperatures this week are getting the best of you, head to these north and west metro places to cool off. Summer and holiday hours may vary. Contact business or organization directly for further details.

Burnsville

• Nicollett Commons Park and Splash Pad (see the video)
• Kemps Ice Cream - Burnsville Center
• Ring Mountain Creamery (nearby in Eagan)

Shakopee

• Shakopee SandVenture Aquatic Park
• Valleyfair Family Amusement Park
• Coffee Ta Cream

Apple Valley

• Minnesota Zoo Splash Pad

Eden Prairie

• Eden Prairie Community Center pool, open except July 4
• Miller Park Splash Pad
• Cold Stone Creamery
• Dairy Queen / Orange Julius
• Potbelly Sandwich Works
• Sub Zero Yogurt & Ice Cream

Edina

• Edina Aquatic Center, open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. July 4; see the website for hours the rest of the long weekend
• YMCA Southdale
• Edina Creamery
• Neighborhood Ice Cream Shoppe
• Snuffy's Malt Shop

Lake Minnetonka

• Where to swim is a given: the lake
• Ben & Jerry's, Wayzata
• The Cottagewood Store, Excelsior
• Culver's Family Restaurant, Shoreline Drive, Wayzata
• Dairy Queen, Shoreline Drive, Wayzata
• Licks Unlimited, Excelsior

Mendota Heights

• West St. Paul Swimming Pool
• Cold Stone Creamery

Richfield

• Richfield Outdoor Pool
• Cone Brothers Ice Cream Cafe
• Dairy Queen, Lyndale Avenue South
• Dairy Queen, East 66th Street
• DQ Grill and Chill, West 66th Street

Southwest Minneapolis

• Fuller Park
• Kenny Park and Neighborhood Center
• Minneapolis beaches
• Dairy Queen, West 50th Street
• Liberty Frozen Custard
• Papa Cool Ice Cream
• Sebastian Joe's Ice Cream

Note: This is not a comprehensive list of cool-off spots in north and west metro Patch towns. Instead, it is a sampling of places you can go for ice cream and a dip in a pool. If your favorite place isn’t listed, tell us in the comments.