Season guide · Minneapolis · United States
Minneapolis in summer
June–August: weather, crowds, prices and the best things to do this time of year.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: McGhiever, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
Warm, sometimes humid days, long evenings and the lakes at their best, with the State Fair in late August and frequent thunderstorms. Expect highs up to 28°C (82°F) and lows around 14°C (57°F), with about 32 rainy days across June–August. June–August are among the best months of the year to visit.
Key facts
- Months
- June–August
- Temperatures
- 14°C (57°F) to 28°C (82°F)
- Rainy days in the season
- About 32
- Crowds
- Very busy
- Hotel prices
- High
Weather in summer
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Daylight | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| June | 26°C (79°F) | 14°C (57°F) | 12 | 15.6 h | 4/5 |
| July | 28°C (82°F) | 17°C (63°F) | 10 | 15.3 h | 5/5 |
| August | 27°C (81°F) | 16°C (61°F) | 10 | 14.1 h | 5/5 |
Compared with the rest of the year: average highs of 27°C (81°F) against a yearly 12°C (54°F), and 32 of the year's roughly 114 rainy days fall in these 3 months. Crowds rate 5/5 and hotel prices 4/5 on average.
What's on in summer
Recurring events; dates move from year to year, so confirm with the organiser.
- June: Stone Arch Bridge Festival on the riverfront (usually Father's Day weekend)
- June: Twin Cities Pride in Loring Park (usually late June)
- July: Minneapolis Aquatennial — summer celebration with fireworks over the river (usually July)
- July: Fourth of July fireworks
- August: Uptown Art Fair (usually early August)
- August: Minnesota State Fair in Falcon Heights (usually the 12 days ending on Labor Day)
Good choices for summer
Museum · Mill District
Mill City Museum
Go up to the ninth-floor observation deck at the end for the best view of the falls and the Stone Arch Bridge.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- History
- Kids
- Views
- Rainy day
Experience · Bloomington
Mall of America
The largest shopping mall in the United States has around 500 shops plus Nickelodeon Universe, an indoor theme park with roller coasters under a skylit roof, the SEA LIFE Minnesota aquarium and mini golf.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Kids
- Shopping
- Rainy day
- Iconic
Museum · Phillips
American Swedish Institute
Visit in December, when the mansion rooms are decorated for Nordic Christmas traditions.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- History
- Architecture
- Food
- Rainy day
Architecture · Downtown
Minneapolis Skyway System
About 13 km of enclosed second-floor footbridges connect around 80 blocks of downtown, so office workers can cross the city in shirt sleeves in January.
- Time needed
- As needed
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Rainy day
- Architecture
Gallery · University of Minnesota
Weisman Art Museum
View the building from the Washington Avenue Bridge, where the steel facade catches the light over the river.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Art
- Architecture
- Rainy day
Day trips in summer
- Stillwater (About 40 minutes) — On the St.
- Lake Minnetonka and Excelsior (About 35 minutes) — The big, many-bayed lake west of the city is lined with lakeside towns; Excelsior has a walkable main street, ice-cream shops and summer cruises, including rides on the restored steamboat Minnehaha.
What to pack
- Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen
- A compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent
- Comfortable walking shoes
Other times of year
Questions travellers ask
+Is summer a good time to visit Minneapolis?
Yes: June–August are among the best months. Warm, sometimes humid days, long evenings and the lakes at their best, with the State Fair in late August and frequent thunderstorms.
+What is the weather like in Minneapolis in summer?
Highs of up to 28°C (82°F) and lows around 14°C (57°F), with about 32 rainy days over the season.