Our 7 Top Midwest City Beaches

Paved walking and biking trails give this swimming beach just west of the trendy Uptown neighborhood three-pronged appeal -- the whole area seems to exude outdoorsy fun. While teens and college students often hang out at mile-wide Lake Calhoun's larger Thomas Beach, a more eclectic crowd prefers North Beach. Tin Fish, a casual seafood-fry restaurant on the northeast shore, has lines of people waiting to place orders for walleye and mahimahi tacos. A guy plays a keyboard for tips, and people sit at tables along the waterfront and watch the sailboats. (612) 230-6400; minneapolisparks.org