While the school year is reaching its close, summer is approaching quickly. That means soon kids will be home and there will be much more time to spend as a family, or with friends.

This summer should provide more than enough means of entertainment for anyone looking to enjoy themselves, or to simply kick back and relax.

For summer 2009, you may find yourself sitting in the Metrodome for the last time watching Joe Mauer and the Twins, cleaning ice cream off your son or daughter’s face at the local ice cream parlor, learning about our state’s past at the Minnesota History Center or simply enjoying the freedom that summer can allow at the beach.

So get your beach towel, sunglasses and fun hats ready, because here is a sampling of activities in the metro-area for the summer of 2009.

Rainy day getaways

Minnesota History Center
345 W. Kellogg Blvd.
St. Paul
Why go? Past memories of Minnesota shared through perspectives from those who have lived it. This summer the center unveils a new exhibit, “Minnesota’s Greatest Generation: The Depression, The War, the Boom,” an interactive exhibit that follows the World War II generation through its entirety.
Phone: 651-259-3000
Admission: $10 adults, $8 seniors and college students, $5 children 6-17, free under 5 or Minnesota Historical Society member
Hours: Tuesday- 10 a.m.-8 p.m. (free 5 p.m.-8 p.m.), Wednesday-Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sunday noon-5 p.m.

Mill City Museum
704 S. Second St.
Minneapolis
Why go? An opportunity to see firsthand the people and industries that helped build Minneapolis.
Phone: 612-341-7555
Admission: $10 adults, $8 seniors and college students, $5 children 6-17, free under 5 or Minnesota Historical Society member
Hours: Tuesday-Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sunday noon-5 p.m., (July and August open Monday 10 a.m.-5 p.m.)

Minnesota State Capitol
Why go? Learn about the history of the Capitol, tour the monuments on the Capitol mall and view historic portraits.
Phone: 651-296-2881
Admission: General tours: free, Education Programs: $2-$5, Special Events: $7-$8 adults, $5 children 6-17, seniors $1 discount, Minnesota Historical Society members $2 discount
Hours: Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Sunday 1 p.m.-4 p.m.

Out and about

Triple Crown Batting Cages
2308 10th Ave E.
North St. Paul
Why go? A chance to get ready for the summer baseball and softball seasons with the ability to take advantage of the three baseball and softball cages, along with a fastpitch cage.
Phone: 651-779-6487
Admission: 1 Token: $1.25, 5 Tokens: $5, 1 Token=18 pitches, buy 1 token get 1 free with canned food item
Summer hours (June 1-Aug. 31): Monday-Friday 11 a.m.-9 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m.-6 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

Bowling
Why go? There are fun games and food for groups of friends or family, opportunities for summer leagues as well.
Drkula’s Bowl phone: 651-451-1717, 6710 Cahill Ave., Inver Grove Heights
Maplewood Lanes phone: 651-774-8787, 1955 English St., Maplewood
Mattie’s Lanes phone: 651-450-7729, 365 Concord Exchange, South St. Paul
Sun Ray Lanes phone: 651-735-2222, 2245 Old Hudson Road, St. Paul
Westside Lanes phone: 651-451-6033, 1625 Robert St S., West St. Paul

Minnesota Children’s Museum
10 W. Seventh St.
St. Paul
Why go? A way for kids to engage in learning activities during the summer that are fun for the entire family.
Phone: 651-225-6000
Admission: Ages 1-101 $8.95, museum members and children under 1 free
Hours: Select Mondays 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Tuesday-Thursday 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Friday 9 a.m.-8 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Minnesota Twins game
Why go? This is the final year the Twins will be playing in the Metrodome, so enjoy baseball without worrying about rain delays. There are also family friendly promotions for ticket packages.

Fun in the sun

Beaches
Why go? A great way to spend time outdoors with family and friends while relaxing with the sun and sand at Lake Elmo Park Reserve, Silver Lake Beach in North St. Paul, Carver Lake Beach or any of the other local beaches. Each is a great opportunity for an outdoor picnic. White Bear Lake County Park will be closed this summer due to low water levels.

Golf
Why go? Get some fresh air and take some swings out on the golf course with a group of friends or family.
Keller Golf Course: 2166 Maplewood Dr., St. Paul, 651-766-4170
Manitou Ridge Golf Course: 3200 N. McKnight Rd., White Bear Lake, 651-778-0424
Oak Marsh Golf Course: 526 N. Inwood Ave., Oakdale, 651-730-8886

Como Zoo and Conservatory
1250 N. Kaufman Dr.
St. Paul
Why go? You can see Sparky the Sea Lion Show, the butterfly exhibit and other animals and sculptures.
Phone: 651-487-8200
Admissions: Free for Como Zoo and Marjorie McNeely Conservatory, but donations are accepted to ensure that the zoo can continue providing care for the animals and exhibits.
Summer hours (April-September): Daily from 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

Ice cream shops

Nelson’s Drive-Inn Dairy
920 W. Olive St.
Stillwater
Why go? For the gargantuan portions of ice cream and variety of flavors.
Phone: 651-439-3598

HomeTown Creamery
2231 E. 11th Ave.
North St. Paul
Why go? Ice cream made on site that includes award-winning vanilla, chocolate and strawberry flavors.
Phone: 651-779-4400

Cup & Cone
2126 4th St.
White Bear Lake
Why go? It has great soft serve ice cream with sandwiches and other snacks. Fun family atmosphere.
Phone: 651-426-1498

Special destinations

Vali-Hi Drive-In
11260 N. Hudson Blvd.
Lake Elmo
Why go? It’s one of only six remaining drive-ins in Minnesota, with Cottage View Drive-In in Cottage Grove being the only other close option in the metro area.
Phone: 651-436-7464
Admission: $7.50 per person, free for children 12 and under
Hours: Box Office opens at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 8 p.m. Sunday-Thursday. First show starts at dusk.

North St. Paul Slice of Summer
(formerly Crazy Days) in downtown North St. Paul
Why go? A Pie eating contest will be held, along with live music, local artwork, concessions, rides and a classic car show.
Admission: Free
When: May 29 and 30

Oakdale Summerfest
at Richard Walton Memorial Park
Why go? Summerfest boasts live music, a golf tournament, and a medallion hunt along with concessions and rides.
Admission: Free
When: June 18-21, pre-events begin June 12

Ramsey County Fair
in Maplewood
Why go? There are parades, fireworks, activities for children and adults, rides and food.
Admission: Free, $2 parking
When: July 8-12

Washington County Fair
in Lake Elmo
Why go? Enjoy old-fashioned fair fun with farm animals, 4-H exhibits and entertainment for the entire family. Due to funding cuts, this could be the last year, so come out and celebrate this 138 year tradition.
When: July 29-Aug. 2

St. Paul Farmer’s Markets
Why go? It’s There are many locations throughout the metro area, and you can pick and choose from fresh, locally produced food.
When and where:
Maplewood: Aldrich Arena, May 6-Oct. 28, 8 a.m.-noon Wednesdays
Woodbury: Woodbury Drive and Hudson Rd., July 1-Oct. 21, 3:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m. Wednesdays

Cody Zustiak can be reached at staffwriter@lillienews.com