Beat the Heat: Fun Summer Activities in the Cities We Serve

It’s official: summer’s warm breeze is finally here! It’s the perfect time to get away from the mundane things of life and bathe in the sun. Whether you’re gearing up for a beach crawl or looking forward to a relaxing day with loved ones, now is your time to shine.

At Imagine Homes, we’re all about giving you best-in-class experiences. To help you enjoy a relaxing vacation, we rounded up a list of fun things to do this summer and the best destinations close to home.

Cincinnati

Ready to leave your cabin fever behind? Head over to Cincinnati for an eventful summer getaway. Celebrate the season by visiting the best summer destinations close to home including the following:

Summit Park

Located in Blue Ash, OH, Summit Park is a huge, amazing park with an 11-story observation tower. The park features walking trails, a large pond, and a creek, making it perfect for those who love the great outdoors. There is also a zip line as well as slides and playground equipment for kids.

Summit Park always has something new to offer. Whether you’re looking to join a fitness group, shop around a farmer’s market, meditate during yoga sessions, or have fun Zumba dancing, this is the place for you.

Washington Park

Between the huge lawn, dog park, outdoor bar, and an amazing view of Music Hall, Washington Park has something for everybody.

There are lots of green spaces and benches. Children can also play as much as they want at the playground with really fun and unique features and a splash pad. The park is also within walking distance to various restaurants, so you and your loved ones could easily make a day of exploring the area!

WEBN Fireworks at Riverfest

2021 Western & Southern/WEBN Fireworks at Riverfest is a longstanding end-of-summer tradition. The event began in 1977 when the radio station WEBN celebrated its 10th anniversary by treating the tri-state to a fireworks show.

Since then, the event has been held annually at Sawyer Point on the Sunday of Labor Day weekend. The event has since grown into an all-day affair with music, food, family fun, and entertainment.

Cleveland

Known as a summer city, Cleveland is a great place to be when the warm breeze sets in. Long sunny days, gorgeous beaches, beautiful Lake Erie sunsets—it’s a summer paradise close to home. To get you started on your summer getaway in The Land, here are our recommendations:

Feast of the Assumption

You don’t have to go all the way to Europe just to enjoy a little taste of Italy. Sitting in Cleveland’s backyard, historic Little Italy offers an authentic cultural experience.

From August 12 to 15, the Italian-American community and locals celebrate The Feast. The whole five-block neighborhood transforms into a sea of marinara. Come join us as we grab drinks, munch on pizzas and cannoli, watch live concerts, and dance our hearts out at neighborhood-wide parties.

Twins Day Festival

Your eyes do not deceive you—you are definitely seeing double. Every year, the town of Twinsburg celebrates Twins Day Festival, which is the world’s largest gathering of twins, triplets, and quadruplets.

Weekend-long activities include a talent show and parade as well as lookalike contests and live entertainment.

Cleveland National Air Show

Take part in Cleveland’s Labor Day Weekend tradition—watching one of the most prestigious air shows in the country. The Cleveland National Air Show is Northeast Ohio’s largest military event where locals and tourists meet heroes and see them in action.

The air show is held in Burke Lakefront Airport, which is a stone’s throw away from Lake Erie in downtown Cleveland and near the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Hudson Farmer’s Market

Whether it’s local produce, flowers, arts and crafts, honey, and baked goods, there’s always something at Hudson Farmers Market. That is why locals keep coming back and enjoy every minute of their stay year after year.

Many people bring their dogs, making it a paradise for pet lovers. There are also cooking demos at the center of the market. If you’re lucky, you can even sample the best food artisans have to offer.

Edgewater Beach

Looking to enjoy a fun day on the beach with pets and your family? Edgewater Beach is your best bet. It’s a family and pet-friendly beach where kids can fly kites, pets can play in the sand, and you can bathe in the sun. Some beach-goers would sometimes play different musical instruments while others dance to the beat.

Kansas City

Kansas City is brimming with life and sunshine each summer. Take part in the many festivals that celebrate music, culture, and community. Aside from that, you’ll never run out of family-friendly activities including visiting amusement parks, grabbing delicious sweets, and more.

Smithville Parks and Recreation

Smithville Parks and Recreation offers fun activities the whole family will enjoy including boating and fishing. The park has a marina that offers boats for rent. There are plenty of picnic spots, which range from couples’ spots to large family spots with plenty of tables and simple grills. The park also features many walking paths—one of which even goes around the entire lake.

Worlds of Fun Amusement & Waterparks

Worlds of Fun is the midwest’s premier amusement park, featuring 235 acres of rides and slides. For one great price, you and your loved ones get to experience two great parks. Slide all day and ride all night! Take a thrilling ride in one—or all—of their seven roller coasters. Explore their themed Planet Snoopy and Oceans of fun.

Swope Park

Hailed as the biggest park in KC, Swope Park is always great. You can catch a show at Starlight, visit the zoo, play golf, go mountain biking, or hiking. There are lots of beautiful, green spaces. The scenic views of the blue river and various creeks are very nice.

The Springs Aquatic Center

The Springs is an amazing waterpark that is great for kids of all ages. There are several slides and a nice lazy river to relax in. The Springs is open during public swim hours and is available for birthday parties and aqua fitness classes.

Ernie Miller Nature Center

Reconnect with nature by taking a hike at Ernie Miller Nature Center. The park is home to various plants and animals from across the world. Learn more about the park’s history by visiting the center’s new exhibit gallery, which features live animal displays and interactive exhibits.

The park also features a 500-gallon aquarium showcasing native stream fish as well as a wildlife viewing room that overlooks a water feature with birdfeeders. If you’re looking to bring home a souvenir, visit the gift shop for trinkets and baubles perfect for nature enthusiasts.

Minneapolis-Saint Paul

Summer is precious to the locals of the Twin Cities. The season of warm, sunny days only lasts for a few months so everyone makes the most out of it. To help you enjoy your summer in Minneapolis and Saint Paul, we’ve put together a list of attractions and events you shouldn’t miss.

Amazing Minneapolis Waterfalls

Sharing a border with Canada in the North and Lake Superior to the east, Minneapolis is home to many wonderful waterfalls. If you enjoy being in the great outdoors, visit some of nature’s wonders close to home including the following:

• St. Anthony Falls, Minneapolis
• Minnehaha Falls, Minneapolis
• Hidden Falls, St. Paul
• Shadow Fall, St. Paul
• Ramsey Falls, St. Paul
• The North Shore, Duluth to Canada

Minnesota State Fair

Lauded as the Great Minnesota Get-Together, the Minnesota State Fair is an amazing Labor Day weekend event. There are grandstand concerts for music lovers, concession stands for foodies, and even a job fair for hopeful applicants. Not only that, there are several art exhibits and live entertainment as well.

Minnesota Zoos

Visiting a zoo is always a fun, educational experience for families. If you enjoy taking a scenic walk by the lakes while admiring various exotic animals from around the world, Minnesota is your best bet. Here are several of the best zoos around Minnesota:

• Lake Superior Zoo, Duluth
• International Wolf Center, Ely
• Wildlife Science Center, Forest Lake
• Conservation Breeding Specialist Group, Apple Valley
• Minnesota Zoo, Apple Valley
• Underwater World, Bloomington
• Ramsey Park Zoo, Redwood Falls
• The Como Park Zoo, St. Paul
• The Raptor Center at the University of Minnesota, St. Paul
• Great Lakes Aquarium, Duluth
• Hemker Wildlife Park, Freeport
• Vince Shute Wildlife Sanctuary, Orr

Art Museums

Minnesota is home to several art museums housing different types of artwork. From large-scale sculptures to marine art, there is so much to see. If you’re looking to spend the day admiring the masterpieces of various artists, visit some of Minnesota’s museums including the following:

• Weisman Art Museum, Minneapolis
• Minnesota Museum of American Art, St. Paul
• Walker Art Center, Minneapolis
• Sculpture Garden, Minneapolis
• Minneapolis Institute of Art, Minneapolis
• Rourke Art Museum, Rourke
• African American Heritage Museum and Gallery, Minneapolis

Target Field

Target Field is a beautiful Major League Baseball stadium located in the heart of downtown Minneapolis. With its friendly staff and scenic views, watching a ball game here is an amazing experience. Baseball fans can catch both starting pitchers warm up at the same time. If you’re looking to grab a bite to eat after the game, there are many restaurants and bars to choose from.

Valley Fair

Valley Fair is a must-visit amusement park where your families come to play the Minnesota way. Featuring 75 thrilling rides including rollercoasters and swings, you are guaranteed to have hours of fun. Pro-tip from a local: always buy the season passes to get huge savings!

Sea Salt Eatery

Looking to grab a meal with an amazing view? Visit Sea Salt Eatery Located near Minnehaha Falls. With great food and drinks as well as live music on most weekends, this seafood eatery is a crowd favorite.

North Shore

For the most part, Minnesota is all about getting outdoors and enjoying summer while it lasts. It could be simple BBQs at the lake with friends and family or taking a day trip or a weekend camping trip to the North Shore. Don’t forget to go agate hunting while you’re up there.

Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh is a city that shines the most in summer. We are all about the outdoors and enjoying the warm weather while it lasts. That is why the most popular activities during this season are river cruises, riverfront trail hikes, public festivals, and live music.

EQT Three Rivers Regatta

The EQT Pittsburgh Three Rivers Regatta is a nonprofit event that helps people get the most out of the waterways of Western Pennsylvania. The event promotes recreational activities on riverways and advocates water safety. With music, boating, food, fireworks, and family fun, the regatta is an event you simply shouldn’t miss.

Carrie Blast Furnaces

Pittsburgh used to sit at the top of the steel industry back in the 20th century. When the steel working industry collapsed, the city had to be resilient and resourceful to adapt to the changes. Today, the city has reformed itself as a powerhouse in tourism. Many remnants of the steel industry remain standing including the Carrie Blast Furnaces.

Explorer Riverboat

Explorer is the world’s first green passenger riverboat. Hop on board for an educational tour of the rivers that shaped the history of Pittsburgh. All proceeds from guided tours and private charters help to underwrite Rivers of Steel’s STEM-based education programs for students throughout southwestern Pennsylvania.

Moraine State Park Regatta

Moraine State Park holds a three-day regatta for free where families, friends, and individuals can have tons of fun. There’s a variety of land and lake events for friends and families to enjoy over the course of the weekend.

Pittsburgh Renaissance

Get ready for a magical adventure back to the past! Experience a blast from the past at the Pittsburgh Renaissance Amusement Park. Watch artisans as they create original works of their ancient craft and sample the cuisine the 16th century had to offer.

Pierogi Festival

The next Pierogi Festival is back at Kennywood Park on September 9, 2022. If you’re looking for the ultimate food event in Pittsburgh, the Pierogi festival is a must-see!

Pittsburgh Barrel & Flow Fest

Barrel & Flow Fest is an award-winning event that celebrates Black artists, craft brews, and the arts. Join us on Aug. 12-14, 2022 and honor Black brewers and artists and their contributions to Pittsburgh’s rise as a leader in brewery, diversity, and inclusion.

Station Square

Looking for a wonderful view of the city? Visit Station Square, which is located across the river from Downtown Pittsburgh. The fountain at Bessemer Court features hundreds of multi-colored water jets choreographed to music.

If you need to grab a bite to eat, there are plenty of restaurants nearby. Best of all, you can take a boat tour, or ride up the Pittsburgh incline!

Allegheny County Summer Concert Series

Who says live music entertainment has to be expensive? At the Allegheny County Summer Concert Series, admission is free! There are food trucks, wine, and craft beer available on-site. You can even bring your dog to join in the fun.

St. Louis

Summer in St. Louis is all about leaving your troubles behind and having fun under the sun. Forget about work and school and spend time with your friends and family. Explore everything St. Louis has to offer including the following:

Luau in the Lou

Nothing screams summer more than a Hawaiian-themed event in St. Louis. Luau in the Lou transforms Union Station into a tropical paradise for locals and tourists alike. There are monthly concert series, hula dancers, fire breathers, and performers. You can even grab a refreshing themed cocktail at the Anheuser-Busch beverage container.

Art Hill Film

St. Louis Art Museum transforms into the biggest cinema for the Art Hill Film Series. Music, food trucks, a cash bar, and more pre-show festivities begin at 6 pm. The featured film is shown with closed captions at 9 pm.

Tuesdays in the Park

Looking for fun things to do in the summer season in St. Louis? Visit the ​​Strauss Park in the Grand Center Arts District. From live music to a local bazaar, there’s always something new every Tuesday in the park.

Discover Hidden Gems Close to Home

At Imagine Homes, we are proudly local. We don’t just work here—we live here too! We hope you enjoy exploring our hometowns, discovering hidden gems, and meeting friendly faces.

Planning a vacation close to home? Let us know at @imaginehomesmgmt over on Instagram.

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