French Regional Park in Minneapolis, MN 55441

French Regional Park, on the north shore of Medicine Lake, offers a creative play area with a cargo-net climbing structure and interconnected handicap-accessible areas for younger and older kids, a swimming beach (with changing rooms and concessions), a fishing pier, picnic areas, woodlands inviting for hiking (some trails are lighted), and pet-walking and cross-country skiing trails.

In summer, visitors can rent paddleboats, rowboats, kayaks, and canoes (call 763.694.7750 for info and hours); in winter, cross country skis.

The Visitor Center is open year-round with meeting rooms, restrooms, and concessions. There's a great lighted sliding hill beside it for winter fun, but note that only non-rail sleds, not snowboards or tubes, are permitted. It's open until 10pm.