Remember when summer meant staying outside until the streetlights came on, racing to get ice cream before it melted, and blasting your favorite tape on a spontaneous road trip? Across the country, people are embracing the “90s summer” trend—trading endless screen time for real presence, outdoor play, and pure, unplugged nostalgia.
If you’re looking to recreate those classic, carefree childhood memories, you don’t need a time machine. Greater St. Cloud has everything you need to channel those golden summer vibes. Grab your sunglasses, pack a towel, and map out your perfect throwback itinerary!
Botanical Gardens & Scoops of Ice Cream
Every great 90s afternoon starts with zero plans and a sweet treat. Begin your day with a peaceful stroll through Munsinger and Clemens Gardens. Nestled right along the banks of the Mississippi River, these stunning twin green spaces offer a mix of rugged, winding shade paths and pristine, formal floral layouts.
Don’t just take our word for it—the gardens were proudly voted the #8 Best Botanical Garden in the Nation by the USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards! Keep the retro energy going by stopping by the local Jupiter Moon Ice Cream for a scoop of premium, small-batch artisanal flavors to enjoy as you take in the roaring fountains.
Ditch the Screens for Quarry Park Adventures
Ready for some real action? Pack your gear and head over to Quarry Park and Nature Preserve. This isn’t your average city park; it’s an adventurer’s paradise carved entirely out of historic granite quarries.
Revisit the classic, unstructured summer days of your childhood by hiking through lush scenic trails, exploring massive rock formations, or testing your adventurous side. It’s a premier destination for climbing dramatic granite cliffs, swimming, or safely launching into the deep, refreshing quarry waters. It’s the ultimate way to feel happily exhausted by dinner time.
Catch an Outdoor Show Under the Stars
Nothing captures the spirit of a retro summer night quite like live music in the open air. Grab your tickets to The Ledge Amphitheater in Waite Park.
Built beautifully between two former granite quarries, this stunning outdoor venue regularly hosts a world-class lineup of national music tours, legendary classic rock and country acts, and top-tier comedy shows. Sitting out in the night air listening to music as the sun sets, is a quintessential summer experience that will have you feeling completely present in the moment.
Grab the Popcorn for a Retro Double Feature
What’s a 90s summer without a trip to the drive-in? Just a short road trip away from St. Cloud, you can experience a true blast from the past at classic outdoor theaters like The Long Drive-In Theater in Long Prairie or the Starlite Drive-In in Litchfield. Throw some lawn chairs and blankets into the trunk, back your vehicle into a prime viewing spot, and tune your car radio to the local frequency. Watching a double feature under a canopy of stars while munching on fresh buttery popcorn is the absolute gold standard of throwback summer entertainment.
Cruise the Town on Two Wheels
Before streaming and group chats, text messaging meant riding your bike over to your friend’s house and knocking on the front door. Reclaim that sense of pure freedom by exploring Greater St. Cloud on two wheels. Grab your bike and cruise down the scenic Lake Wobegon Trail or take a leisurely ride along the Beaver Islands trail. It’s the perfect way to explore local parks, discover hidden neighborhood gems, and feel the warm summer wind in your hair—no destination or GPS required.
Lace Up at Skatin’ Place
For the ultimate time-capsule experience, you absolutely have to visit Skatin’ Place. There is nothing quite like the feeling of gliding around under neon blacklights, listening to high-energy tracks, and trying not to wipe out. Whether you prefer classic quad skates or inline blades, hitting the rink is an essential rite of passage for a true throwback summer. When you need a break from testing your skills on the floor, you can head over to their giant arcade to win some prize tickets or challenge your crew to an intense round of laser tag.
Pack a Retro Picnic at the Park
Before food delivery apps took over, a prime summer lunch meant packing up a cooler and heading to a grassy spot. Grab a classic blanket, pick some sandwiches from BoDiddleys, and find a shade tree at one of the area’s beautiful green spaces, like Riverside Park or Wilson Park. Spend the afternoon tossing a frisbee, playing a game of catch, or simply watching the clouds roll by over the river. It’s a wonderful reminder that the best summer days don’t require a screen—just a nice breeze, good company, and a perfectly packed lunch.
Endless Family Fun and Pop-Up Thrills
Whether you are traveling with kids or you’re just a kid at heart, the area serves up huge doses of hands-on excitement. You can spend an afternoon exploring the Great River Children’s Museum, a vibrant local gem packed with interactive, multi-sensory exhibits designed to spark imagination, creativity, and unstructured play.
Depending on when you roll into town, you might catch high-flying spectacles like regional air shows over the Sky Central St. Cloud Regional Airport, or stumble upon massive, family-favorite pop-up attractions—like giant traveling bounce parks or a classic circus taking over the Crossroads Center grounds. For all area events, make sure to check out our area event calendar.
The ultimate 90s summer isn’t just a trend—it’s a reminder of how good it feels to slow down, explore the outdoors, and make real memories with the people who matter most. So, turn off your notifications, load up the trunk, and hit the road. Greater St. Cloud is ready to serve as the backdrop for your favorite throwback season yet.
