Now that all the snow has melted and the temperature is rising, spring and summer are upon us, which means it’s time to get out of our winter hibernation and go outside.

Going outside has been proven to reduce feelings of sadness and anger, improve our breathing, boost our immune function, and can even help us sleep better. “Nature makes me happy and calm,” Stella Stinnett, ‘25, explained. “By being in nature, I can get off my phone and think,” Amelia Witowski, ‘27 added.

There are many places full of nature all around us that can help you improve your wellness, and here are just a few of the many
nature spots nearby that you should visit this spring and summer.

In Minnesota, we only have a short amount of time where the weather is warm and the sun is out, so be sure to make the most of your spring and summer by getting outside!

Minnesota Landscape Arboretum: The “Arb,” located in Chaska, is the largest public garden reserve in the Upper Midwest and is owned by the University of Minnesota. It features many different types of gardens such as a Japanese garden, Chinese
garden, and a sculpture garden. In addition to this, the Arboretum also has many touring loops where visitors can walk, bike, drive, or take a tram to see the various plants, colorful flowers, and beautiful nature Excelsior they have to offer.

Surrounded by Lake Minnetonka, parks, tennis and basketball courts, Excelsior is not short on outdoor activities. You could go
take a walk in the commons to see the greenery, bike through thetown or on the nearby trails, or visit the Excelsior Public Beach:The perfect place to lay out in the sun, relax, and swim this summer. “I like going there to watch the sunset, swim in the lake, and fish out on the docks,” Witowski mentioned. There are many aspects of Excelsior that can help you relax and reconnect with nature which makes it such a wonderful place to be.

Purgatory Park: Located just a few minutes east of MHS, Purgatory Park features a variety of trails for walking, running and biking, as well as a picnic area. Along the trails, you can see an abundance of greenery and different ecological areas such as wetlands, woodlands, and prairies. “It’s like a forest getaway in the middle of the city,” Stinnett explained. All in all, Purgatory is a great place where you can disconnect from your devices and spend time relaxing in a quiet area secluded from the busyness of daily life.

Noerenberg Gardens:  Noerenberg Gardens, located in Wayzata, boasts beautiful arrays of plants and flowers as well as a gazebo overlooking Lake Minnetonka. New flowers are planted nearly every month, including perennials, annuals, hydrangeas, and azaleas. There is also a variety of vines, shrubs, and trees surrounding the garden. It is a great place to take a light stroll, soak up the sun, or relax while listening to the waves from the lake.