8 Ways to Cool Down in Otter Tail County

With a boatload of summer activities happening and the lakes waving us over to play, we can sometimes forget how hot and intense the sun can be. Being aware and ready to beat the heat is key to warding off dehydration, heat stroke and other consequences of becoming too hot. Here are 8 ways to cool down in Otter Tail County when the Minnesota heat rises.

• The Lake (of course!) – There are plenty of lakes to swim, tube, waterski, and basically dive in to cool off. First, Otter Tail County has several public beaches groomed and ready for play, find them here. Otherwise, if you’re staying at a resort like Shady Grove Resort, Five Lakes Resort or Ten Mile Lake Resort & Steakhouse, they offer water toys for play on their well-kept beaches. Or if you want your own water toy, Fleet Farm in Fergus Falls and Mark’s Fleet Supply in Perham have paddling equipment plus more.

• Eat Ice Cream – Stack the scoops to bring on the brain freeze with delicious ice cream. Uncle Eddies in Fergus Falls, the Goose Gang in Perham, The Williams Company in Ottertail city or Otter Coffee in Vergas are cool places to find your favorites. Plus, ice cream is a great way to bring the family together! What more can we say about a freezer treat on a hot day?
• Shop in Air-Conditioned Stores – Finding an air-conditioned building, such as a retail store, is a refreshing adventure in shopping. Otter Tail County has a great variety of shops to cool off in, from Dot & Minnie’s, SoapWerks Naturals & Creative Handmade Goods, Neverwinter Clothing + Gifts to Cora’s Closet, The bric and Rusty Anchor Trading Company. These unique shops and cooled atmospheres will help to pass those extremely hot hours of the day.

• Don’t Cook, Eat Out on a Patio – What better way to avoid creating heat than to relax on an open patio? Also, with food you didn’t have to cook! This is patio season and a great place to enjoy it! Here is a list of places you can enjoy a delicious meal with a view on the patio.
• Find a Cool Breeze – You don’t have to go far to relax while feeling the breeze. Choosing a popular activity like a pontoon ride brings a bit of wind your direction. Also, a golf cart ride to the next tee box will send a gust in your face. So go practice your swing at Wildflower, Thumper Pond or Pebble Lake Golf Courses for a cool ride around 18 greens. Another great way to enjoy the breeze, is sitting in a lawn chair listening to live music. Ottertail city has Music in the Park several times throughout June, July and August, along with Vergas and Perham. These events are free and listed on our events calendar.

• Stay Hydrated – Drink water. Mothers are very good at repeating those two words and it’s good advice! Another way to down more water is add ice to whatever you are drinking. By adding chunks of watermelon, strawberries, blueberries, lemons, oranges and apples to water you can create a subtly sweet taste. Or just eat those fruits as they are higher in water content. Find these delicious fruits and more at Farmers Markets in Fergus Falls, New York Mills, Battle Lake, Perham and Pelican Rapids.
• Create Your Wind by Biking – With more trails connecting and being added yearly, biking is becoming a popular activity. Since biking is possible for youngsters to older folk, by way of bike trailers and seat carriers to adult tricycles, all generations can cruise the paved trails safely. Here is a blog describing some of the trails available in Otter Tail County.
• Find a Park – Have you ever swung so high, you thought you were going to the moon? Well, maybe your inner 10-year-old had those thoughts but the 18 plus knows the rush of wind feels amazing! So swing, slide and climb to discover the gusts of air that are achievable in the local parks. Here is a list of parks.

Now that you have discovered our 8 ways to cool down in Otter Tail County, which ones will you try today?