Continued: Get wet: A user's guide

Water, water everywhere, but what is there to do? The Twin Cities has an abundance of aquatic activities, and we've scoured the area for classic and quirky lakeside fun. Whether you're a water nut or someone who prefers a spot just outside the splash zone, we have something for you -- plus some hidden gems, insider's tips and great summer deals. After all, lounging lakeside isn't just a Minnesotan's favorite pastime; it's a summertime requirement. Make the most of it while the water's liquid.

Picnics on the shore

Looking for dining right on the water? Try the almost-in-the-lake restaurant Tin Fish at the Lake Calhoun Pavilion (3000 E. Calhoun Pkwy., Mpls., 612-823-5840) for low-cost, family-friendly meals. And though it's not directly on the water, the Sea Salt Eatery (4825 Minnehaha Av. S., Mpls., 612-721-8990) in Minnehaha Park is only a quick stroll from the falls. With convenient locations inside two of Minneapolis' most popular destinations, both provide a casual atmosphere and reasonably priced seafood.

Port of Excelsior (1 Water St., Excelsior, 952-474-0937) is another great spot to grab a bite to eat with the family if you want sandwiches, salads, burgers or wraps. Check out the daily lunch special, weekdays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. And, because the restaurant is run by Haskell's, the menu has plenty of wine options for adults. A frugal way to enjoy Lake Minnetonka, Port of Excelsior doesn't have the waterfront seating and boat parking of pricier neighbors like Maynard's (685 Excelsior Blvd., Excelsior, 952-470-1800), but its patio still offers a great view of the lake.

Couples who can sneak away for a weekend can also try the Covington Inn (100 Harriet Island Road B3, St. Paul, 651-292-1411), a converted tugboat on the Mississippi. Its days of travel up and downriver are over but it's taken on a new life after being docked at Harriet Island in 1995. At this bed-and-breakfast, children under 13 are not allowed to stay overnight. Recapture a slice of the past here -- and maybe some of that old spark, too. Rates range from $150 to $235 a night.

Toe-dippers

The metro area has more acres of fishable water than any other major city in the country, says Sybil Smith, author of the "Twin Cities Fishing Guide." For best results, shore-fishers should seek out spots with moving currents and access to deep water; dams can be particularly good places to drop a line. Smith suggests casting a line at lakes Harriet, Minnetonka, Phalen and Peltier, plus river fishing at Hidden Falls Park, the Rum River and the confluence of the Minnesota and Mississippi rivers. Fish-consumption guidelines vary from lake to lake, so be sure to check the Minnesota Department of Health's recommendations at www.health.state.mn.us/divs/eh/fish/index.html before you dig in.

The Twin Cities area is well known as a haven for biking enthusiasts -- the League of American Bicyclists ranks Minnesota fifth among bike-friendly states. The Twin Cities Bicycling Club (www.biketcbc.org) is holding a biking weekend July 31-Aug. 2 with a catered picnic in Winona, Minn. There are also good solo rides around the Minneapolis chain of lakes, the Mississippi and in public parks, but if you're looking for a quieter spot, try the Spring Lake Park Reserve near Rosemount.

Always thought you'd look good in a captain's hat? Give model boating a spin. Al Bickford, commodore of the Edina Model Yacht Club (www.emyc.org), suggests Hub Hobby (6410 Penn Av. S., Richfield, 612-866-9575) for veterans and novices; kits tend to run $45 and up. Or watch the club run boats at Centennial Lakes park in Edina every Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday evening. The annual Lighthouse Night will be held there on Aug. 9. With more than 100 members, the fleet should be impressive.

Loving the water means lending a hand to save it, too. The Friends of the Mississippi River clean and maintain the river's watershed area. Next on the agenda? The group will be tending the prairie in St. Paul's Crosby Park from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday. While many of the volunteer opportunities may not be on the water itself, volunteers can take pride in knowing that they've helped keep the mighty river healthy. Register or check out upcoming events at www.fmr.org.

Floating along

Families with a sense of adventure have plenty of time to register for the Mississippi River Challenge, July 25-26. Participants can paddle 22 or 44 miles down the Mississippi to raise money for the Friends of the Mississippi River and enjoy some of the most beautiful scenery the area has to offer. Rentals are $30 per person for a recreational kayak and $60 for a sea kayak. To register, go to www. mississippiriverchallenge.org.

Pick up a parasol and your best gal (or guy) to beat the heat in an oh-so-classic way. Pedal boat and canoe rentals are available at plenty of places around the cities, including Lake Calhoun, Lake Harriet, Como Lake and Hyland Lake Park Reserve in Bloomington. Prices range from $12 to $16 per hour, and all rentals include life jackets. Just remember to reserve enough strength to paddle back to your starting point.

Try something different this summer: stand-up paddling, a growing water-sport imported from Hawaii. Paddlers perch themselves atop a surfboard and use a single paddle to move across the water's surface. This fresh activity hones your balance and tones your muscles, plus it gives the illusion that you're walking on water. Well, gliding at least. Rentals are available at Lake Calhoun through Wheel Fun Rentals for $15. You can also take lessons from LakeSUP, a Minnetonka-based retailer, on your private lakefront property for $60 per hour or $75 per hour with a friend.

Few things are more relaxing than tubing down the water on a lazy, hazy day, but be careful. While anyone can bob down Minnehaha Creek in a normal summer, Bob Nielson of the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board said low water levels have made that impossible this summer. He guessed the creek would need another foot of rainfall before it's safe, so keep away for now. If you're willing to go a little farther afield, the Apple River in Somerset, Wis., is a popular launch point.

Jump in!

You can't swim with the sharks in Minnesota, but scuba diving is a surprisingly popular pastime in the land of 10,000 lakes that can turn up its own unusual finds. Scuba Center's Tom Benson said he once recovered a safe in Lake Harriet -- alas, it was empty. Learn how to dive and snorkel at a variety of places around town, including Scuba Center (612-925-4818 or in Eagan at 651-681-8434), Smith Diving (Fridley, 763-574-1280) or Northland Divers (Woodbury, 651-777-4278). Favorite dive spots include the clear waters of Square Lake near Stillwater and the murky depths of the scuttled wrecks on Lake Minnetonka.

It's all a matter of opinion when it comes to naming the Twin Cities' best beaches, but local parks and recreation offices recommend: Calhoun's Thomas Beach, East Cedar Lake Beach (once known as "Hidden Beach"), Phalen Park Beach, Long Lake, Lake Josephine, Snail Lake and Coon Lake in Columbus, which Jennifer Fink of Anoka County Parks and Recreation called a smaller, "hidden" pleasure. It's worth remembering that some of the best beaches do not have lifeguards -- including those in Anoka and Dakota counties. For lists of guarded beaches, check out the park and recreation websites for Carver, Hennepin, Ramsey and Washington counties and the Three Rivers Park District.

There are also several public pools for those who like their water clear and chlorinated. For waders, the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board suggests the little-known Bryant Square Pool (3101 Bryant Av. S.). On the other side of the river, Parks and Recreation for the city of St. Paul has an economical summer offer: A season pass will get you into the Highland Park Aquatic Center (1840 Edgcumbe Rd., 651-695-3773) and the indoor Great River Water Park (270 N. Lexington Pkwy., 651-642-0650) from Memorial Day to Labor Day. A family of five pays only $245, or $195 for St. Paul residents.

Speaking of water parks, there are a few other places to float, splash and slide your way to summer fun, especially in the suburbs. Kids can hit up the wave pools and splash pads at Maplewood's Battle Creek Waterworks (2401 Upper Afton Rd., 651-748-2500), which is free for infants, and $6.50 for those age 1 and older. Plus, if you get to the park between 6 and 8 p.m., admission drops to $4.50. The Bunker Beach Water Park in Coon Rapids (701 County Parkway Road A, 763-767-2895) offers a steal of its own during the "twilight" hours of 4 to 7 p.m.: Admission is $5 for those under 48 inches tall, and only $7 for anyone taller.

Hayley Tsukayama • 612-673-7415

TAKE A QUIZ: WHICH LAKE ARE YOU? • WHERE TO FIND SWIMMING CLASSES • E7