White Bear Lake
The city’s crown jewel offers swimming, boating, fishing, and paddling in the warmer months, with ice fishing, snowmobiling, and skating in the winter. The lakeside is always alive with activity.
Tamarack Nature Center
Located nearby in the Bald Eagle-Otter Lakes Regional Park, Tamarack offers miles of trails through wetlands, woodlands, and prairies—great for hiking, birdwatching, and cross-country skiing.
City Parks
White Bear Lake is home to 24 parks with everything from beaches and public docks to playgrounds and disc golf courses. These green spaces make it easy to enjoy the outdoors year-round.
Historic Downtown
Charming, walkable, and vibrant, downtown White Bear Lake is filled with locally-owned shops, art galleries, and spas. Seasonal window displays and lakefront views make it feel like a Hallmark movie come to life.
Marketfest
This summer street festival brings food trucks, local vendors, musicians, and family activities to downtown every Thursday evening in June and July. A must-experience local tradition.
White Bear Lake’s dining scene offers a delicious blend of local flavor and lakeside charm. For upscale Italian fare with stunning lake views, Acqua Restaurant & Bar is a standout.
Manitou Bar & Kitchen offers a cozy, dog-friendly patio and a diverse menu perfect for casual outings.
If you’re craving comfort food, Rudy’s Redeye Grill is known for its hearty steaks and classic American dishes, while Admiral D’s provides a laid-back waterfront atmosphere with the option to boat right up to your meal.
For pizza lovers, Pizzeria Pezzo serves wood-fired pies and cannoli's that locals rave about. No trip to White Bear Lake is complete without a stop at Cup and Cone, a nostalgic soft-serve stand that’s been a summertime favorite for generations.
And beer enthusiasts shouldn’t miss Big Wood Brewery, where bold craft brews are served in a taproom made from reclaimed local materials.
White Bear Lake Area Schools (ISD 624) is a well-regarded district serving over 8,000 students across parts of 11 communities.
Highlights
White Bear Lake Area High School recently completed a $326 million facilities expansion, unifying its campuses into a single, state-of-the-art high school.
The district emphasizes personalized learning, career pathways, and college readiness, offering programs like PSEO (Post-Secondary Enrollment Options) and hands-on technical training.
Community Education provides year-round programs for learners of all ages, from early childhood through adult enrichment.
Nearby, private school options and charter schools offer additional educational diversity, and the area is within commuting distance of top Minnesota colleges and universities.
From the winter Bear’ly Open golf-on-ice charity event to the festive Manitou Days summer celebration, White Bear Lake is packed with year-round activities that reflect the community's spirit and love for the outdoors.
Whether you're drawn to White Bear Lake for its scenery, its small-town feel, or its cultural vibrancy, this lakeside city offers a lifestyle that’s relaxed, connected, and full of discovery.
