Summer in Southeast Minnesota always feels short… like, “blink twice and suddenly it’s pumpkin spice season” short. That’s why we believe every sunny day deserves maximum enjoyment.
Whether you’re looking for affordable family fun, a new food adventure, an excuse to skip cooking, or simply a reason to gather your favorite people, we’ve put together the ultimate Wild Summer Bucket List. Consider this your official challenge to make the most of every warm-weather moment before Minnesota reminds us who’s really in charge.
How many can you check off before summer ends?
□ Hit the Lanes in Byron
Bowling isn’t just for crappy weather.
Swing by our Byron location and take advantage of Ballin’ on a Budget happening April through September. For just $10 per lane, per hour, Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., you can enjoy an afternoon of strikes, gutter balls, and questionable victory dances without breaking the bank.
Bonus challenge: Beat your personal best score, then order a celebratory pizza.
□ Challenge Your Crew to Sand Volleyball
Nothing says summer quite like friendly competition.
Gather your most athletic friends (or the ones who simply talk the most trash) and head to our Rochester location’s outdoor volleyball courts. Whether you’re diving for impossible saves or mostly standing around with a beverage in hand, it’s a great way to soak up the sunshine.
□ Order the Wild Game Burger
Life is too short to order the same thing every time.
Our rotating Wild Game Burger gives adventurous eaters the perfect opportunity to branch out from the ordinary. You never know what Chef Jim will dream up next, which makes every visit a little more exciting. Consider it your culinary summer dare.
□ Surprise Someone with Wildwood Takeout
Everybody loves a surprise.
Drop off their favorite burger, sandwich, wings, or appetizer and instantly become their favorite person for the day. It’s thoughtful, unexpected, and significantly tastier than simply sending a text that says, “Hope you’re having a nice day.”
□ Experience the Glory of Sunday’s All-Day Wild Hour
Sundays were made for relaxing.
Stop in and enjoy Wild Hour specials all day long – it’s basically self-care. If you’re looking for extra credit, order a Smash Burger from the Wild Hour menu and pair it with your favorite beverage.
□ Catch a Rochester Honkers Game
Few things feel more like summer than local baseball.
Grab your crew, pregame at Wildwood, then head to a Rochester Honkers game and enjoy an evening at the ballpark. The sunshine, snacks, and summer atmosphere are reason enough to go.
□ Cook Along with Chef Jim
Ever wish you could recreate some Wildwood magic at home?
Check out some of Chef Jim’s recipes, pick up some of our very own Wildwood seasonings, and put your culinary skills to the test. Whether you’re cooking for family, friends, or just trying to impress yourself, it’s a delicious way to spend an evening.
□ Conquer the Take & Bake Pizza
Cooking dinner and pretending you cooked dinner are two very different things, but they can be equally as delicious if done right.
Our scratch-made Take & Bake pizzas make any dinner easy, delicious, and significantly less stressful. Stop in on Tuesdays for our Take & Bake deal where you can buy two and get one free, then let the oven do the heavy lifting.
□ Grill a Take & Bake Pizza
Speaking of Take & Bake pizzas…
If you’ve never grilled one, summer is your chance. The grill adds a little extra smoky flavor and gives you another reason to avoid heating up the kitchen. Trust us on this one.
□ Pack Wildwood for a Day at the Lake
Nobody wants to spend their lake day making sandwiches.
Grab takeout before heading out for an afternoon on the water. We recommend a fresh salad or one of our signature sandwiches for peak summer vibes, but honestly, there are no wrong answers here.
□ Eat Dessert First
You’re an adult. You can absolutely order dessert before your meal.
Will it confuse your server? Maybe.
Will it make life more fun? Absolutely!
□ Surprise Yourself with a Wildwood Lunch
When lunchtime rolls around and you’re staring blankly into the fridge or the boring lunch your brought only to feel defeated, take it as a sign.
Order Wildwood for lunch and have it delivered right to your workplace through DoorDash. Future you will be grateful.
□ Let the Weekly Special Decide Your Fate
Some of the best decisions happen when you stop overthinking.
Challenge yourself to order the weekly special and see where the adventure takes you. At worst, you discover something new. At best, you find a meal so delicious you beg us to add it to the menu.
□ Spend a Sunny Day on the Patio
Minnesota patio season deserves to be celebrated. Grab a seat outside, enjoy the sunshine, and settle in for a leisurely lunch, dinner, or happy hour with friends.
The emails can wait.
□ Try a Local Craft Beer
Summer and local beer just belong together.
Ask what’s currently on tap and discover a new Minnesota favorite while you’re here. You might just find your new go-to summer drink.
□ Watch the Twins Win in the Woods
Few combinations are better than baseball, great food, and an ice-cold pint (or pitcher – no judgement here).
Pull up a seat, catch the game, and cheer on the Twins surrounded by fellow fans. High fives from complete strangers are optional but highly encouraged.
□ Become the Potluck MVP
Need to bring something to the family gathering, lake cabin, or backyard cookout?
Skip the stress and show up with one of our famous appetizers or a platter of wings. It’s the easiest way to earn compliments while doing very little actual work.
□ Check Off Every Item on the Wild Summer Bucket List
Is it ambitious? Absolutely.
Is it possible? You tell us…
Summer only comes around once a year, so get out there, try something new, gather your favorite people, and make it a wild one!