Shakopee, MN is a Family-Centric Town
Like other towns in Minnesota, Shakopee boasts an endless number of family-centric fun things to do. With this, whether you are traveling alone or with the whole family, everyone will find something to keep them delighted. This is unlike the other ordinary towns where you hassle tirelessly for amazing activities to enjoy with the young ones. Of course, with a town as big as Shakopee, the choices may be overwhelming. But here is a list of some of the most exciting and family-friendly places you may want to visit.
Minnesota Landscape Arboretum
Located less than ten minutes from Shakopee, in the town of Chaska, the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum is a popular tourist attraction situated on over 1,200 acres. A premier northern garden, it was established in 1958, created by the University of Minnesota Horticultural Research Center. These impressive grounds feature woods, prairies, several tree collections, magnificent colorful gardens, and miles of beautifully landscaped trails.
Visitors can view various nature-inspired exhibits in the onsite galleries, dine at the Arboretum Café, peruse the Anderson Horticultural Library, and explore the Bee and Pollinator Center. They also offer public tours by foot or on the Trumpet Creeper Tram led by knowledgeable naturalists.
Stans Homestead and Museum Garden
The Stans Homestead and Museum Garden are located in the picturesque town of Shakopee at Scott County Historical Society. A Dutch Colonial Revival structure, it originally served as the boyhood home of Maurice Stans, an accountant and public servant who served under both President Eisenhower and President Nixon.
This one-and-a-half-story home boasts many of its original artifacts, furnishings, and embellishments, including its cross-gamble roof, a popular pattern used to style homes during this period. It also boasts a completely renovated and redesigned outdoor garden featuring a stunning pergola, two butterfly gardens, and lovely gravel walkways.
Valleyfair
Valleyfair is the largest amusement park in the Upper Midwest area. Open seasonally, from May to November each year. The park features more than 75 exciting rides and attractions. This includes eight daring and exhilarating roller coasters like the 230-foot tall tower, North Star. Delirious, the newest addition is a 70-foot-tall, looping stomach sinker.
For visitors who prefer a calmer experience, Valleyfair also has a variety of family and kid rides and the Soak City Waterpark. A new family area named Route 76 was created within the park. Inspired by its 1976 roots, old favorites have reappeared, Antique Autos, the Scrambler, and a revamped Tilt-a-Whirl, to name a few.
Turtle’s Bar and Grill
Turtle’s Bar and Grill is a family-owned-and-operated neighborhood restaurant serving the Minnesota River Valley for over 25 years. Located in downtown Shakopee, Turtle’s boasts a classic sports bar décor with comfortable seating areas, numerous televisions on every wall, and an expansive full bar.
They specialize in traditional American dishes and made-from-scratch, stone-oven baked thin-crust pizzas. Turtle’s is also known for its incredible local craft beers, paying special attention to those brewed in Minnesota and limited, hard to come by beers. Their goal is to have as many 90+ rated beers in stock as possible.