Enjoy a Day at Valleyfair!

Attractions Best of Shakopee

Living in the Southwest Metro of Minneapolis/St. Paul has its advantages. It is a naturally beautiful area as part of the lush and aesthetically pleasing Minnesota River Valley. It is also home to four of the Upper-Midwest’s major attractions in Valleyfair Amusement Park, Canterbury Park Horse Track & Card Room, Mystic Lake Casino, and the Minnesota Renaissance Festival. Shakopee and the surrounding area is literally “Where the Midwest Comes to Play”.

May in Minnesota is the unofficial start of summer for many people. We have been released from the doldrums of winter, the area is greening up, people are out enjoying nature, and everything seems to have a lively and active tone to it. In addition, Valleyfair Amusement Park is open!

Valleyfair is the largest amusement park in the upper-Midwest, with over 75 rides and attractions. Being a season pass holder, I am afforded the opportunity to experience the thrills and excitement during the entire season. Being a thrill ride enthusiast, I truly enjoy making my way to Steel Venom when I first arrive to the park. The feeling at Steel Venom when the ride starts is what I assume to be the feeling of being shot out of a cannon. The ride reaches 68 miles per hour in less than four seconds, all while shooting up and down a u-shaped track, with a spiral twist at the top of one end. The most thrilling or exhilarating part, though, may be when you are held at the top of the track, dangling in the air facing down not knowing when the drop will occur. This ride is truly not for the faint of heart.

Steel Venom is not the only thrill coaster that will get your heart racing. Wild Thing is the both the tallest and fastest coaster to enjoy at the park. This enormous ride is 207 feet at its highest point and reaches speeds of up to 74 miles per hour. The height of the coaster going towards the first drop is truly amazing. When near the top, you have an outstanding view of the Minnesota River Valley, seeing other attractions like Canterbury Park and Mystic Lake, which takes your attention away from the inevitable rapid descent which is about to occur. Wild Thing is definitely a must-do during your trip to the park.

There always seems to something nostalgic about wooden rollercoasters at an amusement park. It brings me back to when I was first enjoying rollercoasters with my parents. This typically meant riding High Roller at Valleyfair. Renegade fits the bill for people waxing nostalgic, but also wanting to get the heart-thumping thrills of the high-speed coasters. This coaster has over 3,000 feet of track, reaching speeds of 52 miles per hour. What makes this coaster truly unique is the twisting first drop and flying by the station at high speeds. This is another must do for the thrill ride enthusiast.

Other thrill rides included at Valleyfair are:

There is nothing to worry about if thrill rides are not your thing. Being that Valleyfair has over 75 rides and attractions; they can say they have something for everyone. Enjoy some of the terrific Family Rides like the Ferris Wheel, Carousel, and Antique Autos. Or, if you have a little one, have them enjoy their time at the park by experiencing Planet Snoopy. This special kid’s area at Valleyfair will offer tykes the opportunity to enjoy their own coaster with Cosmic Coaster. Or, maybe they would like to try Lucy’s Tugboat or the fast-paced Peanuts 500. Add in Peanuts characters making a regular visit and this is something your child will truly enjoy.

I would be remiss if I did not talk about Valleyfair’s Soak City Waterpark. This area of the park is a great getaway for someone looking to relax and beat the heat and humidity of a Minnesota summer day. In addition, there have been some great improvements and additions to Soak City for 2015:

  • Breakers Pipeline features four tube slides where riders stand on a platform sixty-five feet up. The platform falls out from underneath riders sending them through a series of drops, twists and turns.
  • Breakers Plunge consists of two speed slides that drop riders ninety feet, virtually straight down.
  • Barefoot Beach is an interactive splash pad spanning nearly an acre. Features include multiple water play elements such as small slides, aim-and-spray water shooters, and multiple jets of streaming water.

Soak City is now open!

Include the new Valleyfair Live! entertainment series for 2015, Snoopy’s Best Day Bash, Dinosaurs Alive and the Fantastic Fireworks and you have the makings of the best day, and the best summer ever!