Where to Visit for Your Next Family Vacation

If you’re looking for exciting destinations for family vacations in MN, then you’ll love Shakopee! Shakopee is situated southwest of downtown Minneapolis, so the thrill of the big city is nearby. However, Shakopee also offers many interesting features of its own. At Shakopee CVB, we’ve outlined 3 of our favorites.

Valley Fair Amusement Park

Valley Fair Amusement Park is a whopping 90 acres of thrills, making it the largest amusement park in the area. There are 75 different attractions that target all ages and adrenaline levels, including 8 roller coasters. Your family might also enjoy Dinosaurs Alive! The dinosaur lovers will enjoy an interactive dinosaur park boasting 30 life-sized animated dinosaurs. At Planet Snoopy, you can hang out with all the Peanuts characters. Soak City Waterpark is another highlight, especially during the blazing summer. Soak City features many body and tube slides, as well as a wave pool that is 34,000 square feet! The splash pad is a full acre that will delight young and old with water jets, shooters, slides, and more. Valley Fair Amusement Park is the perfect family vacation spot with attractions to please the whole family.

The Landing

Your family vacations in MN can involve a trip through history at the Landing-Minnesota River Heritage Park. This park is 88 acres of living history from the 1800s. Shakopee was originally a small settlement of Sioux Native Americans that eventually boomed as a trading site between the rail lines and the river. This trade site, named Murphy’s Landing, is housed in the park where you will find authentic period buildings and costumed characters that create a learning experience the whole family will love.

Minnesota Renaissance Festival

Shakopee boasts America’s largest Renaissance festival! You and your family can enjoy performances of jugglers, jesters, magicians, and period musicians. You can watch an exciting jousting match as knights battle each other on horseback. Festival goers are always welcome to wear costumes too! Perhaps the biggest attraction is the marketplace, with well over 250 artisans selling handcrafted items and food.