8 Tips for Planning Your Shakopee Summer Vacation
Already dreaming about your summer vacation plans? Check out these tips for planning a fun getaway to Shakopee.
Buy concert tickets.
There are some top music acts coming to Shakopee this summer—buy your tickets early so you don’t miss out! Rock, country, and pop music festival Twin Cities Summer Jam will be held at Canterbury Park July 21-23, 2022, with performances by Blake Shelton, Kane Brown, Trace Adkins, Nelly, and 38 Special. Mystic Lake Amphitheater will be hosting Third Eye Blind on July 1, 2022 and the Black Crowes on July 11, 2022.
For a budget-friendly concert option, check the Rhythm on the Rails free concert series held Wednesdays June 22-August 3, 2022 in downtown Shakopee.
Purchase admission tickets to Valleyfair.
For the best deals on daily admission tickets, purchase them in advance online—you can use your tickets on any operating date through September 11, 2022, so there’s plenty of flexibility. If you’re planning a long weekend in Shakopee, consider getting a season pass, which includes unlimited visits and free parking, and pays for itself in less than two visits.
Brush up on racing terminology.
The live horse races at Canterbury Park are always a thrill, but you’ll get a little more out of your experience if you learn some racing lingo. Here’s a handy guide to track terms you might encounter, plus a virtual tour of the track.
Planning a family vacation? Canterbury Park is a family-friendly environment, with free admission for kids under five, a huge playground, and family-friendly activities every Sunday, including pony rides and a kids’ run around the track.
Sign up for Club M at Mystic Lake.
Earn rewards and get fun perks when you play, stay, or dine at Minnesota’s largest casino with a free Club M membership. Members are eligible for exclusive offers, restaurant discounts, presale entertainment tickets, a free birthday spin, and more.
Mystic Lake offers high and low stakes slots, bingo, pull tabs, and black jack, plus free entertainment on Fridays and Saturdays and special events including concerts and comedy shows.
Add the Minnesota Renaissance Festival to your calendar.
The largest Renaissance Festival in the United States is scheduled to run weekends August 20-October 2, 2022, plus Labor Day (September 5) and Festival Friday (September 30). Each weekend has a unique theme, and the festival also features 16 stages of entertainment, live armored jousting, and a marketplace with over 250 artisans.
Purchase discounted advance tickets online—daily, weekend, and season passes are available.
Tune up your bike for a ride on the Minnesota Valley State Trail.
With a scenic route along the Minnesota River, the multi-use Minnesota Valley State Trail is perfect for biking. The section of the trail from Shakopee to Chaska is paved for 9.8 miles, and the trail continues unpaved for another 19.5 miles to Belle Plaine.
Another great spot to bike in Shakopee is the Xcel Energy Mountain Bike Park at Quarry Lake Park, which features four loops with difficulty levels ranging from easy to intermediate for a total length of approximately four miles.
Scope out the local dining scene.
Barbecue, sushi, tacos, burgers, donuts, craft beer, and more—whatever your tastes, you’ll find a delicious meal at Shakopee’s local restaurants. Plenty of spots offer outdoor dining, including Pablo’s Mexican Restaurant, O’Briens Public House, Dangerfield’s Restaurant, and Stonebrooke Bar and Restaurant.
Find a place to stay.
Whether you’re planning a couple’s getaway or a family vacation, Shakopee has accommodations to fit your needs. Shakopee hotels are available with a wide range of price points and amenities. Prefer the great outdoors? Nearby campgrounds offer options from rustic tent sites to full-service RV parks.
Plan a getaway to Shakopee this summer! Shakopee is home to Valleyfair (the largest amusement park in the upper Midwest), Canterbury Park, and the Minnesota Renaissance Festival, and is conveniently located to area attractions including Mystic Lake Casino, the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, and Chanhassen Dinner Theater.