Discover Shakopee Itinerary: Summer Family Weekend in Shakopee
Summer is the perfect time to experience all of the family attractions Shakopee has to offer! From rides at Valleyfair to a kid-friendly day at the races, here’s an itinerary packed with fun for all ages.
Friday
Start off your Shakopee getaway with a visit to The Landing, a free heritage park along the Minnesota River. Kids can burn off some energy by exploring the trails, and you can do a self-guided tour to see historic buildings and learn about how Minnesotans lived in the 1800s.
Next, head to Lion’s Park, a community park that features an inclusive playground with sensory activities, a splash pad, and 18-hole disc golf course. It’s also home to the Sandventure Aquatic Park, which offers a sandy beach perfect for building sandcastles, a sand-bottom chlorinated pool, and waterslides. It’s like going to the lake, but with all the amenities of a waterpark.
Finish your day with dinner at O’Brien’s Public House, which has patio seating and a kids menu. Adults can enjoy tasty pub favorites like wings, flatbreads, burgers, and salads, with dozens of gluten-free options. Another local favorite is Pablo’s Mexican Restaurant, which has a kid’s menu with both Mexican and American fare, plus a patio.
Saturday
Whether you’re looking for exciting thrill rides or low-key family entertainment, a day at Valleyfair is something the whole family will enjoy. If you love coasters, a ride on Steel Venom will launch you to 68 mph in less than 4 seconds, and Wild Thing will give you views of the whole park before hitting speeds of 74 mph.
There are also plenty of rides geared to kids and families, including a classic carousel and antique-style motor cars kids can drive around a track. Valleyfair’s Planet Snoopy is a fun Peanuts-themed area with kid-sized attractions and live shows starring Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Lucy, and the rest of the gang.
Admission to Valleyfair includes Soak City waterpark, where you can body surf in the Breakers Bay Wave Pool and zoom down both intense and family-friendly water slides. For a more relaxing experience, grab a tube and float around the waterpark on the Ripple Rapids lazy river or rent a cabana and chill by the pool. Smaller children will love Barefoot Beach, an acre-sized splash pad with geysers and slides.
Sunday
Kick off your last day in Shakopee with breakfast from Bittner’s Bakery. The pastry case is filled with an array of raised and cake donuts and fruit-filled danishes, including a special donut of the week.
Sundays are Pepsi Family Day at Canterbury Park, with live racing fun for fans of all ages. Special family day activities include face painting, pony rides, and a chance to run around the track after the final race. Check the race schedule for special events like wiener dog races, unicorn and llama races, and more. Families can save money with the Pepsi Family Pack, which includes 4 general admission tickets, 4 hot dogs, 4 bags of chips, and 4 sodas.
Wrap up your getaway with a visit to the World’s Largest Candy Store, which stocks a dizzying selection of candy, soda, popcorn, jigsaw puzzles, and other goodies. Wandering through the shop is half the fun, thanks to the colorful murals and life-sized models of superheroes and characters from beloved kids’ movies.
Shakopee hotels and campgrounds have plenty of kid-friendly amenities, including pools, complimentary breakfast, and more. Shakopee is home to Valleyfair, 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.
Book your stay in Shakopee today!
