8 Best Spots to Soak Up Summer in Shakopee

Activities Attractions Best of Shakopee Dining Events Festivals Outdoors Parks and Trails

Beautiful weather, long days, and special events: it’s time to soak up summer in Shakopee!  Here are our favorite spots to make the most of the season.

  1. Outdoor concerts

Enjoy the summer weather and your favorite songs at an outdoor concert in Shakopee.  Canterbury Park’s summer concert series features tribute, rock, and country acts including Killer Queen, Get the Led Out, Smash Mouth, and Randy Houser.   The intimate venue has great sightlines and acoustics, with tickets at a wide range of price points and free parking.

Experience the best of downtown Shakopee at Rhythm on the Rails, a free concert series on Wednesday nights.  In addition to regional headliners and local opening acts, there’s a free kids zone and food and beer from local vendors.

  1. Soak City Waterpark 

From plunging water slides to kid-friendly play areas, Valleyfair’s Soak City Waterpark has attractions to keep everyone occupied.   The 3.5 acre waterpark features a giant wave pool, body and tube slides, a lazy river, and Barefoot Beach, an acre-sized splash pad.  Rent a cabana for the day to relax in your own private space.

  1. Canterbury Park

Enjoy a day at the races at Canterbury Park.  Live horse race meets are held on select Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays through September 16—place a bet and cheer on your pick.  For a more offbeat experience, check out the dog race days, with adorable corgis, weiner dogs, and more racing around the track.

  1. Restaurant patios

Dine al fresco at a local restaurant.  O’Brien’s Public House brings a taste of Ireland to Minnesota, with elevated pub fare and lots of gluten-free options.  Pablo’s Mexican Restaurant serves tasty Mexican cuisine and margaritas—try a few different flavors with a flight of miniature drinks.  Shakopee House has a waterfront deck and a menu of supper club favorites, and you can also check out the Rum Row Tiki Bar’s tropical-themed patio.  

  1. Taproom patios

Cool off with a craft beer or hard seltzer on a local taproom patio.  Shakopee Brewhall serves up crowd-pleasing brews plus a coffee menu on a covered rooftop patio.  At Badger Hill Brewing, sip a refreshing seasonal beer or the ever-popular Badger Snack Peanut Butter Stout (there’s even a non-alcoholic version).   Added bonus: the patios at both breweries are dog-friendly.

  1. Lions Park

Head to Lions Park for a laid-back summer afternoon—the 50-acre community park has a splash pad, 18-hole disc golf course, and an inclusive playground with sensory activities for all ages.  The park is also home to SandVenture Aquatic Park, which has a lake-style sand bottom pool and sandy beach perfect for building sandcastles, as well as waterslides and a diving board.

  1. Bike trails 

Savor the summer weather by pedaling the trails in Shakopee.  Mountain bikers can explore the Xcel Energy Mountain Bike Trail at Quarry Lake Park, which offers both easy and intermediate loops.  

Another fun bike route is the Minnesota Valley State Trail, which has a 9.8 mile paved section that runs from Chaska to Fisher Lake in Shakopee.

  1. Minnesota Renaissance Festival

Cap off your summer of Shakopee fun with a visit to the Minnesota Renaissance Festival, which runs weekends August 19-October 1, 2023, plus Labor Day and Friday, September 29.  Cheer on live jousting, browse the artisan market, and more.  The family-friendly festival features lots of fun activities and games for kids, and each weekend has a different theme.

Stay in Shakopee this summer!  Shakopee is home to Valleyfair, Canterbury Park, and the Minnesota Renaissance Festival.  It’s also conveniently located to area attractions like Mystic Lake Casino and Chanhassen Dinner Theatres.

Book your stay in Shakopee today!