Itinerary: Thanksgiving Weekend in Shakopee
After you’ve eaten your fill of turkey and pumpkin pie, make the most of your long Thanksgiving weekend with a getaway to Shakopee. From enjoying the great outdoors to kicking off the holiday shopping season, here’s your itinerary for a memorable holiday weekend.
Friday
In the mood for some fresh air in the wake of your Thanksgiving feast? Explore Shakopee’s outdoor spaces. The Minnesota Valley State Recreation Area is a perfect spot for bird watching and observing wildlife, and the Minnesota Valley State Trail boasts scenic overlooks with diverse landscapes including wetlands, forests, and bluffs. At The Landing, you can check out historic buildings and learn about how people lived in 19th-century Minnesota while walking along the Minnesota River.
If you’d rather spend the day indoors, head to Shakopee Bowl. All 18 lanes have automatic scoring, plus there are automatic bumpers and ramps to make bowling accessible for all abilities. The on-site bar and grill serves pizza, crispy chicken sandwiches, Dome dogs, and more.
For late night fun, head to Mystic Lake for Cosmic Bingo. Get amped up with black lights, loud music, and exciting prizes. Minnesota’s largest casino also offers slots, blackback, and electronic table games.
Saturday
Get a head start on your holiday gift list and support small businesses with a morning of shopping in historic Downtown Shakopee. From apparel and home decor to fine jewelry and toys, you’re sure to find something for everyone—and maybe a treat for yourself, too! Downtown Shakopee’s local retailers include The Farmhemian, Bluff Creek Boutique, Bill’s Toggery, Real Gem Jewelers, and D&H Toys and Collectibles.
Have you worked up an appetite from shopping? Downtown Shakopee is also home to plenty of restaurants serving a variety of cuisines, with local favorites including Pablo’s Mexican Restaurant and Turtle’s Bar and Grill.
Spend the afternoon relaxing at Shakopee’s local taprooms: Shakopee Brewhall, Badger Hill Brewing, and Mana Brewing Co. Each brewery crafts crowd-pleasing beer in a variety of styles, and there are plenty of non-alcoholic options on the menu too. More of a wine drinker? Mousse Sparkling Wine Co. makes bubbly from locally-grown fruit and operates a tasting room in nearby Jordan.
Get in the festive spirit at Sever’s Holiday Light Show. The drive-through display features over 2.5 million lights synchronized to holiday music, and you can watch the full program from the observation lot after you finish the half-mile route. There are also on-site vendors serving seasonal food and drinks.
Sunday
Wrap up your weekend in Shakopee with brunch. Wampach’s Restaurant has been a local favorite since the 1950s and specializes in diner-style classics. O’Brien’s Public House serves elevated pub fare like prime rib eggs benedict and sourdough french toast topped with yogurt and fruit. Ruby’s Family Restaurant offers breakfast all day long, with dozens of sweet and savory options to choose from.
Plan a Thanksgiving weekend getaway to Shakopee! Shakopee is home to Valleyfair, Canterbury Park and the Minnesota Renaissance Festival. It’s also conveniently located to area attractions like Chanhassen Dinner Theatres and Mystic Lake.