Family Spring Break in Shakopee
Searching for a kid-friendly spring break destination? Look no further than Shakopee! Here’s a three-day, two-night itinerary with fun activities and delicious dining for the whole family.
Day 1
Kick off your time in Shakopee by learning about local history and taking in scenic views. At The Landing, you can check out historic structures representing a fur trading post, farms, and frontier town, with interpretive signs about life in 19th century Minnesota. The grounds and trails are open for self-guided exploration, so it’s easy to accommodate a variety of attention spans. Plan to walk 1-2 miles during your visit, with one trail that focuses on the historic buildings and another that hugs the Minnesota River, giving you the opportunity for a great family photo. Admission to The Landing is free of charge.
O’Brien’s Public House has tasty dinner options for adults and kids, with a menu of elevated pub fare, salads, flatbreads, and Irish specialities. Smaller diners can go with a kid’s menu classic like mac and cheese or chicken tenders, or branch out with a kid-sized portion of hummus or fish and chips.
Day 2
The new “Scott County at Play” exhibit at the Scott County Historical Society appeals to kids of all ages, with toys and photos from 1850-2000 on display. The exhibit also features interactive toys and games so today’s kids can create new memories during their visit. Admission to the museum is free of charge.
For lunch, stop by Mana Brewing for housemade, stone-fired pizza. In addition to a menu of specialty pies like a pickle pizza with ranch sauce and a margherita pizza drizzled with balsamic, there are mini kid-sized pizzas that include a free drink. Kids can stay occupied with board and arcade games, while parents can enjoy a pint of craft beer, hard seltzer, or a refreshing n/a beer or kombucha.
Spend the afternoon splashing around at the Indoor Aquatic Center located at the Shakopee Community Center. There’s a zero-depth-entry leisure pool and play structure for smaller kids, as well as a larger waterslide, rock wall, and lap pool open swim for bigger kids. The aquatic center is included in daily admission to the Community Center, with a non-resident rate of $13 for adults and $11 for youth.
The Shakopee Community Center is also home to The Lookout Indoor Playground, which is geared to ages 10 and under. There’s a wide range of play opportunities—scramble up a ladder ramp, zoom down slides, play on the sensory wall, and take in the view from the fire truck. Admission to The Lookout is $6 per non-resident child.
Enjoy a family dinner at Pablo’s Mexican Restaurant, which serves up California-style Mexican cuisine including tacos, fajitas, seafood entrees, and burritos. Unlimited chips and salsa for the whole family are only $5, and there’s a kids menu with Mexican dishes like a quesadilla or enchilada as well as American options like a cheeseburger or chicken strips.
Day 3
Treat the family to breakfast at Bittner’s Bakery, where the bakery case is filled with an array of fresh doughnuts, cinnamon rolls, danishes, and more. Go early for the best selection.
Enjoy a game of bowling at Shakopee Bowl, which has automatic bumpers, automatic scoring, and ramps on hand for little bowlers. Toddler pricing is available for kids 3 and under. The on-site restaurant serves pizza, hot dogs, burgers, and a kid’s menu with mini corn dogs, grilled cheese, and more.
Get some wiggles out before heading home by taking advantage of Shakopee’s 920 acres of parks. Lions Park is popular for its inclusive Fun For All Playground with sensory activities for all ages, plus there’s a basketball court and other recreation facilities. Located on the Minnesota River, Huber Park is home to an all-ages, all-abilities playground with a smooth surface that’s wheelchair and stroller-friendly.
Beyond spring break, Shakopee is a fun family destination year-round! 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.