Attractions

Whether you're in town for a week or just for the night, traveling solo or here with family or friends, Shakopee has what it takes to keep you entertained.  Read on for a look at a few of our favorite attractions - from high speed roller coasters to a day at the beach - then go out and have some fun!

Saddle up for high-speed horse racing, larger purses and more

1100 Canterbury Road, Shakopee, MN 55379 P: 800.340.6361  Website  Map It 

Canterbury Park features some of the most exciting horse racing in the country, with a season of live thoroughbred and quarter horse racing from May 17 through Sept. 14. Now with larger purses, thanks to a cooperative agreement between Canterbury and the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community, the track schedules post times that are generally Thursdays and Fridays at 7 p.m. On Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, racing begins at 1:30 p.m. Even when the horses aren’t running at Canterbury, the racing continues. Thanks to 500 TVs, Canterbury’s Race Book is home to year-round simulcast wagering from America’s top tracks.

Plus, horse racing is not the only entertainment option at Canterbury. The 18,000-square-foot Canterbury Card Casino features 50 tables with comfortable seating, full bar and menu with table service. A mix of different casino games are available 24 hours a day. Patrons can test their skills at the poker tables or by visiting the casino games room for conventional table games like blackjack. Canterbury also hosts many other special events and concerts throughout the year.

Learn more.

 
 

Seek (and find) thrills galore

One Valleyfair Drive, Shakopee, MN 55379 P: 952.445.7600  Website  Map It

Rev up for excitement and thrills at Valleyfair Amusement Park. With more than 75 rides and attractions, Valleyfair offers eight wicked roller coasters, including Renegade, Wild Thing, Steel Venom, High Roller, Corkscrew, Excalibur, the family coaster Mad Mouse and a coaster just for kids — Cosmic Coaster. New this year is the addition of Dinosaurs Alive! This multi-sensory and interactive dinosaur park will allow guests to experience the sights and sounds of more than 30 life-sized animated dinosaurs. Plus, Snoopy, Charlie Brown and Lucy and the rest of the Peanuts gang are all at Valleyfair’s Planet Snoopy. Planet Snoopy offers a mix of new rides and re-themed rides, adding to the already full lineup at the 90-acre park, the largest amusement park in the Upper Midwest. You’ll also find the splash-tacular Soak City Waterpark, dazzling live entertainment, plenty of games, and lots of food.

Learn More 

Rev up for fast-track action

1 Checkered Flag Boulevard, Shakopee, MN 55379 P: 952.445.2257  Website  Map It 

Shift your vacation into high gear this year at Raceway Park, Minnesota’s fi rst race track, which has been providing family entertainment for 56 years and counting. Raceway Park is home to NASCAR weekly racing, featuring Late Models, Hobby Stocks, Figure 8, Bombers, Short Trackers and Mini Stocks. 

NASCAR estimates that 75 million fans enjoy stock-car racing nationally and it’s easy to see why. The cars are fast and loud, and the racing action is up close and exciting. 

Special events at Raceway Park each year include “Nights of Destruction” featuring Figure 8 trailer races, school bus races, Spectator Drags, roll-over contests and Dukes jump. Monster trucks, stunt motorcycle riders and the Green Mamba jet car also provide entertainment for fans of all ages. Special events for kids include bike rides, boxcar races and kids in race cars. Raceway Park also offers several hospitality options, including an air-conditioned VIP suite, group outings and more. 

The track is a semi-banked, quarter-mile, asphalt oval and includes a Figure 8 track. Raceway Park offers concession stands and a central courtyard area with grandstands that seat up to 5,000 people. 

Learn More. 

Step back in time with lords and ladies

Located 3 miles south of Shakopee off Highway 169 P: 952.445.7361  Website  Map It 

You’re invited to step back in time and experience an uncommon event truly like no other. Plan to attend the Minnesota Renaissance Festival. The country’s largest Renaissance-themed festival, this rousing event will delightfully engage and entertain you as the festival grounds are transformed into a 16thcentury village, complete with hundreds of unique characters. You’re encouraged to dress the part, too!

The authentic village is filled with costumed characters such as peasants, nobles and royal courtiers. On 16 lively stages you’ll fi nd magicians, musicians, comedians, jugglers, mimes and more who entertain the kid in all of us. Plus, cheer on the jousting knights who mount their horses to do battle. And, as mentioned, festival goers are encouraged to the dress the part as well. So plan your costume now. 

The festival marketplace features 275 artisans who display and sell their handcrafted treasures. Demonstrations are given daily by masters of historic skills such as armor making, bronze casting, glass blowing and calligraphy. Additionally, visitors have more than 150 food choices including the famous roasted turkey drumstick, scotch eggs, soup in a bread bowl and apple dumplings. 

The festival runs on weekends Aug. 17 through Sept. 29.

Learn More.

Saving - and savoring - local history

235 Fuller Street S., Shakopee, MN 55379 P: 952.445.0378  Website  Map It 

With a mission to search, save and share the history and cultural heritage of Scott County, the Scott County Historical Society— Stans Museum offers intriguing exhibits, outreach and education programs, a collection of more than 1,700 artifacts, an extensive research library, workshops, lectures and guided tours at the museum and throughout the county. Shakopee is home to several historical sites such as the Strunk/Nyssen Brewery, the Samuel Pond Mission and the Schroeder Brickyard. Read more about this museum and other museums in the region in the Nearby & Notable Page of this website.

Learn More. 

   

The Landing - Step back in time at this historical village

2187 Highway 101 East, Shakopee, MN 55379 P: 763.694.7784  Website  Map It

History comes alive at The Landing-Minnesota River Heritage Park-in Shakopee. The idyllic wooded setting stretches along the scenic river valley and brings alive the charm and challenges of life in the 1800s. The Landing is open weekend and select holidays, usually mid-March through the end of December, and weekdays all year round. Tour groups may reserve by appointment. 

Learn More 

Raise the curtain on live theater

505 S. Holmes St., Shakopee, MN 55379 (Mailing Address) P: 952.856.7062  Website  Map It

Shakopee and the surrounding area, and the greater Twin Cities region, are blessed with engaging live theater options that offer top-rate performances all year. Locally, join the River Valley Theater Company as it offers a season of new productions each year. This joint venture between residents and Shakopee Community Education has been delighting audiences with musicals and plays since 2007. Some scheduled productions include: 

Other Shakopee Attractions

SandVenture Aquatic Park
1101 Adams St. Shakopee, MN 55379 P: 952-233-9502  Website  Map It
Make a splash this summer with a trip to SandVenture Aquatic Park, with its sand-bottom, chlorinated pool surrounded by a sandy beach, play area and water slides. The beach is staffed by Red Cross certified lifeguards.
Open in 2013: June 6-Aug. 18

Marcus Movie Theaters
1116 Shakopee Town Square, Shakopee, MN 55379 P: 952-445-5300  Website  Map It 
All the latest releases (both 2-and 3-D varieties) are playing at Marcus Movie Theaters.
 
Sever's Corn Maze
1100 Canterbury Rd., Shakopee, MN 55379 P: 952.974.5000  Website  Map it
Fall fun at its finest, Sever’s Corn Maze is open select weekends in September and October for maze walking, live music, a pick-your-own pumpkin patch and other autumnal offerings.

Shakopee Derby Days
Historic Downtown Shakopee/Huber Park  Website  
Shakopee’s popular, summertime community festival, Derby Days, occurs during the first full weekend in August each year. The 2013 dates are July 31 through Aug. 4. The festival features nearly 50 events over a span of five days, including live music, a family fun park, Taste of Shakopee, market fair, fireworks, parade, 5K turf run at Canterbury, and lots more. Most events take place at historic downtown’s Huber Park and are either free or low-cost.

The Spooky Side of Shakopee

As Halloween approaches each year, Shakopee area attractions get spooky to make guests scream.

The Trail of Terror
3 miles south of Shakopee on Hwy 169 P: 952-445-7361  Website  Map It
For nearly 20 years, the Trail of Terror has been scaring Minnesota residents and providing a fun experience for those ready to party. More than 15 attractions are part of the fun, including a heated, indoor maze; a hayride; corn maze; Halls of Horror; Karaoke; and more, plus special events such as costume contests. Open Thursdays through Sundays in October from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Halloween Haunt at ValleyScare
1 Valleyfair Drive, Shakopee, MN 55379 P: 952.445.6500  Website  Map It
Come October, the Halloween Haunt at ValleyScare takes over Shakopee’s favorite amusement park. ValleyScare isspooky fun for the whole family. Mature Scare-seekers can get their chills at night, when the spookiest goblins are out to play. Children can attend during the day. For details and specfic dates, visit the website listed above.