Explore and Retreat Guidebook
Great Outdoor Experience
Voted as one of the best Arbs in the U.S. 28 gardens in 1200 acres to explore. Easy for walking and biking . Nature abounds!
93 locals recommend
Minnesota Landscape Arboretum
3675 Arboretum DrVoted as one of the best Arbs in the U.S. 28 gardens in 1200 acres to explore. Easy for walking and biking . Nature abounds!
This park has it all! Swimming beach with life guards, kayak/ canoe rental, bike and walking paths, picnic areas with grills, playground and fishing pier. This is my family's favorite place to go in summer!
11 locals recommend
Lake Minnewashta Regional Park
6900 Hazeltine BlvdThis park has it all! Swimming beach with life guards, kayak/ canoe rental, bike and walking paths, picnic areas with grills, playground and fishing pier. This is my family's favorite place to go in summer!
Nature Experience
A true nature experience - pristine and unblemished nature. 25.7 miles of trails for hiking, biking, snowshoeing and cross country skiing, You will see wildlife here!
16 locals recommend
Carver Park Reserve
7400 Grimm RdA true nature experience - pristine and unblemished nature. 25.7 miles of trails for hiking, biking, snowshoeing and cross country skiing, You will see wildlife here!
Just minutes from my place. Explore the Minnesota River Valley at it's finest. Canoeing, fishing and hiking are favorite things to do here. AND - sun tanning on a sand bar! :)
Minnesota Valley State Recreation Area
20550 Park BoulevardJust minutes from my place. Explore the Minnesota River Valley at it's finest. Canoeing, fishing and hiking are favorite things to do here. AND - sun tanning on a sand bar! :)
12,000 plus acres of nature in the Minnesota River Valley. Rugged, primitive and beautiful. Walking paths, bird watching and scenic views are a few things to do here.
Minnesota Wild Life Refuge
15865 Carver Highlands Dr12,000 plus acres of nature in the Minnesota River Valley. Rugged, primitive and beautiful. Walking paths, bird watching and scenic views are a few things to do here.
Food scene
Total fun! Everything candy!!! A great place to buy those unique and special gifts. Not open year round so check about hours and times when the store is open.
25 locals recommend
Minnesota's Largest Candy Store
20430 Johnson Memorial DrTotal fun! Everything candy!!! A great place to buy those unique and special gifts. Not open year round so check about hours and times when the store is open.
Great American food in a true Minnesota style venue - watch curling during dinner or stroll by the Clay Hole pond. Relaxed, casual. Patio dining in the warm months.
26 locals recommend
Crooked Pint Ale House
3210 Chaska BlvdGreat American food in a true Minnesota style venue - watch curling during dinner or stroll by the Clay Hole pond. Relaxed, casual. Patio dining in the warm months.
A bar type atmosphere with sports on large screen TV. Excellent food and the spirits are great too. :)
Open and airy atmosphere.
6 locals recommend
Jordan Supper Club & Tap Room
20201 Johnson Memorial DrA bar type atmosphere with sports on large screen TV. Excellent food and the spirits are great too. :)
Open and airy atmosphere.
This is the usual stopping place for folks travelling along Hwy 169. Breakfast, lunch and dinner served in an All American Atmosphere. And a bakery to get things "to go".
Emma Krumbee's Restaurant & Bakery
311 E Enterprise DrThis is the usual stopping place for folks travelling along Hwy 169. Breakfast, lunch and dinner served in an All American Atmosphere. And a bakery to get things "to go".
Go for a walk along the Minnesota River Levy in Chaska and stop at Tommy's for a burger or ice cream treat. Outdoor seating available. Check for restaurant hours when you plan a visit there.
8 locals recommend
Tommy's Malt Shop
2 River Bend PlGo for a walk along the Minnesota River Levy in Chaska and stop at Tommy's for a burger or ice cream treat. Outdoor seating available. Check for restaurant hours when you plan a visit there.
Entertainment
One of the best live theatres in the country. A truly memorable experience. Tickets are required and shows sell out most of the time. Plan ahead. Dinner is included with this show. We go here for special occasions.
40 locals recommend
Chanhassen Dinner Theatres
501 W 78th StOne of the best live theatres in the country. A truly memorable experience. Tickets are required and shows sell out most of the time. Plan ahead. Dinner is included with this show. We go here for special occasions.
This is a long standing seasonal must go to!! Fun, hilarious, totally unconventional and entertaining. Warning - may be a politically incorrect experience! Food, music, actors, beer, spirits and dancing - all at the same time!!! :)) Don't dress up for this experience. Usually held in August and September.
26 locals recommend
Minnesota Renaissance Festival
12364 145th St WThis is a long standing seasonal must go to!! Fun, hilarious, totally unconventional and entertaining. Warning - may be a politically incorrect experience! Food, music, actors, beer, spirits and dancing - all at the same time!!! :)) Don't dress up for this experience. Usually held in August and September.
If you have never been to a horse race, here's your chance. Open in spring, summer and fall. Fun and if you have never been to a horse track, this a is great first time horse track to visit.
57 locals recommend
Canterbury Park
1100 Canterbury RdIf you have never been to a horse race, here's your chance. Open in spring, summer and fall. Fun and if you have never been to a horse track, this a is great first time horse track to visit.
Biking
The multi-use Minnesota Valley State Trail is ideal for hiking, biking, horseback - 19.5 miles and runs from Belle Paine to the Gifford Lake Unit near Chaska. Select areas are paved for easy biking. A favorite bike trail with lots of things to see along the way.
Minnesota Valley State Trail
The multi-use Minnesota Valley State Trail is ideal for hiking, biking, horseback - 19.5 miles and runs from Belle Paine to the Gifford Lake Unit near Chaska. Select areas are paved for easy biking. A favorite bike trail with lots of things to see along the way.
Trail that follows an old railroad route from Hopkins to Chanhassen and Chaska. The trail offers views of Shady Oak Lake, Miller Park, Riley Lake Park, and the forested hills around the Minnesota River Valley. Trail connections to downtown Hopkins and downtown Chaska make this corridor ideal for exploration. 12.26 miles of aggregate.
Minnesota River Bluffs LRT Regional Trail
Southwest Regional LRT - North Corridor and South CorridorTrail that follows an old railroad route from Hopkins to Chanhassen and Chaska. The trail offers views of Shady Oak Lake, Miller Park, Riley Lake Park, and the forested hills around the Minnesota River Valley. Trail connections to downtown Hopkins and downtown Chaska make this corridor ideal for exploration. 12.26 miles of aggregate.