Things to Do

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Find impressive savings at Minnesota's largest outlet shopping center boasting 100 designer apparel and brand name outlets offering savings of 25%-65% every day. Featuring Adidas, Ann Taylor Factory Store, Banana Republic, BCBG Max Azria, Calvin Klein, Coach, Converse, Gap, Guess, Gymboree Outlet, Kenneth Cole, Michael Kors, Nine West, Polo Ralph Lauren, Puma, Tommy Hilfiger, Under Armour and many more!
 
Location: Conveniently located just 30 miles northwest of Minneapolis on Interstate 94 and exit 202.
 
Tour Groups: Groups receive complimentary VIP Coupon Books filled with hundreds of dollars of additional savings at participating stores. FREE meal vouches for driver/escort.
 
Hours:
Mondays - Saturdays 10:00 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Sundays - 10:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Please call ahead for holiday hours.

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Brunswick Zone XL is extra large fun. Endless lanes for bowling, a giant game room, lazer tag, billiards, and a super-size lounge to relax with friends or catch the big game. If you want BIG fun, get into the good times at Brunswick Zone XL.

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Experience the heart-pounding excitement at Minnesota's premier year-round entertainment destination - Canterbury Park. Live Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing extends from mid-May through Labor Day featuring a family friendly atmosphere at a great value. Canterbury Park's newly remodeled Card Casino deals up action 24/7 with the Midwest's largest variety of table games. From poker games like Texas Hold'em, Omaha and 7-Card Stud to Casino favorites Blackjack, Pai Gow Poker, EZ Baccarat, Let it Ride, 3-Card Poker and more, the Canterbury Card Casino has you covered. Plus, Canterbury Park's Race Book and Special Events Center is open year 'round with daily action.
 
Canterbury Card Casino - Open 24/7
Table Games: Blackjack, Pai Gow Poker, 3 Card Poker and More
Poker: Texas Hold'em, 7-Card Stud and Ohama Hi-Lo
 
Horse Racing
May 18 - Labor Day; Thursdays & Fridays - evening racing; Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays - Afternoon Racing. Check canterburypark.com or call for post-times.
 
Race Book
Open Daily 10 a.m. - Midnight. Watch and wager on tracks from around the country.
 
Special Events
The Craft Show, Junk Bonanza and much more. Visit our website or call for details.
 
Group Sales
Holiday parties • Summer picnics • Business meetings

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For a taste of Broadway, visit Chanhassen Dinner Theatres -- the largest fully professional dinner theatre in the nation. Over the past 44 years, Chanhassen has entertained more than ten million guests and is considered a premiere entertainment establishment offering warmth, charm and elegance to all who visit!

XANADU, A musical spoof of the '80s cult classic Olivia Newton-John film, this hilarious roller-skating, disco-dancing adventure weaves an electrifying tale of endless fun that will keep audiences in stitches!  Now playing through Sept.29, 2012, on the Main Stage.

In the Playhouse Theatre, laugh along with STEVIE RAY'S COMEDY CABARET. Guests toss out suggestions to the comics, who create songs and sketches right on the spot. The comedy cabaret is featured year-round Friday & Saturday evenings.

Guests relax and enjoy tableside service with entrees selected from a delicious menu. Specialty appetizers, cocktails and desserts are also available. The Los Angeles Times calls Chanhassen "one of the very best dinner theatres in the country AAA Magazine states, "any Twin Cities trip should include an evening at Chanhassen!"

One third of Chanhassen's annual business is comprised of travel/tour and business groups. Offering a variety of packages and discounts, guests are entertained at Chanhassen Dinner Theatre year 'round.

For reservations, go to ChanhassenDT.com or call (952) 934-1525 or (800) 362-3515. For groups of 12 or more, call (952) 934-1547 or toll-free (800) 355-6273.

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The Orpheum, State and Pantages theatres.

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The nation's largest fully-enclosed retail and entertainment center with 40 million annual visitors.

World-class shopping at 520 stores with top designer brands and no sales tax on clothing or shoes.

50 restaurants ranging from fine dining to fun, interactive family eateries.

More than 400 free events annually including many Hollywood celebrity performances and autograph signings.

Located in the center of Mall of America®, Nickelodeon Universe® features seven acres of unique attractions and entertainment, including 27 great rides for guests of all courage levels! Meet the Nick characters, experience new rides, shop exclusive retail and much more!

Many other attractions for hours of fun including Underwater Adventures® Aquarium, Silicon Motor Speedway, LEGO®, MagiQuest®,Theatres at Mall of America™, Rick Bronson's House of Comedy, American Girl and Butterfly Bay.

20,000 free parking spots and dedicated bus pick-up/drop-off facility at north entrance.

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Named one of the Top 10 gardens in America by USA Today, the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum is a quick getaway right in the metro area. Explore 1,137 acres at your own pace including 32 specialty and demonstration gardens, expansive tree and plant collections, woodlands, wetlands and prairie. Celebrate the changing seasons, with nature-inspired exhibits and events, indoors and out.

Popular destinations for families include the new Green Play Yard (especially for infants, toddlers and preschoolers), the Maze Garden and Bog boardwalk; and Thursday storytime in the Library, weekend family fun (every Saturday and Sunday). The Arboretum's Learning Center boasts a "please-touch" greenhouse. 

Tickets for tram and bus tours in the Visitor Center. Opening summer 2013 are visitor circulators that shuttle you to popular gardens for step-on, step-off experience.

Open year-round with these seasonal highlights:

SPRING.... Catch the spring wildflowers, crabapple blossoms, lilacs and thousands of tulips (peak bloom predicted for Mother's Day weekend). 

SUMMER....glorious annuals and perennials, stately tree and pine collections as well as specialty gardens featuring roses, hostas, lilies, peonies...even a Japanese garden and more.

AUTUMN....the best fall color in town, scarecrows in the garden, awesome pumpkin displays and weekend events. 

HOLIDAY....festive, nature-inspired decor in the Great Hall, visits with Santa, storytime by the holiday trees, cookie decorating for families (complete with cookies, frosting and sprinkles), holiday teas, family breakfasts and so much more. 

WINTER...the season to imagine--from scouring seed catalogs in the Andersen Horticultural Library to x-country skiing (named best classic trails by Minnesota Monthly in 2012) and snowshoe.

IDEA LAB FOR GARDENS....Whether novice, experienced or expert gardeners, must-sees are the Home Demo gardens with ideas for small space vegetable gardens, ornamental and vegetable gardens (who like each other!), salad gardens, and international vegetable themes that change up each year. 

OSWALD VISITOR CENTER .....light-filled, natural beams create a beautiful setting. Includes gift store,  casual restaurant (serving wine and beer), Reedy Gallery (a collection of oils and watercolors from national and Minnesota painters) and Restaurant Gallery (photographs and more from Minnesota-based photographers and artists). The historic Snyder Building features the Andersen Horticultural Library and serves as the place for monthly traditional teas and seasonal gourmet dinners.

EVENTS AND PROGRAMS FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY... including children's daycamps and adventures; adult gardening school, dinner with a chef cooking classes...even Yoga in the Garden with Lifetime Fitness in summer 2013. 

Admission
Adults - $12 for ages 13 and up
12 & under - free
Members - free
From April through October, the third Thursday is free admission after 4:30 p.m. From November-March, admission is free all day Thursdays.
 
Hours
Visitor Center:
November-April: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday-Saturday and 10 a.m to 4:30 p.m. Sunday.
May-October: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday-Saturday; 10 am.to 6 p.m. Sunday. Check for holiday hours at www.arboretum.umn.edu
 
Arboretum grounds are open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. or sunset (whichever is first). Closed Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
 
Special hours for SummerHouse and AppleHouse summer and fall„ featuring fresh local produce, garden gifts, University meats and cheeses, Arboretum apples, pumpkin and squash and more. Located west of Arboretum on Hwy. 5.
 
Touring the Arboretum
Guided tours: Motorized Trumpet Creeper Tram available May - October (tickets available in Oswald Viitor Center) or free walking garden tours; monthly regular guided walks schedule varies by month.

12.5 miles of paved garden paths and wood-chipped hiking trails

11 miles of groomed cross-country ski trails

4 miles of snowshoe trails

Walk or drive Three-Mile Drive

Now connected to Minnewashta Parkway regional bicycle and hiking trail.  No fees if biking through on trail; $5 day pass if bicyclists wish to use Arboretum buildings and walkways and trails.  Locked bicycle racks available.

Group Rates
$7 per person for groups of 10 or more in one vehicle. Call (952) 443-1422 to schedule group tours and reserve group tour packages.

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Located in the southeastern suburb of Apple Valley, the Minnesota Zoo is an animal lover's paradise. Open year-round, the Zoo features more than 2,900 animals from around the globe, including everything from Atlantic bottle-nosed dolphins to grizzly bears and snow monkeys. Don't forget about the KAYTEE World of Birds Show, numerous special events, or a movie on the IMAX giant screen.

3M Penguins of the African Coast will feature African penguins in a brand-new habitat. For the first time, Minnesota Zoo guests will be able to experience these amazing aquatic birds eye-to-eye, above and below water, in a replica of their spectacular, wild habitat on South Africa's Boulders Beach.
 
The Minnesota Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and provides award-winning recreational, educational and conservation programs, locally, nationally and internationally.
 
The Minnesota Zoo is open year-round, with the exception of Thanksgiving Day and December 25th. For more information, call 952.431.9500 or visit mnzoo.org.
 
Hours:
October - April: 9am - 4pm everyday
Memorial Day -Labor Day: 9am - 6pm everyday
September and May: 9am - 4pm weekdays, 9am - 6pm weekends
 
Groups
Discount admission and discount monorail is available for groups of 20 or more. Please call 952.431.9200 for more information or make your reservation on line at www.mnzoo.org

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The Midwest's Largest Casino and Official Casino Hotel of the Mall of America

Just 25 minutes from downtown Minneapolis or the airport

600 Luxurious Guest Rooms

24-hour Gaming Action

2,100 seat Mystic Showroom featuring top entertainment acts

Spa and Golf course on site

Indoor Pool

Ample Free Parking including free valet parking

Seven restaurants/bars including an award-winning Buffet

On-Line Reservations

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Located in the center of Mall of America, Nickelodeon Universe features seven acres of unique attractions and entertainment, including 27 great rides for guests of all ages and courage levels! Meet the Nick characters, experience new rides and attractions, shop exclusive retail and much more!
 
Visit www.nickelodeonuniverse.com for more info.

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Live Racing
Join us each and every Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday, May 31st - August 27th, 2011. Our first post is 7PM CT for all race dates!
 
Card Room
Running Aces Harness Park's high-energy, cutting-edge card room provides pulsating action from our 25 Las Vegas-style games!
 
Dining
Running Aces is the perfect place to enjoy full service dining all year long. Our 250-seat restaurant, The Winner's Circle Restaurant and Lounge, features an array of classic American and Asian menu selections. We feature Buffets on Thursday and Friday Nights, dinner specials and a Sunday Brunch throughout the year. For Reservations at the Winner's Circle Restaurant, please call 651.925.4577 or contact restaurant@runningacesharness.com
 
Open 24 hours a day, you can grab a quick bite or a cold drink at All-In Grill and fuel up for more fun! Order tableside with game side dining - we're full-service and ready to serve you!

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Located on the banks of the Mississippi River in downtown St. Paul, the Science Museum of Minnesota has a 100+-year history of unforgettable science fun and learning.

With more than eight acres of indoor space devoted to hands-on exhibits and fascinating multimedia presentations, as well as an outdoor science park with activities focused on river ecology and landscape dynamics, there’s something for everyone to explore. Enjoy a giant screen film in the state-of-the-art, convertible-dome Omnitheater, wonder at our world-class collection of fossils, touch a tornado, see an authentic Egyptian mummy, examine your cheek cells under a microscope, climb aboard a Mississippi River towboat, explore artifacts that span billions of years of the earth’s history, play science-themed mini-golf, and more.

Exhibits and programs: 

Last chance to try your hand at pirate life.
Hurry, the Real Pirates exhibition ends September 3rd. 
For tickets, call (800) 221-9444 or visit smm.org

Real Pirates: The Untold Story of the Whydah from Slave Ship to Pirate Ship (through September 3, 2012)

Under the Sea is now showing in the Omnitheater (through September 27, 2012)

The Living Sea plays daily at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. (through September 27, 2012)

Tornado Alley in the Omnitheater (opens September 28, 2012)

Lost Egypt exhibition (opens October 13, 2012)

Future Earth, newest Science Museum of Minnesota-produced exhibit

Playdates- Visit the Science Museum with your preschool-age children between 10 a.m. - Noon on Tuesdays, and take part in a special promotion that will keep little hands busy and little minds buzzing!

Hours: visit smm.org/hours

Groups of 15 and more: Choose from multiple admission types and flexible payment terms. Please call (651) 221-9444 or (800) 221-9444 to book a group.

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Want to dive beneath the sea without getting wet? You'll come face to face with everything from shrimp to sharks, and learn tons of great stuff from SEA LIFE experts. SEA LIFE Minnesota features more than 10,000 sea creatures that you can see and even touch! Come face to face with sea turtles, sharks, stingrays, pufferfish, jellyfish and more in our world famous 300 foot long Tunnel where you are underwater without getting wet!

New for 2011:
At SEA LIFE Minnesota there will be fascinating new displays, cool hands-on activities for kids, tons more sea creatures than ever before, and an ocean full of fun! So go on, take the plunge and visit SEA LIFE Minnesota Aquarium!

Groups:
Great group programs and discounted rates! From interactive classroom programs to snorkeling adventures, we have something for all ages! Call 952-853-0612 or email groupsales@minnesotaaquarium.com for group discounts and availability. Parking: East Side Level One between Sears and Bloomingdale's (Mall of America)

Hours (subject to change):
Monday - Thursday 10:00am - 7:30pm
Friday 10:00am - 8:30pm
Saturday 9:30am - 8:30pm
Sunday 10:00am - 6:30pm

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Target Center, home of the NBA Minnesota Timberwolves and WNBA Minnesota Lynx, offers a 12-month entertainment schedule that includes sporting events, family shows, concerts and more! 

2013-14 highlights:

• Hillsong United Concert (June 17, 2013)
• Mormon Tabernacle Choir (June 20, 2013)
• Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers (June 29, 2013)
• Minneapolis Shrine Circus (Nov. 29-30 &  Dec.1, 2013)
• Sesame Street Live (Jan. 23-26, 2014)
• Disney On Ice (Feb. 27 - Mar. 2, 2014)
• National Collegiate Hockey Conference (Mar. 21 & Mar. 22, 2014)
• Harlem Globetrotters (April 4 - 5, 2014)

For complete schedule, visit www.targetcenter.com

Located in Downtown Minneapolis, Target Center can be reached by most major highways, and offers more than 11,000 parking spaces within a three-block radius of the arena.

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Upscale shopping and dining in an outdoor setting.
 
Featuring some of the nation's most prominent retail brands like Anthropologie, Biaggi's, Coldwater Creek, Hollister, J. Crew, J. Jill, Pottery Barn and Pottery Barn Kids, White House/Black Market, Williams-Sonoma, California Pizza Kitchen, P.F. Chang's China Bistro, Trader Joe's and Brooks Brothers.
 
Hours:
Monday-Saturday 10am-9pm
Sunday 11am-6pm
Individual store and restaurant hours may vary.
 
Location:
One block north of I-94/I-694 at the intersection of Hemlock Lane and Elm Creek Boulevard in Maple Grove.

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Valleyfair is the Upper Midwest’s largest amusement park and the perfect destination for the entire family!  With over 75 amazing rides and attractions, including: eight roller coasters, Soak City Waterpark, spectacular live entertainment and Planet Snoopy!  Opening 2013, Dinosaurs Alive!, an interactive dinosaur park featuring over 30 life-sized dinosaurs.  

ValleySCARE featuring the Halloween Haunt and Planet Spooky is open weekends now through October 28.  At night, the most extreme Halloween attraction opens a world of terror with 350 monsters, 9 scare zones, gruesome live entertainment and favorite thrill rides that bring terror to a whole new level.  During the day, enjoy non-scary Halloween fun for the entire family at Planet Spooky.  For more information, visit www.valleyfair.com. 

 
Admission Rates: $42.99 Regular Admission (ages 3-61 & 48" or taller); $24.99 Junior/Senior Admission (Juniors age 3 and older but less than 48" tall or Seniors age 62 & older); 2 years and younger are FREE.

StarlightAdmission: $34.99 to gain entry into the Halloween Haunt, beginning 6pm on Saturday and bonus Sunday, 10/28.  7pm on Friday and bonus Thursday, 10/18.  All prices are subject to change.

2013 Gold Season Passes are on sale now on-sale for the lowest price of the year!  Enjoy unlimited visits, free parking, Soak City Waterpark, VIP Benefits and more!  Monthly payments starting as low as $9.99 for six months (when purchasing four or more).  Buy now and new Gold Pass purchasers will enjoy one free 2012 visit during ValleySCARE featuring the Halloween Haunt and Planet Spooky!  For more information, visit www.valleyfair.com/season-passes

Discounted rates are available for groups of 15 or more online or contact Group Sales at 651.496.5331 or groupsales@valleyfair.com

Location:  Valleyfair is located 25 minutes southwest of the Twin Cities on County Road 101, just east of Shakopee, MN.