The Minnesota Zoo offers cutting-edge exhibits of animals from across the world. There are over 500 kinds of animals and birds available for viewing in indoor and outdoor exhibits. The zoo is also open year-round, so you can see your favorite animals in their habitats at any time. With education and conservation being two important goals of the zoo, visitors are sure to have an exciting time there while also learning.
The Stillwater Trolley Co. offers trolley rides through Stillwater, one of the most historic and scenic cities in all of Minnesota. It gives narrated tours through the city as well as wedding and special events transportation. The goal of this company is to share with customers the owners' love of historic Stillwater. Information on how to order a tour can be found on the website. This downtown location is a meeting site rather than an office, so the best way to reach Stillwater Trolley is by phone or through the website.
The Arts Center on 7 is located just off Highway 7 connected to Minnetonka High School. Being attached to the school, The Art Center really integrates both the students and community. Through out the course of the year, students and community actors alternately take part in plays and performances. The center gives highschool students the opportunity to explore their interests in music, acting and set design in four different shows a year. The students perform two musicals, a comedy and a competitive one act play.
The Arts Center is home to the Minnetonka Theatre, the Music Association of Minnetonka and Minnetonka High School Performing Arts. There are two theaters, one for large staged plays which seats nearly 700 patrons and another more intimate, black box stage setting that seats just about 200. In addition to performances, The Art Center on 7 has rehersal rooms and stages available to rent hourly for a variety of different uses.
Tickets can be purchased at the box office during regular school hours and online 24hrs a day.
The Merrill Community Arts Center is a facility with two campuses operated by Arts Connection, a local organization dedicated to promoting the arts in the Woodbury area. The Rivertown campus consists of an 8,000-square-foot facility that includes set design and construction space, storage and production areas for props and costumes, meeting rooms and rehearsal spaces. The center's black box theater campus is adjacent to East Ridge High School and has a 112-seat capacity.
3 Kittens Needle Arts is a specialty store that caters to customers looking for everything from the basics to the unique and hard-to-find products for knitting, crocheting and needlepoint.
The store is stocked full with needles, buttons, handles, accessories, yarns, threads, knitting books and patterns. Customers can find specialty items including hand-painted yarns.
The store offers regular knitting, needlepoint and crocheting classes and private lessons. Its staff is also available to help customers get answers to their own project questions. When answers just aren't enough, the store also offers professional finishing of handmade items.
The store opened in Mendota Heights in August of 2008.
Pump It Up is an inflatable party zone that has been in business since 2004. Offering parties for kids for birthdays, school breaks and any other reason you can think of, you can count on some fun here. If you are looking for a fun place for a field trip, this may be a great option. Pump It Up also offers karaoke and Nerf gun parties.
Withrow Ballroom & Event Center is capable of hosting weddings, private banquets and parties, national entertainment acts and business conferences. The historic complex is surrounded by ample parking areas, as well as green spaces featuring beautiful floral arrangements. The ballroom is considered "family friendly" and any consumption of alcoholic beverages must be those purchased on-site and may not be brought onto the property.
The Lakeville 21 Theatre is a 21-screen movie theater which plays the latest blockbuster hits. Open seven days a week, this movie theater includes a Dolby 3-D Digital screen and a Muller Monster Screen, an 80- by 35-foot screen with rocker chair seating which can seat nearly 600 viewers. For showtime information, call or visit the website.
On Cliff Road in Burnsville you'll find the event production and warehouse for the Minnesota based Metro Connections. Since 1984, it has been providing conference, event and transportation services for individuals, businesses and various organizations both locally and across the country. It helps customers "translate their business goals and key messages into informative and memorable events that engage, inspire and move their guests."
If you're looking for a thrilling adventure, head on over to Shakopee and check out Valleyfair, the Upper Midwest's Largest Amusement Park. Between the on-site waterpark, the food, and the shopping, the rides are just the start of it.
Three Must-See Attractions at Valleyfair
A visit to Valleyfair wouldn't be a true visit without a ride on the well-known Wild Thing. Besides this looping roller-coaster, take a ride on the speedy Corkscrew and fly into the sky on the Power Tower.
Where to Stay Near Valleyfair
With the variety of hotels nearby, finding a place to stay near Valleyfair shouldn't be an issue. Book a stay at the Holiday Inn Express, Mystic Lake Casino Hotel, the AmericInn Shakopee, or one of the many other hotels near the theme park.
Best and Worst Time to go to Valleyfair
Like many other local attractions, Valleyfair is the most crowded on weekends. If you're looking to go when there's shorter lines (and who isn't!), aim to head to the amusement park on a weekday.
Discounts at Valleyfair
There are a few options for discounted admission to Valleyfair. Cub Foods sells tickets for $10 off the regular price and Taco Bell offers coupons for $8 off the regular admission.
Food at Valleyfair
There's dozens of dining options at Valleyfair, so you'll never leave the park hungry. There's also dining plans available to cut costs if you'll be eating multiple times at the park. You can buy a daily dining pass or a seasonal dining pass.
Parking at Valleyfair
With the large on-site parking lot available to theme park guests, parking is no problem at Valleyfair. A ticket to park in the on-site lot is about $12.
Transportation Alternatives at Valleyfair
Since Valleyfair is more on the outskirts of the metro area, instead of right in the city, taking a car is a more effective way to get to the park versus public transportation.
Author's bio: Jessica Vaysberg is a journalist and Twin Cities native who is always up for exploring the city and capturing her adventures in writing.