Minnesota amusement parks are pop culture play lands featuring cartoon characters, thrill rides and, in some cases, fun that's open year-round. Whether you want small-town Minnesota charm or Mall of America glitz, there's a park to fit any upper-Midwest family vacation. As part of a Huffington Post Travel series on family-fun parks, here is our guide to all the key information visitors need to know about Minnesota amusement parks.
Valleyfair
Hang out with Snoopy and his friends at
, the largest amusement park in the upper Midwest. It has 75 rides, a giant "backyard" barbecue and a family-friendly Peanuts theme. The lines at Valleyfair are usually more manageable than other large-scale theme parks, which will keep the kids happy and the parents sane.
Peanuts Planet
In May 2011, Vallyfair opened
, a whole section of the park devoted to Peanuts character mascots. Designed for families, Planet Snoopy has 20 rides, including the Cosmic Coaster, Snoopy's Rocket Express and the Kite Eating Tree, as well as live performances such as "Charlie Brown's Hoedown."
Other Coasters
has six full-sized coasters, including the Corkscrew and the Renegade; classic family rides such as the bumper cars, carousel and the Minnesota River Valley Railroad; and plenty of kiddie rides. Other attractions include go-karts and a full water park.
Variety Of Food
There are almost 50 food locations throughout Valleyfair, including Panda Express, Subway, two sit-down restaurants and lots of snack bars serving everything from pizza to ice cream. During peak season, the park also offers a "Backyard Barbecue" buffet on the plaza patio from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., serving hot dogs and sausages, grilled chicken and a selection of picnic sides -- if you purchase a BBQ + Regular Admission Ticket package online, the buffet is free. Get there early on Saturday, and you can enjoy breakfast at Coaster restaurant with the Peanuts gang from 9 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Safety Record
In May 2006, the Twin Cities
reported that the Wild Thing coaster derailed, causing minor injuries to 18 people. In September 2007, the
reported a small fire at a telephone box in the park.
Address: One Valleyfair Drive, Shakopee, MN 55379Phone: 952-445-6500Hours: The park is open daily from mid-May through Labor Day weekend and is open weekends only in September. Hours vary, but the park is generally open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. during the summer, with most Saturdays open until midnight. In October, the Halloween Haunt is open Fridays, Saturdays and some Thursdays until midnight and Sundays until 7 p.m. Price: Regular admission, $41.99; military, $27.99; junior/senior (3 and up, under 48 inches, and 62 and over), $9.99; 2 and under, free. Two-day passes are $51.99 regular admission, $16.99 junior/senior. Backyard BBQ + regular admission (must pre-purchase online), $41.99; senior, $25.49; junior, $19.49.
Nickelodeon Universe at Mall of America
No trip to Minnesota is complete without visiting the Mall of America, the "Hollywood of the Midwest." Nickelodeon Universe is a seven-acre year-round amusement park in the center of the mall featuring two dozen rides for all ages and all of your favorite Nickelodeon characters, from SpongeBob Squarepants to Dora the Explorer.
Ride Around The Park
coaster takes guests on a thrill ride around the park, looping around other rides and breezing by pedestrians. It's one of three indoor coasters for thrill seekers, including the Fairly Odd Coaster and Rock Bottom Plunge.
Themed Coasters
Nickelodeon Universe offers more thrills with rides such as the Splat-o-Sphere and the Avatar Airbender, and family rides such as the Dora-themed Ferris wheel, a classic carousel, a log flume and a haunted mansion. There are plenty of rides for little ones, including the Rugrat Reptarmobiles, Swiper's Sweeper, Blue's Skidoo and Diego's Rescue Rider. For a challenge, try the
, the tallest ropes course in the world.
Mall Food
The park itself doesn't serve food -- but it doesn't need to. Mall of America has over 50 restaurants, from fast food to fine dining.
Safety Record
Two fatalities have been reported at Nickelodeon Universe. According to
, in August 1998 (when the park was called Knott's Camp Snoopy) a 12-year old boy panicked on the log flume and attempted to climb out of the ride, causing him to fall to his death. Inspectors found the ride was operating properly.
, an 8-year old girl died of a heart attack after riding the Screaming Yellow Eagle; the girl had a history of heart problems, and the ride was found to be safe. Rides are regularly inspected. Research found no reports of serious accidents or injuries within the last 10 years.
Address: 60 E. Broadway, Bloomington, MN 55425Phone: 952-883-8800Hours: The park is open Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sundays from 10:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Price Entrance is free. Points for rides can be purchased for $1 each (rides are three to six points per person), or buy an unlimited ride wristband for $29.95. Point packages are also available. The ropes course is $5.95 or $4.00 with a wristband.
Other Noteworthy Parks Near Minnesota
What's your favorite roller coaster in Minnesota? Tell us about it in the comments section below.
Check out more AMUSEMENT PARKS.
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Already contributed? Log in to hide these messages.
