Shakopee

The city of Shakopee was founded in 1857 and has a population of over 40,000 residents. It is located in the southwest corner of the Twin Cities metropolitan area, along the Minnesota River. Shakopee is the county seat of Scott County, recently voted one of the fastest-growing counties in the United States. 

Families are drawn to Shakopee because it has all the advantages of a vibrant modern suburb but still retains its small-town charm. Shakopee has five elementary schools, two middle schools, and one senior high school. There are morning and afternoon MVTA’s express bus service which gets you into downtown Minneapolis in under an hour, and free park and ride stations.

Home Styles

Shakopee tends to have either spacious single-family homes built in the 2000s or older style homes from the 1950s and 1960s with modern updates. 

Newer luxury 2 story single-family homes are typically $500k+ and have 5 spacious bedrooms and 4 bathrooms. You’ll find walk-in closets, well-appointed kitchens with modern appliances and plenty of room for entertaining. There is usually a deck or a porch offering views of woodland, a lake or a stream. 

Older 1950s & 1960s starter homes are around the $250k price range. For that, you can get 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, often with a lower basement level to provide extra space. These are usually well-loved character properties featuring remodeled kitchens, bathrooms and outdoor patio space.

Things to Do

Shakopee has plenty of local shops and boutiques so there’s no need to travel further afield to get your shopping fix. But if you feel like a jaunt to The Mall of America, it’s just a half-hour drive from Shakopee. Two outlet malls: Twin Cities Premium Outlets and Albertville Premium Outlets are also easily accessed by car.

For family fun, the nearby 125 acre Valleyfair Amusement Park has 8 rollercoasters, along with thrill rides, family rides, and water rides. During summer it hosts a long list of events including live entertainment. It’s also the best place to be for Halloween as it has a number of haunted attractions. 

Canterbury Park hosts Sunday Family Days, spring through mid-September, with a petting zoo, pony rides, food specials, face painting, contests, and giveaways. The Minnesota Renaissance Festival, from late August to late September, is also a popular annual event in the area. 

For outdoor adventures such as hiking, biking, cross-country skiing, and snowmobiling, locals head to Murphy-Hanrehan Park.

There’s no need to be hungry in Shakopee with plenty of restaurants offering hearty American fare. Try the local favorite Turtle’s Bar & Grill for delicious chicken wings, burgers or pizza. If you have a hankering for a great enchilada or tasty burrito then stop off at Pablo’s Mexican Restaurant. If you’re just after a quick bite for lunch then Zuppa Cucina is a popular pit-stop for gourmet soups and sandwiches.