The Largest Amusement Park In The Upper Midwest Offers Thrills And Family-Friendly Fun

There's been a wave of amusement parks either closing down or facing uncertain futures recently, such as this popular thrill park in Florida or this iconic amusement park in California. So it's reassuring to see that Valleyfair in Minnesota is still going strong, even celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2026. Located in Shakopee, just a half-hour drive from downtown Minneapolis, Valleyfair is the biggest amusement park in the Upper Midwest, with more than 75 rides and the recently opened Superior Shores Waterpark. From the death-defying roller coaster Wild Thing down to family-friendly Planet Snoopy and everything in between, it manages to appeal to thrill-seekers and younger children alike, and certainly makes for a fun-filled day out for everyone.

Acquired by EPR Properties in 2026, Valleyfair originally opened back in 1976, although at 26 acres, it was much smaller than the 125 acres it covers today. Fifty years ago, its headline attraction was the wooden roller coaster High Roller, a ride that still exists today, even if it has since been overshadowed by some of the bigger and faster rides. As the park has grown, restaurants, games, and souvenir shops have popped up, and there's even the Minnesota River Valley Railroad with a replica 19th-century train that trundles its way around the park. Apart from the gravity-defying, stomach-churning modern rides, there are still some older family favorites, including the Ferris wheel and a charming original carousel dating back to 1925, making it the oldest ride in the park.

For nostalgia's sake, you should take a ride on the High Roller. It may not have made it onto our list of the top 20 scariest roller coasters in America, but it will get you warmed up for what's to come. And, for some, the 70-foot drop and top speed of 47 mph is more than enough. But if you want to get straight to the biggest thrills Valleyfair has to offer, head straight for Wild Thing, Steel Venom, or Corkscrew. Each one is capable of making you lose the best part of your breakfast, so it would be wise to save a trip to the numerous food stalls until later. Wild Thing is considered the park's most iconic ride. As it climbs up to 207 feet, giving you panoramic views over the entire park, it then plummets back down to earth at an impressive 74 mph.

Toddlers needn't miss out on the roller coaster fun. Cosmic Coaster gives little ones their first taste of speedy thrills within Planet Snoopy, along with many other rides, such as Snoopy's Rocket Express and Kite Eating Tree, a child-sized drop tower. At Superior Shores Waterpark, choose from the Lighthouse Landing slide tower or Ripple Rapids, a 1,280-foot long lazy river that winds its way around the 350,000-gallon Breakers Bay Wave Pool. It's the perfect place to cool off for water babies of all ages and abilities.

All the excitement is bound to build up an appetite. Take your pick from the 1950s-style diner Coasters serving up classic burgers, barbecue eats from Renegade Smokehouse, or Chinese-inspired dishes at Panda Express. For lighter snacks, you'll find everything from pretzels and cinnamon rolls to pizza and ice cream, and there is soda, coffee, and alcoholic drinks to quench your thirst. You're not allowed to take your own food into the park, but if you're on a budget, take a water bottle to fill up at one of the refill stations situated around the park.

Valleyfair typically runs from May until early September, but the opening hours change throughout the season. The amusement park is often open from around 10 a.m to 9 p.m. and the water park from 11 a.m to 6 p.m, but you should check the website to make sure. To avoid the worst of the crowds, arrive early, stay late, and head to the attractions at the back of the park first. Most people arrive by car via Highway 101, and the park is around a half-hour drive from downtown Minneapolis. There's on-site parking, but it costs at least $20.99 for the day. If you're relying on public transportation, take the Metro Blue Line to the Mall of America, then switch to MVTA Route 495 (the 4FUN Bus), which drops you right outside the park.

Day tickets to both Valleyfair and Superior Shores start at $39.99 if you reserve on the Valleyfair website, but are much higher if you pay at the park. Season passes start at $79.99 and give you access to the other Enchanted Parks sites, such as Worlds of Fun in Missouri and Michigan's Adventure in Michigan. Fast Lane passes start at $59.99 and may be worth the extra cash to avoid wasting your time hanging around in lines, especially if the sun's beating down. Plan to spend the whole day there to make the most of the rides, and downloading the Valleyfair app will make your visit much easier to plan.

Another thing to be aware of is the height restrictions on some rides. On the Valleyfair website, you can filter attractions by height, type of ride, and thrill factor to pick out the rides that will suit you and everyone in your group. You could also time your visit to coincide with some of the special events that take place throughout the season, such as the Juicy Lucy Festival, celebrating Minnesota's legendary burgers to the accompaniment of live music, or Corn Fest, for the popular corn-eating contest.