Overview
Chanhassen is a small city in Minnesota just southwest of the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and Saint Paul. Chanhassen is close to the big city, but still has that small town charm, making it appealing for all types of visitors. There are many opportunities for fun, family and business in Chanhassen.
2 sights · 5 things to do · 4 places to eat · 3 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Chanhassen
Chanhassen Dinner Theater
Three stages host Broadway favorites and other classic fare, with the most family-friendly productions usually scheduled during the summer.
Minnesota Landscape Arboretum
The Arboretum is a great place to visit year round. Walk in the summer and enjoy the beautiful gardens, cross country ski in the winter. Great fall color and wonderful spring wildflowers. The Learning Center is for kids …
Lake Ann Park & Beach
Concessions and boat rentals are available daily during the summer months from 11AM-7PM Other amenities include a picnic/recreation shelter, tennis court, six ball fields, a soccer field, canoe rack, volleyball, trails, …
Lake Minnewashta Regional Park
Changing/restrooms are on site, lifeguards on Duty mid-June through mid-August between Noon and 6PM Concession stand with vending machines offering refreshments and snacks along with picnic tables and grills nearby
Lake Susan Beach
Lake Susan Park offers a small beach near the picnic shelter. Park also includes trails a playground and a fishing pier.
Halla Green Executive Golf Course
Features 1,694 yards of golf from the longest tees for a par of 29. The course rating is 57.4 and it has a slope rating of 88.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: May–Sep. Summer highs reach about 83°F; winter lows dip to about 9°F. Cold months (Jan, Feb, Dec) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Jun and Aug. (climate data from nearby Minneapolis)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- MSP Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport / Wold–Chamberlain Field, Minneapolis — 15 mi away (major hub). Directions
- STC Saint Cloud Regional Airport, Saint Cloud — 54 mi away. Directions
The Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport is only twenty miles from Chanhassen.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 2-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Chanhassen Dinner Theater, Lake Susan Beach, Lake Ann Park & Beach
- Lunch Rey Azteca Mexican Restaurant
- Afternoon Bluff Creek Golf Club, Halla Green Executive Golf Course
- Dinner Tequila Butcher
Day 2
- Morning Minnesota Landscape Arboretum
- Lunch Med Box Grill
- Afternoon Lake Minnewashta Regional Park
- Dinner Na's Thai Cafe
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
Close to downtown Minneapolis, the city is home to eleven lakes, many community parks, the Chanhassen Dinner Theater, Lake Minnewashta and Lake Ann Park Beaches.
Get in
By plane
The Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport is only twenty miles from Chanhassen.
By car
Highways 5 and 212 run through Chanhassen and connect to Interstate 494. Highway 101 also runs through Chanhassen connecting to US 169 to the south, and Interstate 394 to the north.
Get around
Automobiles are the most common type of transportation for travelers who are staying in the city, however, there are a few other options.
By public transportation
There are coach buses operated by SouthWest Transit which will take travelers from Chanhassen to downtown Minneapolis. There are numerous taxi services in Chanhassen which will take travelers to and from their destinations.
By bicycle
Chanhassen has over 80 miles of trails for biking and walking.
See
See Minnesota Landscape Arboretum
The Arboretum is a great place to visit year round. Walk in the summer and enjoy the beautiful gardens, cross country ski in the winter. Great fall color and wonderful spring wildflowers. The Learning Center is for kids and often has free family activities.
Do
Chanhassen has a 500-acre park system that features five community parks and 22 neighborhood parks scattered throughout the community. There are 55 miles of trails and sidewalks for walkers, bikers, runners, and in-line skaters to enjoy. The trails connect downtown, parks, and neighborhoods.
Beaches
Do Lake Susan Beach
Lake Susan Park offers a small beach near the picnic shelter. Park also includes trails a playground and a fishing pier.
Golf
Eat
Eat Med Box Grill
Acclaimed Mediterranean food frequently ranked among the best in the state.
Eat Tequila Butcher
Tacos, sandwiches, soups, and salads. Best accompanied by a drink from the mile-long list of mezcal, beer, wine, and of course, tequila.
Eat Rey Azteca Mexican Restaurant
Fantastic food, fun atmosphere, great authentic Mexican food. Includes a full bar.
Eat Na's Thai Cafe
Authentic Thai food. One of the best places in the Twin Cities for Thai cuisine.
Sleep
Go next
- Mall of America in nearby Bloomington. Minnesota has no sales tax on clothing.
- Valleyfair is an amusement park that's within an hour's drive in nearby Shakopee.
- Minnesota Zoo is in nearby Apple Valley.
Nearby
Eden Prairie
City / town · 4 listings · 3 mi away
Excelsior
City / town · 33 listings · 3 mi away
Minnetonka
City / town · 15 listings · 4 mi away
Shakopee
City / town · 7 listings · 4 mi away
Hopkins
City / town · 23 listings · 7 mi away
Edina
City / town · 8 listings · 9 mi away
St. Louis Park
City / town · 6 listings · 11 mi away
Plymouth
City / town · 2 listings · 11 mi away
My experience
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