Gambling, poker, drinking—some may think the racetrack only has activities for adults, but one of Minnesota’s great attractions proves that totally wrong.
Sundays at Canterbury Park are perfect for young children. One of my family’s favorite summer traditions is meeting college friends and their children out at the track, just 30 minutes south of Minneapolis.
Last weekend my daughters were able to get their faces painted—and they add glitter; what young girl doesn’t love sparkles?! After their faces were painted with hearts, crowns, and unicorns, they were able to ride a pony and pet additional animals in the petting zoo. The girls loved the cute little bunnies and chicks.
All these kid-friendly activities take place next to the playground, so they can just be kids and release some energy without getting in the way.
Prior to racing, we were able to see the horses up-close in the paddock, and there was plenty of room for our daughters to get close to the excitement as the horses come through the finish.
There are also family friendly picnic tables located trackside, so the kids can enjoy yummy treats while seeing the horses race. Canterbury features a favorites basket with a Hormel Hot Dog, Old Dutch Chips, and Pepsi for just $5. Additional kiddo favorites include freshly squeezed lemonade, ice cream, popcorn, and cotton candy. Don’t worry, there are plenty of other options for adults and kids, like Pronto Pups, Famous Dave’s, Mort’s Deli, pizza & pasta, Canterbury Cantina, Simply Nuts, and Buffalo Wild Wings.
Races on Sundays start at 1:30 p.m. and end around 6:30 p.m. After the horses are done, the kids get the chance to race on the track—though it’s probably a good idea to bring tennis shoes if you don’t want dirty feet on the way home.
Canterbury has other great weekly promotions, including:
- Thursday—Buck Night. Admission is just $1, as are Hormel Hot Dogs, Pepsi and Nachos & Cheese
- Friday—MN’s Biggest Happy Hour with live music and drink specials
- Saturdays are Social—like Canterbury Park on Facebook to receive weekly deals and discounts
So what are you waiting for? There are plenty of weekends left to get out and enjoy live horse racing this summer.
Canterbury Park
1100 Canterbury Road, Shakopee
952-445-7223
canterburypark.com
