June 01, 2023

City Spotlight: Victoria, Chaska & Shakopee

There’s nothing amiss about Victoria, Chaska and Shakopee. All three of these Southwest Minneapolis suburbs offer a sweet, small-town feel while remaining only 20-25 minutes from Downtown Minneapolis. Surrounded by quiet lakes and park reserves, and maintaining their own unique characteristics and personalities these charming cities have a lot to offer.

Home to the Hazeltine National Golf Club and the USA National Curling Center, Chaska was named the 8th best city to live in throughout the country in 2007. It’s only gotten better since! Chaska’s adorable, yet booming downtown is built on the edge of the Minnesota River, and it’s full of restaurants and boutiques, parks and breweries. Close to Lake Minnetonka and the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, as well as its own parks and lakes, there is always something to do. According to niche.com, Chaska School District also boasts an overall A grade. SSM communities in Chaska include: Chaska Place Apartments, Crosstown Commons Income Restricted Apartments, and Lake Jonathan Flats.

Victoria borders Chaska to the Northwest, and is known for its sprawling greenery and beautiful lakes. Nicknamed the “City of Lakes and Parks”, Victoria boasts over 200 acres of reserved land which includes 13 parks and 9 lakes all within its borders. The Carver County Park Reserve includes a large off-leash dog area and the Lowry Nature Center. The ever-expanding downtown area also has restaurants and boutiques which include the Burrow, where you can have a great meal, a refreshing drink and go axe throwing like Paul Bunyan at his finest (don’t forget your flannel shirt!). Steven Scott Management’s Victoria Flats are located right across the street from Steiger Lake in the heart of its charming downtown oasis.

While it remains close to wildlife, parks and lakes, Shakopee has a little more action. Home of Valleyfair Amusement Park, Canterbury Park Races, Sandventure Aquatic Park and the Minnesota Renaissance Festival, there is always fun to be had. Built along the Minnesota River, Shakopee’s downtown area is bursting with restaurants, boutiques, riverside concerts and many car shows during the summer months. The Shakopee School District also boasts an overall A- grade according to niche.com. Among all the action sits The Sixton, SSM’s new, modern apartment homes just minutes from large employers in the area including Amazon, Shutterfly and Seagate. No matter where you are within their city limits, you just can’t go wrong. Chaska, Victoria and Shakopee all offer a plethora of parks and lakes with endless entertainment options—all within 30 minutes of Minneapolis.