Welcome to Chanhassen
Chanhassen embraces small-town vibes and neighborly kindness and blends them with easy access to nature.
Chanhassen is a beautiful suburb with small-town charm, big-city entertainment, and plenty of green space to commune with nature. The strong school system draws families to the area, and the growing and thriving businesses in the area mean there are plenty of excellent jobs available. On the weekends, it’s easy to find residents hitting the local park to fish in one of the lakes, hike through the woods, or just observe nature for a bit.
In contrast to the quiet residential lifestyle, downtown is bustling with local businesses, as well as a few chain stores, stellar restaurants, and more fun. Whether you hit one of the shopping centers or walk along the main drag, you’re sure to find something you absolutely must take home.
Chanhassen generally experiences four seasons a year, getting snow in the winter and reaching a temperature high in the 80s in the summer, making it great for people who enjoy skiing just as much as water sports. In 2021, it was named Money magazine’s #1 Best Place To Live, a title that is definitely earned.
What to Love
- Friendly community
- Plenty of nature
- #1 Best Place To Live 2021 by Money Magazine
Local Lifestyle
Chanhassen offers some of the best of Minnesota. The town is near to larger cities like Minnetonka and Minneapolis, but maintains a quieter lifestyle and small town charm, making it perfect for families or others seeking a relaxing place to live. The surrounding nature is easily accessible so that people can forget about a fast-paced life for a bit, and there’s plenty to do in town, and more to do in nearby areas as well.
Dining, Entertainment & Shopping
Chanhassen has some excellent restaurants, such as the Latin-inspired Tequila Butcher, serving carne asada tacos or paella, or North Coop serving up a delicious Southern-style menu with classics like shrimp and grits or biscuits with gravy. For an upscale meal, hit Axel’s, a local steakhouse that offers everything from calamari to a phenomenal herb-crusted prime rib. After dinner, visit Chanhassen Brewing for craft beers, such as their rich Station 3 stout or a glass of fruity Lake Ann hard seltzer.
For groceries, Lakewinds Natural Foods offers local, organic produce, pre-made deli meals, and grass-fed meat to maximize your diet, whereas Lunds & Byerlys provides similar organic options as well as flavored burgers and brats, like their bacon blue wagyu burger. On Saturdays, City Center Park hosts the Farmers’ Market, where you can find local artisan goods and fresh produce at excellent prices. There are also several nearby shopping centers like Town Square Mall or Colonial Square, featuring both big-name chain stores and smaller, locally-owned shops.
Things to Do
One of the biggest attractions, though not the only, in Chanhassen is the amazing Chanhassen Dinner Theatre, where patrons can enjoy a live performance during their meal, like the Eagles tribute show Takin’ It To The Limit or beloved Footloose. Music lovers won’t want to miss Paisley Park, home and recording studio for the iconic Prince, where fans can learn more about this star who was lost far too soon.
Those looking to enjoy some nature will love Lake Minnewashta Regional Park, a sprawling 340 acres that features an 18-acre off-leash dog park, five miles of walking trails, a playground, volleyball courts, and plenty of other ways to entertain the entire family. Fishing is permitted in the lake, and bass, pike, and walleye are just a few of the species that are abundant in the water.
The Chanhassen Recreation Center offers fun dance classes and sports teams for kids to promote an active lifestyle. Parents can also sign up with a personal trainer through the recreation center for their own active lifestyle, and with Bluff Creek nearby, there’s even the chance to work out near the water.
In the summer, kids will love attending Camp Tanadoona, which offers both day camp and overnight options, and offers a wide variety of fun and educational activities to keep them entertained. The summer also features some of Chanhassen’s most popular annual events. From June until August, go to the Old National Bank Summer Concert Series every Thursday, featuring local food trucks and artisan vendors, as well as live performances from local and national musical artists across genres. In July, celebrate Independence Day at Chanhassen’s Fourth of July Celebration. The event includes a family-friendly carnival, water wars, a vaudeville Medicine Show, live music, and a parade, among other activities for different or all age ranges. Taking up the whole weekend, it’s an unmissable event.
Schools
Chanhassen is served by two school districts — Eastern Carver County Schools and the Minnetonka School district,
- Chanhassen Elementary, K-5, has above-average test scores according to GreatSchools
- Chanhassen High School, 9-12, jazz band received Best In Site award at Region 2AA Jazz contest and baseball team won 3AAA MSHSL State Championship
- Chapel Hill Academy, PreK-8, the latest technology in classrooms and offers support for ADD/ADHD