Thank you RiverSouth for sponsoring this post. There’s fun around every bend in RiverSouth! Plan your trip today!
With my friends split up around the country, working, going to school, etc. meeting up for a fun getaway is getting more and more difficult. The trick for getting all of us in one place has been finding somewhere close enough for us all to get to that doesn’t require flying halfway across the country. We didn’t want to go somewhere too similar to where we live in MN, but also didn’t want to drive 7+ hours to get somewhere completely new. I’ve been in the RiverSouth area before, but before this trip, I had no idea how much the RiverSouth area had to offer, and only 20 minutes away from where I grew up! RiverSouth spans Shakopee and Prior Lake, Minnesota, and includes four major destinations just minutes from the Twin Cities: Mystic Lake Casino Hotel, Canterbury Park, Valleyfair, and the Renaissance Festival. Such an array of options make RiverSouth an easy place to visit again and again, whether you’re with your family or on a weekend getaway with your friends!
We started our trip by checking into the Mystic Lake Casino Hotel. I’m going to be honest with you all, Mystic Lake is so big that we probably could’ve stayed there the entire time and been perfectly entertained! Our rooms were spacious and up to date, and staff was more than willing to help {thank goodness because we accidentally locked two room keys in one of our rooms}.
From Mystic Lake, we got ready to go and took the Mystic Lake shuttle over to Canterbury Park! You guys know how much I love a hotel with a lighted mirror, and this one was no exception. 🙌🏻
Canterbury Park is a horse racing track that’s only about 10 or so minutes away from Mystic Lake. It was both a Friday night and Ladies’ Night! There was live music and horse racing {of course}. They also had a special event, the Canterbury Classic Cocktail Sampler, going on for the 21+ crowd. My friends and I have never been the horse races before, but it’s something that I’ve always wanted to do! We didn’t know the first thing about how to wager or bet, so the Canterbury employees were nice enough to explain it to us. We didn’t win, but we had a good time cheering on the horses.
We took the shuttle back to Mystic Lake and decided it was about time to head to dinner! Prior to staying at the hotel, I had only been at Mystic Lake once to see Cirque du Soleil perform. I didn’t realize just how many dining options there were. We were between The Meadows Bar and Grill for their patio or the Mystic Steakhouse, but ended up opting for the steakhouse because it was just a little bit closer. I ordered mac and cheese and mashed potatoes {I did the same at a Michelin star restaurant I was at a few weeks ago. I’m a true purveyor of fine dining, I know}. The service there was truly exceptional and our waiter was personable and helpful with recommendations. Truly good service is a rarity in restaurants these days, in my opinion.
I had my first ever gambling experience playing the slots, and after 20 minutes of “wait, what’s happening” and “did I do this right?” when combinations were adding themselves up on the screen, we finally somewhat figured out what was going on! We cashed out and my friends stopped to order Asian food at the Fusion Noodle Bar, and we later ran to the Caribou Coffee in the hotel lobby. The Noodle Bar is open until 3 am and Caribou is open until 1 am on weekends, in case you need a midnight snack.
The next morning we woke up and got ready to head to the Mystic Lake Great Midwest Ribfest. We had to check out of the hotel by 11 am and the festival started at 11 am, so we were definitely there really early!
Being a vegetarian, I’m not big on ribs, but my friends are. Even without the ribs, I had a good time eating the other food the festival had to offer and taking in the live music!
I think RiverSouth is really ideal for a weekend getaway for anyone in Minnesota as it’s so close to the Twin Cities and convenient, yet it has beautiful open space and scenery on top of the attractions!
My only disappointment with this weekend was that we didn’t have more time there! Mystic Lake Casino Hotel also has a pool and spa, which would be so fun for any girls’ trip visiting the RiverSouth area. Too much to do, so little time! Guess that just means there’s a reason to go back and visit RiverSouth again. 😉
xx,
E
I was selected for this opportunity as a member of CLEVER and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own. I would never promote a product, trip, or experience that I didn’t genuinely enjoy or use.
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Girls trips are the best! Sounds like a super fun weekend <3
xx, Danielle | Pineapple & Prosecco
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They are! Can’t wait for the next one!
This looked like a fun girls trip! I didn’t know this was happening in the Twin Cities!
http://www.rdsobsessions.com
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Me neither! I had a slight idea, but didn’t know how big it really was!
Wish I could explore those areas!
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Go for it! RiverSouth has such fun things to do!
What a fun girls’ trip!!! Look like y’all had a blast!!!
Brittany,
http://www.lawyerlookbook.com
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We did! It was such a fun way to spent my last weekend in MN!
Oh sounds crazy! Trip with your girls is always fun and sweet! Wish I could join you!!!! I haven’t played gambling, oh it sounds so much fun!
You guys look so beautiful and gorgeous!
Xoxo Babita
http://travelhues.com
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Girls’ trips are the best! Thank you Babita!
Looks like so much fun. You all lovely lovely.
❥ tanvii.com
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Thank you so much Tanvi!
This looks like so much fun! Makes me want to plan a girls day out!
Kileen
cute & little
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Go for it! I’m definitely planning more!
What a fun girl’s weekend! This looks like such a fun area to explore!
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RiverSouth definitely is! I’ve spent a lot of time down there visiting my family, but I had no idea it had so much to offer!
Looks and sounds like so much fun!!!
xo Laura Leigh
Louella Reese
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It was! Thank you Laura Leigh!
Girls trips are the best!! Sounds like y’all had a BLAST!
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They are! I need to make it a point to go on more!
Well this sure sounds like a wonderful time! I mean, a casino, horses, ribs, and more – what’s not to love? I’m glad you got to enjoy it with your friends. I’ve never gone traveling with any of my friends, but I bet it would be a blast!
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It was! You should’ve seen us trying to figure out the slot machines, they might as well have been in Greek, we were all so confused!
Looks like such an amazing trip!!
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Thanks Kelsey! It was so fun to have one last weekend with the girls before moving!