Attractions and events in Waconia, Minnesota are the focus of this guide.
These may include museums, historical places, or libraries in the city, as well as parks, theaters, art galleries, and entertainment venues. Sports or recreational facilities or programs in Waconia may be listed here, including teams. Other topics that may be listed in this category include local fairs, concerts, and other events.
Tourism and recreation has long been important to the economy of Waconia, much of it centered around Waconia Lake, the second largest lake in the seven-county metropolitan region. The 3,200-acre lake brings tourists and vacationers into town and provides recreational opportunities for residents, as well. These may include fishing, sailboarding, swimming, and water skiing, as well as bird watching.
Waconia is known for its eagles. In fact, the National Eagle Center is in the city. Home to several bald eagles, its facilities are open to the public at times, featuring exhibits on eagles, wildlife, and conservation, as well as Native American history.
Waconia Lake includes Coney Island of the West, also known as Paradise Island, which was a popular summer resort from the 1880s to the 1960s. Currently, on the National Register of Historic Places, there are plans to develop it into a park, but it is currently owned by several individuals.
The city has several parks, of various sizes, most of which are named on the first page of this guide to Waconia, Minnesota. These parks offer a variety of features, from ice arenas to ball fields, playgrounds, hiking trails, and other amenities. The majority of these parks are municipally owned and operated. Many activities are free, while others require the payment of a fee.
Safari Island Community Center hosts a men's softball league, and offers summer concerts, a swimming pool, basketball courts, weight room, group exercise studio, a running track, and a four-level play structure, most of which require either a membership or the payment of a fee.
The Waconia Ice Arena is owned by the city and operated by Rink Management Services Corporation. Home to the Waconia Hockey Association and the Waconia Wildcats Boys and Girls hockey teams, the Ice Arena also offers skating lessons and has open skate times.
Between the city recreation department, local schools and a variety of volunteer non-profit associations, competitive sports, and recreational programs, leagues, and teams are organized seasonally, including baseball, softball, hockey, basketball, soccer, and many others.
There are also privately operated recreational or entertainment venues, such as Garage Bar & Bowl, which offers open and league bowling.
The Carver County Fairgrounds are also situated in Waconia.
The Carver County Historical Society offers five local history galleries and a gallery honoring veterans, in Waconia and elsewhere in the county. The Society also operates a museum and research center, maintains the historic Andrew Peterson Farm, and offers history tours and a number of educational programs.
Sponsored by the city or by various non-profit community organizations, several annual or periodic events are held in Waconia. Examples include the Waconia Ride-In, one of the largest vintage snowmobile shows in the world, and the Extreme Events rodeo. held at the Carver County Fairgrounds each August.
These, and other things to do and places to go in Waconia, Minnesota are the focus of topics in this category.
Recommended Resources
The multi-day event is held at the fairgrounds in Waconia, Minnesota each August. Its sponsors are acknowledged and sponsorship opportunities are posted to the site. Directions, a map of the fairgrounds, admission fees, gate policies and restrictions, schedules, special days, and building and barn hours are posted. The fair’s exhibits and events are highlighted, including free shows and attractions, children’s activities, and live music.
https://www.carvercountyfair.com/
After a period of closure and disrepair, the bowling alley in Waconia, Minnesota was purchased, renovated, and reopened it in 2018. Constructed in 1919, the building was initially an auto dealership, bowling lanes were installed in 1939 and added to in 1958. Its location, hours, and open bowling times are recorded, along with league information, food and drink menus, and an overview of its policies for parties and events.
https://garagebowl.com/
Founded in 1959, and located near the shores of Lake Waconia, the golf course was created on farmland owned by the Peterson and Schwictenberg families. The original 9-hole course was extended to an 18-hole course in 1973. A scorecard and aerial video of the course are provided, and gift certificates and golf equipment may be purchased from its pro shop store. Event hosting schedules and policies are defined.
https://islandviewgolfclub.com/
Safari Island Community Center
Featuring a lap pool and zero-depth entry pool, swim lessons and open swim periods are offered, as well as basketball courts, walking and running track, weight room, group exercise studio, a personal training program, and four-level play structure. Membership requirements and fees, punch passes, daily rates, and its cancellation policies are posted. Its age policies are also noted, and announcements are posted to the site.
http://www.safariislandcommunitycenter.com/
Facilitated by the Waconia Baseball Association, the site focuses on several baseball programs and teams in Waconia, Minnesota, including the Waconia Lakers, the Waconia Islanders, the Waconia Senior Legion, Waconia Boys Varsity Baseball, and Waconia Area Athletics Baseball, each of which are highlighted here, along with schedules, registration schedules and forms, facilities, fields, and coaches.
https://www.waconiabaseball.com/
Municipally owned, the ice arena is home to the Waconia Hockey Association and the Waconia Wildcats Boys and Girls hockey teams, and it also provides skate lessons and open skate hours and includes meeting rooms for business meetings, birthday parties, and other events, as well as a concession stand. Its location, game and event schedules, open skate hours, pricing, sponsorships, rental policies, and contacts.
https://www.waconiaicearena.com/
The Waconia, Minnesota school system wrestling teams are highlighted, including elementary and high school. Photos, video, schedules, and statistics are featured, along with a calendar of events, and sponsorships. Various forms and documents related to the wrestling programs may be downloaded from the site, and fundraising activities are highlighted. Information and guidelines on nutrition are included.
https://www.waconiawrestling.com/
The sports teams of the Waconia Public School District are known as the Wildcats, and this site serves as a portal its seasonal sports and athletic programs, offering news, schedules, rosters, and photos relating to each, as well as links to separate websites that have been set up for others. An activities calendar, registration information, fees and admission prices, and an introduction to its booster club are included.
https://waconiaathletics.com/
