Apple Valley, MN

Travel Guide

Minnesota Zoo
Minnesota Zoo
Minnesota Zoo
Minnesota Zoo
Minnesota Zoo

Enjoy shopping, dining, gallery-hopping and viewing animals in one of the best zoos in the country in this friendly Midwestern city. 

With its convenient setting within easy driving distance of Minneapolis and St. Paul, Apple Valley offers all the benefits of city life but at a relaxed pace. Explore its abundant restaurants and coffee shops, shop in well-known malls and visit a zoo that is frequently named among the best in the entire country.

Apple Valley’s origins can be traced back to the mid-19th century, when a small farming settlement known as Lebanon Township was established here. The town remained small for a century, with the 1960 population numbering just 585, until development increased sharply in the 1960s and 1970s. Visit the city today and you’ll find a much larger settlement of more than 50,000 comprising a commercial downtown area and more residential suburban neighborhoods.

Many visitors to Apple Valley come to see the well-regarded Minnesota Zoo. Explore the vast attraction, which holds more than 5,300 animals including some endangered species. Follow the zoo’s Minnesota Trail to view animals native to the region, including wolverines and black bears. Walk along the Tropics Trail to encounter animals such as Linné’s two-toed sloth, red pandas and Komodo dragons.

Wander around Downtown Apple Valley and appreciate the sights. This area has a high concentration of shops, cafés and restaurants. Take a short drive or bus ride from Downtown Apple Valley to visit huge shopping malls, including the enormous Mall of America.

For outdoor fun, spend a day in the sun at one of Apple Valley’s parks. Go kayaking or canoeing at Farquar Park or sunbathe poolside at the city’s Civic Center Park Aquatic Center.

Apple Valley is located in northwest Dakota County, about a 30-minute drive from Downtown Minneapolis and St. Paul. The city is about a 20-minute drive from Minneapolis-St. PaulInternational Airport. While local buses and taxis serve the town, consider renting a car so you can explore the surrounding metro area at your leisure. Visit in summer to avoid harsh winter temperatures.

Hilton Garden Inn Minneapolis Airport Mall of America
Hilton Garden Inn Minneapolis Airport Mall of America
3.5 out of 5
1601 East American Blvd, Bloomington, MN
$97 nightly
The price is $112 total per night from Jul 13 to Jul 14
$112 total
Jul 13 - Jul 14
Total includes taxes and fees
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly hotel in Bloomington. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a free airport shuttle. Our guests praise the restaurant ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,987 reviews)
"We spent the night here before flying from MSP. We had the hotel shuttle take us to Mall of America for several hours. It was nice to not have to worry about driving. We also used the hotel shuttle to take us to the airport the next morning. Great, friendly drivers! The hotel is very clean, great ..."

Reviewed on Jul 9, 2025

Hilton Garden Inn Minneapolis Airport Mall of America
Wyndham Bloomington - Mall of America
Wyndham Bloomington - Mall of America
3 out of 5
1901 Killebrew Dr, Bloomington, MN
$88 nightly
The price is $103 total per night from Jul 20 to Jul 21
$103 total
Jul 20 - Jul 21
Total includes taxes and fees
Stay at this 3-star family-friendly hotel in Bloomington. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and 2 indoor pools. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in ...
7.4/10 Good! (1,948 reviews)
"Excellent location"

Reviewed on Jul 10, 2025

Wyndham Bloomington - Mall of America
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Mall of America - MSP Airport by IHG
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Mall of America - MSP Airport by IHG
2.5 out of 5
7801 12TH Ave S, Bloomington, MN
$110 nightly
The price is $128 total per night from Aug 3 to Aug 4
$128 total
Aug 3 - Aug 4
Total includes taxes and fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Bloomington. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a free airport shuttle. Our guests praise the breakfast and ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (2,523 reviews)
"Friendly staff, clean rooms, great location"

Reviewed on Jul 9, 2025

Holiday Inn Express & Suites Mall of America - MSP Airport by IHG
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Extended Stay America Suites - St Paul - Woodbury
Extended Stay America Suites - St Paul - Woodbury
2.5 out of 5
975 Weir Ave., Woodbury, MN
Book a stay at this business-friendly aparthotel in Woodbury. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
5.6/10 (462 reviews)
"Overall a nice stay. Property could definitely use some updating but not a bad place to stay. Staff was all nice and helpful when needed. Breakfast left a little to be desired but ok for an extended stay hotel."

Reviewed on Jun 4, 2025

Extended Stay America Suites - St Paul - Woodbury
Sonder by Marriott Bonvoy North Loop Green Apartments North Loop
Sonder by Marriott Bonvoy North Loop Green Apartments North Loop
3.5 out of 5
360 North 5th Street, Minneapolis, MN
Stay at this 3.5-star aparthotel in Minneapolis. Enjoy an outdoor pool, a fitness center, and laundry facilities. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (211 reviews)
"My husband and I had a wonderful stay here. We were in Minneapolis for his conference. Our room was beautiful clean, modern and spacious. It was so nice to stay at this apartment style hotel with a full kitchen. It’s right across the street from a light rail station. The blue line train took us from ..."

Reviewed on Jun 29, 2025

Sonder by Marriott Bonvoy North Loop Green Apartments North Loop
Extended Stay America Suites - Minneapolis - Airport - Mendota Heights
Extended Stay America Suites - Minneapolis - Airport - Mendota Heights
2.5 out of 5
1432 Northland Drive, Mendota Heights, MN
Book a stay at this business-friendly aparthotel in Mendota Heights. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff in ...
6.4/10 (337 reviews)
"the hotel was clean and check in easy easy. Our lamp kept flicking off and on and the TV kept saying no signal for both items were not usable."

Reviewed on Jun 23, 2025

Extended Stay America Suites - Minneapolis - Airport - Mendota Heights
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Apple Valley

4.4
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
35
5 - Excellent 51%
4 - Good
28
4 - Good 41%
3 - Okay
4
3 - Okay 6%
2 - Disappointing
1
2 - Disappointing 1%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveler

The available staff were friendly and willing to comply with my requests. Being this time of the VIRUS, the staff were not wearing masks and did not take any visible precautions for sanitizing at the front desk. I did ask how the rooms were cleaned.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church is a great choice for anyone looking for a worship opportunity.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

It had recently snowed and the parking lot definitely needed.some attention. It was not plowed well, some areas you almost needed to have boots on.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Apple Valley is such a great area. Very relaxing. The layout of thisccity provides for anyhinng one might be interested in doing.restaurants and shops nearby. Walkable area.still being developed. I love this area. Approximately to airport and Mall

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Cute town and easy to get around

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveler

Shopping was good.

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