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Apple Valley is a suburban city of about 56,000 people in Dakota County, Minnesota, roughly 20 miles south of downtown Minneapolis and Saint Paul. Incorporated in 1974 after growing out of farmland in the 1960s, it is a quiet, family-oriented community of lakes, parks and trails.
The city's big draw is the Minnesota Zoo, which opened in 1978 and spreads across hundreds of wooded acres with a Northern Trail, a Tropics Trail, Russia's Grizzly Coast and an elevated Treetops Trail built on the old monorail track. Next door, Lebanon Hills Regional Park offers lakes, canoe routes, a campground and miles of hiking and mountain biking trails.
Local life centers on city parks such as Kelley Park and Johnny Cake Ridge Park, the public Valleywood Golf Course, an outdoor family aquatic center and the Galaxie Library. Every summer the Freedom Days festival fills town with a parade and fireworks, and the Mall of America and the Twin Cities are an easy drive north.
The state zoo, opened in 1978, with animals arranged by region along the Northern Trail, the indoor Tropics Trail, Russia's Grizzly Coast and a penguin exhibit. The elevated Treetops Trail follows the former monorail track above the grounds. Plan at least half a day and wear comfortable shoes.
The campground of Dakota County's large Lebanon Hills Regional Park sits on the Apple Valley side of the park, with wooded tent and RV sites, a camper cabin, showers and direct access to hiking and mountain biking trails and lakes. It is a rare place to camp inside the metro. Book summer weekends early.
A neighborhood park around Cobblestone Lake in the south of the city, with a paved walking loop around the water, a playground and benches with lake views. It is a calm spot for an evening walk, a jog or a picnic, and in winter the loop is often cleared for walkers.
A city-owned 18-hole public golf course set among rolling wooded terrain, with a clubhouse, practice facilities and a restaurant. Tee times are affordable compared with private clubs in the metro. In winter the course grounds are used for cross-country skiing when snow allows.
An outdoor city water park open in summer, with water slides, a lazy river, a zero-depth entry pool for small children, diving boards and lap lanes. It is a favorite with local families on hot days. Check the city website for daily hours and arrive early on weekends, when it fills up.
A busy Dakota County Library branch on Galaxie Avenue with a large collection, a children's area with story times, study rooms and public computers. It is a welcoming indoor stop on cold or rainy days, and it regularly hosts free programs, author talks and activities for kids and teens.
A small central park near the city's commercial core with an interactive spray fountain where kids splash in summer, open lawns and a performance space used for concerts and community events. It is a good stop for families combining errands with outdoor time, and there are restaurants within walking distance.
One of Apple Valley's largest community parks, with ball fields, trails, picnic areas and open space. It hosts many city events, including activities during the Freedom Days festival. Walking paths connect to nearby neighborhoods and to the wider trail system around the zoo and Lebanon Hills.
The city's annual Independence Day celebration, held over several days around July 4 with a parade, a carnival, live music, a run and a fireworks show. It is the biggest community event of the year in Apple Valley. Bring chairs early to claim a spot along the parade route, as crowds are large.
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Photo: Runner1928, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
