Minnesota : Safety by City
- Bemidji
- Brainerd
- Brooklyn Park
- Detroit Lakes
- Duluth
- Ely
- Fergus Falls
- Grand Marais
- Grand Portage
- International Falls
- Lanesboro
- Mankato
- Maple Grove
- Minneapolis
- New Ulm
- Pipestone
- Red Wing
- Shakopee
- St. Cloud
- St. Paul
- Two Harbors
- Winona
- Woodbury
Shakopee, Minnesota, is 30 miles southwest of Minneapolis, but it feels like a whole different side of the Land of 10,000 Lakes.
In fact, there are times you’ll feel like you’re in 16th-century England.
At first glance, Shakopee (“SHOCK-oh-pea”) looks like yet another Minnesota city surrounded by lakes and the Mississippi River, but there’s so much more under the surface.
From an amusement park like no other in the Upper Midwest to a living history museum to ancient Indian burial grounds to Las Vegas-style casinos, you won’t be bored in this town of 44,000 people (and growing).
Shakopee also hosts a popular Shakespeare Festival every fall, running from late August through early October.
Summer brings a six-week concert series downtown and a traditional Native American Powwow open to the public.
A popular dinner theater is open year-round, and winter offers abundant outdoor activities.
Minnesotans don’t let the cold weather stop them from adventures.
You have so much to see and do before you even leave the Shakopee city limits, you’ll have to balance that with the plethora of things to do in the Twin Cities region.
Warnings & Dangers in Shakopee
OVERALL RISK: LOW
When safety matters, Shakopee is a great location in the Twin Cities. Crime rates have stayed low throughout the pandemic and post-pandemic years, with police tackling any rising crime concerns with tenacity. Plus, the number of family-friendly things to do is welcoming while still offering plenty of adult activities.
TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
Minnesota Valley Transit Authority offers routes through Shakopee and to major destinations in the Twin Cities, like the Mall of America or downtown Minneapolis. Rideshares and taxis will be easy to find. Rental cars are available at the airport or in town.
PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW
The theft rate is 25% higher than the national average, with shoplifting making 35% of the total number. One pickpocket and one purse snatching were reported in 2021. The purse snatching was a $1500 value, indicating either it was an expensive bag or someone carried valuables or cash in their purse, which is against the best safety advice. The risk is low but not unheard of. Use standard cautions.
NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM
This should be treated with a medium risk since disasters can happen in all seasons. Spring starts a severe weather season with tornado risks that run through fall. Winter brings blizzards, ice storms, blustery winds, and extreme cold. In 2010, Shakopee got a whopping 21.5" of snow in one storm. All risks will come with plenty of warning, but you must stay weather aware to keep the risk as low as possible.
MUGGING RISK: LOW
This is a low risk, with just seven robberies reported in 2021. Since 2017, no more than 10 robberies have been reported in a year. Remember that risk can change greatly between different neighborhoods in the Twin Cities, so use standard safety precautions against robbery.
TERRORISM RISK: LOW
Don't be dissuaded if you see reports of the "Trail of Terror." That's a Halloween attraction in the city. The risk is low for Shakopee, but being in a large metro area, it defaults to medium risk. The best thing a visitor can do is stay vigilant and report anything suspicious to the local police.
SCAMS RISK: LOW
Reports of major fraud scams weren't targeted at visitors, but one massive charity scam should make you cautious about donating blindly to a seemingly desperate charity. As long as you don't chase after deals that seem too good to be true or allow yourself to be compassionately tricked, the risk is low.
WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW
The risk is low, even for solo female travelers or single moms traveling with kids. You'll need a mix of street smarts, wilderness safety knowledge, and situational awareness, but overall this is a great indoor/outdoor safe place.
TAP WATER RISK: LOW
Shakopee has a complex water system, with water coming from different wells. While the latest Water Quality Report dates back to 2019, there is a more recent comprehensive water quality report in 2021 focused on the water supply of today and the future. Heads up - the water is here considered "very hard," meaning soap could take a while to lather and/or rinse. You can use a water softener if you don't like hard water, but there is no hard water danger when traveling.
Safest Places to Visit in Shakopee
Visit Shakopee is the website for the city, but it does include some of the greater Minneapolis-St. Paul region as well.
If you want to visit the official Minneapolis website, that’s minneapolis.org.
Both have tourism guides for downtown, but the Shakopee one will be more hyper-focused on that area.
Downtown Shakopee has its own website as well.
Valleyfair is an amusement park open from mid-May through early September.
It includes rides for all ages, shopping, dining, entertainment, and a water park.
Use the free app to navigate your trip. If you’ll stay in Shakopee for a while, consider a season pass to save money.
The Landing at Minnesota River Heritage Park walks you through the town’s history from Native American days to the turn of the century in 1900.
You can also hike on several trails and go on a wooded adventure.
Interactive maps are available to view on the park’s website.
Head inside for one of the best entertainment venues in Shakopee at the Chanhassen Dinner Theater.
A standard meal comes with ticket prices, but you’ll get plenty of upgrade options.
Shows like Jersey Boys and The Prom take the stage, mixed in with musical concerts and comedy shows.
Canterbury Park is a horse racing track with a casino and entertainment venue included, offering a wide variety of nightlife and afternoon adventures.
More than a dozen restaurants of various cuisines are on site too.
Mystic Lake Casino Hotel is another gambling option just 15 minutes south of Shakopee.
The Wikie Unit of the National Wildlife Refuge is on the east side of the city, and plenty more regional parks span north of that location.
The Wikie Unit covers over 2,000 acres of forest and wetland with easy hikes on flat land.
Check the hunting season schedule before you go since some parts of this refuge are open to hunters.
Downtown Shakopee has that small-town charm with modern restaurants and boutiques to explore while still being close enough to the river and trail system.
Stop by the Shakopee Trading Post downtown to explore Native American arts, crafts, jewelry, and pottery.
Skiers should bookmark the Hyland Hills Ski Area 15 minutes away in Bloomington for snow adventures.
There are plenty of ice rinks and sledding hills in Shakopee, but Hyland Hills is the closest formal ski area.
In the summer, SandVenture Aquatic Park in Shakopee is the place to be.
Places to Avoid in Shakopee
A benefit of Shakopee is that the attractions, parks, and amenities are spread out, and you can feel safe exploring all the neighborhoods without worrying about driving through a bad part of town.
One thing worth mentioning is that driving under the influence cases have risen since the end of the pandemic.
DWI arrests increased by 35% in 2021. Police have a zero tolerance policy for anyone caught breaking this law.
Places where people are more likely to overindulge, like the racetrack, are generally known as the top calls for police help.
The #1 spot for police calls was the 169 bypass from Shakopee to the Mystic River casino.
71% of the people arrested in Shakopee in 2021 were not local residents.
If you’ll be drinking, use rideshares or cabs to get around – there is no excuse with the number of alternate options.
Safety Tips for Traveling to Shakopee
- Shakopee has its own police department and works in tandem with the Scott County Sheriff’s Office to prevent crime and catch criminals. You can read the latest annual report on the Shakopee PD website to see the latest crime trends from the previous year.
- Shakopee Police and the sheriff’s office have teamed up to create a community crime map that allows you to interactively search for crimes in a certain timeframe and within a certain radius. For example, you might want to know how many car break-ins happened within a mile of your hotel in the past 30 days. Use this resource to get the most updated crime data, as official data is only released once a year. Crime rates can change quickly.
- Using the Avenza app, you can download maps and explore regions like The Landing without needing an internet connection. This GPS powered app allows three free map downloads before you have to pay for membership and includes most parks in Minnesota.
- The police department has also crime prevention specialists that can help address your specific concerns. The contact information is on the department’s website, along with some standard safety advice about robberies and thefts. To call the Shakopee Crime Prevention Inc., dial (952)233-9441.
- Sign up for CodeRED emergency notifications. This will get weather watches, warnings, and advisories right to your email or mobile device. It will also include major events like road closures, shelter-in-place orders, and water main breaks.
- The trails along the river will be the first to flood in heavy rain or excessive snow melt. Don’t walk through a flooded trail, and check the park website or social media pages before you go. Even on a sunny day, flood watches and warnings can last for several days until the river level peak.
- Anglers need a fishing license from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. This includes regular fishing and ice fishing. If you want to hunt or ride a snowmobile, you’ll also need a permit for those.
- Coyotes live in Shakopee and the surrounding area. You should know the animals will do everything they can to avoid you, so there’s no overwhelming risk. If you are walking a dog, keep them on a leash. Coyotes will only prey on smaller animals that might threaten the pack. Don’t try to bait or shoot a coyote. Just leave them be and go to another wilderness area if you are concerned. Unless the coyote poses a public threat, the police and animal control won’t do anything about the report.
- If you are on tribal land in the region around Shakopee, the local police department has no jurisdiction there. Native Americans have their own law enforcement.
- Snow plows won’t go to work unless more than two inches of snow accumulates on the roads. The city will clear the city roads, the county takes care of the county road, etc. Private parking lots like at your hotel are the responsibility of the landlord. Avoid parking on public streets during a snow event, so the plows can get through. That’s an easier rule of thumb than remembering the even/odd numbered snow emergency rules.
So... How Safe Is Shakopee Really?
Shakopee is a great, safe community despite the violent crime increase that has plagued many American cities during and after the pandemic.
While the national rate is 396 crimes per 100,000 people, in Shakopee that number is 110 per 100,000 in 2021.
“I think these numbers indicate that people should feel safe in their neighborhood and in the community overall,” Police Chief Jeff Tate said.
“It can be difficult right now in the current environment when you have daily news stories about violence, particularly in larger cities, spiking tremendously.
But our part one crimes, the most violent ones, are going down.”
One big problem in Shakopee is theft, whether it’s shoplifting or car accessory thefts.
Catalytic converter thefts have made headlines across the country, and Shakopee felt that sting.
The average theft cost $1370, and it’s usually not noticed by the driver until well after the criminals have left.
It’s important to ask your rental car company if there are any protective measures taken to protect the catalytic converter, like etchings.
“It does not matter what city you work for, metro or Greater Minnesota,” Tate said.
“The theft of catalytic converters in recent years has been substantial.”
The DWI numbers we touched on are the highest the city has seen in a decade, with many of the offenders being more than two times the legal limit.
Aside from the arrest, loss of license, and potential jail time, international visitors could also be sent home immediately or kept in America to go through a long legal process.
Just don’t risk it.
Especially in winter, you should know how to determine ice thickness on a lake or how to layer up properly in sub-zero temperatures.
People here are used to the extremely cold weather and dress accordingly.
The weather can shell-shock those from warmer areas.
How Does Shakopee Compare?
| City | Safety Index |
|---|---|
| Shakopee | 81 |
| Oakland | 57 |
| New Orleans | 57 |
| Baltimore | 56 |
| Boston | 67 |
| Washington DC | 56 |
| New York City | 67 |
| Phnom Penh (Cambodia) | 61 |
| Niagara Falls (Canada) | 87 |
| Calgary (Canada) | 82 |
| Buenos Aires (Argentina) | 60 |
| Vancouver (Canada) | 82 |
| Cordoba (Argentina) | 61 |
Useful Information
Visas
You'll need a U.S. Visa designed for the purpose of your trip, be it travel, education, work, or temporary immigrant status. You will also need a passport that is no more than six months from expiring. The U.S. State Department made sweeping changes in 2021 to expedite the process and shorten the number of steps, so research that website before you start the paperwork.
Currency
The U.S. Dollar is the only currency you can use here. Even on Native American land and the casinos, you'll have to get U.S. Dollar currency. Avoid using the casino cage or ATMs to exchange currency since the fees will be higher. You get the best value if you exchange currency at your home bank.
Weather
You'll get all four seasons here, with hot summers and cold winters. Spring and fall can fluctuate, with warm weather one day and freezing cold the next. Bring layers, comfortable walking shoes, and sunscreen. Bug spray will also be needed from spring through fall, and make sure your product contains DEET.
Airports
Plan for at least 30 minutes to drive the 20 miles to the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. It's a major hub and the best option for domestic and international travelers.
Travel Insurance
You'll want travel insurance to protect against losses in case of major weather events. If you'll be spending a lot of time in the wilderness, consider niche adventure insurance for activities like camping, skiing, or fishing.
Shakopee Weather Averages (Temperatures)
Average High/Low Temperature
| Temperature / Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °C | -4 | -1 | 6 | 15 | 23 | 28 | 30 | 28 | 23 | 16 | 6 | -2 |
| Low °C | -16 | -12 | -5 | 2 | 9 | 14 | 17 | 15 | 10 | 4 | -4 | -11 |
| High °F | 25 | 30 | 43 | 59 | 73 | 82 | 86 | 82 | 73 | 61 | 43 | 28 |
| Low °F | 3 | 10 | 23 | 36 | 48 | 57 | 63 | 59 | 50 | 39 | 25 | 12 |
Minnesota - Safety by City
| City | Safety Index |
|---|---|
| Bemidji | 78 |
| Brainerd | 72 |
| Brooklyn Park | 57 |
| Detroit Lakes | 82 |
| Duluth | 78 |
| Ely | 84 |
| Fergus Falls | 78 |
| Grand Marais | 80 |
| Grand Portage | 80 |
| International Falls | 77 |
| Lanesboro | 82 |
| Mankato | 82 |
| Maple Grove | 84 |
| Minneapolis | 51 |
| New Ulm | 83 |
| Pipestone | 81 |
| Red Wing | 78 |
| Shakopee | 81 |
| St. Cloud | 52 |
| St. Paul | 64 |
| Two Harbors | 83 |
| Winona | 86 |
| Woodbury | 83 |
I visited Shakopee last summer and felt completely safe exploring the town. It has a friendly atmosphere and plenty of activities for tourists.
I did some research before my trip to Shakopee and found it to be a very low-crime area. I felt comfortable walking around day or night.
The community is tight-knit, and law enforcement does a great job of keeping the streets safe.
My family and I recently vacationed in Shakopee, and we were impressed by how safe it felt. We enjoyed exploring the local parks and attractions without any worries.
Considering safety is a priority for me when choosing travel destinations, I was relieved to find that Shakopee has a reputation for being a safe and welcoming place for visitors.