If you were in the vicinity of the southwest metro area this past September, there’s a high likelihood that you were impacted by some little event called the Ryder Cup. An estimated 250,000 fans (more than ten times the city’s year-round population) flocked to Chaska’s Hazeltine National Golf Club and the surrounding area to take part in the historic tournament with big name golfers including Phil Mickelson, Rory McIlroy, and Sergio Garcia. With a long-awaited U.S. victory on a course specifically designed to play to the American team’s strengths, Hazeltine (and subsequently Chaska) are officially on the map!

But even after all the crowds and camera crews departed (and, indeed, long before they arrived), Hazeltine is and has been the midwest’s premier destination for major championship golf. Lush grounds and beautiful landscaping make it an ideal choice for a picturesque day at the links along with exclusive private events such as weddings and corporate parties.

Speaking of scenic venues, the Oak Ridge Hotel and Conference Center attracts many to its lakeside facilities each year. (Undoubtedly, many of those Ryder Cup visitors had their reservations there.) Situated on 130 scenic acres on Lake McKnight, it’s easy to see why many choose Oak Ridge for their wedding locale or company retreat. But even if you’re just looking to escape from the hustle and bustle of the Twin Cities, the center acts as an idyllic, serene getaway.

If you’re looking to get away without ever leaving Chaska, though, a visit to the Chaska History Center will serve as a journey through time. Step inside the signature brick building and you’ll find everything from Native American artifacts to newspaper copies dating back to 1862 (10 years after the city’s founding). See the genealogical history of a dozen of Chaska’s oldest families, or take a look through photos depicting what life was like long before the advent of computers and cellphones (and remind your kids that, yes, there was a time before computers and cellphones).

Because of its small town feeling, it’s easy to forget that Chaska is a good-sized suburb with a lot of variety to offer, especially when it comes to entertainment and dining.

For starters, there’s the Chaska Curling Center. Opened in December of 2015, the center is currently home to the nation’s largest curling membership. What can we say? We Minnesotans definitely love our sports on ice! Spectators who prefer frosty mugs to frosty shoes can watch all the action from the toasty comfort of the attached Crooked Pint Ale House. Also adjacent to the Curling Center is the Chaska Event Center, another popular venue for wedding receptions.  

One of the city’s favorite destinations for families is the Chaska Valley Family Theater. Since its first production in 1996, the theater has been delighting audiences of all ages with traditional musicals featuring members of the local community. But over the years, a handful of plucky playwrights from the area have been given the opportunity to present their original works on the CVFT stage, much to the enjoyment of their local adoring fans.

Foodies can also rejoice, because there is no shortage of options when it’s time to chow down. From old-fashioned diners and malt shops, to Chinese, Italian, Japanese, and Mexican cuisine, there’s something to please everyone in the family.

The diversity in eateries reflects the city’s growing – and changing – populace. Like its northeastern neighbor Chanhassen, Chaska has really seen a population boom over the last few decades. In the last sixteen years alone, the population has grown by nearly 40%. To keep up with demand, as the population increases at a rate of about 500 households per year (with an expected peak in 2025), new development is on the rise. New build neighborhoods such as Chevalle, The Harvest, and Symphony Hills have sprung up all over town, resulting in a median home age of just 28 years. Tellingly, in the past six months, a majority of sold homes were under 20 years old. 

Over the last two years, Chaska’s median estimated home value has grown from $235,000 to $275,000. Compared to the entirety of Carver County, the rate of increase is about twice as fast.

No doubt, contributing to that impressive increase is the sale of many new construction homes within the past 12 months alone, most with 3-4+ bedrooms and 2000-2500 sq. ft. This typical home size is understandable as a majority of Chaska households are made up of married couples with adolescent and teenage children.

In spite of the city’s increasing population, though, Chaska has been able to successfully maintain its small town feel through the concentrated efforts of the City Council. After all, the city’s mission is to be the “best small town in Minnesota.” Indeed, in 2007, Money Magazine even ranked Chaska as the #8 best small town in the entire country. This accomplishment was achieved, in part, through seasonal community events such as River City Days and the Turkey Trot (coming up this weekend!). Organized efforts like Christmas in May also add to the feelings of closeness and camaraderie within the community.

As you can see, Chaska has a vibe all its own. Many may be tempted to write it off as just another stuffy suburb, but they’d be mistaken. Chaska has the warm inviting feel of a small town – compounded by its charming downtown area (complete with gazebo and historic mill) – while enjoying big city amenities in neighboring towns. Also home to the world’s largest mustache, Chaska brings a funky freshness to the ‘burban world!

Neighborhood Resources

With all of the recent news surrounding Prince’s death and the subsequent conversion of Paisley Park from the late artist’s home into a public museum, Chanhassen has been in the national spotlight quite a bit lately. But by no means is the museum the only attraction the city has to offer.

The western neighbor of Eden Prairie, Chanhassen is a charming suburb fit for a postcard. A quaint downtown, tree-lined streets, and plenty of park acreage make it a beautiful place to visit year-round, but especially in autumn, when the fall foliage is at its peak.

If a drive or stroll through town isn’t enough to satisfy your autumnal leaf cravings, then you’ll definitely want to visit the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum to see nature at its most colorful. Ranging from red maples to maroon and purple oaks, the trees here are the state’s most diverse collection. While at the arboretum, be sure to check out Pumpkin Palooza and the AppleHouse, which has an offering of more than 50 varieties of apples. We’ll bet there’s nary a doctor in sight!

Before Paisley Park opened to the public, the most well-known destination for visitors was probably the Chanhassen Dinner Theater. The theater is the nation’s largest of its kind, and more than 10 million people have enjoyed its 220+ productions over the years. It’s earned more than 1.6k 5-star reviews on Facebook alone, and fans rave about the Broadway-caliber performances, live music, amazing food, and exceptional customer service. The theater can take you from first date all the way to “I do,” as it’s a popular choice for both nights out and wedding receptions. Looking for something more low-key? Then check out the attached Brindisi’s Pub, which claims to have the best happy hour in town.  

With a median sales price of $347,500 (most homes sold for $350k+ in the last six months), the city is way ahead of the rest of Carver County and the Twin Cities region as a whole.

Chanhassen’s population is growing at a rate about twice that of Minnesota; this is the main impetus for a bevy of new development throughout the city. All the new construction is reflected in the city’s median home age of just 23 years (half of the state’s average age).

The city is overwhelmingly popular among mid-career level professionals and their families, which fuels the demand for homes with 3+ bedrooms. Luxurious neighborhoods like Longacres and Stone Creek are recognized for their beautiful spacious homes, many boasting more than 2500 square feet.

Most residents spend an average of 23 minutes traveling to work each day. For those who rely on public transportation for their commute to downtown Minneapolis and the U of M, there are two transit stations conveniently located on opposite ends of town, with eight routes making frequent roundtrips.

In 2009, Chanhassen was named the #2 best place to live in America by Money Magazine (most recently, it ranked #7 in 2015). With a high quality of life, low unemployment, unparalleled amenities, fantastic schools, well-educated residents (97% of adults have a high school diploma or higher) and homes as cute as the one seen above, these accolades come as no surprise!

Outdoor recreation and leisure activities are highly prioritized among Chanhassen residents. There are two golf courses within the city limits (Bluff Creek and Halla Greens), and Hazeltine National Golf Club (of recent Ryder Cup fame) is just a chip shot away in neighboring Chaska. When it gets too chilly to hit the links as it inevitably does every year, you can take your golf game indoors at Golf Zone, which features 40 heated driving range stalls and an 18-hole putting green.

Fitness is also important to Chanhassians. More than 90 miles of trails, 20+ parks, and five public beaches help residents stay on the move. Undoubtedly, this collective passion for a healthy lifestyle influenced the choice of Lifetime Fitness to establish headquarters in the city. More than 1,000 of the national brand’s employees are based in Chanhassen, and we’re betting those lucky people have access to the high end amenities offered by the impressive health club onsite.

The importance of physical well-being is imparted on residents from their early years, with a pay-as-you-go recreation center (attached to Bluff Creek Elementary School) that has served the community for over 20 years. According to the city website, the rec center “takes pride in creating a fun and friendly atmosphere for people of all ages at an affordable price. [It] is a focal point for many of the city’s recreation activities. The facilities include a gym, fitness room, aerobics/dance room, and meeting rooms.” Outside, there are tennis courts and plenty of green space. About three miles east in downtown Chanhassen is the skate park, another favorite pastime for the city’s youth.

Speaking of the youngins, there are plenty of seasonal activities that will delight both children and children-at-heart. From the annual Halloween party to February Festival to the state-renowned Fourth of July celebration, the family-friendly events are great ways for Chanhassians to connect with their community.

Of course, we can’t end this blog without mentioning Prince one more time. While the longtime community member and landowner is no doubt the most famous former resident of Chanhassen, he certainly is not the only star who’s called the city home. Minnesota congressman Erik Paulsen grew up in Chanhassen, as did NFL player Tim Mattran. Kris Humphries (yes, Kim Kardashian’s ex-husband) has a home here, and James Denton (who had his own famous Housewife) is rumored to live in the area as well.

Do you live in Chanhassen? Did you ever get a chance to meet Prince? Have you been one of the lucky few so far to tour Paisley Park? We’d love for you to share your stories in the comments!

Neighborhood Resources