Eagan’s Ultimate Holiday Shopping Itinerary
Planning a trip can be daunting especially around the holiday season when you have 100 other things to think about. Here in Eagan, we’re all about making your visit easy, enjoyable and affordable, while of course ensuring you check off every gift and to-do item on your list. We designed one ultimate itinerary option for the best holiday shopping weekend you’ve ever experienced!
Day 1
Connected to the cute Cupcake bakery (we suggest grabbing a confection after your meal), the Mason Jar serves breakfast, lunch, dinner and brunch on weekends. This spot has made quite a name for itself in Eagan, what with its fresh twist on culinary classics and of course the mason jar decor. The restaurant has even been featured on the Food Network show, The Grill Dads! Whether you try their quiche of the day, breakfast quesadilla or the custardy and delicious cinnamon swirl French Toast, you’re bound to start your trip off with a full and happy stomach.
Rain, shine or snow – Lebanon Hills is the place to go! Encompassing nearly 2,000 acres, this incredible park offers miles of trails and lakes for year-round outdoor sports, recreation and environmental education. The Lebanon Hills Visitor Center, located in the eastern section of the park, offers park information, interactive nature displays, courses and programs, and access to all the beauty the park has to offer. If you’re into classic winter sports, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing are one of a kind at Lebanon Hills, but if you really want to try something truly Minnesotan, kicksledding is the way to go. What is kicksledding? Come to Eagan and find out for yourself 🙂
You’ve gotta be starving after all that excitement at Lebanon Hills, now it’s time to feast at a family favorite lunch spot in town called Burgers and Bottles. They’re serving up some of the tastiest burgers, sandwiches and sides including the Bacon Brisket Burger and Fried Mac and Cheese burger. Try the popular Wisconsin Cheese Curd Burger with an old fashioned Frostie Root Beer or maybe some Minnesota State Fair Pickles and a Pig Iron Cola will do the trick.
It’s time to head to Mall of America® for an afternoon/evening full of high-flying adventures! Starting with an amazing attraction that will sweep you off your feet, literally. Buckle up for FlyOver America, a flight simulator ride surrounded by a spherical screen and combined with special effects to really make you feel like you’re flying over the USA.
Once you’re done soaring over the country, it’s time to get your golf on at Moose Mountain Adventure Golf at Mall of America. Complete with 18 holes of miniature golf and larger than life animal replicas, this exciting course is a classic that will have the whole family entertained. Winner buys dinner!
Your last stop at Mall of America, in between shopping of course, is the ever popular Nickelodeon Universe. Covering seven acres, the arching glass ceiling provides a year-round, all-weather entertainment center with everything from four small roller coasters (including the popular SpongeBob SquarePants Rock Bottom Plunge), log chute ride, carousel, arcade and even a zipline that will have you flying across the whole park.
*Sign up for Eagan’s Pick Your Package and score Nickelodeon Universe passes with your hotel stay for FREE!
Before you head back to your Eagan hotel after a long, fun day, you’ve gotta get your grub on. All those rides and shopping will make anyone hungry! Head over to Casper’s Cherokee of Eagan and join the neighborhood regulars who know Casper’s is famous for great steaks, seafood, spirits and awesome daily specials. Snack on Casper’s signature onion rings or share a few pot roast sliders, then treat yourself to bone-in ribeye or walleye dinner. It’s the perfect way to end your first day in Eagan.
Day 2
Known for their great service and welcoming atmosphere, Junior’s is one of the best ways to start off day two of your trip to Eagan. While they cook up a mean burger, their breakfast menu is also well-known around town. Cinnamon rolls come extra large and breakfast platters satisfy even the hungriest of visitors. Many fondly call Junior’s a hidden gem and we couldn’t agree more!
Art Works Eagan offers artist studios, fine art gallery, small performance space and a makers’ workshop. AWE serves as a centralized hub for artists, the community, and existing arts organizations in Eagan to connect and collaborate with each other. Gorgeous exhibits are displayed in their gallery on site, monthly events in their Performance Hall entertain and delight guests. Or if you prefer workshops, lectures or demonstrations you’ll want to check out Sunday Salons at AWE!
Today’s holiday shopping adventures will take place at Central Park Commons. Their mix of essential, specialty shops and dining establish it as a vibrant destination for the everyday and the extraordinary. Located at the intersection of Yankee Doodle and Pilot Knob Road, this district is home to major retailers such as Sierra Trading Post, Five Below, Marshalls, Hobby Lobby and more. Keep an eye on our events calendar for engaging seasonal events like ice cream socials and fall fun complete with prizes and treats for shoppers!
After an exciting morning it’s time to refuel with some seriously delicious pizza. Conveniently located in the Central Park Commons Village, Punch utilizes the same centuries-old techniques that Neapolitan masters use to create a truly authentic pizza. The world’s finest crushed tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, and top-secret dough form the foundation of the pizza, but the true craft is in mastering the wood fired oven. That includes firing your pizza in a wood-burning oven to a blistering 900 degrees! Trust us when we say you’re going to have some delightfully quiet kiddos (or adults!) once the food is ready 😉
Lions, tigers and bears are waiting for you to play at the Minnesota Zoo! Situated on 500 rolling wooded acres, the Zoo is home to over 4,990 animals, representing over 500 species from five different continents. Explore popular exhibits such as Russia’s Grizzly Coast, Discovery Bay, Tropics Trail, and Wells Fargo Family Farm. Discover Amur tigers, wolverines, Mexican wolves, leopards, a variety of birds and other rare and endangered species. Or get up close with daily animal programs!
This cozy tavern is a great way to unwind from another successful day of adventure. Enjoy American fare with Southern influences such as their specialty, fried chicken. With four kinds to choose from: Regular, Spicy, a Korean barbecue called Seoul and Kiev, fried chicken tossed in roasted garlic, chives and butter. And be sure to indulge in their daily drink special, you deserve it!
Day 3
You’re guaranteed a warm welcome and a comforting tasty meal at this classic 50s restaurant lined with checkered decor and fun music playing in the background. Ze’s name may not be at the top of alphabet, but everything about this joint is A+! Since opening back in 2012, Ze’s has been a go-to for having one of the best breakfasts in town plus it’s served all day! Pancakes, waffles, eggs, biscuits and gravy, you name it and Ze’s has it on their menu. Moody and Zeze Arafa, owners of this hot spot, are also known for their Mediterranean spin on classics such as the Gyro Omelet with delicious lamb cooked right in or the Mediterranean Kebabs served with chicken and sirloin. You can’t forget about their homemade baklava and other tasty sweets like velvety milkshakes and warm coffee drinks. With all this deliciousness, you’ll be satisfied and ready to burn off some energy (and maybe a few calories) at your next stop!
Rockin’ Jump Indoor Trampoline Park
After a filling breakfast, it’s time to get the wiggles out and act like a kid, whether you’re 40 or 4! Choose from an outrageous variety of activities like the ol’ standard of trampoline jumping, dodgeball, rock climbing, ninja obstacle course and slam dunk basketball. This place is the best way to burn energy and have a blast while doing it. Pro tip for adults: Bald Man Brewing is just a hop, skip and JUMP away!
It’s a neverending cycle of fun activities and eating delicious food here in Eagan so let’s hope you jump-started your appetite in to full gear for lunch at this very popular establishment. Ansari’s has been offering authentic Mediterranean cuisine with a warm, family friendly environment for decades. It’s a must for lunch, because of the amazing lunch buffet offering endless amounts of falafel, gyros, hummus, tabbouleh and much more. We highly recommend after stuffing your face to take a piece or two of baklava back to your hotel for later on 🙂
Now it’s time to get your shop on to the fullest! Twin Cities Premium Outlets or as we like to call it, TCPO, is largest outlet mall in the Upper Midwest featuring over 100 unique stores including Coach, Nike Factory Store, Michael Kors and so much more. How can you go wrong with discounted shopping, better yet tax FREE shopping in a beautiful setting? Enjoy covered walkways if the weather isn’t the most ideal and then stop in to Market Hall for a snack in between your major purchases, because we know you’re going to have plenty. The shopportunities are endless at TCPO and by the end of this adventure, you should have everything checked off your list!
Let’s cap off your vacay with some delicious Italian food at Andiamo Italian Ristorante! This popular spot is all about fresh ingredients, authentic dishes and a relaxing atmosphere that will make you feel like you’re sitting in a gondola along the canals of Venice. Start with their fresh breadsticks that come out piping hot with just a hint of garlic and then move on to an array of delicious entrees including Chicken Andiamo that is laying in a bed of lemon butter and roasted vegetables with fresh artichokes and prosciutto for that perfect saltiness. If pasta is your ultimate go-to when you’re craving Italian, you won’t be disappointed with 15 different pasta dishes that may be hard to choose between. The Penne Al Forno is one favorite that contains sausage, pepperoni and mushrooms with Andiamo’s delicious red sauce atop the cylinder shaped pasta noodles. Grilled Mahi Mahi, Chianti Short Ribs and Scallops with Crab and Pea Risotto for the elevated palette are also available and served fresh every day. While classic music plays in the background and wine is being poured, get whisked away to an Italian paradise at Andiamo. Don’t forget the spumoni or tiramisu for dessert!
Are you ready to book your trip? Team Eagan can help you out with all the tools below. Let the holiday season begin – we hope to see you soon!
Start planning your next visit to Eagan today with our customizable itinerary builder or download the Enjoy Eagan app on your Apple or Android today! And don’t forget to use #EnjoyEagan on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for a chance to be featured.
Pick Your Package for FREE passes/gift card!
ENJOY!
