8 Forgotten Amusement Parks Across Minnesota

Minnesota’s entertainment history is filled with colorful stories of amusement parks that once drew crowds from across the state. From lakeside carousels to towering water slides, these parks created lasting memories for generations of families before quietly fading away. Many left behind fascinating tales, abandoned structures, and a strong sense of nostalgia that still resonates today. Exploring their stories offers a unique window into how Minnesotans enjoyed their summers and celebrated community life throughout the decades.

1. Excelsior Amusement Park

Perched along the beautiful shores of Lake Minnetonka, Excelsior Amusement Park was a beloved summer destination that operated from 1925 until 1973. Families flocked here to ride the thrilling wooden roller coaster, explore the bustling arcade, and take scenic trips on the miniature railway. The park’s lakeside location made it especially magical during sunset hours.

After nearly five decades of laughter and excitement, the park closed its gates for good. Today, the land has been redeveloped, but the memories remain strong in the hearts of those who visited. Interestingly, the legendary rock band R.E.M. even immortalized this place in their song titled “Excelsior,” ensuring its name lives on in pop culture history.

Local historians and former visitors still share stories about summer nights spent dancing and riding the carousel by the water.

2. Wonderland Amusement Park

Opening its gates in 1905, Wonderland Amusement Park became one of Minnesota’s earliest entertainment destinations. Situated conveniently near the scenic Minnehaha Falls in Minneapolis, it attracted curious visitors eager to experience modern thrills. The park featured a shoot-the-chutes water ride, a massive funhouse filled with optical illusions, and a scenic railway that wound through beautifully landscaped grounds.

What made Wonderland truly unusual was its infantorium – a special exhibit displaying incubators for premature babies, which was both educational and compassionate for its time. Despite strong initial popularity and innovative attractions, financial troubles and rapid urban development forced the park to close permanently in 1911.

Its brief six-year run left a significant mark on Minneapolis entertainment history, showing how quickly fortunes could change in the amusement industry during the early twentieth century.

3. Paul Bunyan Center

For over fifty years, the Paul Bunyan Center in Brainerd delighted children and adults alike with its massive animated statues of the legendary lumberjack Paul Bunyan and his faithful companion, Babe the Blue Ox. Opening in 1950, this quirky roadside attraction became a must-see stop for families traveling through central Minnesota. The talking Paul Bunyan statue would greet visitors by name, creating unforgettable moments that felt almost magical.

By 2003, the original center had closed its doors, though parts of the attraction eventually reopened elsewhere as Paul Bunyan Land. The original location, however, holds special significance for those who remember the golden age of American roadside attractions.

Visitors today can still find remnants of Minnesota’s Paul Bunyan obsession scattered throughout the state, but nothing quite matched the charm and wonder of that original Brainerd experience.

4. Lake Harriet Amusement Park

Back in the 1890s, Lake Harriet became home to a charming amusement park that captured the spirit of turn-of-the-century entertainment. This lakeside hotspot featured a grand pavilion where orchestras performed, a beautifully painted carousel with hand-carved horses, and a small but exciting roller coaster. Families would arrive by streetcar, spending entire afternoons enjoying picnics and rides along the water.

The park represented an era when simple pleasures brought communities together for wholesome fun. Unfortunately, by the early 1900s, changing tastes and competition from newer attractions led to its gradual decline and eventual closure.

While the amusement park itself has vanished, Lake Harriet remains a treasured Minneapolis gathering place. Today’s visitors can still enjoy the historic bandshell and imagine what summer afternoons felt like when the carousel music filled the air over a century ago.

5. Wildwood Amusement Park

Wildwood Amusement Park in White Bear Lake was a classic example of a trolley park – amusement destinations built by streetcar companies to boost weekend ridership. During the early 1900s, this park buzzed with activity as visitors arrived via electric trolley to enjoy rides, explore the funhouse, and spread blankets across spacious picnic grounds. The atmosphere was relaxed and family-friendly, perfect for escaping the summer heat.

Live music often filled the air from the dance pavilion, where couples would waltz late into warm evenings. The park’s location near the lake added natural beauty to the manufactured thrills.

Sadly, Wildwood closed its gates in the early 1900s as automobile travel changed how people spent their leisure time. The trolley parks that once dotted Minnesota’s landscape gradually disappeared, replaced by attractions accessible by car rather than rail.

6. Cascade Bay Water Park

Unlike the century-old parks on this list, Cascade Bay Water Park in Eagan served the community well into the 21st century before closing in 2018. This modern aquatic playground featured twisting water slides, a relaxing lazy river, and splash areas designed for younger children. Generations of Eagan families created summer traditions here, celebrating birthdays and enjoying relief from Minnesota’s hot summers.

The park’s relatively recent closure hit the community hard, as it represented accessible, affordable family entertainment. Many residents have fond memories of learning to swim, conquering their fear of the tallest slide, or floating peacefully through the lazy river.

While Cascade Bay may not have the historical significance of Excelsior or Wonderland, its loss reminds us that even contemporary attractions can become cherished memories. The empty space left behind speaks to how quickly beloved places can vanish from our neighborhoods.

7. Como Town

Como Park in St. Paul remains a popular destination, but its miniature amusement area known as Como Town has seen better days. Once featuring numerous small-scale rides perfect for young children, the attraction has experienced permanent closures of several beloved rides over recent years. What remains offers only a shadow of the park’s former glory, when generations of St. Paul families introduced their toddlers to the joy of amusement rides.

The small train that circles the area and the modest carousel still operate seasonally, but many remember when Como Town bustled with more activity. Parents who rode these same attractions as children now bring their own kids, creating multigenerational connections.

Como Town’s gradual decline reflects the challenge of maintaining smaller community amusement areas in an era dominated by large theme parks. Still, its presence keeps alive the tradition of accessible neighborhood entertainment that defined Minnesota summers for decades.

8. Summerland Family Fun Park

Until its closure in 2023, Summerland Family Fun Park in Sauk Rapids provided affordable entertainment that kept families coming back year after year. The park offered go-karts that let kids feel the thrill of racing, challenging mini golf courses with creative obstacles, and a towering water slide that provided cooling relief on scorching summer days. Birthday parties, youth group outings, and family reunions all found a home here.

What made Summerland special was its unpretentious charm – it never tried to compete with massive theme parks but instead focused on simple, accessible fun. The staff often recognized regular visitors, creating a welcoming small-town atmosphere.

Its recent closure leaves a noticeable gap in the Sauk Rapids community. Like many smaller entertainment venues, Summerland struggled to remain profitable in changing economic times, becoming another entry in Minnesota’s long list of beloved amusement destinations that exist now only in memory.