Things to Do in Apple Valley

Since 1970, Skateville Family Rollerskating Center has facilitated friction-free entertainment on a classic indoor wooden rink. Multicolored lights tumble from retro fixtures high above the skating surface, swathing skaters in incandescent hues and mirages of Mardi Gras beads. In addition to hosting guests during open-skate hours, the family-owned roller arena gathers classes and groups together for field trips and fundraisers. The snack bar's hot dogs and soft drinks keep skaters energized, and an onsite arcade keeps hands from whining about all of the foot-centric entertainment.

Colorful retro lounge chairs and candlelit tables surround the twin grand pianos that rhythmically butt heads at the center of Bogart's Place Presents Double Ditty's. Every Friday and Saturday from 8:30 p.m. to 1 a.m., crooners awaken the instruments by hammering out classic jazz standards and inspiring audiences to harmonize on nostalgic President's Day carols. In a shared space with Apple Place Bowl and Main Street Grill, Bogart's Place entertains visitors with varying acts throughout the week. At Apple Place Bowl, automatic scoring systems keep track of frames, allowing free hands to cradle Main Street Grill's half-pound burgers, buffalo-chicken wraps, and slices of pizza with custom toppings.

Champion Ballroom is the brainchild of twinkly-toed owners Robert and Jennifer Foster, who, over their illustrious 25-year career, have garnered three U.S. ballroom dance titles and enraptured audiences internationally on NBC, ESPN, and PBS. Accompanied by their daughter Caitlin, the duo cycles through private and group dance lessons in ballroom, Latin, salsa, swing, and tango techniques for both competitive and casual events. The studio’s free consultations work to ascertain students’ goals while introducing them to the instructors’ individual teaching styles, which, unlike most dance studios, do not incorporate weirdly aggressive games of Twister. Special guests often lead one-night-only workshops atop Champion’s 40'x80' dance floor, and live performances from local bands allow hoofers to put new steps to the test without having to provoke local dance crews into impromptu competitions.

At Green Lotus Yoga & Healing Center, instructors facilitate spiritual growth from the inside out. Yoga and mat Pilates classes can improve your strength and balance, while meditation sessions foster relaxation via breathing exercises. Inside intimate treatment rooms, practitioners administer a wide range of holistic healing services, including acupuncture, massage, and reiki. Founders Marcia Appel and Merry Beth Hovey also lead retreats, such as a recent trip to India, where students were able to deepen their studies and sharpen their agility by striking a tree pose atop the spires of the Taj Mahal.

Water cascades over the precipice of a towering rock face, forming an elevated waterfall that overlooks the recently renovated 18-hole circuit at Malt-Tees Mini Golf. Featured in CBS Minnesota's Best Things to Do in Richfield, the course winds through a labyrinth of colorful gardens and flowing streams, which players navigate via a system of bridges and putter pole-vaulting challenges. After rounds, appetites piqued by celebratory putter-gnawing can find relief at the malt shop, which serves up malts, ice cream cones, espresso, soft drinks and light snacks.

At Claymate Creations, Anjee Mai Emerson celebrates her two passions: art and play. Inspired by her joy in creating sculptures, she uses her colorful creation haven to share that love with students aged 8 and older. She leads them in shaping polymer clay monster sculptures, motivating them to tap into their imaginations to bring one-eyed green gremlins or self-destructive socialites to life. In each three-hour playshop class or private party, up to six guests gather in this casual learning environment. Anjee encourages them to have fun playing with clay while they flex their problem-solving and critical-thinking skills.

She also showcases her own work throughout the studio, and sells her handmade monsters, earrings, magnets, and stationery at a handful of local boutiques.