Things to Do in Eden Prairie

Melding a flurry of powerful forehand chops, pinpoint pivoting, and sneaky backhand lobs, tennis is second only to competitive chainsaw sculpting as America’s favorite sport at which to grunt. Sponsored by the United States Tennis Association Northern Section, the Tennis Festival of the North features three days of events that include demos, clinics, an exhibition match, and jet-engine–powered tennis-ball launchers. Tennis fans and fanatics alike will enjoy an all-inclusive pass that includes access to Friday-evening demos and drills, Saturday and Sunday clinics, and general-admission seating to Saturday's exhibition. Tennis pros and experienced instructors lead informative sessions on topics such as Boomers and Beyond, Playing Tennis After 50, and Nutrition Hints for Winning Tennis, while attendees can also browse a vendor fair and an interactive fan zone. Additionally, Olympic gold medalist Lindsay Davenport and 18-time Grand Slam singles champion Martina Navratilova will be present to talk tennis and cut up the court during an exhibition match.

With only three home-turf games remaining in the season, cheer on the Twin Cities' fearsome squad of sassy ladies as they run, pass, tackle, kick, shimmy, teleport, twirl, and crank call their way across the gridiron. But don't expect any shortened fields, wussy tear-away flags, or altered rules just because the players have little use for a cup—this is straight-up football, right down to the earth-shaking QB sacks, high-flying Hail Marys, and tackles that pack their own crater. This hard-hitting action, coupled with intricate strategic plays, provides more entertainment than a shaky washing-machine race through a corn maze. Additionally, on May 8, Burnsville High School will host a BirdieBall golf tournament prior to the Vixen game (not included with the Groupon), which will feature par 3 holes, field goal drives, various prizes, and an opportunity to pair football with the most brutally unforgiving of sports.

Since the Lynx arrived in 1999, Minnesota has been home to some of the WNBA's biggest names, including Seimone Augustus and former Golden Gopher Lindsay Whalen. All that star power paid off in 2011, when Augustus and Whalen—along with the end of the league’s rule that players had to grease their hands with butter—helped the Lynx sweep the Atlanta Dream to capture their first WNBA title. As evidenced by another run to the finals in 2012, the Lynx have continued to thrive atop the hardwood at Target Center, which the team shares with its NBA counterpart, the Timberwolves.

In 1987, Brian McInerny was careening around Italy in a four-wheel, multipassenger Surrey cycle. An avid cyclist, he fell in love with this quirky contraption that he'd never seen in the United States and he immediately sought out the manufacturer and purchased a crate of them. Wheel Fun Rentals traces its origin to this very moment, as Brian changed his surrey-distribution company into a rental and tour company that spans the nation. In spite of a general suspicion of unicycles and their ulterior motives, the company's corporate philosophy espouses "Supporting active healthy lifestyles for our customers and maintaining a healthy environment for all." Wheel Fun's fleet of rentals now includes bicycles, multipassenger Surreys, scooters, surfboards, and paddle-based watercraft. They also promote green communities by offering free rentals to Big Brothers Big Sisters.

The Twin Cities Originals are a coalition of locally owned and operated restaurants with a shared mission of preserving and promoting the distinctive experience of dining at individually owned eateries. This year’s event will give you unlimited access to the gourmet goodies of 20 local restaurants. As you graze among Woolley’s Steakhouse, Great Waters Brewing Co., and Azia Restaurant, you’ll get bottomless beer and wine tastings throughout the event to wash down the wonderful wares. You’ll also witness first-hand the “Restaurant Olympics,” where local celebrity judges will rank area bartenders and chefs as they go head-to-head in a Chairman Kaga-free battle for culinary domination. TCO will also play host to a wine raffle ($10 per ticket) that will award two thirsty people 30 bottles of wine. So take a stand against chain restaurants and support local, independently owned restaurateurs, or gift a Groupon to a food-obsessed friend and treat them to a fun night on two towns.

Inside the family-owned Jumps & Downs, youngsters aged 1–10 tumble into a capacious ball pit, 5,000 balls strong—one of the many attractions that pepper the 3,600-square-foot facility. The indoor play center’s inflatables encourage airborne activities, building kids' motor skills every time they leap in one of the bounce houses, dive down the giant plush slide, or climb up the obstacle course. Groups of kids unleash cake-fueled manias on the playscape during birthday parties that come complete with all manner of festive accoutrements, including a private room, paper goods, invitations, and a copyright lawyer to make sure no scofflaw children sing "Happy Birthday" for free.