Major city · United States
Apple Valley, Minnesota
Base here only if the Minnesota Zoo is your main stop: 1 night, car needed, 20–30 min to the airport and Mall of America.
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- May–Jun, Sep–Oct
- avoid Jan–Feb (deep cold), Jul–Aug (humid)
- Airport
- MSP
- Nights
- 1
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
Apple Valley is an outer southern Twin Cities suburb, about 20–30 minutes by car from Minneapolis–St. Paul airport and the Mall of America. Its one big draw is the Minnesota Zoo, 485 acres of climate-themed trails. Everything else is suburban: golf, a county park, chain and independent restaurants, two mid-range hotels. Come for the zoo, or as a cheaper bed near the airport; do not come for a city break.
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Apple Valley, Minnesota, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyStandard US suburban precautions apply.
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportMSP Minneapolis–St.
- Getting aroundA car is the practical choice: sights are spread along Cedar Avenue and County Road 42, and sidewalks are patchy.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee$3–6
- Street or quick mealSandwich or burger meal$12–20
- BeerDraft beer in a bar$6–9
- Taxi, about 5 kmTaxi, about 3 mi5 km taxi or rideshare3.1 mi taxi or rideshare$15–25
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week$10–30
- Museum or sight ticketZoo admission$18–30
- Budget bedAll-suite room (up to 4), a night, per roomUS$150
- Mid-range bedBudget motel room, a night, per roomUS$110
- High-end bedBudget motel room, a night, per roomUS$150
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$80 · Mid US$140 · High US$260
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- MSP Minneapolis–St. Paul International (About 20–30 min by car via Hwy 77/Cedar Ave; no direct rail to Apple Valley.)
Weather and climate
Apple Valley, Minnesota: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
−4°C25°F
−14°C7°F
7 rd
Feb
−1°C30°F
−12°C10°F
6 rd
Mar
6°C43°F
−5°C23°F
8 rd
Apr
14°C57°F
2°C36°F
10 rd
May
21°C70°F
9°C48°F
11 rd
Jun
26°C79°F
14°C57°F
11 rd
Jul
29°C84°F
17°C63°F
10 rd
Aug
27°C81°F
16°C61°F
9 rd
Sep
23°C73°F
11°C52°F
9 rd
Oct
15°C59°F
4°C39°F
8 rd
Nov
6°C43°F
−3°C27°F
7 rd
Dec
−2°C28°F
−11°C12°F
8 rd
High / low °C°F · rd = rain days
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
A car is the practical choice: sights are spread along Cedar Avenue and County Road 42, and sidewalks are patchy. Minnesota Valley Transit runs weekday commuter buses from the Apple Valley Transit Station (15450 Cedar Ave S) to Minneapolis and St. Paul; the Red Line serves the Mall of America–Apple Valley corridor, so check the exact stop and whether it reaches the transit station before relying on it. Weekend service is thin. Taxis and ride-hailing work but wait times can be long in the suburbs.
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: 30–50 min by car, traffic-dependent
Car via I-35W, or weekday commuter bus from the Apple Valley Transit Station
Museums, riverfront and food; park downtown or ride the bus in.
Door to door: 35–50 min, traffic-dependent
Car via I-35E north
State Capitol, Cathedral Hill and the Mississippi riverfront.
Door to door: 20–30 min
Car via Cedar Ave/Hwy 77 north, or the Red Line toward Mall of America
Mall of America and the airport; pairs with a zoo morning.
Door to door: 40–50 min
Car via I-35W and Hwy 7 west
Lake Minnetonka town; a half-day, best in summer.
Hopkins, Minnesota
cautionDoor to door: 35–45 min
Car via I-494 west
Small downtown with breweries; not worth the drive on its own.
Afton
cautionDoor to door: 50–60 min
Car via Hwy 52 and I-494 east
St. Croix river valley; a summer or fall day out.
Roseville, Minnesota
skipDoor to door: 35–45 min
Car via I-35E and I-694
Shopping and suburbs; nothing you cannot do closer.
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Cedar Avenue / 150th St corridor
Both hotels and most restaurants sit here; walkable to food, not to the zoo.
Near the Minnesota Zoo (Zoo Blvd)
No hotels at the zoo gate; lodging nearby is limited — check availability, or drive 5–10 min back to the Cedar Ave strip.
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $60–100 excl. bed
- Mid
- $110–180 excl. bed
- High
- $200+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Mid-range hotel room (AmericInn, GrandStay)1 × 1 night × US$140 | US$140 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$140 | US$280 |
| Rental car, one day1 × US$60 | US$60 |
| Zoo parking, one car1 × US$7 | US$7 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$15 | US$30 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$52 |
| Trip total≈ US$285 per person per day, bed included | US$569 |
2026 estimate
2026 estimate in US dollars; hotel bands are estimates, not quoted rates — check current prices. Flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | $3–6 |
| Sandwich or burger meal | $12–20 |
| Draft beer in a bar | $6–9 |
| Zoo admission | $18–30 |
| 5 km taxi or rideshare | $15–25 |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | $10–30 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Winter driving: snow and ice from Dec to Mar; allow extra time and check road conditions.
- Commuter buses run mainly on weekdays — check the schedule before relying on them at weekends.
- Zoo hours and ticket prices change by season and event; check the official site before you go.
- Suburban blocks are long and poorly lit at night; drive or take a car after dark.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
Apple Valley, MinnesotaApple Valley, Minnesota
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Embassy
No embassies in Apple Valley; consulates sit in Minneapolis and St. Paul. Check your country's list before you travel.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- MSP airport → Apple Valley, taxi or rideshare: $35–55, 20–30 min
- Red Line, Apple Valley area → Mall of America: about $2–3, 30–40 min (check the exact stop)
- Zoo parking: about $7 per car
Say or show
- Thank you — Thank you
- Where is the bus stop? — Where is the bus stop?
- Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
- Is it far to walk? — Is it far to walk?
- One ticket, please — One ticket, please
- Where is the restroom? — Where is the toilet?
US tipping: 15–20% at restaurants, $1–2 per drink at bars, $2–5 per night for hotel housekeeping.
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Apple Valley, Minnesota. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Jun, Sep–Oct · avoid Jan–Feb (deep cold), Jul–Aug (humid) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 7 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for MSP: last transit and taxi options field-checked, overnight rung.
- Zoo day plan with verified opening times, ticket bands and parking cost.
- Walking clusters: Cedar Ave strip, Apple Valley Square, the zoo entrance.
- Winter and hostile-weather fixtures so gates A–D can go green.