Prior Lake is 25 miles from Minneapolis, but seems much further, nestled among the trees and lakes of rural Minnesota. The town sits on Prior Lake, and interestingly enough, Upper Prior Lake is to the south and Lower Prior Lake is to the north. Regardless of direction, there are plenty of accommodation options for this outdoor recreation area.
America's Best Value Inn & Suites, formerly called Canterbury Inn, is less than five miles a way in Shakopee. The hotel is close to Prior Lake and to the Mall of America and still far enough away from Minneapolis to not have a big city feel. The hotel has 175 rooms and suites. Arizona Lounge is a restaurant and bar inside the hotel and it offers entertainment on weekends in addition to the food. A free breakfast is served. There is a swimming pool, fitness center and a business center for guests.
The Mystic Lake Casino operates a hotel as well and it has 600 rooms. It is the closest hotel to Prior Lake. This hotel is a destination in its own right, with seven restaurants and two venues for shows, in addition to the casino itself. The rooms are designed to be luxurious and comfortable, and most of them are under $100. The hotel has an indoor pool, sauna, workout room and business center. Free valet parking is provided and there is a free shuttle to the Minneapolis airport.
Six miles east is Interstate 35 and a large number of hotels. The Hampton Inn is just off the interstate and on the main road into Prior Lake. This Hampton Inn has 80 rooms and suites. Rooms equipped for the handicapped are available. A free breakfast is served. For other times of times of day, there are a wide variety of restaurants along the Interstate and in the area in general. Locally owned restaurants nearby include Buca di Beppo Italian, The Roasted Pear and Ciatti's Chianti Grill.
The city of Prior Lake sits between Upper and Lower Prior Lakes, and there is Little Prior Lake between the two, which borders the town itself. Little Prior Lake is stocked with fish regularly. The Prior Lake park and trail system includes 51 parks and 80 miles of trails. Many parks have recreation facilities such as ball fields of various types, and there are plenty of open areas to enjoy. Lakeside Park is the town's major park. There are many lakes as well. The Mall of America is nearby, close to the Airport, which is on the way to Minneapolis.
