New Prague, Minnesota is small, quaint town about 45 minutes south of Minneapolis, MN. Highway 13 and 19 run through the middle of downtown which actually splits the city into two counties. The north side of New Prague is in Scott County while the South Side of New Prague is in Le Sueur County. The city has more than 8,000 residents and is growing. New Prague is known for its rich Czechoslovakian heritage and has a yearly harvest festival in September called ‘Dozinky Days’. This post outlines 10 things to do in New Prague, MN whether you are a current resident and looking to explore or perhaps wanting to take a day trip to Southern Minnesota and are passing through.
- Bike trails and walking
- Golf Course
- Bowling
- Brewery
- Cedar Lake Regional Park
- Restaurants
- Dozinky Festival
- Shopping on Main Street
- Baseball
- Aquatic Center
Looking for something to do in New Prague? Go biking or hiking!
One of the top things to do in New Prague, MN is go biking, walking, or hiking. Did you know that New Prague has over 30 miles of biking/walking trails? The City’s trail system is a paved trail that connects most of New Prague’s city parks which make it easy for biking, hiking, or jogging. Extending the trail through the city’s sidewalk system which allow you to reach many parts of New Prague easily and safely. A map of the bike and walking routes can be found here.
New Prague Public Golf Course
Another top thing to do in New Prague is go golfing. New Prague has a city-owned public, 18-hole golf course. If interested, you can join a league and get to experience a great golf outing while getting to know other residents of New Prague. Youth can also participate in their Junior Golf program. More information about rates and memberships can be found on their website. Finally, if you have a big event, consider hosting it at the New Prague Golf Club for up to 220 guests and a picturesque backdrop.
Bowling
For those that like Bowling or finding time to hang out with friends, you may want to header over to Strikeforce Bowl which can easily be found on main street. Strikeforce Bowl offers Leagues for Men, Women, Youth, and Mixed. Strikeforce Bowl is also a great place to host a birthday celebration with access to a huge menu. Menu details and membership information are available on their website.
Brewery
One of the most recent additions to New Prague, MN is Giesenbrau Bier Co. If you are looking for something to do in New Prague, this is a great start. You can enjoy an amazing craft beer in a Euro-style seating environment in their taproom. While there is no kitchen, they have a great rotation of food trucks every weekend. You can’t pass through New Prague without stopping here for one round. My personal favorite is the Giesen Weisse – traditional Bavarian wheat ale brewed with German malts and fermented with Hefeweizen yeast. Their full tap list can be found on their site.
Cedar Lake Farm Regional Park
Visiting Cedar Lake Farm is one of my favorite things to do in New Prague. For nature lovers, Cedar Lake Farm Regional Park (managed by Three Rivers Park District) is a beautiful park on the south shore of Cedar Lake. This once, working farm create a calm, relaxing space where you can easily spend all day walking the path, hanging out with friends, or even fishing on the dock. This is a great place to take the family and bring a picnic basket. Bring a camera as well because you are sure to get some photos of memories that you will cherish. You can also host weddings or other outdoor events in the park. Here is a map of the park.
Restaurants
New Prague has several, locally owned restaurants that provide a variety of options. While the town is small and still growing, these restaurants can be busy on the weekends. If your palette desires something different, New Prague is not far from other towns and major cities that provide even more options. The current best places to eat in New Prague, MN are:
- El Tequila Mexican Restaurant
- Fishtale Grill and Bar
- Carbones
- 1319 Tavern
- Etlin’s Café
- The Local 105
- Lau’s Czech Bakery
- Sugar Rose Bakeshop
Another fun thing to do in New Prague – attend the Annual Dozinky Festival
One of the best things to do in New Prague, MN is to attend the town’s annual festival. Once a year, in September, the town of New Prague hosts the Dozinky Festival to celebrate the autumn harvest. This festival is steeped in Czech heritage and offers a classic car show and a town parade. Main street is completely shut down and there are food vendors and merchants available. There is even a Kolacky eating contest. You ask what is a Kolacky? It’s a traditional Czechlosavikian bread roll with fruit filling. The entire weekend is a huge party and extends well into the night. People come from all over to attend this festival. You have to go at least once to see how a small town can throw a big party. This year’s festival is September 16-17, 2022. More details can be found on the chamber of commerce website.
Shopping on Main Street
New Prague, MN just wrapped up a major construction project on main street with new sidewalks, roundabouts and community gathering places. Now is the perfect time to visit main street and all the different boutiques. Whether you’re looking for souvenirs, home décor, gifts, or business services, downtown New Prague has many great options. Here is a small list of small businesses on main street that you’ll want to check out:
Baseball
New Prague has a long tradition of supporting community baseball. Youth can participate in baseball through the various local youth leagues and transition their love of baseball to the High School program. Beyond that, New Prague is home to the New Prague Orioles – a semi-professional team that plays in the DRS league. Home games are played at New Prague Memorial Baseball Field. Watching baseball in the open air is a perfect way to spend a summer evening. The season runs from April through July. The latest schedule can be found on their website.
New Prague Aquatic Center
One of the final things to do in New Prague, MN is visit the Aquatic Center. New Prague’s Aquatic Center is a full-service fitness club along with access to pools and indoor water recreation. The New Prague Aquatic Center allows families to spend the entire day having fun swimming, working out, playing volleyball or playing basketball. You can host birthday celebrations and other small events. The New Prague Aquatic Center requires a membership. Membership and daily access fees can be found on the New Prague Area Schools District site.
