- Attraction: Can Can Wonderland
- Location: 755 Prior Ave N, Saint Paul, MN 55104
- Industry: Entertainment Center
- Website: https://www.cancanwonderland.com/
Bright neon lights illuminate vintage pinball machines as laughter echoes through corridors lined with local artwork – welcome to an underground wonderland where nostalgia meets modern entertainment.
Can Can Wonderland transforms a historic 1889 tin can factory into Minnesota’s most imaginative indoor playground, featuring artist-designed mini golf, over 150 vintage arcade games, and a self-serve tap wall with 34 beer options.
This massive 30,000-square-foot venue proudly holds the distinction of being Minnesota’s first arts-based public benefit corporation, channeling every game played and drink poured back into supporting the Twin Cities artist community.
The venue’s quirky name pays homage to both its industrial heritage as the former American Can Company – once the largest tin can factory in the country – and the French populist art movement Can Can.
What emerges from this creative collision is an experience that feels equal parts nostalgic arcade, contemporary art gallery, and adult playground rolled into one extraordinary destination.
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Artist-Designed Holes: Each of the 18 holes was crafted by local artists chosen from over 200 proposals, creating a course that’s as much about visual storytelling as it is about putting prowess.
You’ll navigate through wildly creative obstacles that range from a Minnesota State Fair-themed opening hole to a natural disaster scene complete with a floor-to-ceiling spinning tornado and ground-shaking earthquake effects.
Grandma’s Living Room Hole: One standout hole recreates a complete 1970s living room, complete with vintage furniture and decor that you’ll putt around and through. The attention to detail makes you feel like you’ve stepped into a time capsule of mid-century Americana.
Hot Pink Mammoth Adventure: Perhaps the most Instagram-worthy hole features a giant hot pink woolly mammoth that supposedly arrived via Hot Tub Time Machine. The whimsical backstory adds layers of humor to an already visually striking putting challenge.
Billiards and Tee Ball Integration: Some holes cleverly incorporate elements from other games, blending traditional mini golf with billiards-style shots and tee ball mechanics that keep every putt feeling fresh and unpredictable.
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Vintage Pinball Collection: The venue houses one of the region’s most impressive collections of pinball machines, ranging from classic electro-mechanical games from the 1960s to modern digital versions.
You’ll discover everything from beloved classics to the world’s largest pinball machine, though some rare machines occasionally need repairs to maintain their vintage authenticity.
Free-Play Gaming Heaven: Your admission fee unlocks unlimited free play on over 150 arcade games and pinball machines, making it easy to lose yourself for hours without constantly feeding quarters into machines.
The collection spans from playable museum pieces like century-old electro-mechanical games your grandparents might recognize to golden-era 1980s arcade classics and modern gaming innovations.
Rare and Unique Games: Many machines are rescued, collected, and lovingly repaired vintage pieces, while others are completely original creations built from spare parts and factory remnants.
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Keep Exploring →You’ll encounter games you’ve never seen before alongside beloved classics like Pac-Man, Rampage, and Dance Dance Revolution.
Interactive Entertainment: Beyond traditional arcade fare, you’ll find unexpected delights like skee ball, golf ball cannons, and even an old-timey photo booth for capturing memories of your visit.
Innovative Food & Drink Experiences
Revolutionary Tap Wall: The self-serve tap wall features 34 handles where you pour your own beer, cider, and seltzers, paying by the ounce. This innovative system lets you sample multiple varieties without committing to full pints, perfect for discovering new favorites or sharing tastes with friends.
Boozy Milkshakes Worth Sharing: The famous boozy milkshakes consistently earn rave reviews, with many visitors recommending splitting them among groups due to their generous size and potent alcohol content.
You can even customize your shake by choosing your favorite cereal, which gets blended into a decadent malt with all the fixings.
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Discover MoreArtisan Food Menu: The kitchen serves handcrafted pizzas, gourmet burgers, and elevated bar snacks that go well beyond typical arcade fare. Standout items include garlic cheese curds with special dipping sauce and a turkey burger that many consider among the best they’ve ever tasted.
House-Made Beverages: All sodas are brewed in-house, giving you unique flavor profiles you won’t find anywhere else, plus house-made ice cream that elevates every dessert experience.
Atmosphere & Entertainment
Industrial-Meets-Whimsical Design: The cavernous basement space embraces its factory heritage while bursting with colorful murals and installations by local artists.
The venue successfully transforms what could feel like a utilitarian warehouse into a magical underground playground filled with neon lights and creative energy.
Live Performance Stages: Two performance stages host regular live entertainment ranging from rock-a-billy bands to dance performances and kids’ karaoke nights.
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Keep Exploring →The supportive atmosphere during children’s events creates particularly heartwarming experiences where young performers feel like superstars.
Spacious Yet Intimate: The expansive 30,000-square-foot space provides plenty of room to roam without feeling crowded, though the venue’s popularity can create wait times during peak periods.
Multiple seating areas and drink holders built into game machines let you settle in comfortably wherever your interests take you.
Community Art Focus: As Minnesota’s first arts-based public benefit corporation, every dollar spent directly supports the local Minneapolis-St. Paul artist community, making your fun night out a meaningful contribution to the creative economy.
Practical Considerations
Reasonable Pricing Structure: The admission fee covers unlimited arcade gaming and any live entertainment, with mini golf requiring a separate fee. Most visitors find the flat-rate arcade pricing particularly appealing since you can play for hours without additional costs piling up.
Convenient Parking Options: Over 300 free parking spots are available across underground garage, surface lots, and street parking, though the underground garage can get full during busy periods. The venue is also accessible via Metro Transit’s Green Line for those preferring public transportation.
Age-Appropriate Timing: The venue becomes 21+ only on Friday and Saturday nights after 9pm, making earlier hours perfect for families while later times cater to adult crowds. The diverse appeal means kids, parents, couples, and large groups all find plenty to enjoy.
Accessibility Commitment: The entire facility, including the mini golf course, is designed with ADA accessibility in mind, with dedicated parking and entrance options ensuring everyone can participate in the fun.
Wait Time Management: During busy periods, especially weekends, mini golf wait times can extend to 2-3 hours. However, the extensive arcade selection and live entertainment help make any wait time feel more like part of the overall experience rather than a frustrating delay.
Can Can Wonderland
📍 755 Prior Ave N, Saint Paul, MN 55104
