13 of the Best Mini Golf Courses Across the Country

Mini golf and summer just go together. Here’s where to go when you want to add a few rounds to your next family vacation.

By: Erin Gifford

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Photo By: Walker Art Center

Photo By: R. Kennedy for VISIT PHILADELPHIA®

Photo By: Par-King Skill Golf

Photo By: Lake George Regional Chamber of Commerce & CVB

Photo By: Shoot for the Stars Mini Golf

Photo By: Big Cedar Lodge

Photo By: Pigeon Forge Department of Tourism

Photo By: Roswell Convention & Visitors Bureau

Photo By: Erin Gifford

Photo By: Mariah Wild for Walt Disney World

Photo By: Coal Country Miniature Golf

Photo By: San Diego Tourism Authority

Photo By: South Florida Science Center and Aquarium

Walker Art Center’s Skyline Mini Golf

In Minneapolis, the Walker Art Center hosts an annual event, which runs through Sept. 2 this year, where they open up Skyline Mini Golf on the roof deck of the museum. The 10-hole mini golf course offers delightful views of the downtown skyline and the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden. Artist-created holes include "Let’s Be Frank" featuring a huge hot dog and French fries, and the Andy Warhol-inspired "Thrillo-Brillo," which includes super-sized boxes of Brillo steel wool pads as obstacles on the hole.

Philly Mini Golf

Take a small-scale tour of Philadelphia as you putt around Philly Mini Golf at Franklin Square in downtown Philadelphia. Every hole features one of the city’s historic landmarks, like Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, the Ben Franklin Bridge and the iconic LOVE statue. Once you’ve finished a round or two, relax by the fountain, take a spin on the carousel or grab a burger and the signature Shake-of-the-Month at SquareBurger.

Par-King Skill Golf

You’ll never forget a round of mini golf at Par-King Skill Golf in Lincolnshire, Illinois thanks to 19 mechanized obstacles and seven water features across two 18-hole courses. Skillfully putt your ball into the elevator of a replica of Chicago’s Willis Tower and ease your ball onto the track of a loopy roller coaster if you want to win the round. A roulette wheel, a spaceship and a cotton candy pink castle also greet guests, but make note that kids must be at least 48 inches to play and the course only accepts cash.

Around the World Miniature Golf

At Around the World Miniature Golf in Lake George, N.Y., you’ll be wowed by not one, but two, wild and wacky themed courses on the shores of scenic Lake George, including Around the World in 18 Holes and Around the USA in 18 Holes. On the USA course, look for Paul Bunyan, the Statue of Liberty and a larger-than-life Las Vegas-style roulette wheel. Meanwhile, the World course shows off iconic landmarks from across the globe like India’s Taj Mahal and England’s London Bridge.

Shoot for the Stars Mini Golf

At Shoot for the Stars Mini Golf in Branson, Missouri, you’re just 18 steps away from becoming a world-famous Hollywood star as your "agent" Marty McBooster guides you on your journey to superstardom, offering words of wisdom at each hole. There are plenty of photo ops across the course with your hair stylist, limo driver and movie director. The course even features iconic landmarks like the Hollywood Bowl and Grauman’s Chinese Theatre.

Mini Golf at Big Cedar Lodge

At Big Cedar Lodge in Ridgedale, Missouri, your skills will be put to the test on a newly designed nine-hole mini golf course. One of the holes even requires you to putt into and through the mouth of a massive Big Bass. Be ready to snap an Instagram-worthy photo of the whole family in the mouth of this humongous fish. When you’ve finished your round, play board games, throw horseshoes or relax on the lazy river at the resort.

Crave Golf Club

Crave Golf Club in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee opened to sweet reviews in October thanks to obstacles like ice cream cones, candy canes, gumballs and jelly beans. The club boasts two mini golf courses, including a 19-hole two-tier rooftop course and a 19-hole indoor course. A milkshake bar and a sweet shop loaded with sugary treats ranging from oversize chocolate bars to four-foot pixie sticks will tame even the sweetest of sweet tooths.

The Fringe

At The Fringe, a section of the popular Area 51 entertainment complex in Roswell, Georgia, you’ll find two family-friendly 18-hole miniature golf courses. One of the courses has a pirate theme, while the other showcases the history of the area, including Roswell Mill and its ties back to the Civil War (the mills made the "Roswell Gray" fabric for Confederate military uniforms). The actual mill sits adjacent to the mini golf course making a round of mini golf both fun and educational.

Duffer's Mini Golf

At Duffer’s Mini Golf in Wildwood, N.J., a nautical Finding Nemo-themed mini golf course awaits, complete with chatty pelicans, oversized sharks, an octopus, even a shipwreck. Once you finish putting your way around the course, order up a massive sundae or a banana split at the adjacent ice cream shop. There’s also an arcade and a full-service restaurant at this old-fashioned oasis that’s just a few blocks from the beach.

Disney’s Winter Summerland Miniature Golf

Before or after a fun-filled day at one of the Walt Disney World parks in Florida, get in a round on one of two 18-hole courses at Winter Summerland Miniature Golf. Carefully putt around giant candy canes, an ice castle and a melting snowman on the Winter course, or maneuver around a sandcastle, ornaments dangling from palm trees and a surfing Santa on the Summer course.

Coal Country Miniature Golf

Dedicated to preserving the coal mining heritage of West Virginia, Coal Country Miniature Golf in Fairfield, W.V., is a mining-themed 18-hole golf course. Each hole displays a unique piece of coal mining equipment, like crib blocks and loading machines, and features a placard describing how each piece was used to educate players. There’s even a 30-foot tall statue of a coal miner, further commemorating the coal mining history in the state. A small coal mining museum is located adjacent to the mini golf course, as are batting cages.

Pelly's Mini Golf

Pelly’s Mini Golf at Del Mar Golf Center in Southern California boasts two 18-hole golf courses sure to please putt-loving families. The first, Pelly’s Ocean Adventure, includes 20 sculptures of various marine life, including sharks, dolphins, sea lions, and gray whales, which actually spout water from blowholes. Talk about realistic. The second, Pelly’s Surfin’ Safari, is all about surfing, a favorite SoCal pastime. Blue turf on both courses makes it appear as though players are in the ocean, while drought-tolerant plants and recycled mulch aid in local conservation efforts.

Conservation Course

At South Florida Science Center and Aquarium in West Palm Beach, Florida, make a beeline for the 18-hole Conservation Course in the backyard of the science center. The course may not have epic obstacles, like windmills and replicas of historic landmarks, but it does offer an epic opportunity to learn about Florida’s Everglades. Every hole on the course is named for an indigenous plant or animal found in the protected wetlands of Everglades National Park. Signage on each hole educates on the wildlife while fostering interest in both golf and local conservation initiatives.

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13 of the Best Mini Golf Courses Across the Country

Related To:

Shop This Look

Walker Art Center’s Skyline Mini Golf

Philly Mini Golf

Par-King Skill Golf

Around the World Miniature Golf

Shoot for the Stars Mini Golf

Mini Golf at Big Cedar Lodge

Crave Golf Club

The Fringe

Duffer's Mini Golf

Disney’s Winter Summerland Miniature Golf

Coal Country Miniature Golf

Pelly's Mini Golf

Conservation Course