Burnsville is conveniently located near such major attractions as the Mall of America, Minnesota Zoo, Discovery Bay, IMAX Theater, Valleyfair, Mystic Lake Casino, Historic Murphy's Landing, Canterbury Park, and the Minnesota Renaissance Festival.

Burnsville is the southern gateway to the Minneapolis/St. Paul Metropolitan area. Downtown Minneapolis and Downtown Saint Paul are each just 20 minutes away. 

Recreation opportunities are abundant in Burnsville. Burnsville's recreational amenities include boating, bicycling, walking and downhill skiing and year round ice skating. There are over 1,500 acres at the Minnesota River Wildlife Refuge which offers access to viewing wildlife and fishing.  The City also offers boardwalk views at Crosstown West Park and the unique urban style "town square" Nicollet Commons Park.

Burnsville is the 10th largest city in Minnesota with over 60,000 residents,
10 hotels and 80 restaurants. From neighborhood parks to nature areas and specialty facilities, Burnsville offers something for everyone.

History of Burnsville
The land of Burnsville has had five owners. First the Mdewakanton Sioux. Then, in 1493 Spain laid claim to it. France obtained possession in 1682. Britain claimed it in 1763. Jefferson bought it from Napoleon in 1803, and the Sioux,
led by Little Crow, signed away the land to Governor Ramsey in 1851.

Burnsville’s first pioneers arrived in 1850. Primarily Irish and farmers by trade, the rich soil, and vast extensions of land made Burnsville an ideal location to settle.

In 1855, William Byrne joined the settlement. Byrne donated land for a church,
a school, and a cemetery. Burnsville, originally "Byrnesville Township", is said to be named in Byrne's honor. Burnsville became a city in 1965.