Things to Do in Mankato MN

The city is full of adventure and charm. Whether you love history, art, or the outdoors, Mankato has something for everyone. Recently, I visited Mankato and explored some fantastic activities. I explored every corner of this city, from unique local attractions to scenic parks. So, I decided to share 20 things I found engaging in Mankato, MN. It doesn’t matter whether you’re traveling with friends, solo, or with family; these activities are perfect for all kinds of visitors. So, let’s dive into the Mankato MN attraction.

 

Minneopa State Park

Minneopa State Park is popular for its bison herd and waterfall. The Park is at 54497 Gadwall Road, Mankato, MN. Some of my friends and I enjoyed a great outdoor experience with a picnic area, natural beauty, and scenic trails. It was a weekday, so the crowds were low. The two-tiered waterfall was a highlight, and the park’s trails had more challenging hikes.

 

Besides visiting the falls, we also enjoyed the bison range which we drove through. There was some display about ecology and history of the area. We wore hiking shoes and brought our camera for some waterfall photography and excellent wildlife. If you visit the Minneopa State Park, don’t miss to explore the nearby attractions like Sibley Park and Seven Mile Creek Park.

 

Mankato Brewery

The craft brewery is famous for producing a variety of locally-made beers. Mankato Brewery is at 1119 Center St, North Mankato, MN. Last month, I visited this brewery and the experience was amazing. I enjoyed the brewery tours and a tasting room that offered a behind-the-scenes of the brewing process.

 

Also, I tried seasonal brews like the Mad Butcher IPA and the Kato Lager. I visited the Mankato Brewery on a weekend, and I enjoyed the live music and food trucks. Both were good. It is a family-friendly place, you can enjoy hosting community events with your family. Don’t forget to explore nearby attractions (North Links Golf Course, and Benson Park), when you visit this place.

 

Sibly Park

The park is ideal for a family visit. Sibly Park offers playgrounds, scenic river views, a garden, and a petting zoo. A few months ago, I visited this park with my wife, and the experience was amazing. This well-maintained park is especially famous for its seasonal display and gorgeous flower beds.

 

We enjoyed the gardens, the Minnesota River, and the farm animals at the petting zoo. Some free tips for you. If you visiting with kids, don’t miss to pack a picnic to enjoy the large open spaces. Also, you should check the calendar for local festivals, as the park is a popular destination for community events. You can also explore the nearby attractions like Riverfront Park and Minneopa State Park.

 

Mount Kato

It’s one of the premier destinations in Mankato for skiing, mountain biking, and snowboarding. Mount Kato is at 20461 Highway, Mankato, MN. The slopes of Mount Kato offer terrain for skiers during winter, and you can enjoy mountain biking and hiking during summer. Last summer, I headed a solo tour in Mount Kato, and it was so enjoyable.

 

As a beginner, I took snowboarding and ski lessons there. But do not worry about summer, as it has scenic trails for biking and hiking. I also enjoyed chairlift rides, and the view of the area was terrific. They have rental options for mountain biking and skiing, so you don’t need to bring your equipment. Try to visit during the off-peak hours if you don’t like crowds. After visiting the place, you can explore the nearby attractions like Minneopa State Park and Seven Mile Creek Park.

 

Children’s Museum of Southern Minnesota

The Children’s Museum of Southern Minnesota is a fun and interactive museum especially designed for children to learn and explore through play. Last week I visited this museum with my kid and realized that the exhibits focus on scene, transportation, agriculture, and hands-on creativity. So I decided to keep it on the list of things to do in Mankato MN.

 

Here my kid (Johan) dug into the Farmyark exhibit and learned about farming. Also, he learned about building structures in the Coughlan Quarry. As many activities are hands-on, so try to wear comfortable clothes. It’ll take a couple of hours to explore all the exhibits, so you can also explore some nearby attractions like Carnegie Art Center and Riverfront Park.

 

Riverfront Park Mankato

Riverfront Park is located along the Minnesota River. It’s at 309 W Rock St, Mankato, MN. This park is a hub for festivals, outdoor concerts, and community events. My experience was unforgettable when I visited the park. The place was scenic for a bike ride or walk, and it had river views.

 

I attended a summer concert at the Vetter Stone Amphitheater and the concert was a blast. Also, I enjoyed biking on the trails and after that, I relaxed by the river with a picnic. The surrounding place was green and peaceful. If you pick this place for your next destination in Manakto MN then check the event calendar for the next concerts or festivals. After spending a whole day can take some great photos of the sunset.

 

Blue Earth County Historical Society and Heritage Center

Do you want to discover the rich history of Blue Earth County including early settlers, unique artifacts, and Native American history from the region’s past? Then The Heritage Center is for you. The center is at 424 Warren St, Mankato, MN. Recently I visited the Blue Earth County Historical Society and Heritage Center with one of my classmates and we learned about many things here.

 

We visited a research library based on local history. The interactive displays took us through the area’s historical timeline. It’ll take one or two hours to fully explore the exhibits. After completing the exploring of the center, try to visit nearby attractions (Betsy-Tacy Houses, and R.D Hubbard House).

 

Chankaska Creek Ranch & Winery

Chankaska Creek Ranch & Winery is a beautiful winery located just outside Mankato. It offers a peaceful setting in the countryside and a wine-tasting tour. I didn’t go there but I heard from one of my friends that their taste is so good.

 

You can try many types of award-winning wines. Also, you can enjoy food pairings and stroll through the scenic vineyards. There you enjoy the live music events on the weekends. Outdoor seating is available here, so you can take in the scenery.

 

Red Jacket Trail

The Red Jacket Trail starts at Land of Memories Park, 100 Amos Ln, Mankato, MN. One of my hiking lover friends and I enjoyed the scenic 13-mile trail that passes through wooded areas and across historical railway bridges. As there are few amenities along the trail, so we packed snacks and water. The place is popular with runners, walkers, and cyclists.

 

When we crossed the iconic Red Jacket Bridge, enjoyed the views of the Minnesota River. Also, we explore the various trail offshoots. After visiting the Red Jacket Trail, we explored some nearby attractions like Minneopa State Park and Memories Park.

 

The R.D. Hubbard House Mankato

It’s a beautifully preserved Victorian-era home. The R.D. Hubbard House was owned by local businessman R.D. Hubbard. The house is at 606 S Board St, Mankato, MN, and offers a glimpse into the lavish lifestyle of the late 19th century.

 

Recently I had a guided tour of the mansion to learn about the Hubbard family. Also, I learned about the mansion’s furnishings and architecture. As the guided tours are seasonal, so I checked my abilities before visiting. The surrounding gardens were also explored.

 

Minneopa Falls

The Minneopa Falls is located within Minneopa State Park. It’s a stunning two-tiered waterfall within Minneopa State Park. I have already described Minneopa State Park as the number one. But I also added Minneopa Falls to the list because it’s one of the park’s main attractions. You can easily spend your half of the day enjoying the falls. The Minneopa Falls offers a serene setting for nature walks and photography.

 

For a closer view, walk down the stairs to the base. If you want to see the falls in full force, try to visit after heavy rainfall. You can also explore around the base, but you need waterproof shoes. After exploring Minneopa Falls, visit nearby attractions like Seven Mile Creek Park.

 

Seven Mile Creek Park

The park is at 47454 US-169, St Peter, MN. Seven Mile Creek Park is ideal for hiking because of its 10 miles of wooded trails. It has a peaceful and natural setting, making it perfect for a day outdoors. Recently I visited this park with my wife and the experience was unforgettable. We followed the trails through dense forests and alongside the creek.

 

We wore hiking boots, as the trials were muddy after the rain and brought bug spray, as it was a summer month. After exploring Seven Mile Creek Park, we also explore some nearby attractions.

 

Betsy-Tacy House

Betsy-Tacy are two restored homes inspired by the book named Betsy-Tacy by Maud Hart Lovelace. These two restored homes offer Ankato’s history and the author’s life. The address of the house is 322 & 333 Center St, Mankato, MN. A few days ago, I was lucky enough to visit this place, and the experience was mind-blowing.

 

I learned about Maud Hart Lovelace and her childhood in Mankato. The Houses were set up to reflect life in the early 1900s. As I’m a literary fan, so I enjoyed it. But if you decide to visit this house, you have to check for open house dates.

 

Old Main Village Mankato MN

The Old Main Village is now a retirement community, which is a part of a local university. The address of Old Main Village is 301 S 5th Street, Mankato, MN. Visiting Old Main Village is one of the most important things to do in Mankato MN. The architecture of it is worth exploring for architecture lovers and history buffs. Last year, I visited this place and the experience was mind-blowing.

 

I visited the architecture and the nearby historical buildings in the area. This is not a major tourist attraction, but it’s a peaceful spot to learn about Mankato’s architectural history. When you visit this place, don’t forget to visit R.D. Hubbard House, and Blue Earth Country Historical Society as these two are the most nearby attractions in Mankato.

 

Carnegie Art Center

Carnegie Art Center is at 120 S Broad Street, Mankato, MN. It’s housed in a historic Carnegie Library building. The exhibits offer art from regional artists and locals. This is a great spot to explore a variety of mediums for art lovers. As I am one of them, so I didn’t miss the opportunities. Some of my art lover friends and I visited this place and our experience was quite good.

 

We enjoyed watching featuring paintings, sculptures, paintings, and more. It was free to access. When we visited the gallery, we met one of the artists. After spending two hours in the Carnegie, we also visited two nearby attractions (Blue Earth County Historical Society, and Betsy-Tacy Houses).

 

MSU Planetarium

MSU Planetarium is at 329 Wissink Hall, Minnesota University, Mankato, MN. It is located at Minnesota State University and offers public events and shows. I visited this place and explored the planets and stars in the dome theater.

 

The place is ideal for both kids and adults to know about astronomy. As the shows are typically held only on certain days, so check the schedule ahead of time. After visiting this place, you can visit nearby attractions like Red Jacket Trail.

 

Bluff Park Mankato MN

Visiting a park has always been one of my favorite things. But Bluff Park has some differences. It offers panoramic views of the Minnesota River Valley. In addition to this, it’s an excellent spot for birdwatching, hiking, and relaxing in nature. During last summer, I visited this place with my wife and had a romantic and relaxed time.

 

We enjoyed the scenic views of the river and the surrounding valley. Also, we had a picnic and enjoyed the peaceful atmosphere. We visited Bluff Park early in the morning for colder temperatures and fewer crowds. After that, we explored Red Jacket Trail and Sibley Park, as these the are most popular nearby attractions.

 

Indian Island Winery

The address of the Indian Island Winery is 18018 631st Avenue, Janesville, MN. The Indian Island Winery is just outside Mankato. This family-owned winery has many types of local wines and a relaxing environment. I visited this place and enjoyed tastings and live music.

 

I enjoyed their peaceful setting when tasting award-winning wines. Also, I learn about the winemaking process of Indian Island Winery. After that, I joined live music events to enhance the experience. Their outdoor seating offers views of the surrounding vineyard. Don’t forget to explore nearby attractions like Chankaska Creek Winery and Seven Mile Creek Park.

 

Mankato MoonDogs Baseball

It’s a collegiate summer league baseball team. You can enjoy the game at ISG Field, 601 Reed Street, Mankato, MN. The game is a fun and family-friendly activity with innings, drinks, and food. I’m not a baseball lover, but I enjoyed the Mankato MoonDogs Baseball. The atmosphere was lively with activities for kids.

 

We checked the schedule ahead of time for home games. As we wanted a relaxed spot to watch the game, we brought a blanket for lawn seating. After fishing that game we visited nearby Riverfront Park.

 

Covent Park

Covent Park is a hub for summer with well-maintained paths. The paths are part of the Mankato Marathon route. It’s located at 1315 Stadium Road, Mankato, MN. Recently, I visited the park, which was an excellent spot for outdoor activities with a pond and plenty of open green space.

 

I walked the trails and relaxed by the pond. The park was large enough for picnics or sports. Also, I visited some nearby attractions like MSU Planetarium and Mount Kato.

 

Mankato surprised me with all it had to offer, and the city made my visit unforgettable. I hope the list of my favorite things inspires you to this amazing city and I’m sure you’ll find a lot of things to enjoy as well. The town is a hidden gem in Minnesota, and waiting for travelers like you. Happy exploring.