Our unique history is preserved in many registered
historic sites, where informed citizens bring them
to life. Our natural setting, our colleges, and the
significant talent of our residents combine to support
a thriving fine arts community. There’s music
to suit any preference, theatre on community and collegiate
stages, and galleries full of work by local and widely-known
artists.
Also, lying amidst Minnesota’s famed waters and
woodlands, Greater Mankato offers an easy escape to hiking/biking
trails, golf courses, and all the things the family can
do “at the lake.” The weather is great, spring,
summer and fall. But come back in the winter, when the
weather is perfect for photography, skiing, or even more
fishing, if you like.
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Carnegie Art Center
120 S. Broad Street, Mankato
507.625.2730
The Carnegie Art Center is the largest visual art center in south central Minnesota,
and was added in 1981 to the National Register of Historic Places. The
art center hosts monthly gallery exhibitions featuring the work of regional artists,
sponsors art education programs and runs the Broad Street Gallery Gift Shop located
in the art center.
Hours: Wednesday-Saturday 1-4 p.m. and Thursday 1-7 p.m.
Mankato Symphony Orchestrasymphony.mankato.com
P.O. Box 645, Mankato
507.625.8880
The Mankato Symphony Orchestra has been performing
for Mankato since 1950. The orchestra plays five subscription
concerts each year plus three youth concerts. In 1999
the orchestra began presenting an annual event, “Rockin’ in
the Quarry,” each June.
Concerts run October-June
Minnesota Valley Choralewww.minnesotavalleychorale.org
507.625.8278
The Chorale's repertoire is founded on a commitment
to the great works of the Renaissance and baroque era’s.
Complementing that repertoire are folk songs, madrigals
and spirituals.
Mankato Balletwww.mankatoballet.com
329 N. Broad Street, Mankato
507.625.7716
The Mankato Ballet is a non-profit organization dedicated
to advancing the art of dance through education, demonstration
and public performance – including an annual
holiday production of “The Nutcracker.”
Mankato Area Coalition for the Arts
615 Wanda Street, North Mankato
507.625.2730
The Mankato Area Coalition for the Arts offers unique
experiences within the Mankato/North Mankato community
from its numerous nonprofit organizations. Call for
performance dates, times and general information.
Merely Players Theatremerelyplayers.com
110 Fulton Street, Mankato
507.388.5483
Merely Players, Mankato’s own theatre company,
formed in 1981. The group performs several musicals,
classics, and comedies at the Lincoln Community Center
auditorium from October through May.
Minnesota State University
Theatrewww.mnsu.edu/theatre
Box Office: 507.389.6661
The University’s theatre department presents
several works on both its Mainstage and Studio each
school year. The performances are staged in
the 200-seat Andreas Theatre or the 530-seat Ted Paul
Theatre. The University will produce plays in
a variety of dramatic, musical and comical formats.
Highland Summer Theatremsutheatre.com
Box Office 507.389.6661
Highland Summer Theatre produces four shows from the
end of May until the end of July. All summer
productions are held at the Performing Arts Center
on the MSU campus.
Gustavus Adolphus College
Performing Artsgac.edu
Ticket Office (507) 933-7590
Scheduling and managing over 200 events a year including
exhibits, recitals, concerts, dance and theatre performances.
Bethany Lutheran College
Performing ArtsBethany
events calendar
700 Luther Drive, Mankato
507.344.7365
Bethany is home to a number of fine arts activities
throughout the year featuring theater choir, concert
band, jazz ensemble, and hand bell performances. Bethany's
art gallery is the site of student art shows in December
and May. The college also sponsors guest artists throughout
the year.
The Bell Towerwww.thebelltower.org
313 E. Main Street, St. Clair
507.245.3177
The Bell Tower is a facility committed to bringing
cultural and artistic opportunities to the community. A
former house of worship, the building now hosts theatrical,
artistic and musical productions and shows throughout
the year.
Alltel Centerwww.alltelcenter.com
One Civic Center Plaza, Mankato
Box Office: 507.389.3001
Home of the MSU Hockey teams, this all purpose entertainment
venue and meeting/convention site is host to special
events including concerts, family shows, Broadway musicals,
sporting events and ice shows. Tickets are available
at the Alltel Center Ticket Office or any TicketMaster
outlet. Ticket Office: Monday through Friday - 10 am
to 6 pm
Kato Entertainment Center
200 Chestnut Street, Mankato
507.625.7553
Mankato's full variety entertainment center featuring
concerts, dinner theater, dancing and more!
Blue Earth County Heritage
Center Museumwww.rootsweb.com/~mnbechs
415 Cherry Street, Mankato
507.345.5566
The Heritage Center is home to the Blue Earth County Historical Society museum,
research center, archives, and museum store. The exhibit gallery contains many
artifacts from the industrial, agricultural and pioneer parts of Blue Earth County.
Experience history as it comes alive in the gallery. The Museum Store contains
many historic books, genealogical resources, archival boxes and souvenirs of
Southern Minnesota. The Research Center is filled with thousands of research
materials for the genealogist and historical researcher.
Hours: Tuesday through Saturday 1:00 to 4:00 PM, year round, closed holidays.
R.D. Hubbard House
606 S. Broad Street, Mankato
507.345.5566
Originally built in 1871 by Rensselaer D. Hubbard,
founder of the Hubbard Milling Company, the Hubbard
House has been through several expansions and renovations.
The house is the oldest remaining example of a Victorian
Mansion in the area. The house is being restored to
its 1905 appearance. Some of the highlights of the
restoration include Tiffany lamp fixtures, three marble
fireplaces, and decorative wood and wall hangings.
The house is furnished with some original pieces from
the Hubbard family and other turn of the century furniture.
The tour also includes the Hubbard Carriage house home
to several horse drawn vehicles, early automobiles
and early fire fighting equipment. The house is listed
on the National Register of Historic Places.
Hours: May-September Saturday and Sunday 1:00 PM -
4:00 PM. Also, by appointment
Judge Lorin P. Cray Mansion
Mankato YWCA
603 S. Second Street, Mankato
507.345.4629
Tours by reservation
The home was residence of Mankato entrepreneur Judge
Lorin P. Cray and his wife LuLu. The impressive Queen
Anne style mansion was built in 1898 at a cost of $13,000.
The towers, side balcony, stained, etched and beveled
glass windows, garland designed porch trim and columns,
are all typical of this period structure. The exterior
and interior capture the Victorian character of the
home with most original features remaining. Listed
on the National Register of Historic Places, it has
been the home of the YWCA since 1927.
The Betsy-Tacy Societywww.betsy-tacysociety.org
322 Center Street, Mankato
507.345.8103
Betsy and Tacy are the beloved characters in the novels
written by Maud Hart Lovelace. A native to Mankato
Lovelace authored six adult novels and 18 children’s
books. The Betsy-Tacy books, which she is best
known for, depict her childhood days in Mankato, the
fictionalized “Deep Valley.” Tour
the childhood home Maud and her best friends house
across the street. Both homes are being renovated
to depict the time of the books and feature a gift
shop.
Tours: Open Saturdays 1-3p.m. or by appointment
Good Counsel
170 Good Counsel Drive, Mankato
507.389.4200
School Sisters of Notre Dame have been part of Mankato
since 1865. The towering steeple of Our Lady of Good
Counsel Chapel, built in 1924, is a beacon of welcome
and its cross, a symbol of God's work, is the mission
of the School Sisters of Notre Dame. The Chapel, Romanesque
in style features stained glass windows handcrafted
in Munich, Germany; Italian cararra marble alters,
ceramic floor from Mettlach, Germany, and an oil painting
of the Stations of the Cross from Munich. This historic
landmark also has a 117 year old William Johnson Organ
Opus 499 recently restored to its full grandeur of
sound.
Traverse Des Sioux
U.S. Hwy 169, St. Peter
888.727.8386
Known by the Dakota as Oiyuwege, “the place of
crossing,” Traverse des Sioux was a crossroads
and meeting place for peole of many cultures. Walk
the trails once used by American Indians, fur traders
and settlers along the 10,000-year-old Minnesota River
Valley and learn about Dakota culture, and the 1851
Treaty that altered their future and the territory
soon to become Minnesota.
Hours: May-October, Dawn-Dusk
Seppmann Mill
Minneopa State Park
Designed by Louis Seppmann, after windmills in his
native Germany, he used stone for the main structure
which still stands today. The mill was completed in
1864, and in a favorable wind could grind 150 bushels
of wheat into flour per day. The windmill was struck
by natural calamities, including lightening and a tornado,
which ended its grinding days. This German-style mill
is a rare example of wind-powered grain milling. In
the late 1870's three years of consecutive grasshopper
plagues wiped out all of the crops and the little town
disappeared from the map.
Location: Six miles west of Mankato on the left-hand
side of the road in the camp ground
Old Main Village
301 S. Fifth Street, Mankato
507.388.4200
Listed on the National Historic Registry, the former
administration building of MSU has been renovated into
a charming retirement community.
Tours by reservation
Morgan Creek Vineyardsmorgancreekvineyards.com
23707 478th Avenue, New Ulm
507.947.3547
Morgan Creek Vineyards, established in 1993, enjoyed
its first vintage season the fall of 1998 and the opening
of Minnesota’s only underground winery. Specializing
in growing and producing German, French, and American
style wines. Morgan Creek offers a cylcle of
seasonal events that celebrate the joy of living and
the art of fine winemaking.
Tours and Tasting: May through December, Friday & Saturday
- 11 am to 9 pm, Sunday - noon to 5 pm. January through
April - open by appointment only.
Wildlife Safari Museum
507.386.1548
An elephant, giraffe, zebra and lioness are just a
few of the many animals shown at the museum. Local
hunter, Paul Schaumberg has created the museum from
his travels.
Farmers Market
Madison East Center
507.420.8711
During spring the spring and summer take a trip to
the farmers market. Every Saturday morning and Tuesday
evening you’ll find dozens of vendors proudly
displaying their crops. Everything from strawberries
and asparagus to home baked breads and handmade soups
can be purchased.
SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Jerry Dutler's Bowl
1247 Range Street, off Hwy. 169, North Mankato
507.387.3439
Your complete family entertainment center. Twenty-four Brunswick "Glow
Anvilane" synthetic lanes with automatic scoring are used. Dutler’s
features evenings of color pin or cosmic bowling with "Ball Walls" on
all 24 lanes for children of all ages. Pool tables, video games, and satellite
TV's are also available.
Victory Bowlvictorybowl.com
202 S. Victory Drive 507.387.7991
Visit this ultra modern bowling center to experience
the latest bowling has to offer. Frameworx automatic
scoring with 3-D color graphics, computer controlled
bumpers for the kids and our Thunder Alley Sound & Light show on Fridays
and Saturdays. Enjoy our Smoke Free facilities on Friday, Saturday and Sunday
afternoons until 6 pm. After bowling, visit Mickey's Sports Bar, our adjacent
full service bar and grill featuring great food and beverages.
Terrace View Golf Club
19304 State Hwy 22, Mankato
507.625.7655
One of the most unique courses, Terrace view has a 9-hole, par 36 regulation
course, and a 9-hole, par 27 executive course. A putting green, driving
range, pro shop, and clubhouse are all part of Terrace View.
BMX Track
Stoltzman Road, Mankato
Take the dirt bike out and race around the most challenging course in the area. Amateur
riders welcome to try a tricky track filled with jumps and ramps. Bleachers
and picnic areas are also available.
North Links Golf Clubwww.northlinksgolf.com
Highway 14 W. & County Road 66, North Mankato
507.947.3355
North Links is the newest of Mankato’s golf courses featuring a regulation
18-hole, par 72 golf course with driving range and putting green. North Links
features four different t-distances for varying skill levels. A pro shop,
golf carts and lounge are also available
Minneopa Golf Club
Highway 169 S., ½ mile outside of Mankato
507. 625.5777
Southern Minnesota's sportiest golf course features a challenging 9-hole, par
33 up-hill course. A pro shop, golf carts and equipment rentals are
available, as well as, a snack bar and lounge.
Mankato MoonDogs Baseball
507.625.7047
The Mankato MoonDogs Baseball Club is a member of the wood-bat Northwoods League.
For family-fun entertainment catch the MoonDogs games at Franklin Rogers Park
from June to the middle of August.
Mount Kato Ski & Bike mountkato.com
Highway 66 S., one mile south of Mankato
507.625.3363
Downhill Skiing and tubing
19 Trails - 4 beginner, 8 intermediate and 7 advanced. Trails groomed daily.
8 chair lifts - 5 quad and 3 double, 3 handle tows
Two-level chalet offering food service and the Bullwheel Saloon for your enjoyment.
Full-service rental and ski shop offering a complete line of ski equipment,
fashions and accessories is available
Certified ski school featuring a variety of lessons for all ages and abilities.
Mountain Biking:
Over 7 miles of trails for novice to expert rider. Trails are 80 percent wooded
single track.
Grand Champions Sports Complex
Highway 22 (Near Country Inn & Suites)
507.386.0001
This sports complex is complete with two, 18-hole mini golf courses, a driving
range, and batting cages. Open early spring-fall
