Quick Summary:

  • Q: Where is Mankato located?
  • A: Mankato is located within Blue Earth County in Minnesota.
  • Q: Why is Mankato considered one of the best college towns in the U.S.?
  • A: Mankato is home to the renowned Minnesota State University, as well as Bethany Lutheran College and Rasmussen College.
  • Q: What family-friendly attractions can you visit in Mankato?
  • A: Mankato offers several family-friendly attractions, including Minneopa State Park, the Betsy & Tacy Houses, Mount Kato, the Carnegie Art Center, and the R. D. Hubbard House.


  • Updated with new information since originally published.
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  • Our editors recommend these diverse local experiences.

1. Minneopa State Park ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Category: Activities
Minneopa State Park | Things to Do in Mankato, MN
© Courtesy of johnsroad7 - Fotolia.com

2. Red Jacket Trail ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Category: Activities
Red Jacket Trail | Things to Do in Mankato, MN
© Courtesy of TATIANA - Fotolia.com

3. Seven-Mile Creek Park

Category: Activities
Seven-Mile Creek Park | Things to Do in Mankato, MN
© Courtesy of Anastasia - Fotolia.com

4. Mount Kato

Category: Activities
Mount Kato | Things to Do in Mankato, MN
© Courtesy of Svetlana - Fotolia.com

5. Children's Museum of Southern Minnesota

Category: Kids & Family
Children's Museum of Southern Minnesota | Things to Do in Mankato, MN
© Children's Museum of Southern Minnesota

6. Sibley Farm, Mankato, MN

Category: Activities
Sibley Farm, Mankato, MN | Things to Do in Mankato, MN
© Courtesy of Friedemann - Fotolia.com

7. Betsy & Tacy's House Tours & Gift Shop

Tours
Betsy & Tacy's House Tours & Gift Shop | Things to Do in Mankato, MN
© Betsy & Tacy's House Tours & Gift Shop

8. Mankato Brewery

Category: Food & Drink
Mankato Brewery | Things to Do in Mankato, MN
© Mankato Brewery

9. River Hills Mall

Category: Activities
River Hills Mall | Things to Do in Mankato, MN
© Courtesy of www.karrastock.com - Fotolia.com

10. Carnegie Art Center

Category: Attractions
Carnegie Art Center | Things to Do in Mankato, MN
© Carnegie Art Center

11. Blue Earth County Historical Society

Category: Attractions
Blue Earth County Historical Society | Things to Do in Mankato, MN
© Courtesy of bravissimos - Fotolia.com

12. The R. D. Hubbard House

The R. D. Hubbard House | Things to Do in Mankato, MN
© The R. D. Hubbard House

13. Reconciliation Park

Category: Activities
Reconciliation Park | Things to Do in Mankato, MN
© Courtesy of finaeva_i - Fotolia.com

14. Mankato Symphony Orchestra

Category: Entertainment
Mankato Symphony Orchestra | Things to Do in Mankato, MN
© Courtesy of Roman Drits - Fotolia.com

15. Franklin Rogers Park

Category: Activities
Franklin Rogers Park | Things to Do in Mankato, MN
© Courtesy of mtsaride - Fotolia.com

16. Sakatah Singing Hills State Trail

Category: Activities
Sakatah Singing Hills State Trail | Things to Do in Mankato, MN
© Courtesy of Kentaro Hayashi - Fotolia.com

17. Twin Rivers Council for the Arts

Category: Activities
Twin Rivers Council for the Arts | Things to Do in Mankato, MN
© Twin Rivers Arts

18. Minneopa Golf Course

Category: Entertainment
Minneopa Golf Course | Things to Do in Mankato, MN
© Courtesy of BillionPhotos.com - Fotolia.com

19. Javens Family Vineyard and Winery

Category: Kids & Family
Javens Family Vineyard and Winery | Things to Do in Mankato, MN
© Javens Family Vineyard and Winery

20. Kato Escape

Category: Entertainment
Kato Escape | Things to Do in Mankato, MN
© Kato Escape

21. WOW Zone Family Entertainment Center

Category: Kids & Family
WOW Zone Family Entertainment Center | Things to Do in Mankato, MN
© Andrey Bodrov/stock.adobe.com

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