Area Travel - AmericInn^® of Mankato, MN

Welcome to Mankato and Beautiful Minnesota!

While staying in Mankato enjoy the many lakes, rivers and local activities year round.

Area Attractions and Activities

International Festival - April
An event designed to celebrate and raise awareness of cultural diversity in Greater Mankato. Enjoy taste-testing a variety of foods from throughout the world and viewing colorful costumes and dance demonstrations from an array of countries.
Location: Mankato East High School - Intersection of  Highway 22 and Hoffman Road

Brew Fest - June

Great River Energy Bike Festival - June

Rockin' in the Quarry - June
The Mankato Symphony Orchestra and SMC present a rockin’ good time. Gather your friends, family and neighbors and prepare for a unique listening experience. The orchestra performs a concert that includes everything from pops favorites to the 1812 Overture, complete with cannons. Bring a lawn chair, pack a picnic and enjoy a FREE rock concert of popular music.
Location: SMC Kasota Quarry - three miles north of the intersection of Third Avenue and Highway 14
Phone: 507-625-8880

North Mankato Fun Days - July
A Community celebration and large homecoming for everyone. A kiddie parade and a large community parade travel the winding streets of lower North Mankato and include floats, cars, tractors and candy! This four day festival is one of the largest summer events and features a carnival, food stands, bingo, and beer garden with music from local artists.
Location: Wheeler Park – intersection of Range Street and Garfield Avenue in North Mankato.

Alltel Minnesota Vikings Training Camp - Late July through early August
The end of the summer means hot and heavy workouts for the Minnesota Vikings professional football team. Watch them train on Blakeslee Field at Minnesota State University, Mankato, two times a day, six days a week. Get up-close and personal at a scrimmage, Party Purple, in Vikings Village or at an autograph session.
Location: Campus of Minnesota State University, Mankato

Hickory Street Ribfest - August
Award winning ribbers from all across the country gather to provide good eats on Hickory Street for one weekend a year. Bring the whole family and be entertained by a wide variety of live bands and games for the kids.
Location: Parking lot between Hickory and Cherry Streets
Phone: 507-389-3000

Mahkato Mdewakanton PowWow - September
Thousands of Native Americans return to their ceremonial grounds in Land of Memories Park. Members of different tribes come together to celebrate and reenact ceremonial dances while wearing traditional costumes. A wonderful display of colorful costumes, traditional foods and crafts can all be found at this event honoring our Native American history.
Location: Land of Memories Park – one mile south of Mankato on Hwy. 169

History Fest - October
Take a trip to Jack McGowan’s farm as he transforms his rural farm into a weekend of historical hands-on recreation. Special exhibits include fire eaters, candle making, ox drawn carriage rides and hot air balloon rides. For more excitement learn to belly dance, catapult a pumpkin or watch a reenactment of the civil war.
Location: McGowan’s farm

Sakatah Singing Hills State Trail - The Sakatah Singing Hills State Trail is a 39 mile, blacktopped trail, running between Faribault and Mankato. The trail leads you through the beautiful countryside near pastures and farmland, along several lakes, through small towns, and the Sakatah State Park. Near the middle of the trail, cyclists are routed through the city streets of Waterville and past the historic railroad depot in Elysian. Waterville, Elysian, Madison Lake and Cannon Lake all feature swimming beaches, hiking, cross country skiing, nature parks, restroom facilities and picnic shelters. On the Mankato end of the trail, you can access either the Minnesota River Trail or the Red Jacket Trail through downtown Mankato. Several restaurants are also scattered along the trails.

Red Jacket Trail - The Red Jacket Trail runs 13 miles through the country and along the river between Mankato and Rapidan. Highlights of the trail include traveling over three railroad trestles, such as the Red Jacket which is 80 feet high and 550 feet long above the LeSueur River. Once in Rapidan, cyclists follow a paved shoulder six miles on Co Rd 9 to a park and the hydroelectric dam. The Red Jacket hooks with the Minnesota River Trail and Sakatah Trail north of Mankato as it winds past Mt. Kato. Several wooden bridges give the trail charm, with a landmark tunnel under the new southern bypass. The park features varying scenery through a wilderness, along farmland and into wooded ravines.

Mount Kato Bike Trail - The Mt. Kato bike trail is a relatively new mountain bike trail that covers the expanse of the ski hill. Hilly terrain will challenge the novice to expert rider and provide a change of pace from the paved bike trails and city streets.

Williams Minneopa Nature Center - Explore the state's premiere handicapped accessible nature center. Two miles of paved paths connect with wildlife reserves, prairie vegetation, Indian mounds, and an Indian village site. Information and comfort stations are available throughout the Center.
Location: Three miles west of Mankato along Highway 68

Minneopa State Park - Six miles west of Mankato on Highway 60. The only major waterfall in southwestern Minnesota tumbles through Minneopa State Park. An old stone mill and a vanished village leave traces of history in the midst of a park's wildlife. Camp, picnic and hike in summer, cross-country ski in winter.

Sibley Park - Situated at the intersection of the Blue Earth and Minnesota Rivers, Sibley is one of the oldest parks in Mankato. Sibley Park offers three softball fields, plenty of playground equipment and beautiful walking trails. In the winter get ready for the ride of your life as you cruise down the sledding hill. A petting zoo and band shell help set Sibley apart from other parks.
Location: Just off South Riverfront Drive, Mankato

Spring Lake Park - The premier park in North Mankato, Spring Lake offer visitors a variety of activities for an afternoon at the park. The area’s only sand-bottom swimming pit is a part of the park, as well as four sand volleyball courts. A large duck pond is nearby providing onlookers with an opportunity to hand feed ducks and geese. Picnic shelters, softball fields, nature trails and playground equipment are also available.
Location: Intersection of Webster Avenue and Lake Street, North Mankato