MANKATO, MINNESOTA RESTAURANTS

Applebee’s

Located one 1 mile east of the GrandStay. Fun family atmosphere and menu specials, happy hour with drink and appetizer specials, drive thru service available. www.applebees.com

Buffalo Wild Wings

Located 1 mile north of the GrandStay. Sports Bar atmosphere, nightly wing specials, take out service available. www.buffalowildwings.com

Charley’s Restaurant

Located 2 miles southwest of the GrandStay. Fine dining in a comfortable setting, known for steak and seafood ~a Mankato favorite. www.charleysrestaurantmankato.com

Dino’s New York Style Pizzeria

Located 4 miles west of the GrandStay.  Authentic pastas, salads and “guaranteed best pizza in town.” Free delivery. www.dinospizzeria.com

Famous Dave’s Barbeque

Located 1.5 miles north of the GrandStay. Great barbeque with all the fixin’s, casual dining for families and friends. www.famousdaves.com

Grizzly’s Grill and Saloon

Located 1 mile south of the GrandStay.  Family dining with separate sports bar fun. Wide variety menu featuring burgers, steaks, pasta.  www.grizzlysgrill.com

The Olive Garden

Located 1 mile east of the GrandStay.  Italian soups, salads, pastas and desserts in a family atmosphere. www.olivegarden.com

Neighbor’s Italian Bistro

Located 5 miles southwest of the GrandStay. One of the most unique menu’s in Mankato, with new Chef Features added regularly. www.neighborsitalianbistro.com

Northwoods Café & Grill

Located ½ block west of the GrandStay. Serving breakfast lunch and dinner, and featuring smoked prime rib daily. www.northwoodscafe.charterinternet.com

The Red Lobster

Located 1 mile east of the GrandStay. Seafood, pasta, steak, salads and desserts in a family atmosphere. www.redlobster.com

 

 

MANKATO, MINNESOTA ATTRACTIONS

River Hills Mall

Located .25 miles north of the GrandStay. River Hill Mall features Target, JCPenney, Herberger's, Sears, Scheels Sports, Barnes & Noble and over 100 specialty shops. River Hills Mall has great shopping and great food for the whole family! Dine at our 10-restaurant Food Court, sit and relax at Olive Garden, ride the carousel, visit the new Mankato Clinic Children’s Play Area or catch a show at our 8-screen theater. www.riverhillsmall.com

Alltel Center

Located 4 miles southwest of the GrandStay.  Home ice of the Mankato Mavericks. Check their exciting schedule of events, concerts and shows at www.alltelcenter.com

The Wow Zone

Located one mile east of the GrandStay.  Video Games, Pinball, Skill Cranes and more. Old or young we have all the games you love to play! Bowling, mini golf and the areas largest laser tag arena plus two restaurants, family fun for all ages and skill levels. www.wowzonefec.com

North Links Public Golf Course

Located 4 miles west of the GrandStay. Southern Minnesota's most complete public golf facility. Located in North Mankato, Minnesota, this par 72, 18 hole course has four sets of tees and features the area's #1 driving range and two hole practice course with a chipping green and bunker. www.northlinksgolf.com

Reconciliation Park

Located 4 miles west of the GrandStay. On September 19, 1997, reconciliation Park was dedicated. The park is the site of the largest mass execution in U.S. history where 38 Dakota Indians were hanged by the government. This was the result of trials during the U.S. Dakota Conflict of 1862. Tom Miller sculpted the buffalo from a 67-ton block of local Kasota limestone; it is surrounded by native flowers and prairie grasses. The buffalo symbolizes the spiritual survival of the Dakota People and honors the Dakota heritage of this area. The park is a site to reflect, meditate and remember.” A reconciliation for all people.”

Dakota Warrior

Located 4 miles west of the GrandStay. The statue “Winter Warrior” was inspired by the “Year of Reconciliation”1987 was proclaimed the “Year of Reconciliation.” by Governor Rudy Perpich. It was a statewide attempt to foster healing and education between non-Dakota and Dakota people. The statue was unveiled on December 26, 1987 near the site of the 1862 hanging of 38 Dakota Indians. The statue was carved by Tom Miller and weighs two tons and stands six feet tall.

Sinclair Lewis’ Summer Home

Located 4 miles west of the GrandStay. The J.W. Schmitt home was Sinclair Lewis’ family residence during the summer of 1919. The author wrote much of his novel Main Street in the house and was fond of taking a horse and buggy out into the bluffs to enjoy views of the Minnesota River valley. Lewis once stated about Mankato, “I am here in this Minnesota town… and I like it; like the friendliness, the neighborliness and the glorious sweeps of the country round about.” Main Street was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize.

MANKATO, MINNESOTA SHOPPING

River Hills Mall

River Hill Mall features Target, JCPenney, Herberger's, Sears, Scheels Sports, Barnes & Noble and over 100 specialty shops. River Hills Mall has great shopping and great food for the whole family! Dine at our 10-restaurant Food Court, sit and relax at Olive Garden, ride the carousel, visit the new Mankato Clinic Children’s Play Area or catch a show at our 8-screen theater.   Located .25 miles north.   www.riverhillsmall.com  

Hilltop Florist and Greenhouse

Having been in the same location since 1880, this business features forty-two-thousand-square-feet of greenhouses, and ten-thousand-square-feet of retail space; a great variety of flowers is available, including roses, mums, irises, tulips, and begonias, and the shop is also known for its award-winning floral designs.  Located at 885 Madison Avenue, Mankato, MN 56001. 507-387-7909 or 800-944-1667.

Mankato Farmers' Market

Located in the Parking Lot, this farmer’s market offers a great variety of food that is healthy, nutritious and fun, and lends itself to helping to promote a healthy lifestyle; the market is open from the first Saturday in May through the end of October, with the hours being 3:30 PM to 6:00 PM on Tuesdays through Thursdays, and from 8:00 AM until noon on Saturdays.  Madison East Center, Madison Avenue, Mankato, MN 56001.  507-420-8711.

Historic Old Town District

Located in downtown Mankato, this historic district now offers a variety of specialty shops, retail stores, offices, restaurants, and more in an historic and charming setting, nestled along the banks of the Minnesota River.  North Riverfront Drive, Mankato, MN 56001.

My Sister's Kitchen

More than a retail store, offering a variety of cooking classes, and the products that can convert any kitchen arsenal into a gourmet purveyor ; also featuring an extensive line of specialty products such as cake making supplies and coffee and tea equipment. 

1817 Adams Street, Mankato, MN.  507-317-6480  www.mysisterskitchen.net

MANKATO, MINNESOTA BUSINESSES

Alltel Center

Regional event center for conventions,concerts, headliners, expos and home ice for the Mankato Mavericks.  1 Civic Center Plaza,  507.389.3001.   www.alltelcenter.com

River Hills Mall 

The regions largest shopping mall with over 100 stores, plus entertainment, food court and personal services.  1850 Adams Street, 507.388.1100.   www.riverhillsmall.com

Bethany Lutheran College 

A four year Christian liberal arts institution.  700 Luther Drive,  507.344.7000  www.blc.edu  

Gustavus Adolphus College 

An undergraduate, residential liberal arts college firmly rooted in its Swedish and Lutheran heritage.   800 West College Avenue,  Saint Peter, MN 56082.  507.933.8000.  www.gustavus.edu

Minnesota State University Mankato 

Minnesota State University, Mankato promotes learning through effective undergraduate and graduate teaching, scholarship, and research in service to the state, the region and the global community.  122 Taylor Center,  507.389.1822.  www.mnsu.edu

Rasmussen College Mankato 

Rasmussen College has educated people for more than a century and has taken revolutionary strides toward developing career-focused curriculum that will prepare you for your future career.  130 Saint Andrews Drive, 800.657.6767.  www.rasmussen.edu  

South Central College Mankato 

South Central College is a Minnesota Community and Technical College with a history of academic excellence since 1946.  1920 Lee Blvd,  507.389.7200. www.southcentral.edu

Kato Engineering 

Kato Engineering designs and manufactures generators (alternators), motor-generator sets and controls for prime, standby, and peak-shaving power. Concentrating in the 200 kW to 15 MW range, Kato supplies equipment for a variety of uses, including oil & gas, mining & manufacturing, military, transportation, co-generation, computers and telecommunications.  2075 Howard Drive,  507.625.4011.  www.kato-eng.com

Taylor Corporation

Taylor Corporation is a global company providing business and personal communications products, technologies and services. 1725 Roe Crest Dr, 507.625.2828.   www.taylorcorp.com

Mankato City Hall 

Mankato is a major regional center that has been designated as the 14th Most Livable Micropolitan City in the Nation. Mankato has a population of 34,427 with a contiguous population area of 46,173. There is a trade area population of more than 300,000 and there are 1.6 million people who live within 60 miles of Mankato. The City of Mankato is renowned for great parks and trails. Rivers, lakes, ravines, bluffs, natural prairies and forested areas offer breathtaking landscapes and provide a scenic backdrop for an area steeped in historic significance.  10 Civic Center Plaza, 507.387.8555.  www.mankato-mn.gov

Mankato Clinic

Located at 1230 East Main Street.  507-625-1811.  www.mankato-clinic.com

Immanuel St. Joseph’s Health Care Center 

We offer a full range of health care services at numerous locations. Think of it as quality health care close to home.  1025 Marsh St # 4,  507.345.2653  www.isj-mhs.org

Katolight 

Providers of energy systems which produce power, heat, and cooling – reliably at any time, anywhere.  100 Power Drive, .507.625.7973.  www.katolight.com

 

MANKATO, MINNESOTA EVENTS

Big Bobber Ice Fishing Contest

This event is scheduled January 25th, 2009 at 10:00am at Lake Washington at Squirrel’s Nest Landing/Westwood Marina. Tickets $30 in advance and $40 at the door, limited to 3,000 entrants. Prizes will be determined by fish weight and time entered. All 100 prizes will be awarded through drawings.  www.msumavericks.com/support/events/icefishing

Vikings Training Camp

Annual Minnesota Vikings training camp, watch pro NFL players train for upcoming season. Enjoy other activities hosted by the team throughout the week. See how your favorite players will look before the season opener. This event starts end of July through mid August each year.  www.minnesotavikings.com

Land of Memories Pow Wow

Native Americans from a number of tribes gather in Mankato’s Land of Memories Park, where the Dakota people held many ceremonies and gatherings before the 1862 U.S./Dakota warriors who were executed in Mankato in 1862. The Pow-wow, which is co-sponsored and co-organized by the Mdewakanton Association, is free and open to the public. It has been held in Mankato since 1972. The three-day event, which always takes place over the third weekend of September, includes the beautiful regalia of the dancers, traditional music, delicious foods and beautiful crafts. This event happens every year, the 3rd week-end in September.  www.mahkatowacipi.org

Hickory Street Rib Fest

At this 3 day annual festival, held each August, one may enjoy award-winning ribs while listening to a wide variety of live bands; also featured are children's games and activities.
112 Riverfront Drive, 507.345.4519.

Mankato Area Farmers Market

A gathering of local farmers and coops to market they’re fresh products. The choices expand throughout the season. During the summer months, there will be ripe tomatoes, green beans and fresh herbs, to name just a few of the many offerings. When fall comes, there will be pumpkins, squash and other seasonal treats.  Located at Madison East Shopping Mall. 507.420.8711.

Mankato Solstice

The Annual Solstice Festival, a celebration of music and art held at Land of Memories Park. This event is held in Mid June.  www.solsticemankato.com

National Brew Fest

National and regional musical acts will perform as brewers form across the country serve up more that 100 of the nation’s best brews. This event is held in downtown Mankato in the middle of June. For information call 507.625.4762.

North Mankato Fun Days

This four day festival is a community celebration and homecoming for everyone. There’s a kiddie parade and a large community parade that travels the winding streets of lower North Mankato, with lots of floats, cars, tractors and of course, candy! This event is held at Wheeler Park in North Mankato just before the mid of July. For information call  507.625.4141.

MANKATO, MINNESOTA LOCAL NEWS

Mankato Free Press - www.mankatofreepress.com

Star Tribune
Minneapolis, Minnesota major newspaper, Star Tribune, published daily. -- www.startribune.com

St. Paul Pioneer Press
St. Paul, Minnesota major newspaper, Pioneer Press, published daily. -- www.pioneerpress.com

CBS - KEYC - Channel 12
CBS network station, locally channel 12. -- www.keyc.com

ABC - KAAL - Channel 6
ABC network station, locally channel 6. -- www.kaaltv.com

FOX -KMSP - Channel 9
FOX network station, locally channel 9. -- www.fox9.com

NBC - KARE11 - Channel 11
NBC network station, locally channel 11. -- www.kare11.com