Taylor & Michael
Things To Do
Riverfront Drive: Food, Activities, & Shops
Riverfront Drive in Mankato is one of the couple's favorite areas. Taylor has spent many weekends drinking coffee & window shopping all of the boutiques with her friends. If you put in the address the couple has provided, you will be brought to the Wine Cafe. You will find parking behind the building. You can walk down Riverfront Drive & find some of the couple's favorite places. There's a paint your own pottery studio (ARTifact), a comic book/game store (The Dork Den), a record store (Tune Town), Delicious Ice Cream (Mom & Pop's), and SO much more! The couple recommends ending your day back at the Wine Cafe where you can get a cheap glass of wine & a delicious slice of cheesecake (Taylor recommends asking for caramel and chocolate sauce on top)!
Minneopa State Park
Park is open daily from 8:00 am to 10:00 pm If you'd like a short walk, a nice picnic, or some cool photographs, Minneopa is a great park with a beautiful waterfall. You can enjoy the waterfall from up above on a paved path, or take some stairs and a short trail down to right next to the waterfall (depending on trail conditions).
Restaurants
Mankato has delicious food & chains you know & love, but if you're looking to try something new or different, here are some of the couple's favorite's: * India Palace - one of the couple's absolute favorites! If you've never had Indian food you're missing out! * Pagliai's Pizza - if you're in the mood for pizza, look no further! Their pizza is unique and has something for everyone! You can't go wrong with the couples favorite "Sweet Heat". * Mazatlan - delicious Mexican food & the best (& biggest) margaritas! * 7 West Tap House - This tap house has unique beers on tap, cocktail flights, & customizable tator tots-what's not to love?! * Boulder Tap House - Variety of drinks & food including avocado fries & cheese curd burger! * The Flask - the best & biggest fried pickles in town! * Weggy's - Wide variety of delicious food & breakfast all day!
Mankato Brewery
Mankato Brewery is a great place to hang out, enjoy some great beer, and if you're lucky enjoy some food from one of the Food Truck's that sometimes hang out there! Check out their website for hours and food truck times as well! The beers they have on tap vary, but Mike recommends "Mad Butcher" and Taylor recommends "Juice Box Hero" and "Rhuby Rhubarb Sour".
Sibley Park
Sibley Park offers numerous walking and biking trails, a garden, picnic pavilions, playgrounds and Sibley Farm which has animals from mid-spring through early fall. This is also the sight of the Kiwanis Holiday Lights during the winter!
Coffee Shops
Looking to get your coffee fix before heading out for your day's activities? Mankato has many coffee shops that can satisfy that caffeine craving! Dunkin' is Taylor's favorite-great coffee that's cheap, quick, & absolutely delicious! Taylor's other favorite is Fillin' Station Coffeehouse! Mankato also has Caribou, Starbucks, & The Coffee Hag.
Rasmussen Woods
Open daily from 7:00 am to 10:00 pm Rasmussen woods is full of beautiful trails for all hiking skill levels. Enjoy some easy and quiet trails during any season here!
Chankaska Creek Ranch & Winery
Chankaska Winery is a great place to hang out with good friends and drink some good wine! The couple recommends doing the tasting if you've never been before. If you're going around dinner try one of their delicious appetizers or flatbread pizzas!
LocAle Brewing Company
LocAle is a little taproom with great beer! The couple enjoys coming here & having a few beers, ordering some food in (all of the food available for delivery is delicious!), & playing some of the board games provided! They have live music sometimes too! Check out their website for more information.
River Hills Mall
If you're in the mood for some shopping - enjoy the mall! Grab a smoothie from Berry Blendz, a pretzel from Wetzel's Pretzels, & shop till you drop!
August Schell Brewing Company
Schell's is a cool brewery that's worth touring! If you have time, head out to New Ulm (about 35 minutes outside of Mankato) and tour the brewery. If you're in the mood for some German food head to Veigel's Kaiserhoff, also in New Ulm, for some lunch or dinner!
St. Peter: Food, Activities, & Shops
St. Peter is a great little town about 15-20 minutes outside of Mankato. The address provided will bring you to River Rock Coffee! Grab a coffee and shop around all of the great little stores on the street!