Family Adventures

Children’s Museum of Southern Minnesota

The Children’s Museum of Southern Minnesota is full of opportunities for discovery, development, and hands-on play. The Museum is many things: a mission, a place, and an organization — but it is entirely devoted to serving children, families, and the greater community. Come play in the indoor and outdoor exhibits and enjoy hands-on play for all ages.

Goofy Goat Farm

The Goofy Goat Farm is an interactive goat farm located just outside of Mankato in Madison Lake, Minnesota. The Goofy Goat Farm is Free for visitors and open whenever the goats are out.

Pleasant Grove Pizza Farm

Pleasant Grove Pizza Farm is located outside of Waseca, Minnesota. Pleasant Grove sits on 55 acres of prairie grassland, surrounded by beautiful oak trees and wildlife. They offer 10 main pizzas, 14″-16.” 10″ Gluten Free. You are invited to bring all of your picnic-style dining necessities to include seating, utensils, beverages, and your choice of dining surface while you take in the alluring views during dinner. Take a stroll along the nature trails through our natural prairie and oak-filled woods. No pets allowed.

Mankato Farmer’s Market

The Mankato Farmers Market has been in Mankato for over 40 years. Shopping at and supporting the farmers’ market circulates money within our community, helping to keep it strong. Local farmers and artisans at the market continue to help our community thrive by recirculating your wisely spent dollars. The main outdoor Market is open every Saturday, rain or shine, May through the second Saturday in October. Hours are 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. The Mankato Farmers’ Market is also open Tuesdays & Thursdays from 3:30 to 6 p.m. The market is located at 1895 Adams Street in the Best Buy parking lot.

Goofy goat farm

Always open

Visit the Goofy Goats, feed them and enjoy the view.

23802 610 Ave Madison Lake, MN 56063

Always open

Welsh heritage farms

Wed - Sun

Apple Orchard and Pie Shop specializing in locally grown apples. We have a bakery producing more than 5 varieties of fresh pie, apple bars, crisp, cobbler, turnovers, strudel, and apple cider donuts. Welsh Heritage Farms carries and variety of jams, jellies, salsas, soups, relishes, mustards, and apple chips. Stop in and try Minnesota’s best caramel apples.

20758 528th Ave Lake Crystal, MN 56055

Wed - Sun

Pleasant grove pizza farm

Thurs - Sun

Pleasant Grove Pizza Farm is located outside of Waseca, Minnesota. We offer 10 main pizzas, 14″-16.” 10″ Gluten Free. You bring everything including snacks, dessert, a garbage bag, alcohol 21+, no pets allowed, located on gravel. Live music on Sundays, 5-7p, weather permitting. Pleasant Grove sits on 55 acres of prairie grassland, surrounded by beautiful oak trees and wildlife. We invite you to bring all of your picnic-style dining necessities to include seating, utensils, beverages, and your choice of dining surface while you take in the alluring views during dinner. We also encourage you to stroll along the nature trails through our natural prairie and oak-filled woods.
Live music on Sundays, 5-7p, weather permitting.

Wed - Sun

Pumpkin Junction at Blue Skye Farms

Sept. 12 - Oct 18

Pumpkin Junction began in 2016, where a bumper crop of pumpkins allowed for Blue Sky Farms to share the harvest with area families. Enjoy kids games, fun maze, farm activities, concession stand, farmer’s market, hayrides and more! Pumpkin Junction is held weekends beginning the end of September through October and is FREE.

Special Dates

Hours 10am-5pm; Sundays 12pm-5pm

Sept.12 - Oct.18

Mankato Farmer's Market

Sept. 14 - 28

The Mankato Farmers Market has been in Mankato for over 40 years. Shopping at and supporting the farmers’ market circulates money within our community, helping to keep it strong. Local farmers and artisans at the market continue to help our community thrive by recirculating your wisely spent dollars. The main outdoor Market is open every Saturday, rain or shine, through the second Saturday in October. Hours are 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. The Mankato Farmers’ Market is also open Tuesdays & Thursdays from 3:30 to 6 p.m. The market is located at 1895 Adams Street in the Best Buy parking lot on Tuesdays & Saturdays, and at 512 N Riverfront Dr in The Hub Food Park on Thursdays.

Sept. 14-28

River Hills Mall Craft & Vendor Fairs

The Craft & Vendor Markets are special events where local businesses, crafters, artisans and more can come into River Hills Mall to sell or advertise products and services. These tabling events are in the mall’s common area.

Special Dates

September 18 – 20
October 2 – 4
October 16 – 18
November 6 – 8
November 20 – 22

Sept. 18 -
Nov. 22

2020 october River Ramble diy

Oct. 1 - 31

Escape the Twin Cities to some of the best bicycling Minnesota has to offer. Join us for the 10th annual event all October long in 2020. Don’t miss this fun for all fall tradition. It’s free

Oct. 1 - 31

Farmamerica Pumpkin Party

Oct. 10

Enjoy fall on the farm, pumpkin style! Trick or treating, pumpkin carving, family fun, and more.

Oct. 10

Marketfest St. peter

Oct. 10

JOIN US!! We hope to offer the community a fun and safe open-air shopping experience. Our streets will be lined with shopping, food, refreshments and entertainment. Join us every 2nd & 4th Saturday Aug 22 – Oct 24th. Additional vendors will be coming to town for your BONUS EXPERIENCE in St. Peter!

Oct. 10

trunk or treat @halloween expess mankato

Oct. 10

FREE Trunk or Treat & costume event
Saturday October 10th 12pm- 2pm.

FREE Trick-or-treating OUTDOOR event off Madison Ave. Social distancing required.

“Trunks” hosted by locally owned businesses in the Mankato area!

Oct. 10

The Virtual Mankato Marathon

Oct. 12-26

We want to give everyone the opportunity to experience the Mankato Marathon. Run (or walk) the distance you pick wherever you want. We will ship your runner’s swag and medal right to you or you can stop by the Scheels Sport & Health Expo and pick up your packet. The Scheels Sport & Health Expo will be held at the River Hills Mall October 16 from 11am – 7pm and October 17 from 11am – 3pm.

Oct. 12-26

Farmamerica fall open hours

Oct. 15-17

Trying to stay busy over MEA break? Farmamerica can help! Open on October 15-17 from 9 am to 3 pm daily.

Guided walking tours will be available throughout the weekend, and our giant yard games will be out for everyone to enjoy. You can also explore the historic sites at Farmamerica on your own.

PLUS, if you missed our Pumpkin Party, you have another chance to grab some pumpkins from our patch with your admission!

Oct. 15-17

Jack-o-lantern walk

Oct. 17

Join us on Saturday, October 17th from 6-9pm for a Jack-O-Lantern Walk in Bluff Park! Bring your family and enjoy all the different Jack-O-Lanterns as well as a fall food stand! Presented by The North Mankato Taylor Library.

Oct. 17

Family-friendly Drive-in movie

Oct. 30

Family-Friendly Drive-In Movie (Early Showing)
SCC North Mankato Student Senate will be hosting a Drive-In Movie on October 30th! Showtimes to be posted closer to the event, but we’ll wait until it’s dark. Movies will be taking place at the Red Lot of SCC.

Oct. 30

Store it mn spook-tacular

Oct. 30

Join STORE IT for some family fun this Halloween as we offer a safe environment to Trick-or-Treat from 6 feet!

This event is free and open to the public.

STORE-IT
SPOOK-TACULAR

When: Friday, October 30, 2020
Time: 2pm – 7pm
Where: Store IT
2015 Basset Drive, Mankato, MN

Store It is opening up its indoor, climate controlled facility to offer a safe environment this Halloween.

Oct. 30

trunk or treat

Oct. 31

Trick or Treat safely with the city of North Mankato! There will be a police car, a public works vehicle and more for you to trick or treat at! Wear your best costume and join in the candy, games and fun!

Oct. 31

Plan Your Mankato Getaway

Where to Stay

In greater Mankato, you’ll find more than just a comfortable night’s sleep. We have hotels with on-site restaurants; game rooms and swimming pools and more!

Find Hotel

Where to Dine

Where to Eat

Mankato has a strong local food scene where restaurants in the City Center and nearby neighborhoods serve everything from New York style pizza to creative burger creations and local craft beer.

Find Food

Where to Play

In Mankato, we know that recreation is a big part of any vacation. Whether you want to stay indoors or conquer the great outdoors, Mankato is your getaway destination in southern Minnesota!

Start Playing

Visitor Guides

Read through the Travel Guides and Explore all there is to do in Greater Mankato including maps of the CityArt Sculpture Tour and Southern Minnesota biking trails and hiking paths along the countryside.

Family Adventures

Children’s Museum of Southern Minnesota

Goofy Goat Farm

Pleasant Grove Pizza Farm

Mankato Farmer’s Market

Goofy goat farm

Always open

Always open

Welsh heritage farms

Wed - Sun

Wed - Sun

Pleasant grove pizza farm

Thurs - Sun

Wed - Sun

Pumpkin Junction at Blue Skye Farms

Sept. 12 - Oct 18

Sept.12 - Oct.18

Mankato Farmer's Market

Sept. 14 - 28

Sept. 14-28

River Hills Mall Craft & Vendor Fairs

Sept. 18 -Nov. 22

2020 october River Ramble diy

Oct. 1 - 31

Oct. 1 - 31

Farmamerica Pumpkin Party

Oct. 10

Oct. 10

Marketfest St. peter

Oct. 10

Oct. 10

trunk or treat @halloween expess mankato

Oct. 10

Oct. 10

The Virtual Mankato Marathon

Oct. 12-26

Oct. 12-26

Farmamerica fall open hours

Oct. 15-17

Oct. 15-17

Jack-o-lantern walk

Oct. 17

Oct. 17

Family-friendly Drive-in movie

Oct. 30

Oct. 30

Store it mn spook-tacular

Oct. 30

Oct. 30

trunk or treat

Oct. 31

Oct. 31

Plan Your Mankato Getaway

Where to Stay

Where to Stay

Where to Dine

Where to Eat

Where to Play

Where to Play

Visitor Guides

Visitor Guides

Where to Stay

Where to Eat

Where to Play

Travel Guides

Sept. 18 -
Nov. 22