Leaving the Twin Cities to explore the Minnesota River Valley is a lovely way to spend an afternoon. The Minnesota River was formed by glaciers during the last North American ice age, roughly 10,000 years ago. Today it flows southeast from Big Stone Lake in the western edge of the state, near the North and South Dakota borders, until it reaches Mankato, when it redirects northeast until it meets the Mississippi near the Twin Cities. It’s an area full of changes, from closely wooded stretches along rolling riverbanks to wide-open prairie spaces.
It’s also full of history, perhaps most notably the Dakota Conflict of 1862 (see page 288). New Ulm served as a refuge for those trying to escape the conflict, and in the 1920s the town developed another type of infamy, as resident Whoopee John Wilfahrt and his musical magic gave New Ulm the moniker of the Polka Capital of the Nation. In addition to New Ulm’s German heritage—apparent today in the architecture, landmarks, shops, restaurants, and festivals and celebrations that take place each year—the area is known for its numerous Native American sites, an unexpected partnership between a central Minnesota town and its counterpart in Uruguay, and the homes and hometowns of some iconic Minnesota people and companies, including the founder of the Mayo Clinic and the Jolly Green Giant.
To See and Do
MUSEUMS AND HISTORIC SITES
BELLE PLAINE
Hooper-Bowler-Hillstrom House (952-873-6109; belleplainemn.com/hooper-bowler-hillstrom-house), 405 N. Chestnut Street. Open the second Sun. of the month May–Sept.; other days by appointment. Admission is $5. The former home of State Bank founder Samuel Bowler, this house was built in 1871, but its primary claim to fame, besides being an attractive version of a 19th-century home, is the addition Mr. Bowler added to accommodate his rather large family: a two-story outhouse. A skyway connects the second floor of the “five-holer” to the house; the upstairs facilities are situated farther back, so the waste landed behind the wall of the first floor. Souvenirs are available for sale.
LE SUEUR
W. W. Mayo House (507-665-3250; mnhs.org/mayohouse), 118 N. Main Street. Open Sat.–Sun. May–Sept. Adults $6; seniors 65 and older, veterans, active military members, and college students $5; children 5–17 $4; children under 5 free. This little Gothic-style home was hand built in 1859 by Dr. Mayo himself, who then set up shop on the second floor. The Civil War interrupted his practice; he traveled to New Ulm to help with wounded veterans while his wife, Louise, remained in the house to shelter 11 refugee families. By 1864 the Mayo family was reunited and moved to Rochester, where they founded the Mayo Clinic. The home’s story doesn’t end there; in the 1870s, the Carson Nesbit Cosgrove family moved into the home. Cosgrove founded the Minnesota Valley Canning Company, which later became Green Giant.
THE HOOPER-BOWLER-HILLSTROM HOUSE
MANKATO
The Betsy-Tacy Society (507-345-9777; betsy-tacysociety.org), 333 Center Street. Open Sat. early Apr.–mid-Dec. or by appointment. Adults $5; children 6–16 $2; children under 6 and society members free. Fans of the children’s classic Betsy-Tacy series by Maud Hart Lovelace can visit the sites of the fictional Deep Valley in Lovelace’s home city of Mankato. Tacy’s home is open for tours; Betsy’s house is around the corner. The society also has a brochure detailing 55 important stops in Mankato for Betsy-Tacy fans; the map was created in part by Lovelace herself.
Hubbard House (507-345-5566; blueearthcountyhistory.com/hubbard-house), 606 S. Broad Street. Open Fri.–Sun. from Jun.–Aug., Sat.–Sun. during May and Sept. Adults $7; children 5–17 $3; children under 5 and historical society members free. This Victorian gem was occupied only by the Hubbard family before the Blue Earth County Historical Society acquired it, and the lack of turnover allowed the building to retain its turn-of-the-20th-century charm. Elaborate woodwork, stained glass, fabric wall coverings, and an adjacent carriage house with a collection of antique vehicles give visitors a true glimpse of the era.
Blue Earth History Center (507-345-5566; blueearthcountyhistory.com), 424 Warren Street. Open Tues.–Sat. year-round. Adults $7; children 5–17 $3; children under 5 and society members free. The museum of the Blue Earth County Historical Society has wide-ranging exhibits covering local historic events, including a Maud Hart Lovelace exhibit, displays featuring Native American artifacts, remnants from the region’s early days of farming and milling, and a diorama of old Mankato.
THE DAKOTA CONFLICT OF 1862
The year 1862 was a dark time in Minnesota history. The state was young, and immigrants and pioneers shared land with the Native American population, a situation that made both sides uneasy. In the years leading up to the conflict, the US government and its agents repeatedly broke promises and violated treaties previously agreed to with the Dakota, who were becoming perilously hungry and angry. Tensions broke out in August 1862 when a small Dakota hunting party killed five settlers who were also out hunting. A Dakota council decided at that point to attack white settlers throughout the region to drive them away permanently. It’s not clear how many settlers died during the conflict, but the number is thought to be in the hundreds. By December, the US Army stepped in and captured more than a thousand Dakota, who were jailed. The day after Christmas, 38 Dakota were hanged, the largest single-day execution in US history. The remaining Dakota were sent to North and South Dakota, and their Minnesota reservations were abolished.
MONTEVIDEO TO ORTONVILLE
José Artigas Statue, Artigas Plaza, 100 N. 1st Street, Montevideo. This statue of the national hero of Uruguay might seem out of place in a central Minnesota town, until you realize that this town has been a sister city to its namesake in Uruguay for more than a century. The statue was a gift from the South American country in 1949, cementing the two communities’ relationship, and every year visitors from South America travel to Minnesota to see their gift. The Minnesota Montevideo has an annual event to commemorate the friendship (see Special Events).
Swensson Farm Museum (320-269-7636), 115 County Route 15 SE, Granite Falls. Open Sun. Memorial Day–Labor Day. Adults $5; students 6–17 $2; children 5 and under free. Olof Swensson was a Norwegian immigrant who settled in this area in 1872. He was a highly active resident, a builder who worked on his 22-room farmhouse and timber-framed barn, a Lutheran minister, and a political activist. The farm has been restored, including a gristmill with hand-cut granite grist stones. The buildings were used during the filming of the movie The Sweet Land.
Historic Chippewa City (320-269-7636; chippewacohistory.org), 151 Arnie Anderson Drive, Montevideo. Open daily Memorial Day–Labor Day; Mon.–Fri. 9–5 the rest of Sept. Adults $5; children 6–18 $2; children under 6 free. Chippewa City was originally the county seat, but as a town it declined after Montevideo took over the governmental role. Today 24 restored buildings have been preserved as a living-history museum, including a buggy shop (containing a horse-drawn hearse), the village hall, and a log cabin. Parts of the movie The Sweet Land were filmed in the town.
Lac Qui Parle Mission (320-269-7636; mnhs.org/lacquiparle), junction of County Route 13 and County Route 32, Montevideo. Open daily May–Oct. Free admission. The mission, dating back to before Minnesota actually became a state, holds some “firsts” within the state, including the first church bell to toll and the first organized Dakota church, complete with the first Dakota Bible.
NEW ULM
Glockenspiel, 327 N. Minnesota Street. New Ulm is home to one of the world’s few freestanding carillons. The 45-foot glockenspiel puts on its show three times a day (at noon, 3, and 5 p.m.), more often during festivals; when the bells chime, 3-foot-tall polka figures dance out, except at Christmas, when a nativity scene appears instead.
August Schell’s Brewery (507-354-5528 or 1-800-770-5020; schellsbrewery.com). 1860 Schell’s Road. Museum open daily Memorial Day–Labor Day. Afternoon tours are offered daily Memorial Day–Labor Day, Fri.–Sun. the rest of the year. Tour admission: visitors 13 and older $5; children 12 and under free. The museum does not charge an admission fee. The surrounding gardens and deer park are open daily, no admission. Schell’s is the second-oldest family brewing company in the United States, having opened in 1860. As the brewery offered hospitality to visiting Dakota, it was largely left alone during the Dakota Conflict. It also remained operational by producing “near beer” and root beer during Prohibition (it still produces root beer, called 1919 after the year the 18th Amendment was passed). Today the brewery is open for tours (kids are welcome—while the adults enjoy a beer tasting at the end, minors and nondrinkers can sample the 1919 Root Beer), and there’s a small museum and gift shop. What’s also very much worth a visit are the brewery grounds and gardens. Stop in the spring for the arrival of the bulbs, or midsummer to see the rest of the garden in full bloom. You might even see some wildlife in the adjacent deer park.
THE NEW ULM GLOCKENSPIEL
THE GARDENS AT SCHELLS BREWERY
Hermann Monument (hermannmonument.com), Center Street and Monument Street. Open daily Memorial Day–Labor Day; weekends from the day after Labor Day–Oct. Visitors six and older $3; children five and under free. This towering monument was built in 1897 in honor of Hermann of Cherusci, who is recognized for freeing Germany from Rome in AD 9 and is considered the liberator of the German people. The memorial stands 102 feet tall and, for those willing to climb the stairs, provides an excellent view of greater New Ulm. Bring a picnic lunch to enjoy in the park grounds.
Wanda Gág House (507-359-2632; wandagaghouse.org), 226 N. Washington Street. Open Sat.–Sun. from mid-May–mid-Oct.; by appointment year-round. Admission $5. Children’s author Wanda Gág, author and illustrator of such classics as Millions of Cats, was born and raised in this home in New Ulm. The compact house with turrets and skylights makes for an interesting afternoon’s exploration.
Brown County Historical Museum (507-233-2616; browncountyhistorymn.org), 2 N. Broadway Street. Open Tues.–Sat. Adults $7; seniors and active military $5; students and children free. Housed in a 1910 post office, the museum is a surprisingly diverse and comprehensive repository of historic and cultural artifacts and displays. German heritage, Native American presence, and the economic mainstays of the area (known as “beer, brats, and bricks”) are all detailed in various exhibits. The Dakota Conflict is especially well covered.
John Lind House (507-354-8802; lindhouse.org), 622 Center Street. Open Wed.–Sun. from Jun.–Aug.; Fri.–Sun. from Sept.–mid-Oct.; by appointment the rest of the year. Admission $3, free for ages 12 and under. Built in 1887, this Victorian beauty served as the home of Governor John Lind, as well as the site of state functions he hosted. The house had fallen into serious disrepair before being listed on the National Register of Historic Places and purchased by the newly formed Lind House Association, which restored it and operates it today. While tours are available, this is still a working building, home to the local United Way.
THE WANDA GAG HOUSE
Harkin Store (507-354-8666; mnhs.org/harkinstore), 66250 County Route 21. Open Fri.–Sun. early May–Labor Day; Sat.–Sun. Labor Day–mid-Oct. Adults $6; seniors 65 and older, active military members and veterans, and college students $5; children 5–17 $4; and children under 5 and society members free. Eight miles northwest of New Ulm is this classic store, a piece of history still vibrant today. The Harkin Store was a community general store until the day the railroad decided to bypass it, and it was forced to close. Today, much of the merchandise seen on the shelves has been there since the closing. Costumed guides provide historical background and explain what some of the products, common in their day but unknown today, were for.
THE BROWN COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY
ST. PETER
E. St. Julien Cox House (507-934-2160; nchsmn.org), 500 N. Washington Avenue. Open hours vary; usually one day per month in summer. Call for details. Adults $6; seniors 65 and older $5; children 5–17 $4; children under 6 and society members free. E. St. Julien Cox was a Civil War officer, attorney, and eventually state senator, and he built this Gothic/Italianate home in 1871. Filled with furnishings from the 1880s, the home is open for display; during the summer costumed guides explain the significance of both the home and the family.
Treaty Site History Center (507-934-2160; nchsmn.org), 1851 N. Minnesota Avenue. Open Tues.–Sat. Adults $6; seniors 65 and older $5; children 5–17 $4; children under 5 free. The history center has permanent and seasonal exhibitions detailing the creation of what is now southern Minnesota, along with Iowa and South Dakota, in the signing of the Traverse des Sioux Treaty in 1851. History aficionados will note that the terms of the treaty were not upheld, leading to the Dakota Conflict several years later. The center doesn’t shy away from the uglier side of the history, but if you need something more peaceful and soothing, take some time to explore the restored prairie that surrounds the center.
WINERIES 
Morgan Creek Vineyards (507-947-3547; morgancreekvineyards.com), 23707 478th Avenue, New Ulm. Open Sat. and Sun. in Apr.; Thurs.–Sun. from May–Oct.; Fri.–Sun. from Nov.–Dec. Morgan Creek is still the only Minnesota vineyard with an underground winery. Stop by during their regular business hours for tours and tastings, or check their website for one of the numerous special events.
Green Space and Outdoor Activities
HIKING AND BIKING Sakatah Singing Hills State Trail (dnr.state.mn.us/state_trails/sakatah/index.html), Lime Valley Road, Mankato. A 39-mile paved trail utilizing a former railroad bed, the Sakatah winds from Mankato to Faribault through farmland and woods. The trail is multiuse, open to all forms of recreation (with the exception of snowmobiles with studded tracks—regular snowmobiles are welcome). A secondary trail is available for horseback riders only.
PARKS
MANKATO
Minneopa State Park (507-386-3910; dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/minneopa/index.html), 54497 Gadwall Road. Open daily. $7 day pass ($35 annual parks pass). In the Dakota language, minneopa means “water falling twice,” a perfect name for this park, home to Minnesota’s largest waterfall. A winding trail leads to and around the falls, with a limestone stairway descending into the valley. Seppmann Mill, a wind-driven gristmill made of stone and wood, is no longer functional but continues to draw admirers. At one time there was a town here as well, but three consecutive years of grasshopper plagues in the 1870s drove the residents away. Tourists, however, continue to flock to this popular park, for the waterfalls and for the hiking/cross-country skiing trails and bird-watching. Campsites and one cabin are available for rental.
MONTEVIDEO TO ORTONVILLE
Big Stone National Wildlife Refuge (320-273-2191; fws.gov/midwest/bigstone), 44843 County Route 19, Odessa. Open daily. An 11,500-acre wildlife refuge southeast of Ortonville, Big Stone counts more than 260 bird species, including bald eagles, and bison can be seen wandering in the 1,700 acres of prairie grasses. A 9-mile paved auto trail is open in summer, and hiking trails and canoe routes provide more intimate access.
Big Stone Lake State Park (320-839-3663; dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/big_stone_lake/index.html), 35889 Meadowbrook State Park Road, Ortonville. Open daily. $7 day pass ($35 annual parks pass). Big Stone Lake is the source of the Minnesota River. The southern part of the park is known as the Meadowbrook Area, which is the most user friendly in terms of amenities: campground, beach, canoe rental, good fishing, and hiking trails (noted for views of wildflowers in spring). The northern area is the Bonanza Area, designated as a Scientific & Natural Area for its 80 acres of native oak savanna and glacial till prairie habitat. There is a hiking trail here also, but be sure not to disturb the protected habitat.
NEW ULM
Flandrau State Park (507-233-9800; dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/flandrau/index.html), 1300 Summit Avenue. Open daily. $7 day pass ($35 annual parks pass). At only 800 acres, this is a smaller park, but popular nonetheless due in no small part to the fact that it’s within walking distance from downtown New Ulm. The sand-bottomed swimming pond and extensive campgrounds are a big draw here, as are the hiking trails. The trails are groomed for cross-country skiing in the winter, and ski and snowshoe rentals are available.
LAC QUI PARLE STATE PARK
Lac Qui Parle State Park (320-734-4450; dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/lac_qui_parle/index.html), 14047 NW 20th Street, Watson. Open daily. $7 day pass ($35 annual parks pass). Lac Qui Parle, which translates into “lake that speaks,” was also the name of the band of Wahpeton Dakota who built a small village here centuries ago. In 1826, a trading post was built by explorer Joseph Renville, and a mission soon followed, which saw the translation of the bible into Dakota. Today all that remains of the trading post is an interpretive sign, but the mission is marked by a chapel that was rebuilt by the WPA in the 1940s.
Besides Native American and trade history, Lac Qui Parle has 6 miles of trails for hiking and horseback riding, and the trails are groomed in winter for cross-country skiing. Canoers can watch for wildlife while canoeing on the Lac Qui Parle and Minnesota rivers. There are several campsites and a small sandy beach. The park is adjacent to the 27,000-acre Lac Qui Parle Wildlife Management Area, which is home to geese, deer, and bald eagles. The lake itself is a migratory stopping point for thousands of Canada geese each spring and fall.
Lodging
BED-AND-BREAKFASTS
NEW ULM
Bingham Hall Bed & Breakfast (507-276-5070; bingham-hall.com), 500 S. German Street. This luxurious bed-and-breakfast has four rooms, all with private baths and queen-sized beds with down comforters. Most of the rooms have fireplaces or whirlpool baths, and one room (Elijah) has an air massage chair. Rates start at $119.
HOTELS
MANKATO
AmericInn (507-413-7360; wyndhamhotels.com), 240 Stadium Road. With 95 rooms and suites, some of which have fireplaces and whirlpools, the hotel also has an indoor pool and whirlpool. Daily breakfast is provided. Rates start at $85.
Country Inn and Suites (507-388-8555 or 1-800-830-5222; countryinns.com/mankatomn), 1900 Premier Drive. All rooms include microwaves, refrigerators, and full daily breakfast. Suites have whirlpools and wet bars. An indoor pool is available for guests, and Bonfire Wood Fire Cooking is attached to the hotel for lunch and dinner. Rates start at $128.
Hilton Garden Inn (507-344-1111; hiltongardeninn3.hilton.com), 20 Civic Center Plaza. One of the nicest hotels in Mankato. Rooms and suites include flat panel HDTVs and overstuffed chairs and ottomans. There’s an indoor pool and a full-service restaurant on-site as well. Rates start at $124. Packages are available.
MONTEVIDEO TO ORTONVILLE
GrandStay Hotel and Suites (320-269-8000; grandstayhospitality.com), 1805 E. County Route 7, Montevideo. Rooms and suites, as well as an indoor pool and whirlpool. Full breakfast included. Rates start at $99.
NEW ULM
Best Western Plus New Ulm (507-359-2941 or 1-800-780-7234; bestwestern.com), 2101 S. Broadway. Even Best Western gets into the spirit of things with its old-world Germany exterior. Otherwise it’s a standard Best Western, with an indoor pool and complimentary hot breakfast. Rates start at $110.
UNIQUE LODGINGS 
The Broodio at Moonstone Farm (320-269-8971; moonstonefarm.net/farmstay.html), 9060 SW 40th Street, Montevideo. A one-room cottage that used to be a chicken brooding house, the Broodio is a charming and idyllic getaway for the visitor looking for peace and quiet. Moonstone Farm is an organic, sustainable agriculture farm, and guests have access to a canoe, beach, and sauna. The owners are committed to permaculture design, solar technology, and organic, local foods when possible. Continental breakfast is delivered to the cottage. Rates start at $90.
Where to Eat
DINING OUT
MANKATO
Number 4 American Bar & Kitchen (507-344-1444; number4mankato.com), 124 E. Walnut Street. Open daily for lunch and dinner. A gastropub, Number 4 offers both traditional pub foods and updated versions, black-and-bleu penne Quattro, chicken pot pie, and Duroc pork chops. Moderate/expensive.
Pappageorge Restaurant & Bar (507-387-8974; pappageorge.net), 1028 N. Riverfront Drive. Open Mon.–Sat. for lunch and dinner. The interior is fairly casual, but the menu is pure Minnesota supper club. Enjoy a 1-pound rib eye, steak and shrimp, walleye, or pasta. Moderate/expensive.
Olive’s Mediterranean (507-386-1001; olivesmankato.com), 20 Civic Center Plaza. Open daily for all three meals. This restaurant is fairly casual during the day, befitting its hotel location, but at dinner a more extensive menu comes out. Try the Chilean Steelhead Trout or the Herb Stuffed Flank Steak, along with some of the Mediterranean starters. Moderate/expensive.
MONTEVIDEO TO ORTONVILLE
The Crossings at Montevideo (320-269-8600; montegolf.com), 4490 W. MN 212, Montevideo. Open Tues.–Sun. for lunch and dinner, Mon. for dinner. The clubhouse at the Crossings Golf Course, also known as Johnny’s on the Tee, offers plenty of steak, pork chop, and chicken dishes, as well as a long list of sandwiches and wraps. Expensive.
NEW ULM
George’s Fine Steaks and Spirits (507-354-7440; georgessteaks.biz), 301 N. Minnesota Street. Open Mon.–Sat. for dinner. A congenial steakhouse in a pretty bistro building, George’s has steaks, ribs, walleye, lamb, duck, chicken, and some pasta options. The respectable beer and wine list includes items from New Ulm’s Morgan Creek Vineyards and Schell’s Brewery. Moderate/expensive.
EATING OUT
MANKATO
Wine Café (507-345-1516; winecafebar.com), 301 N. Riverfront Drive. Open daily for lunch and dinner. A charming bistro and wine shop with more than just wine. A limited bar menu is available for lunch and dinner, but there’s a full bar, including 70 wines by the glass and a comparable number of beers. Live music on weekends, when the bar remains open until 2 a.m. Moderate.
Tav on the Ave (507-345-3308; thetavontheave), 1120 E. Madison Avenue. Open daily for lunch and dinner. Tav has solid bar food, especially the buffalo wings and burgers. Moderate.
Dino’s Pizzeria (507-385-3466; dinospizzeria.com), 239 Belgrade Avenue. Open daily for lunch and dinner. This New York-style pizzeria uses fresh ingredients for its pizzas, pastas, and sandwiches. Moderate.
La Terraza Mexican Grill and Bar (507-344-0607; laterrazamankato.com), 1404 Madison Avenue. Open daily for lunch and dinner. There are Americanized options here, but also plenty of more authentic Mexican options. Everything is made from scratch, including the tortillas. Inexpensive/moderate.
Pagliai’s Pizza (507-345-6080 or 507-387-7274; pagliaismankato.com), 524 S. Front Street. Open daily for lunch and dinner. Mankato’s oldest pizzeria has developed staunch fans over the decades. You can build your own pizza, or choose from the lengthy list of special pizzas. Pasta and sandwiches, including a pizza po’boy, are also available. Inexpensive.
MONTEVIDEO TO ORTONVILLE
Valentino’s (320-269-5106), 110 S. 1st Street, Montevideo. Open Mon.–Thurs. for all three meals, Fri. and Sat. for breakfast and lunch. A surprisingly elegant yet casual restaurant, Valentino’s has tasteful wood décor and artwork, and a simple but delectable menu of soups, sandwiches, and daily specials. Moderate.
Java River Café (320-269-7106), 210 S. 1st Street, Montevideo. Open Sun.–Fri. for breakfast and lunch. Although its coffee is top-notch, Java offers much more than just coffee drinks: well-made sandwiches, soups, and pastries, frequently incorporating locally grown and raised food sources. Live music and book discussions are regularly scheduled. Moderate.
NEW ULM
Veigel’s Kaiserhoff (507-359-2071; kaiserhoff.org), 221 N. Minnesota Street. Open daily for lunch and dinner. New Ulm’s oldest German restaurant, this place is a local institution, serving up heaping portions of German and American foods. The ribs are their specialty, but make sure to try the sauerkraut balls. Moderate.
Ulmer Café (507-354-8122; facebook.com/ulmercafe), 115 N. Minnesota Street. Open daily for breakfast and lunch. The local diner with plentiful breakfasts and lunches. Inexpensive.
Backerei and Coffee Shop (507-354-6011; backereinewulm.com), 27 S. Minnesota Street. Open Mon.–Sat. for breakfast and lunch. This fourth-generation family-owned local bakery still knows how to produce the pastries, and the prices are very reasonable. Inexpensive.
Lola: An American Bistro (507-359-2500; lolaamericanbistro.com), 16 N. Minnesota Street. Open Mon.–Sun. for breakfast and lunch, Fri.–Sat. for all three meals. Offering sumptuous baked goods and a changing daily menu of lunch specials, the café is located within a gift shop full of kitchen and gourmet food products as well as bath and body gifts. Meals include a nice mix of Italian and home cooking. Moderate.
Lamplighter Family Sports Bar & Grill (507-324-2185; lamplighterbarandgrill.com), 214 N. Minnesota Street. Open daily for lunch and dinner. Extensive burger and sandwich menu (including a country fried steak sandwich), as well as pasta, shrimp, and steak. Friday nights means a choice between prime rib and the all-you-can-eat fish fry. Inexpensive/moderate.
Plaza Garibaldi (507-359-7073; plazagaribaldinewulm.com), 1707 N. Broadway. Open daily for lunch and dinner. A good mix of both authentic and Americanized Mexican options, with many components (tortillas, sauces, etc.) made from scratch in-house. Inexpensive/moderate.
Entertainment
LIVE PERFORMANCES Highland Summer Theatre (507-389-6661; Mankato.mnsu.edu), 210 Performing Arts Center, Minnesota State University, Mankato. A professional summer stock theater for more than 50 years, Highland presents four productions each season (June and July), two of which are musicals.
Selective Shopping
Domeier’s German Store (507-354-4231), 1020 S. Minnesota Street, New Ulm. Open Thurs.–Sat. Domeier’s is packed full of German imports, from kitschy to classic to collector’s items.
Guten Tag Haus (507-233-4287; gutentaghaus.com), 127 N. Minnesota Street, New Ulm. Open Mon.–Sat. Importer of German gifts, including a large array of Christmas items.
The Sausage Shop (507-354-3300; facebook.com/The-Sausage-Shop-174987029220871), 301 N. Broadway Street, New Ulm. Open Mon.–Sat. All kinds of meats—especially sausage—and baked goods, too.
Special Events
June: Fiesta Days (prairiewaters.com), Montevideo. An annual event for more than 60 years, Fiesta Days is celebrated Father’s Day weekend and pays homage to the town’s century-long partnership with Montevideo, Uruguay, complete with a parade, fireworks, and, of course, plenty of food.
Sauerkraut Days (kraut.hendersonmn.com), Henderson. Held in late June. Parades, tournaments, food, music, and a kraut-eating contest.
July: Kolacky Days Czech Festival (montgomerymn.org), Montgomery. Held in late July, this three-day festival has occurred every year since 1929, focusing on the town’s Czech heritage. Kolacky is a Czech fruit-filled bun, and that’s just one of the many native dishes that can be found during the festival. Events include softball, volleyball, and horseshoe tournaments; the Bun Run footrace; Tour de Bun bike race; contemporary and classic Czech music; and dancing.
September: Mahkato Traditional Pow Wow (mahkatowacipi.org), Mankato. Held in September. The Land of Memories Park in Mankato is home to this annual event, where thousands of Native Americans of many different tribes gather to reenact ceremonial dance in traditional garb. Displays of Native American costumes, traditional foods, and crafts are offered.
October: Oktoberfest (newulm.com), New Ulm. Held the first two weekends in October. German food and beer, live music, trolley tours, and children’s games.