Explore Mankato
Explore Mankato and create your own “Deep Valley Tour!”
Mankato is a city of approximately 35,000 residents, and it is still a city of hills, as it was in Betsy Ray’s time. It’s also a city of colleges (at least 4, at last count); rivers, with the Minnesota, Blue Earth, and Le Sueur rivers all flowing through or near the city; and some lovely parks and trails.
During your free time at the convention, you may wish to explore a few additional sites mentioned in the Betsy-Tacy books on your own.
A good starting point for gathering information on attractions, dining, lodging, etc., is The Greater Mankato Convention and Visitor’s Bureau web site.
The Blue Earth County Historical Society encompasses both the Heritage Center Museum and the historic Hubbard House. The museum has a small Betsy-Tacy display, including the bride doll used on promotional tours for the publication of Betsy’s Wedding, and a photocopy of one of Maud Hart Lovelace’s scrapbooks, along with other items. Check the museum web site for hours and admission costs.
If you have a yen to recreate your own Carney’s House Party tour, you can visit Minneopa Falls State Park, (referred to in the book as “Two Falls Park”) where Carney’s Crowd picnicked and where the “Lochinvar Nine” defeated the “World’s Best Bluing Nine” in baseball (reread Carney’s House Party if these references are baffling you!). The park is lovely, with lots of shade, a picnic area, the waterfalls, a hiking path, wildflowers, and an old windmill. Be aware that there is an admission charge to enter the park (you can purchase a day pass for $5 at the entrance gate).
You can also see the Rapidan Dam, where Larry abandoned Carney for a short while as he inspected the dam, and where Carney began to have second thoughts about her relationship with Larry.
Or, if you prefer, you can ramble through Emily Webster’s “Big Slough” (reread Emily of Deep Valley beforehand), also known as Rasmussen Woods. There’s a nice hiking trail, and you can imagine Emily meeting those intrepid frog catchers, Kalil and Yusef.
And speaking of those intrepid frog-catchers, Kalil and Yusef, Charley’s Restaurant in Mankato has frog legs on its menu (along with other, more traditional entrees), so if you want to further your “Emily Webster” experience, check out Charley’s (I can’t say that it’s Anna’s Charley, but it’s a good restaurant!).
Have a reluctant spouse or family member accompanying you to the convention? If they overdose on Betsy-Tacy, there are other things to do in Mankato!
Check out the Mankato Moondogs baseball team and see if they’re playing on convention weekend.
Help out the local economy and go to the mall! River Hills Mall has a Barnes and Noble Bookstore, Scheels All Sports (which also reportedly sells delectable fudge--look for Gramma Ginna’s Coffee and Fudge Shop), a Target store, Herberger’s department store, JC Penney, Sears and many small stores to roam and browse. It may not be Deep Valley’s Lion’s Department Store, but it’s the next best thing!
Grand Champions Mini Golf, 108 Highway 14, Mankato (phone: 507-386-0001)
Visit the historic Hubbard House 606 South Broad Street, Mankato. Call 507-345-4154 for hours.
Roam around beautiful Sibley Park, 900 Mound Avenue, Mankato.
Explore some of Mankato’s biking and hiking trails.
Get in the car and take a day trip to New Ulm, Minnesota, west on Highway 14. New Ulm, a German American settlement, has many fun sites to see and things to do.
Pay your respects to Hermann the German, listen to the glockenspiel, visit the John Lind House (Lind was Minnesota’s 14th governor), the Wanda Gag House (Gag was author/illustrator of Millions of Cats and many other charming books), and the Minnesota Music Hall of Fame. Munch a sausage, lift a stein of beer and enjoy! Go to the New Ulm Chamber of Commerce web site for more information.
If you’re thirsty, you can also visit Morgan Creek Vineyards or the August Schell Brewery. In addition to having fine craft beers, the Schell Brewery has beautiful grounds and gardens to stroll. If you plan on sampling the wares, please have a plan and drive responsibly!
And don’t forget -- “No Ray ever came home from a trip without bringing presents for the rest.” (Heaven to Betsy).
