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Fun and Free

ForFun and forFree

Heritage Village, Mountain Lake

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Explore the regions this season without breaking the bank. Hike, bike, swim, explore and learn in Southern Minnesota. There’s affordable fun for everyone in every town.

Minnesota River Valley Region

MANKATO

Kiwanis Holiday Lights at Sibley Park is a celebration of the Greater Mankato Area that builds on past traditions and promotes the local communities.

NORTH MANKATO

Fallenstein Playground is an allinclusive playground that allows kids of all abilities to be liberated to play alongside others. It features an accessible surface for wheelchair use and other mobility aids.

NEW ULM

Spend a day at Flandrau State Park where the big Cottonwood River travels through this park with a sand-bottom swimming pond, picnic area and campgrounds.

BERNADOTTE

The Mooseum is home to the Guinness World Record Collection of cow-related items.

Prairie Land Region

HENDRICKS

Experience pioneer life with a school, train depot, Sears and Roebuck house, and an Icelandic church at the Lincoln County Pioneer Museum.

MOUNTAIN LAKE

See what life was like in the 1870’s with displays of schools, homes, churches and more at Heritage Village.

PIPESTONE

Take a self-guided walking tour of historic downtown to see pink Sioux Quartzite architectural gems listed on the national register of historic places.

ST. JAMES

Embark on a self-guided Art Walk tour of downtown St. James.

Southern Lakes Region

NORTHFIELD

See farm animals at the Fossum Family Alpaca Farm and stop in the shop to buy everything from hats to rugs.

LE SUEUR

Visit the Elysian Area Library and Heritage Center with its one of a kind display of “Dresden style” lace draped dolls.

FAIRMONT

Cedar Creek Park is home to paved trails, nature trails and three 18 hole Disc Golf Courses.

Bluff Country Region

MANTORVILLE

Check out a schoolhouse and a 1902 Rambler with kerosene headlights at the Dodge County Historical Society.

HARMONY

Have fun in the Musical Notes Playground where you can make music with life-sized instruments.

RED WING

Visit the Pottery Museum with 6,000 vintage pieces, special exhibits, handson classes, and a gift shop.

MINNEISKA

Visit Gray’s Crazy Castle. It was built in 1877 and was three stories high and decorated with towers, steeples, verandas, and pagodas. It was also in Architectural Digest. Legend has it that when steamboat lights flashed across the castle at night, Gray’s daughters would dance with white sheets over themselves on one of the balconies.