A Weekend in Deep Valley
On this page are some suggestions for what Betsy-Tacy fans might do in Mankato for a weekend. We’d love this to be a living list, so please let us know if you have additional suggestions. And if you post photos of your visit on social media, remember this hashtag:
#VisitDeepValley
Nolabelle Kitchen & Bar serves Mankato’s best brunch from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Enjoy a beautiful morning stroll through the “floating trails” in Rasmussen Woods (Emily’s slough), which has been preserved as a nature area – or challenge yourself with this 3.3-mile walk.
Tour the Betsy and Tacy Houses during our regular business hours – Saturdays, 1–3, May–October (free for members!) – and check out all the fun new items in our Shop!
In addition to the must-see sites on the Day in Deep Valley list, here are some other places you might visit:
Blue Earth County Library, where you can find the actual little glass pitcher Bick gave Maud, original Lenski illustrations, the mural of Maud’s Deep Valley in the MHL Wing, and notebooks full of cool clippings about Maud and her books
Mankato Union Depot, Betsy’s train station, the only remaining train depot in Blue Earth County
Blue Earth County Historical Society (open on Saturdays, 10–4), where you can admire the bride doll used to promote Betsy’s Wedding and Maud's high school scrapbook
Children’s Museum of Southern Minnesota, which includes a Betsy–Tacy-inspired play porch for small children!
While the Front Street businesses (Ray’s shoe store, the Majestic, Cook’s Book Store, etc.) are long gone, you can see where they once stood.
On Sunday morning, you might attend services at one of the Crowd’s churches:
First Presbyterian church, home of Christian Endeavor – still the original building where Betsy first laid eyes on Tony!
Betsy and Julia’s church, St. John’s Episcopal Church (rebuilt since Betsy’s time)
Tacy’s St. John the Baptist Catholic Church (rebuilt since Tacy’s time)
(The Rays’ Baptist Church, alas, is now an apartment building.)
Thought it’s not specifically BT-related, Hubbard House in Old Mankato is beautifully restored and can give you another look at Mankato life in Maud’s era. It’s open from Memorial Day to Labor Day, Fridays and Saturdays 10–4 and Sundays 1–4.
Hungry? In addition to the recommendations from A Day in Deep Valley, here are some fun options.
In the City Center:
Flask (great for burgers and cocktails, yummy appetizers)
Number 4 American Bar & Kitchen (one of Mankato’s best restaurants)
In Old Town:
The Wine Cafe (nice patio, good pizza)
Wooden Spoon (another place that might be nice for picnic food)
Mom & Pop's ice cream (32 flavors of super premium ice cream!)
In North Mankato:
Curiosi-Tea (vegan and vegetarian options and good teas)
Dino’s Pizzeria (some folks like their pizza even better than Pagliai’s!)
J’s Sambusa (Somali food)
Where to stay? Two Mankato lodging establishments have a Betsy-Tacy connection:
The Moulin Rouge House B&B was owned by the aunt and uncle of Betty Hunt (Winona Root I).
The same owners also operate the Laven House, another beautiful B&B in Betsy’s neighborhood, which was previously owned by former BTS president Candy Laven and husband Doug – the twin forces behind much of the renovation at Betsy’s House.
The downtown Hilton Garden Inn is also very nice – and it’s just down the street from where the Melborn Hotel once stood!
We hope you enjoyed your weekend!