Mankato Minnesota is a scenic vacation location in Minnesota and is famous for its rolling hills and beautiful natural scenery. Located about 80 miles southwest of the Twin Cities, Mankato MN has miles of hiking trails threaded throughout its forests and bluffs that follow the Minnesota River Valley. The gorgeous rivers are great for canoeing and rafting. There are many public parks with wonderful views and waterfalls along with a local ski resort called Mt. Kato. Mankato has great paved biking trails to explore the town and local amenities. Its a wonderful place to visit and a great place to live.