What kind of a place in Mankato ?

[Slig]

I spent Saturday in Mankato and wasn't very impressed. The downtown area isn't very vibrant, it was kind of sad in a way. It is right on the river but there isn't a riverside park or anything nearby, just a trainyard and a large cement wall. As a contrast I was just in Eau Claire a few weeks ago and the campus is split between a river and there is a walking bridge connecting the two sides and a park area on the bank, it's really pretty there...Mankato just didn't compare. We went to a dumpy bar in the supposedly "street where all the action was" and it was totally dead, the bar we were in only accepted cash. Come on, even the bars in St. Joseph, MN accept credit cards these days.

My brother goes to school there and he seems to like it but I just think he doesn't have a whole lot to compare it too. From the campuses and areas I've seen and experienced it just doesn't compare.

[uptown_urbanist]

Originally Posted by Slig

... the bar we were in only accepted cash. Come on, even the bars in St. Joseph, MN accept credit cards these days.

A couple of years ago I was reading Mankato's public transportation website and noticed that you can (or could, anyway) pay for the bus ($1.25, I think it was) with a personal check! Coming from years of living in cities where you can't pay for ANYTHING with personal check, I found that fascinating.

[wolfman1]

Mankato is a very safe place to live, and the campus has about 12,000 students, so for the town of about 50,000 people (with surrounding areas), you could say that this is a college town.

I've never attended the University, but have daughters who are all now looking at it. MSU has a good reputation in the area. There has been some recent problems with alcohol-related incidents...one student fell to his death from a 2nd story balcony while at a party, and another student was hit by a car and killed while coming home from a party. That will probably happen anywhere, but just something to consider.

I do have to comment about the Duluth/Mankato discussion. If either of those guys think that Duluth is cooler than Mankato, they're right if they mean temperature-wise. Duluth is FRIGID in the winter, and I know because I've been there! Mankato, on the other hand, CAN have some cold streaks, but I've lived here now for 6 years, and every year there's a thaw in January or February that completely melts all the snow. Overall, Mankato is much warmer than Duluth in the winter. SO, if cold weather is an issue (and since you're coming from New Mexico, it will be), keep that in mind. Otherwise, Duluth is a nice area, too.

People in Mankato are very friendly. The area has a ton of outdoor activities. There are a lot of downtown festivals, especially in the summer (be sure to check out Ribfest in July...great food and live bands playing all day). Pretty decent downtown nightlife.

[wolfman1]

Originally Posted by Slig

I spent Saturday in Mankato and wasn't very impressed. The downtown area isn't very vibrant, it was kind of sad in a way. It is right on the river but there isn't a riverside park or anything nearby, just a trainyard and a large cement wall. As a contrast I was just in Eau Claire a few weeks ago and the campus is split between a river and there is a walking bridge connecting the two sides and a park area on the bank, it's really pretty there...Mankato just didn't compare. We went to a dumpy bar in the supposedly "street where all the action was" and it was totally dead, the bar we were in only accepted cash. Come on, even the bars in St. Joseph, MN accept credit cards these days.

My brother goes to school there and he seems to like it but I just think he doesn't have a whole lot to compare it too. From the campuses and areas I've seen and experienced it just doesn't compare.

Gotta disagree with you there, Slig. The MSU campus isn't even close to the river area and the train tracks that you mention. I know the area that you're talking about...how the heck did you get to the one area of town that's been unchanged for the last 25 years? Too bad, because there's a lot of areas along the river (like parks) that are really nice (just like Eau Claire).

My daughter checked out Eau Claire's campus along with about 12 other colleges about 2 years ago, and yes, Eau Claire is set along a gorgeous region. However, the academics there aren't as good. So, if you're going to college just for the area it's in, Eau Claire wins, but if you're in it for the education, no contest.

Also, I'm not sure what bar you were in, but I haven't found it yet, because EVERYONE accepts plastic as far as I know. Do you know the name of the bar? If you do, let me know 'cause I want to go give them grief for not accepting credit cards!

[Slig]

Originally Posted by wolfman1

Gotta disagree with you there, Slig. The MSU campus isn't even close to the river area and the train tracks that you mention. I know the area that you're talking about...how the heck did you get to the one area of town that's been unchanged for the last 25 years? Too bad, because there's a lot of areas along the river (like parks) that are really nice (just like Eau Claire).

I'm aware it isn't even close to the river, but that's where the historic downtown area is and coincidentally, the bars as well. The old downtown area split by the river is the obvious location to put a cool river park area in my opinion and Mankato missed the boat on that one. From what I saw of the campus just wasn't impressive when compared to campuses like Eau Claire, St. John's, St. Thomas, Gustavus Adolphus, etc. It's probably more comparable to places like St. Cloud State. Of course mind you that I'm basing my opinion of the campus and town on a day trip, I've never lived there.

Also, I'm not sure what bar you were in, but I haven't found it yet, because EVERYONE accepts plastic as far as I know. Do you know the name of the bar? If you do, let me know 'cause I want to go give them grief for not accepting credit cards!

I don't remember the name of the bar, it is on Front St between Warren and Cherry and on the side of the road away from the river. It's a pretty dumpy place with a few dart boards, pool tables and above the bar there are a few flat panel HDs. They had Summit on tap though, thank God for that.