Discover Blue Earth County

Blue Earth County is located in the Minnesota River Valley and combines open landscapes with waterways, historical insights and a variety of opportunities for active days on holiday. Anyone looking to combine nature, culture and family-friendly discoveries on a trip will find various starting points here for planning their own itinerary. When searching for a holiday apartment or holiday home, it is therefore worth first deciding on the desired focus: Should the holiday be shaped primarily by trails and rivers, or are museums and regional events the main priorities?

Landscape between rivers, lakes and farmland

Covering 764 square miles, Blue Earth County encompasses an extensive region. Several lakes, rivers and streams shape the landscape, along with fertile farmland. This combination conveys a clear impression of the county’s character: waterways and rural areas exist side by side and open up various ways to spend the day. Those who enjoy being outdoors can make the waterways and trails the focus of their trip. For travellers who prefer to combine landscapes with history and regional culture, alternating between nature experiences and museum visits is a good option.

Trails and waterways for active days

The Blue Earth County Red Jacket Trail and the South Route Trail are among the county’s notable trails. Both names can serve as points of reference if you would like to focus your trip planning on outdoor activities. The Minnesota River is also a Minnesota State Water Trail. This brings a landscape into view that is interesting not only from land, but also from the perspective of the river.

The Red Jacket Trail Park offers a specific option by the water. It has a public canoe launch with access to the Le Sueur River. For a day on holiday when you would like to plan a canoe trip or time by the river, this location is a particularly tangible starting point. The Sakatah Singing Hills State Trail is also located in the northeastern quadrant of Blue Earth County. The different locations of these destinations can help you decide which part of the county you would particularly like to explore during your stay.

Experience history and architecture

The Historic R.D. Hubbard House is a historic house museum with 16 rooms. It documents the life of R.D. Hubbard and his family from 1871 to 1905. At the same time, the building is an example of French Second Empire architecture in Minnesota. 45-minute guided tours provide a clear timeframe for the visit and make the house a good addition to a day when the itinerary is not focused exclusively on nature experiences.

The History Center also offers several ways to explore the region’s past. There, you can see an interactive pioneer cabin and barn, as well as a diorama of Mankato from the 1880s. These are complemented by materials from local author Maud Hart Lovelace and temporary exhibitions. These different forms of presentation appeal both to visitors interested in everyday history and to those who would like to learn about literary and urban perspectives.

Events and regional atmosphere

The Blue Earth County Fair adds live entertainment and food to the range of offerings. It can therefore add its own accent to your travel plans if, in addition to landscapes and history, you would like to experience an event with a regional character. Since interests within a travel group often vary, a visit to the fair can be combined with another focus, such as a trail or museum day, provided you structure your daily itinerary accordingly.

The right accommodation for your travel plans

Blue Earth County is well suited to a trip where you would like to combine nature, water, history and events. When choosing your holiday apartment or holiday home, consider which experiences should take up the most space in your itinerary. If the Historic R.D. Hubbard House, the History Center or the Blue Earth County Fair is the main focus, a culturally oriented itinerary centred on events may determine your choice.

If you would like to continue your search with a specific place, Mankato offers another starting point. At the same regional level, you can also discover Rice County, Brown County, Morrison, Martin County, Benton County, Marquette and Carver.

For the broader travel overview: Minnesota.