MANKATO — The Mankato area is rich with entertainment options. Take a look at The Free Press entertainment calendar on a Thursday, and the options for activities are plentiful.
Just about every night there’s a local band performing. Pool and darts are always an option at your favorite hangout. The Verizon Wireless Center provides varied entertainment, from Disney Live! to Minnesota State men’s hockey.
If you’re more of an outdoors kind of person, we’ve got tons of trails to walk or bike on. We’ve also got lakes to fish and swim in.
Big winners in this category are Buster’s Bar for Best Bar for Darts/Pool with 32 percent of the votes. Blue Bricks came in second with 20 percent.
It seems Lake Washington is the clear favorite for Best Lake to Play or Fish, with a whopping 47 percent of the votes.
Best Bar for Darts/Pool
- First place: Buster’s Bar
- Second place: Blue Bricks
- Third place: Pub 500
- Honorable mention: South Street Saloon, Boomtown, Eagles Nest
Best Bicycling Trail
- First place: Red Jacket Trail
- Second place: Sakatah Singing Hills Trail
- Third place: Minnesota River Trail
- Honorable mention: Mt. Kato
Best Free Press Columnist
- First place: Brian Ojanpa
- Second place: Amanda Dyslin
- Third place: John Cross
- Honorable mention: Tim Krohn, Shane Frederick, Robb Murray
Best Lake to Play or Fish
- First place: Lake Washington
- Second place: Madison Lake
- Third place: Lake Francis
- Honorable mention: Duck Lake, Lake Jefferson
Best Local Radio Personality
- First place: “Fat Kid,” formerly of 95.7 The Blaze
- Second place: Pete Steiner KTOE,
- Third place: Mike McKenna, Three Eagles Communications
- Honorable mention: Lisa (Kaye) New Country, TJ, New Country, Spence, 95.7 The Blaze
Best Local Music Group
- First place: Hairball
- Second place: 69 Cents
- Third place: City Mouse
- Honorable mention: Murphy Brothers Band, Home Free, Fish Frye
Best Place to See the Show
- First place: Carmike Stadium Cinema 6
- Second place: Cinemark Movies 8 River Hills Mall
- Third place: Maverick 4 Theatres
- Honorable mention: Cinemagic St. Peter
Best Place to Take Out of Town Visitors
- First place: Schell’s Brewery/Museum in New Ulm
- Second place: Minneopa Falls
- Third place: Downtown Bar District
- Honorable mention: Maverick hockey games, Morgan Creek Vineyard/Winery, Mankato MoonDogs
Best Walking/ Hiking Trail
- First place: Seven Mile Creek Park
- Second place: Red Jacket Trail
- Third Place: Sakatah Singing Hills Trail
- Honorable mention: Rasmussen Woods Park, Minnesota River Trail
