TOUR OF 10,000 LAKES:  
Destination South Central Minnesota
by Jim Maurice, WJON.com

MANKATO -- This week we're heading to South Central Minnesota for a vacation of football and beer.

In just a couple of weeks the Minnesota Vikings will kick-off another training camp in Mankato. 

Steve LaCroix is the Vice President of Sales and Marketing for the Vikings. He says it's free for you to go watch the team practice, and you can get up close to the players.   He says the players hold regular autograph sessions every day of training camp.

Training camp starts on July 25th, and runs through August 15th. LaCroix says they get about 50,000 fans that show-up at training camp each year.

While you're in that part of the state, make the short drive down Highway 14 to New Ulm and tour the August Schell's Brewery.  Spokesman Ted Marty says they offer full tours every afternoon Sunday through Saturday.

The tour includes a family history, a beer tasting, and a free beer.  The tour lasts about a half hour, then you can enjoy your beer on their back patio.

The August Schell's Brewery is the 2nd oldest brewery in the country.  They opened in 1860.

The cost to tour the brewery is just $3. Marty says they sometimes sell-out, so you might want to call ahead. About 40,000 people walk through the brewery every year.

And finally, on your way back home, pull off the Highway in St. Peter and visit the Drug Store and Pharmacy Museum. Owner Bill Soderlund says it's a throwback to "the good old days".

He says the drug store opened in 1899, and has been in continuous operation every since.  They have a soda fountain that dates back to 1928.  Everyone who stops in gets a free root beer.

Other attractions in Southern Minnesota include: The Minneopa State Park near Mankato, the Morgan Creek Vineyards in New Ulm, and if you time your trip correctly, you can take-in a River Bats game when they visit the Mankato Moondogs. They'll be in Mankato on Tuesday and Wednesday, July 22nd and 23rd. 

Resources
Mankato Convention and Visitors Bureau website

Next week, we'll stay in Central Minnesota and visit the Alexandria area.


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