Best getaway with the guys (southern Minnesota) - Mankato - 2014 Best of MN

Gamers in particular will enjoy the chance to squeeze into an armored vehicle and grind, growl, splash and rumble their way through the bumpy Drive A Tank experience in nearby Kasota. For a bonus splurge, participants can fire vintage and military machine guns at indoor targets (1-507-931-7385; driveatank.com). For a quieter experience, join a guided paddle with Bent River Outfitters (1-507-388-2368; bent­riveroutfitter.com) along the Blue Earth or Minnesota rivers, where paddlers can watch for bald eagles and stop to explore lush gorges and natural springs trickling through rocky glens. You can make a meal from the weekend bloody Marys at Number 4 (1-507-344-1444; number4mankato.com) or fuel up on homemade pie at the delightfully vintage Rapidan Dam Cafe (1-507-546-9997). In August, watch the Vikings for free at the annual training camp (952-828-6500; vikings.com).