GEOGRAPHY LESSON

At the confluence of the Minnesota and Blue Earth rivers, Mankato was founded in 1852 on land purchased in a treaty between the U.S. government and the Dakota. The government's breaking of this treaty led to the U.S.-Dakota War of 1862. In 1997, the city dedicated Reconciliation Park on the site where 38 Dakota men were hanged by the government in the largest mass execution in U.S. history.

From the Twin Cities it's about 85 miles to Mankato via Hwy. 169.

CHECKING IN

Two hotels are in the central downtown area, the Hilton Garden Inn (20 Civic Center Plaza; 1-507-344-1111; www.mankatodowntown. stayhgi.com) and the Mankato City Center Hotel (101 E. Main St., 1-877-345-5577, www.mankatomnhotel. com). The Butler House Bed & Breakfast (704 S. Broad St.; 1-507-387-5055; www.butlerhouse.com) offers accommodations in an English-style mansion in the historic Lincoln Park neighborhood.

For upscale dining with a Mediterranean flair, try Olives (20 Civic Center Plaza; 1-507-386-1001; www.olivesmankato.com). Located in the Hilton Garden Inn, the family-owned restaurant is known for its Schawarma wood-fired pizza (topped with marinated chicken, tomatoes, pickles and aioli), and its beef and chicken kebabs, served with homemade hummus, pita bread and couscous.

Pub 500 (500 S. Front St.; 1-507-625-6500; www.pub500.com) serves hearty fare such as burgers, beer-battered walleye and pulled turkey sandwiches. The thick, crinkly sweet potato fries are a favorite side. The restaurant serves breakfast fare on weekends until 2 p.m.

The Red Sky Lounge (520 S. Front St.; 1-507-625-8131; www.myredskylounge.com) draws the after-work crowd with its wine list, specialty martinis and appetizers such as polenta fries and smoked gouda and pancetta dip with crostini. After 10 p.m., the lounge's live music acts attract a dance-floor crowd. Late-night food specials are served until midnight.