PLAN YOUR VISIT · GOOD THUNDER, MN
Easy to Find.
Hard to Forget.
No tickets. No reservations. No admission fee. Just show up during daylight hours and start exploring. The outdoor exhibit is open every single day and most first-time visitors spend about an hour taking it all in — from a 45-foot Eiffel Tower you can stand underneath to a 96-foot Golden Gate Bridge wide enough to drive a golf cart across. Bring the family, bring a friend, or come alone. You're always welcome here.
Daily during daylight hours
Every day of the year
HOURS:
ADMISSION:
Always free
No tickets required
GUIDED TOURS:
Free · By appointment
~1 hour · Call to schedule
PHONE:
507-469-3748
Questions or tour booking
ADDRESS:
56634 T-243,
Good Thunder, MN 56037
Self-Guided Exploration
Wander at your own pace through decades of large-scale metal sculptures. No map needed — just follow what catches your eye.
Guided Tours
Want the full story behind each piece? Schedule a guided tour and Robyn will walk you through the history, the process, and the people behind the work. Free, by appointment.
Pick & Paint
If there's an event on, jump in. Pick a metal piece, paint it your way, and take it home for just $10. Check the events page for upcoming dates.
Shop the Work
See something you love? Many pieces throughout the exhibit are available to purchase. When Robyn is on site the gift shop is open — and she's always happy to talk custom commissions too. Not around? Reach out and she'll get back to you.
VISITOR GUIDE · GOOD THUNDER & GREATER MANKATO
While You're Here —
Make a Full Day of It
Good Thunder sits in the beautiful hill country of southern Minnesota, just a short drive from Mankato and surrounded by great food, outdoor adventures, and local charm. Whether you're making a day trip or staying the weekend, there's no shortage of things to see and do. Here's just a taste of what the area has to offer — we'd love to help point you in the right direction.
eat & Drink
Thunder Bar & Restaurant
453 MAIN ST,
GOOD THUNDER, MN
507-278-4488Good Thunder's beloved local restaurant, housed in a beautiful old bank building on Main Street. Home-cooked food, generous portions, nightly specials, and small-town hospitality at its best. A must-stop after your visit.
Family friendly · Nightly specials
The Dam Store Cafe
609 S FRONT ST
MANKATO, MN
507-546-9997A piece of southern Minnesota history. The beloved Dam Store — known for homemade pies, hearty breakfasts, and old-fashioned comfort food — reopened in downtown Mankato after devastating flooding took its original home. Still the same soul, new address.
Breakfast & lunch · Homemade pies
Dick's Locker
120 N Front St
GOOD THUNDER, MN
507-278-3038Prefer to cook your own?
A Good Thunder staple for over 48 years. Dick's Locker is a family-owned meat market right on North Front Street carrying custom butchering, house-made brats, summer sausage, jerky, ring bologna, beef sticks, and some of the best counter meats and cheeses around. Stock up before you head home — you won't regret it.
Where to stay
Hilton Garden Inn Mankato DowntownStylish and centrally located in downtown Mankato. Perfect if you want to walk to shops, restaurants, and entertainment after a day in Good Thunder.
Downtown location · Full service
Great base for the weekend
AmericInn by Wyndham MankatoConsistently well-reviewed and family-friendly with an indoor pool. A comfortable, great-value option with easy access to outdoor activities and highway access.
Indoor pool · Family friendly
Near MSU · Great value
Camping — Land of Memories & MorePrefer sleeping under the stars? Land of Memories Park sits at the convergence of the Blue Earth and Minnesota Rivers. Bray Park on Madison Lake offers swimming, kayaks, and paddleboard rentals. Several sites within 20 minutes of Good Thunder.
RV & tent options
Lake access · Pet friendly available
Outdoors & nature
Minneopa State ParkOne of southern Minnesota's most stunning state parks, just outside Mankato. Hike to a double waterfall, drive through the bison range, and explore restored native prairie. A truly special half-day stop.
Bison drive · Waterfall hikes · Seppmann Mill · Family friendly
Sakatah Singing Hills State Trail39 miles of paved trail running from Mankato to Faribault — perfect for cyclists, walkers, and runners of all abilities. Rest stops and restaurants dot the communities along the way.
Paved trail · Bikes welcome · Great for families
Mount KatoYear-round recreation in the scenic Minnesota River Valley — skiing, snowboarding, and snow tubing in winter; mountain biking in summer. Great for families and thrill-seekers alike.
Skiing · Snow tubing · Mountain biking · All ages
ARTS, CULTURE & FAMILY
Children's Museum of Southern MinnesotaAn exceptional hands-on museum in downtown Mankato — consistently praised as one of the best in the region. Kids can shop, fish, climb, build, and explore for hours. Far less crowded than Twin Cities museums.
Downtown Mankato · All ages · Highly rated
Vetter Stone AmphitheaterOutdoor concerts under the stars in the warmer months — local artists, regional performers, and the annual Mankato Ribfest every August. A great evening option if you're staying the weekend.
Outdoor venue · Summer concerts · Annual Ribfest in August
Pumpkin Junction at Blue Skye Farms
Weekends, late Sept through OctRight here in Good Thunder — a third-generation family farm hosting U-pick pumpkin weekends every September and October. Bounce house, hay maze, hayrides, nature walk, and so much more. Pair it with Arnie's for a perfect fall day.
Free admission · All ages • Find them on Facebook