6 Fun Things to Do for Fall in Minnesota
Fall is My Favorite Season in Minnesota
There are so many great things to do for fall in Minnesota, it is definitely my favorite season. The only bummer is that is seems to be gone so fast. I suppose that just means we have to make the most of it and get outside! Read on for my six favorite things to do for fall in Minnesota.
Visit a Museum
Museums are open again and taking a lot of precautions to keep us safe. We love visiting the Museum of Russian Art and the Minneapolis Institute of Art. Both have great exhibits that are always changing and being updated.
Museums are requiring masks now, and they are limiting the number of people that can be inside at any one time. When we visited the Museum of Russian Art last month, we only saw a few other people the whole time. We basically had the museum to ourselves and we felt safe the entire time.
Pick Your Own Apples
Not many things say fall like apple orchards. These are great places for kids and a fun activity to do outdoors. I think it’s really fun to go with friends and take your time walking around, picking apples and enjoying these beautiful places.
Most apple orchards offer pies for sale and additional activities like a hay ride. I also think it’s fun to walk around and take photos. Some highly recommended apple orchards are:
- Fireside Orchard & Gardens in Northfield, Minnesota
- Afton Apple Orchard in Hastings, Minnesota
- Pine Tree Apple Orchard, White Bear Lake, Minnesota
Take a Hike and See Fall Colors
Hiking is one of my favorite things to do year round, but during the fall colors it is the absolute best! In Minnesota we are spoiled because we have so many incredible hikes with killer views. The bluffs, waterfalls, rivers and lakes make for some of the most breathtaking hikes!
It’s a little hard to narrow down the list since there are so many great hikes, but my favorite spots all have views of the water. These spots overlook the Mississippi and St. Croix Rivers:
- Sugar Loaf in Winona, Minnesota
- Barn Bluff in Red Wing, Minnesota
- Interstate State Park in Taylors Falls, Minnesota
- Arcola Bluffs in Stillwater, Minnesota
Visit a Pumpkin Patch
Who doesn’t love a pumpkin patch! Just like an apple orchard, these are great places to bring friends, family and children. You can walk around and enjoy your time. Often these places have additional activities, like corn mazes, hay rides or pies and ciders for sale.
Many places also offer pumpkins that are great for both carving, and eating! My favorites include:
- Little Hill Berry Farm in Northfield, Minnesota
- Peter’s Pumpkins in Shakopee, Minnesota
- Emma Krumbee’s in Belle Plaine, Minnesota
Take a Scenic Drive
While hiking is my favorite way to see the fall colors along the bluffs and rivers, a scenic drive can be great if you want to cover more ground. Plus, it’s an easy way to enjoy the day with your whole family.
We are so spoiled in Minnesota to have incredible scenic byways with some jaw dropping views. Some of the best include:
- The St. Croix Scenic Byway
- The North Shore All American Scenic Byway
- Historic Bluff Country Scenic Byway
Check Out a Brewery
We love checking out new breweries. And we really love sitting on a patio, grabbing a snack from a food truck and trying a flight of beers to see what’s in season. Most breweries also allow well-behaved dogs, which is great for our Newfie, Ole. Also, a lot of breweries have fire pits to keep you warm as the cold weather rolls in. Some of our favorite breweries with great outdoor seating are:
- Imminent Brewing in Northfield, Minnesota
- Bald Man Brewing in Eagan, Minnesota
- Boom Island Brewing in Minnetonka, Minnesota
- Indeed Brewing in Minneapolis, Minnesota
4 Comments
M.K. Dymock
Take a scenic drive by a river means a lot more in Minnesota than Utah. 🙂 Here it means squinting really hard.
Kristen Glazer
Haha it’s a popular thing here!
Samantha South
You listed some breweries I haven’t been to and will need to check them out!!
Kristen Glazer
I have been to all of them and personally recommend each spot. Let me know what you think when you check them out!