6 Fun Things to Do for Fall in Minnesota
Fall is an Incredible Season in Minnesota
There are so many great things to do for fall in Minnesota, it is definitely a beautiful season. The only bummer is that it seems to be gone so fast. I suppose that just means we have to make the most of it and get outside as much as we can! Read on for my six favorite things to do for fall in Minnesota.
1. Visit a Museum
Museums are great year-round, but they can be an especially great fall event on those cold days. We love visiting new museums, and we also love returning to a few of our favorites as their exhibits change. Some of the museums we visit most often are the Museum of Russian Art and the Minneapolis Institute of Art. Both have great exhibits that are always being updated.
2. 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 a group of friends. Take your time walking around picking apples and enjoying these beautiful places.
Most apple orchards offer pies for sale and additional activities like a hayride. Some highly recommended apple orchards are:
- Fireside Orchard & Gardens in Northfield, Minnesota
- Afton Apple Orchard in Hastings, MinnesotaÂ
- Pine Tree Apple Orchard, White Bear Lake, Minnesota
- Montgomery Orchard, Montgomery, Minnesota
3. Take a Hike and See Fall Colors
Hiking is one of my favorite things to do all year long, but it’s especially stunning during the fall. 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 fall hiking spots all have beautiful views of the changing leaves. These spots also all overlook the Mississippi or St. Croix River:
- Sugar Loaf in Winona, Minnesota
- Barn Bluff in Red Wing, Minnesota
- Interstate State Park in Taylors Falls, Minnesota
- Arcola Bluffs in Stillwater, Minnesota
4. Visit a Pumpkin Patch
Who doesn’t love a pumpkin patch! Just like apple orchards, these are great places to bring friends, family, and children. Often these types of places have additional activities, like corn mazes, hayrides or pies, and ciders for sale. The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum is also a great place to visit during the fall. They create several incredible pumpkin displays that make for a great photoshoot. They also have the AppleHouse where you can buy apple cider donuts, pies, freshly picked apples, and mums.
Many places also offer pumpkins for purchase 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
5. 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:
- Â The St. Croix Scenic Byway
- The North Shore All American Scenic Byway
- Historic Bluff Country Scenic Byway
6. 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 new beers. 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
Enjoy This Beautiful Season
There are so many great things to do in Minnesota during the fall. I hope these six ideas give you some inspiration so you can fully enjoy the cool weather and changing colors! Unfortunately, fall can feel very fleeting in Minnesota, so make the most of it and savor each day before winter is upon us.
Looking for more ideas? Check out my post on a fall day trip to Winona and Red Wing.
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!