8 Things To Do in Minnesota This Fall

Oct 11

Oct 11 8 Things To Do in Minnesota This Fall

I look forward to Fall every year. When the air gets cooler, the colors turn golden, and pumpkin spice is in everything, I can’t wait to partake in all of my favorite things the short season has to offer.

1. Fall Harvesting & Canning

I like to utilize the last dog days of summer to harvest the last veggies from our little backyard garden and do some canning. I make salsa and pickles so that we can enjoy the taste of summer a little longer.

2. Visit an Apple Orchard

Visiting an apple orchard might be the most quintessential fall activity, and in Minnesota, there are so many to choose from! In previous years, we’ve always gone to Aamodt’s Apple Farm at least once. This year, (thanks to COVID) we decided to get off the beaten path and try a smaller, lesser-known orchard, Sunnybrook Apple Orchard just outside of Stillwater.

Sunnybrook is a small, family-run farm without all the bells and whistles of the more mainstream orchards, but that also means without all the hassle of trying to find parking or waiting in long lines to get your apples. We had a great time meandering around the apple trees, taste-testing the different varieties, and enjoying the beautiful fall weather.

3. Pick Your Own Pumpkins

The fall season is never complete unless we’ve meticulously chosen our perfect pumpkins out in a field. There are so many amazing pumpkin farms to visit around the twin cities, there are tons to choose from. This year, we went to Lendt’s Pumpkin Patch in Wyoming, MN. The pumpkins were some of the largest we’ve seen in all the years we’ve been picking our own!

4. Fall Camping

Camping in the fall is colder and the nights are longer, but there are fewer crowds and no bugs! There are so many amazing campgrounds in Minnesota, it’s really difficult to choose a favorite. We recently spent a few nights at the Kawishiwi River in Ely, MN with a river-side site that might just take first place out of all of the sites we’ve been to!

5. Take a Trip Up North

The North Shore of Minnesota is always beautiful, but nothing compares to when the colors are at their brightest! Stop at any of the amazing hiking trails and beaches along Highway 61 as you drive North from Duluth, you won’t be disappointed!

Related Article: Explore Minnesota’s North Shore

6. Go On A Fall Hike

There are seemingly endless options for hiking in Minnesota, the most notable being along the North Shore. However, I would argue there are amazing trails in every corner of the state!

The full transformation of the leaves changing colors happens so fast in Minnesota, it’s best to start at the northern end of the state at the beginning of the season and work your way south into late October.

My Top 3 Northern Trails:

My Top 3 Hikes Near the Twin Cities

My Top 3 Southern Trails

Related Article: Take A Day Trip From The Twin Cities To Frontenac State Park
Need more hiking ideas? Use the Minnesota DNR’s Fall Color Map for a real-time color tracker!

7. Take a Scenic Drive

I recently learned the term “Rainbow Routes” when referring to scenic fall drives, and I couldn’t love that more!

One of my go-to drives leaving the Twin Cities is along highway 95 into Taylors Falls. There is an amazing overlook at Heritage Park where you can stop and view the St. Croix River.

My husband and I also recently spent a lovely October afternoon at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum in Chanhassen and took the 3 mile drive around the park, getting out periodically to check out the beautiful grounds.

Click Here to check out more Rainbow Routes to take in Minnesota

8. Decorate for Halloween

Ok, this isn’t necessarily specific to Minnesota, but it wouldn’t feel like fall to me without spooky decorations both inside and out!

Jack-o-Lantern Specktaular at the MN Zoo, 2019

If decorating your own space isn’t your thing, you can always check out any number of Halloween events taking place every year or visit the Halloween Capital of the World in Anoka, MN!