10 Things to Do in Minnesota This Fall

There is nothing quite like fall in Minnesota.

The air gets crisp, the mosquitoes finally start admitting defeat, apple orchards open for the season and suddenly every weekend feels like an excuse to get outside before winter arrives.

And then there are the leaves.

For a few short weeks, Minnesota puts on an incredible show with brilliant shades of red, orange and gold stretching from the North Shore all the way down to the southern part of the state.

Whether you’re looking for a fall day trip, a weekend getaway or something fun to do with the kids, there are plenty of ways to enjoy the season.

Here are 10 things to do in Minnesota this fall.

1. Take a Fall Color Drive

You really can’t talk about fall in Minnesota without starting with the leaves.

Taking a fall color drive is one of the easiest—and cheapest—ways to enjoy the season.

Pack some snacks, grab a coffee and spend an afternoon driving through some of Minnesota’s most scenic areas.

The North Shore is probably the most famous destination for fall colors, but you don’t have to drive all the way to Lake Superior to find gorgeous scenery.

Some areas to consider include:

• North Shore Scenic Drive
• Stillwater and the St. Croix River Valley
• Red Wing
• Taylor’s Falls
• Lake Pepin
• Minnesota River Valley
• Brainerd Lakes area
• Southeast Minnesota bluff country

Because Minnesota is such a long state, peak fall color doesn’t happen everywhere at the same time.

Northern Minnesota generally changes first, with peak color gradually moving south as the season progresses.

Check the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources fall color information before heading out so you have a better idea of what the trees are doing.

And don’t wait too long.

Minnesota fall color can go from “not quite ready” to “absolutely gorgeous” to “well, they’re all on the ground now” remarkably quickly.

2. Spend a Day on the North Shore

If you can squeeze a North Shore trip into your fall schedule, do it.

Lake Superior is beautiful any time of year, but the combination of fall colors, rocky shoreline and cool weather makes autumn particularly special.

Drive Highway 61 north from Duluth and stop along the way.

You can visit waterfalls, overlooks, small towns and state parks without needing a complicated itinerary.

Popular stops include Gooseberry Falls State Park, Split Rock Lighthouse and the towns of Two Harbors, Grand Marais and Lutsen.

If you’re planning an overnight fall trip, book accommodations early. Fall weekends on the North Shore can be extremely popular.

3. Go Apple Picking

Apple orchards are practically a Minnesota fall requirement.

Spend an afternoon picking apples, drinking cider, eating apple treats and taking approximately 47 pictures of your kids standing next to pumpkins.

Depending on the orchard, you may also find:

• Hayrides
• Corn mazes
• Farm animals
• Pumpkin patches
• Apple cider donuts
• Caramel apples
• Play areas
• Fall markets

Minnesota orchards grow several apple varieties throughout the season, so what’s available will depend on when you visit.

And yes, you will probably come home with significantly more apples than your family can reasonably eat.

That’s when it’s time to make apple crisp.

4. Visit a Pumpkin Patch

Once September starts winding down, it’s pumpkin-patch season.

Even if you’re not particularly interested in carving pumpkins, visiting a farm can be an entire fall activity on its own.

Many Minnesota pumpkin patches have turned into full fall destinations with corn mazes, food trucks, hayrides, games, farm animals and photo opportunities.

Let everyone choose their own pumpkin and bring them home for carving or decorating.

If you have teenagers who insist they’re too old for pumpkin patches, tell them you’re going for the food and cute fall pictures.

That usually helps.

5. Explore a Minnesota State Park

Fall may be one of the best times of the entire year to visit a Minnesota state park.

The temperatures are cooler, the scenery is beautiful and hiking is considerably more pleasant when you’re not sweating through your clothes.

Minnesota has state parks throughout the state, so you don’t necessarily have to turn this into a weekend trip.

Some beautiful fall options include:

• Interstate State Park
• Afton State Park
• Frontenac State Park
• Jay Cooke State Park
• Gooseberry Falls State Park
• Tettegouche State Park
• Itasca State Park
• Whitewater State Park

Pack a lunch, choose a hiking trail and make a day of it.

Before visiting, check current park information, trail conditions, parking requirements and any applicable vehicle permit requirements.

6. Spend a Fall Day in Stillwater

Stillwater feels like it was designed for fall.

The historic downtown, St. Croix River, bluffs and changing leaves make it a beautiful place to spend a September or October afternoon.

Walk along the river.

Explore downtown shops.

Grab lunch.

Get coffee.

Walk across the St. Croix Crossing Loop Trail or enjoy views around the historic Lift Bridge area.

Then simply wander.

You don’t need a packed itinerary.

Stillwater also makes a great destination if you’re looking for a fall date idea or an easy day trip from the Twin Cities.

7. Take a Trip to Taylor’s Falls

Taylor’s Falls is another fantastic Minnesota destination during fall.

Located along the St. Croix River, the area becomes especially beautiful when the surrounding trees change color.

Visit Interstate State Park and explore the glacial potholes, hike one of the trails or simply enjoy the river views.

You can pair Taylor’s Falls with other nearby fall activities and turn it into a full day trip.

Just remember that gorgeous fall weekends can mean lots of other people have exactly the same idea.

Going earlier in the day can make your visit much easier.

8. Find a Corn Maze

Want something a little more interactive than looking at leaves?

Try a corn maze.

Minnesota farms offer corn mazes ranging from relatively simple family-friendly versions to enormous mazes that may make you question every navigational decision you’ve ever made.

Some farms also offer nighttime or flashlight maze experiences later in the season.

Combine the maze with pumpkins, cider, farm activities and food and you’ve got an entire fall afternoon planned.

Wear shoes you don’t mind getting dirty.

Seriously.

This is not the day for brand-new white sneakers.

9. Go to a Fall Festival

Minnesota communities love a good festival.

Throughout September and October, you’ll find harvest festivals, Oktoberfest celebrations, art fairs, fall markets and other seasonal events across the state.

These can be especially fun if you want something inexpensive to do for a few hours without committing to a full weekend trip.

Look for events featuring:

• Local vendors
• Food trucks
• Live music
• Craft fairs
• Farmers markets
• Kids’ activities
• Seasonal food
• Pumpkin events
• Oktoberfest celebrations

Check local event calendars before heading out because dates and activities can change from year to year.

10. Have the Ultimate Minnesota Fall Day

You don’t actually need a major destination to enjoy fall in Minnesota.

Sometimes the best fall days are the simplest ones.

Put on a sweatshirt.

Grab your favorite fall coffee.

Drive somewhere pretty.

Take a walk.

Stop at an orchard.

Buy some apple cider donuts.

Pick out a pumpkin.

Come home and make chili or soup.

Then spend the evening under a blanket watching a fall or Halloween movie.

Minnesota gives us a relatively short window between summer heat and the moment we’re scraping ice off our windshields in the dark.

You might as well enjoy every minute of it.

When Is the Best Time to See Fall Colors in Minnesota?

There isn’t one perfect weekend for the entire state.

Fall colors generally begin changing earlier in northern Minnesota and progress southward throughout the season.

Weather conditions can also affect the timing and intensity of fall colors each year.

If seeing peak foliage is important to your trip, check the Minnesota DNR’s current fall color reports rather than relying solely on dates from previous years.

For popular destinations—especially the North Shore—it’s also worth planning ahead.

Hotels, cabins and campgrounds can fill quickly during peak fall weekends.

What Should You Bring on a Minnesota Fall Day Trip?

Minnesota fall weather can be unpredictable.

A morning that starts cold enough for a jacket can turn into a warm afternoon and then become chilly again as soon as the sun goes down.

Layers are your friend.

For a fall day trip, consider bringing:

• Sweatshirt or light jacket
• Comfortable walking shoes
• Water
• Snacks
• Portable phone charger
• Sunglasses
• Small umbrella
• Blanket for the car
• Reusable tote for orchard or market purchases

And, obviously, your phone or camera.

The fall colors aren’t going to photograph themselves.

Make the Most of Fall in Minnesota

Fall in Minnesota always seems to disappear too quickly.

One minute we’re waiting for the leaves to change and the next we’re standing outside wondering why it’s snowing.

You don’t have to do everything on this list.

Pick an orchard.

Take a drive.

Explore a state park.

Spend an afternoon in Stillwater.

Head north for a weekend if you have the time.

Or simply grab a coffee and take the long way home when the trees are at their peak.

The important thing is getting out and enjoying this little stretch of Minnesota magic while it’s here.

Because winter is coming.

And Minnesota definitely won’t let us forget it.