ABSOLUTELY AWESOME MINNESOTA FALL ACTIVITIES YOU MUST SEE
We have leaped into fall again! We have compiled a list of fall activities that are sure to get you enjoying the weather before we are trapped inside for our Minnesota winter. We have included something for everyone from site seeing to the spookiest adventures.
Take a look to see what fall in Minnesota has in store for you.
Do you enjoy seeing the many shades that fall brings? Dnr.state.mn.us offers a fall color finder what a great recreational tool. Canvas Craft recommends using this tool and hopping on your boat to see those fall colors.
Thethrillist.com features a few adventuresome fall activities for those of you who like to get out and about.
Visit a haunted house... err, basement - Haunted hay rides, horror festivals... there are tons of ways to scare yourself ahead of Halloween, but the best way is the Soap Factory's haunted basement, which runs through the end of October.
Hit Oktoberfest. Any Oktoberfest - Obviously, one of the best beer cities in the country is gonna do Oktoberfest right, with celebrations ranging from the big one at MN state fairgrounds, to one hosted by Schell’s in New Ulm, and Bauhaus Brew Labs' annual Schwandtoberfest.
Get medieval at Ren Fest - Head to the Shakopee fairgrounds for smoked turkey legs, flagons of mead, and severely impressive cosplay before the Renaissance Festival ends its six-week run.
Get some pumpkin (patch) in your life - Forget about the pumpkin spice lattes for a minute and head out to find the real deal at one of Minnesota’s many pumpkin patches. Many of them offer a variety of fall-themed activities including games, hay rides, and some even have petting zoos. You’re not going to get all that at your local Starbucks.
Lose yourself in a maze of corn - Head out to your local corn maze and spend the day getting lost. Stick around for other activities that your local corn maze may offer.
A different thrillist.com article combines amazing Minnesota activities with FREE in the title:
Visit the Sculpture Garden - If there were just one quintessentially free thing to do in the Twin Cities, it’d be visiting the Sculpture Garden. Seriously though; when was the last time you paid the ol’ Cherry & Spoon a visit? It misses you.
Hit Minnehaha Falls - Easily one of the Twin Cities' best attractions, this South Minneapolis ecological wonder never really gets old. In addition to just ogling the falls, take a walk along the trail for a nice little way to spend a weekend afternoon.
Hang out in a park - We might just have more parks than lakes and, according to CNN, the Twin Cities have the best parks system in the entire US, so get up off your butt and go check some of them out! Might we suggest Theo Wirth or Loring?
Walk the Stone Arch Bridge - Catch some of the greatest views in the whole city from this pedestrian walk bridge that crosses directly over the Mississippi River at St. Anthony Falls. On one side is a beautiful park and on the other are the really cool Mill City Ruins which makes it the perfect afternoon hangout spot.
Visit the Lyndale Park Rose Garden - When was the last time you stopped to smell the roses? We’re guessing that it’s been a while, so indulge your inner botanist and hit up this great little park next to Lake Harriet for an afternoon full of quality flower smellery.
Movies in the park - Movies are great, but FREE movies are arguably ever greater. Watching them in a beautiful park is just gravy on the cake so long as you remember to pack copious amounts of mosquito repellent!
Music in the park - This is basically the same idea as movies in the park, only instead of some kind of modern classic film; you get to listen to some variety of local band, which is also pretty sweet.
Bike or walk one of the many river trails - There are so many trails for both biking and walking. So. Many. Trails. So please, get out and use them already! If you need recommendations, try out the Midtown Greenway or the West River Parkway which runs right by the aforementioned Mill City Ruins!
Go wild at the Como Park Zoo - Once you’re done taking in the conservatory, head next door to the free zoo and learn a little bit about what gorillas do in the wild... err, captivity technically.
Gaze upon the St. Paul Cathedral - We’re not exactly talking about heading to mass here, but this building is gorgeous and totally worth checking out for the rich, old-school art and architecture.
Meander Midtown Global Market - There are few better places in the Twin Cities for quality people-watching/shopping. It also has live music and various events throughout the course of the week.
Spend a Sunday at the Bell Museum of Natural History - Free to everyone on Sundays, this is a great place to explore Minnesota’s rich past. Plus it has dioramas and everybody loves dioramas!
Open-mic night at Acme Comedy Club - Strap in for a night of serious chuckles and some potential groans. This open-mic night is legendary in the Twin Cities comedy community and several veterans use it as a stage to test out new material.