Autumn in Minnesota is nothing short of magical and if you’re looking for fall things to do in Minnesota, I’ve got you covered! As the summer heat gives way to crisp air and cooler temperatures, the state transforms into a canvas of brilliant reds, oranges, and yellows. Whether you’re a native Minnesotan or just visiting, the fall season offers a ton of fall activities to help you enjoy spooky season.
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Fall Things to Do in Minnesota:
View the Fall Colors – any list of things to do in Minnesota in the fall should start with seeing MN’s spectacular fall colors. Let’s be honest; the bright oranges, reds, and yellows of fall are some of the biggest reasons we put up with MN’s miserable winters. Check the Minnesota DNR’s Fall Color Finder to plan you weekends accordingly.
Itasca State Park – the start of the Mighty Mississippi is one of my favorite places to see the fall colors. Up this far north, the fall colors peak usually in mid to late September, compared with the Twin Cities which will typically peak several weeks later.
Grand Marais – the fall colors along the north shore are nothing short of spectacular if you time them right. Some of the state’s best hiking can be done along the north shore and you’ll be rewarded for the exertion by some of the state’s best views.
Mississippi River – take a stroll along the hundreds of miles of trails along the Mississippi river to enjoy the fall colors reflected against the river. Peak fall colors will like be mid October in the Twin Cities and central Minnesota.
Southern Bluffs – head south to chase the last of the peak colors in southern Minnesota (peak is generally later in October compared to late September in northern MN). Whitewater State Park is a great place to enjoy the dramatic landscapes and sweeping vistas.
Take a Helicopter Tour to See the Fall Colors – this aerial helicopter tour over Duluth and Superior is one of the most exciting things to do in Minnesota in the fall. If you’re a little bit of a thrill seeker and a fall colors fiend, consider viewing the city and Great Lake from above.
Tour Glensheen Mansion – while this isn’t a verified haunted place, murders were definitely committed in the mansion. Previous employees will tell you that people have reported strange and unexplained occurrences that happened around the mansion. Employees and visitors have supposedly made reports of seeing “shadowy figures” moving about the hallways.
Pick Apples at Local Orchard -head to one of the many orchards in the state for apple picking. A few popular ones include Aamodt’s Apple Farm in Stillwater and Minnesota Harvest in Jordan. Find the full directory of Minnesota apple orchards here to plan your visit.
Visit a Pumpkin Patch and Pick your own Pumpkin – another one of the most classic fall things to do in Minnesota. Find a local pumpkin patch and scour it for the best pumpkin you can find. Picking your pumpkins from the field is like a treasure hunt that all Midwestern children should get to experience at least once before you take advantage of the local grocery store’s deals on the item.
Make your own Caramel Apples – this is a deliciously sticky venture but is a quintessential fall thing to do. Take those apples that you picked from the orchard (or, most likely let’s be honest, bought at the store) and make your own caramel apples. You’ll only make your kitchen a only little messy.
Visit a Local Farmer’s Market – some of the season’s best produce is available late summer into the fall. The dahlias are so stunning in September that I used flower arrangements from the Minneapolis farmer’s market in my own September wedding.
Have a Pumpkin Spice Latte – the surest sign that fall is in the air is this deliciously sweet caffeinated beverage making its way through your bloodstream. Make your own pumpkin spice latte or find one at your local coffee shop. Or is both those options fail, swing by a Starbucks for the treat.
Carve a Minnesota Pumpkin – the shape of the state makes the perfect jack o lantern in my humble opinion and is much easier to do than you’d think. Print out a picture of the state online, cut it out, trace it on your pumpkin, and bam, you’re on your way to impressing your neighbors with your north star pride.
Watch all of the Halloweentown Movies – OK fine, this one is not specific to Minnesota. But to me, few things sound better than cozying up on a chilly October night and enjoying all the nostalgia of four of Disney Channel’s best original movies.
Go Stargazing – autumn months are actually some of the best stretches of time for stargazing as cooler air makes the stars seem brighter. Take advantage of the shorter days and longer nights in Minnesota and enjoy taking in the cosmos. Bonus: do so in a flannel with a thermos of hot apple cider to really make it a fall activity.
Visit Anoka, the Halloween Capital of the World – Anoka bills itself as the “Halloween Capital of the World,” with a month-long celebration including parades, costume contests, a scarecrow contest, pumpkin weigh-in, bingo night and more. Full list of events in October here.
Candlelit Ghost Trolly Tour – dare to join a Haunted Trolley Tour of Minneapolis! Hop aboard a historic trolley, rumored to have its own ghostly residents, for a spine-tingling journey to the city’s most haunted spots. An expert guide will regale you with tales of eerie legends and paranormal occurrences throughout Minneapolis’s history. Grab some pals and book this tour here.
Visit Sever’s Corn Maze – get lost in the fun at Sever’s Corn Maze, where twisting paths and towering stalks make for an epic autumn adventure! With themed challenges and quirky surprises at every turn, it’s the perfect way to embrace your inner maze master and enjoy fall’s playful spirit. Don’t forget the pit of corn!
Stillwater Ghost Walking Tour – ditch the ordinary walking tours and dive into Stillwater’s ghostly history with a spine-chilling ghost tour. Discover the eerie legends, haunted locations like the Minnesota State Prison, and spooky characters that make this 180-year-old town a paranormal hotspot.
Attend a Gopher Football Game – alright you got me, I’m a proud Gopher alum so I think the experience of a Gopher game is bare-none. But I’ll concede any college football team is fun to cheer for on a crisp and sunny fall afternoon. Bonus though: the University of Minnesota hosts some stunning fall colors that you can enjoy on your way to the stadium. Full schedule of home games here.
Minnesota Fall Festivals and Events
Red Wing Fall Arts Festival – experience the vibrant peak of fall colors right in downtown Red Wing! Explore, shop, eat, and immerse yourself in a day of fine art. This annual event takes place every second weekend of October (Oct 12th & 13th in 2024), promising a perfect opportunity to enjoy the season’s beauty. More information here.
Stillwater Harvest Fest – held in Stillwater, this festival features pumpkin regattas – regattas are boat races if you’re like me and had never heard the word. Except instead of a boat, you’re in a pumpkin rowing down the St. Croix. There are also giant pumpkin weigh-offs, pie-eating contests, and a farmers’ market. Planned for October 12th & 13th in 2024. Full details here.
Apple Festival at Aamodt’s Apple Farm – also located in Stillwater, this festival celebrates all things apple with pick-your-own apples, cider pressing demonstrations, hay rides, and live music. The 2024 dates are still TBD at this point. More information here.
Bayfield Apple Festival – this one is technically across the border in Wisconsin, but this fall festival is a favorite for many Minnesotans due to its proximity to the state line and its celebration of apples and autumn vibes. Held October 4th, 5th, & 6th in 2024.
Johnny Appleseed Days – held in Lake City, this festival celebrates Lake City’s apple heritage with apple pie and baking contests, arts and crafts, live music, and more. Held on September 28th & 29th in 2024. Full details here.
Twin Cities Oktoberfest – held in St. Paul, this festival features German food, beer, music, and dancing, celebrating Bavarian culture. Held October 4 & 5th. Information here.
Ruttger’s Bay Lake Resort’s Oktoberfest – located in the tiny town of Deerwood up north, this Oktoberfest includes German food, beer, and music, along with family-friendly activities. Held October 18th & 19th in 2024.
Minnesota Renaissance Festival – “Ren Fest” as it’s often shortened to is a Minnesota staple that runs through most of the month of September. What’s more magical than pretending you’re in a mythical land in the Medieval period and eating a huge turkey leg?
Barbones Puppet Halloween Show – one of the more unique things to do in Minnesota in October is take in some spooky outdoor puppetry. This year’s shows are on Oct 31, Nov 1, Nov 2, and Nov 3 in Powderhorn Park, Minneapolis. More information on the extravaganza here.
Shops at West End Great Pumpkin Fest – head to St. Louis Park for a festive gathering where participating businesses will host Halloween-themed games, music, photo opportunities, and chances to win prizes. It’s a free, family-friendly event—a great way to showcase your latest Halloween costume before the big day. October 2024 date still TBD. More info here.
Family Fun Fall Activities in Minnesota
Como ZooBoo – step into a world of fairytales and fun at ZooBoo, Como Park Zoo & Conservatory’s delightful Halloween extravaganza! Wander along the outdoor path where over 200 live costumed characters await to enchant and entertain children. It’s a non-scary, family-friendly festival that transforms Como Zoo into a magical realm filled with trick-or-treating and Halloween surprises—all while supporting a great cause! Typically held the last weekend in October.
Jack O Lantern Spectacular at Minnesota Zoo – stroll through thousands of glowing, carved pumpkins that illuminate the night. This magical event takes place every night in October at the MN Zoo and tickets can be purchased here. It’s a popular event so it’s a good idea to purchase ahead of time (tickets go on sale in mid-September)
ValleySCARE at Valleyfair – after a 2 year hiatus, ValleyScare is back. Valleyfair amusement park in Shakopee transforms into ValleySCARE during weekends in the fall, featuring haunted mazes, scare zones, and Halloween-themed shows. ValleyScare will be operating select Fridays and Saturdays, September 21 through October 26, 2024.
Boozey Activities
Autumn Brew Review – join other beer lovers at Boom Island Park for the Autumn Brew Review, where you’ll find a gathering of local craft breweries and brewpubs. Against the backdrop of autumn foliage and the Mississippi River, explore a wide array of small businesses and food trucks. 2024 October date pending. More information here.
Minneapolis & St Paul Halloween Pub Crawl – sorry kiddos, this activity is just for the adults. Various bars and pubs in Minneapolis host Halloween-themed pub crawls with costume contests, drink specials, and live entertainment. Will be held October 26th in 2024.
Visit a Cidery – apple cider is the quintessential fall drink and visiting a cidery in Minnesota in the fall is a splendid way to spend a few hours. Milk & Honey near Saint Cloud, Wild State in Duluth, or Minneapolis Cider Co in Minneapolis are some of my faves that all fair perfectly with crisp fall weather.
Haunted Houses in Minnesota
Scream Town – located in Chaska, Scream Town is a popular haunted attraction featuring multiple haunted houses and experiences for those seeking scares. Runs Thursday-Sunday nights in October. Admission starts at $25 and goes up to $40+ on really popular nights.
Trail of Terror – this outdoor haunted attraction in Shakopee offers a creepy trail through the woods with various themed areas and spooky characters. Phantom’s Feast is a unique and spooky dining opportunity. Learn more and buy tickets here.
Terror Town – located in Williams, Terror Town features haunted houses, a haunted hayride, and other spooky attractions suitable for older teens and adults. Sorry kiddos!
Dead End Hayride – Located in Wyoming, MN, this haunted hayride claims to be Minnesota’s most terrifying. See for yourself if it’s accurate and report back for the rest of us! More information on their website here.
As the days grow shorter and the nights longer, fall in Minnesota is a time to soak in the beauty and bounty of the season. Whether you’re marveling at the fall foliage, indulging in seasonal treats, or exploring the myriad of festivals and activities, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
Embrace the crisp autumn air and make the most of this enchanting time of year. “Ein prosit!” as the Germans at Oktoberfest say (ie. Cheers!).
Looking for more fun, regardless of season? Check out my ultimate list of 75 things to do in Minnesota.
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