Minnesota in Fall 2025: 28 Can’t-Miss Activities, Events, and Scenic Drives

As the air turns cooler, it is the perfect time to start exploring. Fall in Minnesota is a magical season. It’s finally cool enough to hike and hear the leaves crunch under your feet.

The trees become magical, and Minnesota really shines. Autumn in Minnesota may be one of the best times of the year!

For most of the summer, I’m trying to cram in a million different things while avoiding the bugs and dodging the sun whenever possible. My fair complexion and Irish heritage are an instant recipe for sunburn.

Fall activities in Minnesota are when the fun really starts. Between apple orchards, the lead-up to Halloween, and a rush to get in as much as I can outdoors before the first snowfall, I’m busy almost every weekend.

28 Things to do in Autumn in Minnesota

Apple Picking

Picking fresh apples is one of my family’s favorite traditions. Sometimes we go to the orchards just to go on a hayride and sample all the Minnesota apple varieties in the store.

I always get apple butter, caramel, and cider before I leave. Other times we come home with bushels of apples to can and bake with.

We spend the next couple of weeks making pies, fillings, butter, sauces, and jellies. Truthfully, it only lasts a few months before we devour it.

We are lucky in the Twin Cities to have so many apple orchards close by. You can start picking in early to mid-September with this family-friendly activity.

Call ahead to see if you can pick your own. My favorite locations are Aamodt’s Apple Farm in Stillwater and MN Harvest in Jordan.

For a list of the best apple orchards in town, click here: 17 Best Apple Orchards in Minnesota

Hot Air Balloon Ride

The crisp air makes it perfect for a sunrise hot air balloon ride. Drift over scenic landscapes and take in the fall colors.

You can book a ride to see spectacular foliage, or in Duluth you can catch balloons in action.

Each September, Bayfront Festival Park hosts the Hot Air Balloon Festival. Check the current year’s dates before you go.

Grape Stomping

Looking for a unique fall activity? Try grape stomping. Stomps usually happen in September after the harvest.

There are events around the state, with Carlos Creek among the largest.

On our second attempt, my mother-daughter team took home the trophy and a giant bottle of wine. We can’t wait to go back and try a bigger venue.

Want to stomp grapes this year? See locations and tips:
Grape Stomping in Minnesota
Grape Stomping Tips

The Minnesota Renaissance Festival

Ever since I discovered the Minnesota Renaissance Festival in my teens, I’ve only missed it a few times. It’s one of the best fall festivals in Minnesota.

Each year I find another reason to keep coming back, from new foods to fresh entertainment.

Dress up or go as you are. For costume ideas, see How to Dress for the Minnesota Renaissance Festival.

And try not to geek out if you run into the king and queen like I did. They aren’t really royalty.

First time at the Minnesota Renaissance Festival? Start here:
How to Dress For the MN Renaissance Festival
Things you only see at the MN Renaissance Festival

Design a Costume

Start designing your costumes. Between the Renaissance Festival, Halloween, Thanksgiving, and family photos, get moving on your ideas.

For the Renaissance Festival, I start planning in the summer. For Halloween, I start in September. You don’t have to be a master sewer.

Head to the thrift store and see what sparks your interest. With the right accessories, you can pull it off.

Canning

You’ve worked over your garden all year, and now you have a big bounty. It only lasts a short time, so start canning.

Some of my favorites are freshly made applesauce, salsas, and jellies.

You can also do pickles and veggies. The University of Minnesota has tips on doing it safely.

You can also take one of their classes if you prefer to learn in person.

Kayak the Mississippi

Water sports aren’t just for summer. Kayaks still make their way down the river in fall.

Cooler temps and fall colors make it awesome. Dress for the water and weather.

You can also find a calm lake and grab your favorite inflatable paddleboard.

I love my Goosehill Inflatable Paddle Board. I got it in fall and couldn’t resist getting on the water when it was above 50. Goosehill Sailor Inflatable Stand-Up Paddle Board Review

Visit a Pumpkin Patch

Getting fresh pumpkins is best at a patch. And try not to pay by the pound if you can help it.

If you do pay by the pound, you’re likely at a farm that’s grown into a full theme park, which can be fun too.

There are lots of ways to get pumpkins around town. Do what’s most convenient for you.

For a full day out, check out the Patch Festival at Nelson’s Farm, with pumpkin chucking and more. Confirm current dates.

Pumpkin Regatta

For a new take on pumpkin fun, check out the Pumpkin Regatta in Still

Pumpkin Regatta

For a new take on pumpkin fun, check out the Pumpkin Regatta in Stillwater. They take pumpkin fun to another level. It starts with a chili cook-off.

Then they weigh the biggest pumpkins. After that comes the Pumpkin Regatta, where participants race hollowed-out pumpkins on the St. Croix River.

They end by lifting giant pumpkins high on a crane and dropping them to the ground. Check this year’s dates and schedule.

Fall Color Drive

Spring has apple blossoms, but fall is perfect for fall color scenic drives. The Minnesota DNR tracks foliage and peak times so you can plan the best route.

With a mix of trees and changing weather, we get almost a month of shifting colors. Follow their map; the leaves go fast.

Favorites: the North Shore, the lighthouses, and Grand Marais. River valley towns along the Mississippi and the Saint Croix are also gorgeous.

Explore Red Wing. Check Explore Minnesota’s fall color finder for routes and timing. This is also a great time to hike the Superior Hiking Trail.

Bring a warm, packable outdoor blanket for overlooks and picnics. Tripper Gear | Outdoor Camping Blanket

Vikings Game

Fall is football season. Tailgate at U.S. Bank Stadium and catch a game, or post up at your favorite sports bar with friends.

The Vikings Museum at the training facility in Eagan is a fun add-on. Training camp runs in summer, but the museum is open year-round; check hours.

Ride a Train

Ride the North Shore Scenic Railroad or the Osceola & St. Croix Valley Railway. Historic cars, great leaf views, and small-town stops.

In Duluth, the Lake Superior Railroad Museum is an add-on with one of the largest collections in the country. Sit in the driver’s seat and explore cars, locomotives, and cabooses.

Want scenic rides? Start here: 7 Best Scenic Train Rides in Minnesota

The Defeat of Jesse James Days

Each year, Northfield marks the day Jesse James’ gang tried to rob the First National Bank.

The robbery failed, with only Jesse and his brother escaping. Others were captured or killed.

The town does reenactments and family activities all weekend.

Make a weekend of it. Dining, biking, waterfalls, and more:
18 of the Best Things to do in Northfield MN

Fall Camping at a State Park

Fall is my favorite time to camp at Minnesota State Parks. Fewer bugs, cool nights, quiet trails.

Warm up by the fire with coffee or cocoa. With summer over, crowds drop and you get more peace and quiet.

I’m on a mission to visit all the MN State Parks and complete my passport. This fall, I’m crossing at least one more off the list.

For a quick Twin Cities day trip, visit Interstate State Park in Taylors Falls.

Oktoberfest

If you go to one Oktoberfest, make it New Ulm. One of the best celebrations in the U.S., with the whole town involved.

Beyond downtown, the Best Western Ballroom, Schell’s Brewery, and Morgan Creek Vineyards host festivities.

New Ulm is also famous for its Glockenspiel and Herman the German.

Corn Mazes

Get lost in a corn maze with friends and snacks. Many farms have expanded into full fall festivals.

Wear boots and bring a sense of humor. Inside, everything starts to look the same.

Minnesota corn mazes are huge now. Come hungry and plan to stay awhile.

You’ll find one close to you:
14 of the Best Corn Mazes in the Twin Cities

Haunted Houses

October is packed with haunted attractions for every scare level. I love the sets and makeup, but I still want my kids to sleep at night, so I keep the home decor tame.

Start with these:
The Scariest Haunted Houses in the Twin Cities
16 Real Haunted Places In MN
Valleyfair’s Tricks and Treats
Halloween Things To Do in Minneapolis

Zombie Bar Crawls

Costume bar crawls are a blast. Minneapolis hosts several Halloween crawls each October. Expect big crowds; check current dates and routes.

For details and tickets, see PubCrawls.com and Crawl With US. Dates change yearly.

I’ve seen amazing creativity at these events. Go to watch, or dress up and join in.

Horseback Riding

Spend a day on wooded trails by horseback. Several outfitters around the Twin Cities offer guided rides for all skill levels.

Women in the Woods

The Dodge Nature Center hosts Women in the Woods programs throughout the year. In fall, look for evening cookouts, hikes, or skills classes. I tried the winter session with snowshoes and it was a blast.

Wabasha Street Caves

The Wabasha Street Caves make a great fall outing. Take the candlelit gangster tour for spooky vibes, or do the regular history tour to learn how a mushroom cave became a 1920s hotspot.

Book early in October; tours fill up fast. If they’re sold out, try a St. Paul gangster tour.

Peak time for Wabasha Street Cave Tours. If full, try a St. Paul Gangster Tour.

Chase a Food Truck

Food trucks serve some of the best bites in town, often with great options for different diets. Find them outside breweries and wineries across the Twin Cities.

Skip the usual lunch and try a truck. Use Roaming Hunger to see who’s popping up near you.

Twin Cities Marathon

Want to run a marathon? The Twin Cities Marathon is the first weekend of October most years. Not racing? Cheer along the course.

The route starts in Minneapolis, loops the lakes, crosses the Mississippi, and ends with a big party in Saint Paul. Spectators have many great viewing spots.

Find a Waterfall

Waterfalls shine in autumn. Fewer bugs, cooler hikes, and colorful backdrops.

Watch for slick leaves over mud, especially on hills. Check your footing and enjoy the views.

Start here:
12 Stunning Waterfalls Near Minneapolis
Where to Find Waterfalls in Duluth

Dakota Jazz Club

Can’t get to New Orleans? Try the Dakota Jazz Club in downtown Minneapolis for dinner and live music.

Established in 1985, the Dakota started in St. Paul and later moved to Minneapolis. Check the calendar and book tickets ahead.

Spirit Mountain Biking

Before the snow, Spirit Mountain keeps the action going with lift-served mountain biking, a two-seat zipline, and the Timber Twister alpine coaster.

It’s close enough for a day trip from the Twin Cities, or stay overnight. The drive up gives you big Lake Superior views.

Watch the Birds Fly South

Not the snowbirds in RVs; the real birds. The National Eagle Center is a top spot to see migration in action.

Also try Crane Meadows National Wildlife Refuge near Little Falls and Carlos Avery Wildlife Management Area in Anoka County.

Nature.org lists species and peak viewing times. Time it right and pair with a North Shore color drive.

Closer to the Cities? Try these routes:
40 Scenic Bike Trails in the Twin Cities

The Big Island Rendezvous Festival

The first weekend in October, celebrate the fur trade era at the Big Island Rendezvous in Albert Lea’s City Park.

See a voyageur encampment, tipi tours, Scottish clans, and early American crafts, with 300+ tents and 1,200 living-history reenactors.

Fall in Minnesota

I hope you enjoy autumn in Minnesota as much as I do. You now have enough ideas to keep you busy for years.

If you need a place to stay, check Tripadvisor for deals on accommodations and activities.

For more ideas all year long, explore my other 28 Things lists.

Pin it for Later