Fall Activities to Enjoy in Minnesota

Fall in Minnesota is fun, brilliant and nostalgic. From vibrant autumn colors, outdoor activities and leaf peeping to fall festivals, apple picking and breweries, Minnesota has it all. The scenery, combined with the seasonal events and cozy vibes, create a magical time to explore the Minnesota. Save this list of our favorite fall activities to enjoy with friends, family or solo in Minnesota!

1. Enjoy the Festivities at Ferguson’s Fall Orchard

Ferguson’s Fall Orchard, specifically Ferguson’s Minnesota Harvest in Jordan, MN, is a large, family-owned apple orchard that transforms into the ultimate fall destination. From activities like apple and pumpkin picking, corn mazes, wagon rides, a petting zoo, to various food and drink options, this fall festival checks all the boxes for a fun fall getaway.

Ferguson’s Minnesota Harvest is open daily during fall time from 10 am to 6 pm. Make sure to give yourself enough time to experience the activities as there is a lot to do. Another piece of advice? Try their Cider Slushies-our personal favorite. Make sure to check out the full list of pumpkin patches, apple orchard and farm fun!

2. Take A Fall Scenic Byway Drive

POV: It’s a beautiful fall morning, the sun is shining, air is crisp, and the leaves are at peak color. You grab a coffee, and a friend, then set out for a stunning scenic byway drive in Minnesota! Popular Minnesota scenic drives for fall include the North Shore of Lake Superior, the Edge of the Wilderness Scenic Byway, and the Apple Blossom Scenic Byway. Other options are the Great River Road, the St. Croix River Valley, and the Paul Bunyan Scenic Byway, which offer great colors mixed with lakes, historic towns, and forests. Check out our Ultimate Guide to Stunning Scenic Byway Drives for more ideas!

Your Ultimate Guide to Stunning Scenic Byway Drives and Hikes for Fall Colors in MN

3. Visit Anoka, MN for Halloween Fun

Located 20 miles Northwest of Minneapolis is a town known as the Halloween Capital of the World: Anoka! Anoka has a charming downtown, with countless unique retailers-we suggest you sip & shop! Our personal favorite stop each year is the Buffalo Books & Coffee and Avant Garden Bookstore, which serves as a coffee shop and book shop! Can you name a better combination?

Some neat stores downtown are Random Hippie, MN Girl and Anoka Halloween Shop. You can also walk the Riverfront Memorial Park along Rum River for beautiful fall views downtown. The Halloween Capital mural is also worth a stop, located at 500 West Main Street. If you want to end your time in Anoka with a unique experience, I suggest the Mad Hatter House, located on the Rum River. I encourage you to book ahead of time as this place fills up quick! We booked the high tea service, with several courses & the best tea! The entire house is also an experience on it’s own.

4. Enjoy Fall Coffee Flights

What is one thing you enjoy doing no matter where you travel to? One of my favorite things about traveling is trying new food. I especially enjoy coffee shops with an array of coffee flights-and fall time just happens to be our personal favorite! Whether they’re hot, iced or seasonal drinks, save this list as your guide to coffee flights in Minneapolis MN and beyond!

Looking for more coffee shops and breakfast spots in Minnesota? Check out our article, Best 18 Coffee and Breakfast Spots in Minnesota. Looking for delicious places to eat? Explore by destination to find our favorite eating spots.

5. Visit the Wild Maple Syrup Shack

Next, I encourage you to stop at Wild Country Maple Syrup. Wild Country Maple Products is a highly-rated, family-owned business in Lutsen that is open year-round for visitors. The store is located at 191 Barker Lake Road, tucked away in the woods. Featuring 100% maple syrup, as well as unique specialty syrups, they make the best Christmas gifts! Add this experience on to your gondola ride at the Lutsen Mountains!

6. Cruise the St. Croix River on a Boat Tour

Try leaf peeping by getting out on the water on a boat tour on the scenic St. Croix River. You will learn about the history of the area and unique rock formations left behind by glaciers on paddle wheel boats. Other types of tours available are Daily Excursions, Father’s or Mother’s Day Excursions, History Tours and the Twilight Cruise and the sundown cruise.

All cruises are appropriate for all ages and last 45 to 80 minutes depending on which cruise you take. The parking lot for the boat tour is by the parking lot for Interstate State Park near downtown Taylors Falls MN. Plan your boat tour here.

7. Go Camping in the Boundary Waters or Voyageurs National Park

Voyageurs National Park is famous for it’s waterways, Northern Lights views and being one of the best parks in Minnesota for fall color displays. Spanning 218,000 acres of streams, rivers, lakes and islands, this park is ideal for a houseboat stay, camping, hiking and traveling the waterways by kayak & canoe.

Some of the highlights to think about seeing when planning a visit are the Ellsworth Rock Garden (we absolutely loved walking through this one), Grassy Bay (the highest point of the park with sheer granite cliffs), and the Anderson Bay (the best spot for an overlook of Rainy Lake & the bay area). If you love history, make sure to see the historic Kettle Falls Hotel (accessible only by water), and Harry Oveson Fish Camp (a preserved camp displaying the life in commercial fishing). We personally enjoyed the hiking trails by Ash River Visitor Center.

8. Visit Grand Marais During MEA (October) for Moose Madness

Minnesota is home to some of the most beautiful fall colors and views. While we have a variety of places for experience fall, my heart will always be full from fall adventures along the North Shore of Minnesota! Here are our favorite fall activities along the North Shore and Lake Superior.

Every year, Grand Marais holds the family Moose Madness Festival over the Minnesota fall MEA break. Families can crack a secret code to earn “moose bucks” that can be spent at some of our favorite local shops downtown. There are also moose art activities, moose safari, live music events and more! For more fun fall activities along the North Shore, check out our article, Favorite Fall Activities Along the North Shore of Minnesota.

9. Ride the Gondola at Lutsen Mountains

The Lutsen Mountains is a summer & ski resort, adorned with the famous alpine slide, places to eat as and of course the perfect place for skiing and snowboarding in the winter time. Our favorite activity on the Lutsen Mountains is riding the gondola-especially during the fall time! Ride the gondola into the Sawtooth Mountains to see the fall colors decorating Lake Superior’s shore like never before!

10. Stroll the Great Pumpkin Trail

Brought to you by the imaginative minds behind The Dead End Hayride and Pinehaven Farm, The Great Pumpkin Trail offers an unforgettable adventure filled with spooky fall fun. Whether you’re a thrill-seeker, a family looking for a delightful evening out, this event has something special for everyone. Make sure to bring your camera for the photo stations! Our favorite experiences were the fire performers, the petting zoo and strolling the Great Pumpkin Trail-great for all ages!