Fall never lasts quite long enough in Minnesota, which is all the more reason to make the most of it. Whether your perfect autumn day involves chasing peak color on the North Shore, sipping cider beside an orchard, getting lost in a corn maze, exploring a small town, or scaring yourself silly after dark, there’s no shortage of ways to celebrate the season. This bucket list brings together quintessential traditions and unexpected adventures across the state—all best enjoyed with crisp air, colorful leaves, and maybe a cider doughnut or two.
Courtesy of Explore Minnesota
Ride a Gondola Through the Fall Colors in Lutsen
Let the North Shore charm you this fall in Lutsen. Whether you’re hiking colorful North Shore trails, cruising the Gitchi-Gami State Trail on two wheels, soaring above treetops in a gondola, or racing down the alpine slide, there are countless ways to experience some of the state’s most spectacular autumn scenery.
Zipline Above the Treetops at Kerfoot Canopy Tour
Trade the scenic overlook for a bird’s-eye view. Just outside Henderson, thrill seekers can soar through a canopy of fiery reds, oranges, and golds on a guided zipline adventure. Fourteen ziplines, a high ropes course, and plenty of adrenaline make this one of the most unforgettable ways to experience fall colors this season.
Escape to the North Shore at Bluefin Bay
There’s something magical about Lake Superior in the fall and Bluefin Bay offers that experience resort style. Spend the day chasing waterfalls, exploring nearby hiking trails, or joining a guided photowalk before returning to lakeside views, a spa treatment, and dinner overlooking the water.
Courtesy of Bluefin Bay
Disconnect at Tofte Trails
Tucked into the woods along the North Shore, these thoughtfully restored cabins offer the perfect excuse to unplug. Built from reclaimed wood and designed with equal parts vintage charm and modern comfort, Tofte Trails is designed for cozy slow mornings and cozy nights by the campfire under changing leaves.
Bike, Paddle, and Sauna at Cuyuna Cove
For an adventure-filled fall weekend, head to Cuyuna Country. Spend your days mountain biking, paddling crystal-clear mine lakes, exploring downtown Crosby, and unwinding in a redwood sauna before gathering around a campfire beneath the stars.
Stargaze at Voyageurs National Park
Minnesota’s first national park is one of the best places in the country to experience a truly dark night sky. Most of the park is disconnected and only accessible by boat, making Voyageurs feel worlds away from everyday life. Rent a houseboat or stay lakeside at Voyagaire Lodge, and spend the evening looking up as thousands of stars reflecting across the water.
Courtesy of Voyageurs National Park/Steve Brown
Camp Under the Stars at Afton State Park
Just outside the Twin Cities, Afton State Park offers rolling prairie views, scenic hiking trails, and some surprisingly dark skies perfect for an autumn camping trip.
Take a Fall Road Trip to Winona
Looking for a “Gilmore Girls” fall escape? Head to Winona. Nestled between towering bluffs and the Mississippi River, this southeastern Minnesota gem is tailor-made for a fall day trip. Hike Garvin Heights, wander the shops downtown, grab coffee and lunch, and don’t leave without a stop at Bloedow Bakery for award-winning doughnuts.
Courtesy of Bloedow Bakery
Spend a Weekend Wandering Lanesboro
The best thing about fall in Lanesboro is that the colorful bluffs are only the beginning. Bike the Root River State Trail, stop at Aroma Pie along the way, browse art galleries and vintage shops, and settle in for dinner and a show at the Commonweal Theatre. Equal parts outdoor adventure and small-town charm, it’s one of Minnesota’s most rewarding weekend getaways.
Sip Cider with a View at Milk & Honey
Just outside St. Joseph, Milk & Honey pairs orchard views with thoughtfully crafted ciders made from traditional cider apples grown on-site. Order a flight, stay for dinner, and spend the afternoon exploring stunning orchard views.
Celebrate Ginger Harvest at Sapsucker Farms
Apple Orchards get plenty of attention this time of year, but Sapsucker Farms offers something a little different. Alongside apples and cider, the farm celebrates its annual ginger harvest with fresh ginger, specialty drinks, local food, and plenty of reasons to linger a little longer.
Cozy Up Around the Fire Pits at Sociable Cider Werks
Fall and cider are a perfect pairing. Grab a seasonal pour, order something delicious from Smashed Patty’s (the on-site food truck), and settle in around one of the outdoor fire pits as temperatures begin to drop. Bonus points if you visit in October once the mulled cider starts flowing.
Celebrate Fall the German Way
Break out the lederhosen and head to Twin Cities Oktoberfest. Held at the State Fairgrounds, this family-friendly festival brings together local breweries, cider makers, food vendors, musicians, and makers for a weekend packed with seasonal fun. Sip your way through dozens of beers and ciders, snack on giant pretzels and bratwurst, browse local vendors, and enjoy live entertainment that keeps the party going all weekend long.
Courtesy of Twin Cities Oktoberfest
Celebrate Halloween in Anoka
Why celebrate Halloween for a weekend when you can celebrate it for an entire month? Known as the Halloween Capital of the World, Anoka transforms into a spooky-season destination complete with parades, costume contests, family events, and more than a century of Halloween tradition.
Get Lost at Sever’s Festival
What started as a corn maze has grown into one of Minnesota’s biggest fall traditions. Between giant slides, pumpkin patches, pig races, zip lines, live entertainment, and the famous corn maze, it’s easy to spend an entire day embracing autumn at Sever’s.
Pick Apples at Ferguson’s Minnesota Harvest
For the quintessential orchard experience, head to Ferguson’s. Spend the afternoon picking apples, navigating the farm attractions, sampling apple cider doughnuts, and finishing with a slide of pie or a hard cider flight. Fall doesn’t get much more Minnesota than this.
Spend the Day at Apple Jack Orchards
Few places do family-friendly fall fun quite like Apple Jack. With apple picking, pony rides, jumping pillows, apple cannons, and enough seasonal treats to keep everyone happy, it’s easy to see why generations of Minnesotans make the annual pilgrimage.
Courtesy of Apple Jack Orchards
Sip Wine with a View at Schram Vineyards
Rolling vineyard views, live music, trivia nights, and award winning wines make Schram Vineyards a favorite autumn destination. Gather friends, order a bottle, and soak up one of the most beautiful patio views in the state.
Spend an Evening at Everly Farms
Part winery, part cidery, part event destination, Everly Farms turns fall into a celebration. From harvest dinners and barn dances to BBQ nights and grape harvests, there’s always something happening among the vines.
Photo by The JUX Collective
See the North Shore from the Water
The leaves aren’t just beautiful from land. Hop aboard a Vista Fleet dining cruise in Duluth and watch the North Shore light up with fall color while enjoying lunch, dinner, or even a sunrise coffee cruise on Lake Superior.
Wander Through Thousands of Jack-O-Lanterns
Each fall, the Minnesota Zoo transforms into one of the state’s most enchanting seasonal attractions. Follow a glowing trail of artistically carved pumpkins and discover why the Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular has become a favorite autumn tradition
Make a Night of it at Scream Town
More haunted village than haunted house, Scream Town delivers a full evening of thrills. Thirteen attractions, outdoor trails, live entertainment, and more than 150 performers create an immersive experience that has earned national recognition among haunted attraction fans.
Brave the Dead End Hayride
A Minnesota fall classic, this terrifying ride through the woods has been frightening even the bravest of visitors for years. Equal parts theatrical and terrifying, it remains one of the state’s premier haunted attractions.
Walk The Great Pumpkin Trail
For something a little less scary and a little more magical, stroll through a glowing wonderland of more than 10,000 carved pumpkins. Add a private bonfire and s’mores, and you’ve got a memorable autumn evening for all ages.
Courtesy of The Great Pumpkin Trail
Explore the Whitewater Valley on Horseback
Trade hiking boots for a saddle and experience southeastern Minnesota from a different perspective. Scenic horseback rides wind through rolling hills, wooded trails, and a bluff country landscape painted in peak fall colors.
Take a Storybook Ride through the Minnesota Countryside
At El Rancho Mañana, guided trail rides wind through scenic central Minnesota landscapes where changing leaves, rolling terrain, and local wildlife create a picture-perfect autumn backdrop. Whether you’re an experienced rider or climbing into the saddle for the first time, it’s a memorable way to slow down and take in the season one trail at a time.
Celebrate Indigenous Culture at the Owámni Falling Water Festival
Held along the Mississippi River at one of the Twin Cities’ most culturally significant sites, this annual festival celebrates Indigenous culture through food, art, music, dance, and storytelling while honoring the Dakota history of Owámniyomni.
Chase Waterfalls and Bluff Views
No Minnesota fall bucket list would be complete without a hike. Gooseberry Falls, Palisade Head, Barn Bluff, Battle Creek Regional Park, and Interstate Park at Taylors Falls all offer spectacular opportunities to experience peak color season on foot.
