10+ Ideas for Fall Fun in the Twin Cities Gateway

Photos courtesy of Twin Cities Gateway

Fall’s crisp air, cooler temperatures, and spectacular colors are natural invitations to break out of your routine. Deciding where to go is easy: The Twin Cities Gateway, located just minutes away from downtown Minneapolis and Saint Paul, offers lots of seasonal enticements.

It’s Spooktacular

When it comes to celebrating Halloween, it’s hard to beat the Twin Cities Gateway. Anoka is the Halloween Capital of the World, because locals celebrate October with over-the-top Halloween decorations, a festive sense of ghoulish pride, and numerous activities. The Ghosts of Anoka Walking Tour is full of haunted tales about early settlers and pioneers. For ghastly fun the whole family can enjoy, don’t miss Pumpkin Night in the Park at the Springbrook Nature Center in Fridley. Take part in pumpkin-carving activities, watch fire dancers, play spooky bingo, or hike past more than 1,000 jack-o-lanterns along an enchanted trail.

Back to Nature

There’s nothing better than a tranquil stroll through the woods on a gorgeous fall day. Wargo Nature Center in Lino Lakes is a breathtaking setting that offers fun adventures such as kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding, alongside events like a fall festival, 5k run/walk, and costume party. Over at Springbrook Nature Center in Fridley, catch glimpses of native plants and wildlife along three miles of hiking trails that meander through oak and aspen forest, past prairies, and over wetlands with floating boardwalks.

Drink Up

Head to any of the Twin Cities Gateway’s award-winning breweries to sip and savor. 10K Brewing in Anoka aims to make the nicest beer possible, in keeping with “Minnesota Nice” values. All beers use as many local ingredients and resources as possible. Alloy Brewing Company in Coon Rapids produces stouts, IPAs, European lagers, and even fruit beer. Invictus Brewing in Blaine is known for its expansive location near the National Sports Center and variety of craft beers. Try their apple ale and seltzers, and and enjoy delicious food at Tipsy Steer, their in-house kitchen.

That’s Entertainment

If you favor professional theatre or nationally renowned jazz artists, the Twin Cities Gateway has just the ticket. Enjoy “big city theatre with hometown charm” at Lyric Arts Main Street Stage in Historic Downtown Anoka. Inspired by the entertaining and dining options of The Great Depression and World War II eras, Crooners Lounge and Supper Club gives the dinner-and-a-show tradition a modern spin while nodding to the past.

Above Par

With nine golf courses to choose among, players of all skill levels are sure to find one that suits their game in the Twin Cities Gateway. If you dream of teeing up where golf legends have played, head to the TPC Twin Cities in Blaine; it’s Minnesota’s only private PGA Tour club and home of the annual 3M Championship. Bunker Hills Golf Club in Coon Rapids has been named one of the nation’s top 25 public courses by Golf Digest. Majestic Oaks in Ham Lake is one of Minnesota’s largest golf and banquet facilities, offering two championship 18-hole golf courses. The whole family can play at Victory Links Golf Course, which was built for youth golfers.