Lake City, Minnesota is a dream destination in Autumn. Brimming with a full spectrum of colors and activities, here’s 10 of our favorite things to do in the area in fall.
Fall Drives
From Lake City you can find days and days worth of beautiful drives, perfect for leaf peeping. Whether you enjoy twisting your way through bluffs on county roads or hugging Lake Pepin on Highway 61, you can’t beat Lake City for amazing colors and vistas.
Pepin Heights Orchard
The Pepin Heights Store in Lake City has all your fall essentials. Find tons of local gifts, crafts and products, delicious pies and baked goods, apple cider, and of course—locally grown apples!
Fall Fest
Ok, real talk—there’s no better place to experience the colorful season than on the shores of Lake Pepin in Lake City. Don’t believe us? Well then you need to experience its red, gold, and orange glory with a month of family-friendly weekend celebrations throughout October.
Johnny Appleseed Day
Lake City’s premier autumn event takes place Oct. 4, 2025. This block party and hootenanny is family-friendly and super fun. Celebrate the apple harvest and local creative community. Live music, a beer and cider fest, food trucks, arts, crafts, and repurposed item vendors, and even a hilarious, old-fashioned pie eating contest!
Doe Day
Lake City retail businesses celebrate the opening weekend of deer hunting season with mighty sales and fun festivities. While the Buck’s away, the Doe will play. You won’t want to miss Doe Day on Nov. 8, 2025.
Fall Hikes
There’s no better time or place for nature lovers than autumn in Lake City. Explore miles of trails at Frontenac State Park or Hok Si La and take in the breathtaking colors and gorgeous Lake Pepin views.
Zombie Run
If you’re looking for a dead good time, come join Lake City’s first annual Dead Run! Zombies, mummies, ghouls, and deceased, come in or out of costume for a race where it is okay to come in dead last. Run, shuffle, stumble, or drag along, this is the place where the dead rise (and run)! Medals and goodie bags are guaranteed for the first 100 registered.
Reads Landing
Take time at the Wabasha County Historical Society Museum or sip house-made brews at the Brewing Company. This little village just south of Lake City on Highway 61 is a short, delightful drive from Lake City.
Hit the Links
With five courses (including the world-class Jewel Golf Club) within 15 minutes of downtown, why not go all in with a long weekend trip to Lake City? One of the premier golf destinations in the Midwest, Lake City needs to be on every golfer’s bucket list.
Get on the Water
Whether you love to land lunkers or prefer a relaxing cruise, Lake City is famous, for well… its lake! Lake Pepin is the widest spot on the Mississippi and surrounded by towering cliffs that pop with brilliant colors in autumn.
