• Explore
    • Travel
    • Recreation
    • Travel Guides
    • Attractions Directory
    • Hotels Directory
    • Shopping Directory
  • Food
    • Donuts & Coffee Challenge
    • Pizza Challenge
    • Takeout Challenge
    • Restaurant Reviews
    • Drinks
    • Recipes
    • Dining Directory
  • Education
    • Education Directory
  • Arts
    • at the Maker’s Table
    • Theater + Dance
    • Music
    • Visual Arts
    • Party Pics
  • Culture
    • PetFest
    • COVID-19
    • People
    • Business + Politics
    • Health
    • Style
    • Top Doctors
    • Best Chiropractors Directory
    • Best Dentists Directory
    • Education Directory
    • Best Lawyers Directory
    • Minnesota Baby and Beyond
    • Giving Guide
    • #OpenForBusiness
  • Things to Do
    • Best Bets
    • Calendar
    • Contests & Giveaways
    • Our Events
  • New Residents
    • Best Real Estate Professionals Directory
    • Temporary Housing Directory
    • Residential Developments Directory
  • 12 Weeks of Spring
  • Subscribe
    • Magazine
    • Newsletter Signup
    • Where to Find
Sign in
Welcome!Log into your account
Forgot your password?
Create an account
Privacy and Cookies Policy
Sign up
Welcome!Register for an account
A password will be e-mailed to you.
Privacy and Cookies Policy
Password recovery
Recover your password
Search
  • Subscribe
  • My Account
  • Advertise
  • Directories
  • Attractions
  • Dining
  • Education
  • Hotels
  • Nonprofits
  • Shopping
  • Moving Resources
    • Temporary Housing
    • Residential Developments
  • Best Professionals
    • Real Estate Professionals
    • Dentists
    • Doctors
    • Lawyers
    • Chiropractors
    • Faces of Minnesota
  • Contact Us
Sign in
Welcome! Log into your account
Forgot your password? Get help
Create an account
Privacy and Cookies Policy
Create an account
Welcome! Register for an account
A password will be e-mailed to you.
Privacy and Cookies Policy
Password recovery
Recover your password
A password will be e-mailed to you.
Minnesota Monthly logo Minnesota Monthly
Minnesota Monthly logo Minnesota Monthly logo
  • Explore
    • Travel
    • Recreation
    • Travel Guides
    • Attractions Directory
    • Hotels Directory
    • Shopping Directory
  • Food
    • Donuts & Coffee Challenge
    • Pizza Challenge
    • Takeout Challenge
    • Restaurant Reviews
    • Drinks
    • Recipes
    • Dining Directory
  • Education
    • Education Directory
  • Arts
    • at the Maker’s Table
    • Theater + Dance
    • Music
    • Visual Arts
    • Party Pics
  • Culture
    • PetFest
    • COVID-19
    • People
    • Business + Politics
    • Health
    • Style
    • Top Doctors
    • Best Chiropractors Directory
    • Best Dentists Directory
    • Education Directory
    • Best Lawyers Directory
    • Minnesota Baby and Beyond
    • Giving Guide
    • #OpenForBusiness
  • Things to Do
    • Best Bets
    • Calendar
    • Contests & Giveaways
    • Our Events
  • New Residents
    • Best Real Estate Professionals Directory
    • Temporary Housing Directory
    • Residential Developments Directory
  • 12 Weeks of Spring
  • Subscribe
    • Magazine
    • Newsletter Signup
    • Where to Find
Home Sponsored Seasonal Escape to Willmar Lakes Area
    Sponsored

    Seasonal Escape to Willmar Lakes Area

    By
    Willmar Lakes Area and Claire Noack
    -
    August 30, 2019
    Facebook
    Twitter
    Pinterest
    Email
    WhatsApp
    Linkedin
      Fall biking in the Willmar Lakes Area

      Photo courtesy Willmar Lakes Area CVB

      More than 100 lakes scattered across the Willmar Lakes Area and brightly-colored trees lining the trails and the streets of the Central Minnesota region provide the perfect backdrop for a fall outing. Only two hours from the Twin Cities, the Willmar Lakes Area is close enough for a day trip and has plenty of activities to fill an entire weekend away with friends.

      Start your adventure with a leisurely bike ride on the area’s paved trails and pedal past calm lakes, lush countryside, and golden-hued trees. Favorite local trails include Eagle Lake Trail, Robbins Island Trail, and the beautiful road route around Green Lake. Serious bike enthusiasts can cycle on the Glacial Lakes State Trail, a 22-mile paved trail on the former Burlington Northern railroad grade that winds through several towns and a variety of natural environments, from tallgrass prairie to wetlands and deciduous forest. If you’re lucky, you can spot wildlife while you’re out traversing the trails, such as white-tailed deer, cardinals, wood ducks, and more.

      Didn’t bring a bike with you? No problem. Willmar’s bike sharing program, BikeWillmar, lets visitors rent bikes for as low as $1 per hour and has 10 docking stations throughout the city to easily rent and return bikes.

      A box of chocolates from Mr. B's Chocolates in the Willmar Lakes Area
      Mr. B’s Chocolates

      Photo by Michelle Jenniges

      After taking in the autumn scenery, spend the afternoon hopping around the small towns in the Willmar Lakes Area and shopping at local boutiques. In Willmar, find unique furniture, jewelry, and home goods at Patina Marquet, and pick up a sweet treat at Mr. B’s Chocolates. Head to Spicer to browse the latest fall fashions for women and kids at Urban Escape. Find even more stylish clothing for the whole family at The Happy Sol in New London. Spice up your home with décor and Amish furniture at Three Sisters Furnishings and shop for gifts, accessories, toys, and more at the lakes area’s largest specialty gift store, Mill Pond Mercantile.

      End the day with a pint of beer or a glass of wine made from Minnesota grapes. Try a wide selection of dark brews at Foxhole Brewhouse in downtown Willmar or enjoy a cold one while lounging in the riverside beer garden at Goat Ridge Brewing Co. in New London. Right next door, Model Citizen satisfies your cravings with a menu of seasonal dishes using locally grown ingredients. If wine is more your style, sip a glass of red, white, or blush wine at Glacial Ridge Winery in Spicer. In the fall, the winery also sells apples, cider, and caramel apples, grown on-site at the Jimmy Appleseed Orchard.

      Two girls cheers over beers at Goat Ridge Brewing Co. in the Willmar Lakes Area
      Goat Ridge Brewing Co.

      Photo by Linda Eisenreich

      Add more fun to your visit by attending one of Willmar Lakes Area’s seasonal events. Support local artists at the 22nd annual Celebrate Art! Celebrate Coffee! event in Willmar on September 21, or visit the weekend of September 27-28 for the New London Fall Festival. Get in the fall spirit at Goat Ridge Brewing Co.’s Oktoberfest celebration on October 5 and return in time for holiday fun at the Holidaze Parade on November 23.

      Facebook Comments

      • TAGS
      • Family
      • Fall
      • Biking
      • Activities
      • Willmar Lakes CVB
      • Shopping
      • 12 Weeks of Autumn
      Facebook
      Twitter
      Pinterest
      Email
      WhatsApp
      Linkedin
        Willmar Lakes Area

        RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR

        Man and dog
        Sponsored

        NutriSource Pet Foods’ Formulas Put Health, Quality, and Community First

        Couple sitting on a picnic table

        Spring Fun In Northern Minnesota: Relax and Reconnect in Grand Rapids

        Couple sitting by a waterfall in Cook County

        Say Hello to Spring in Cook County

        Events Calendar

        « March 2021 » loading...
        SMTWTFS
        28
        1
        2
        3
        4
        5
        6
        7
        8
        9
        10
        11
        12
        13
        14
        15
        16
        17
        18
        19
        20
        21
        22
        23
        24
        25
        26
        27
        28
        29
        30
        31
        1
        2
        3
        Thu 04

        Outer Experiences: Black Life in Rural and Suburban Minnesota

        March 2 @ 8:00 am - June 20 @ 5:00 pm
        Thu 04

        Doc McStuffins: The Exhibit – Minnesota Children’s Museum

        March 2 @ 9:00 am - May 7 @ 4:00 pm
        Thu 04

        March Featured Artists: Ani Kasten, Jamie Lang, Ian Petrie, and Laurie Shaman

        March 2 @ 10:00 am - April 3 @ 5:00 pm
        Thu 04

        Virtual KidsJam Event – TAIKO: Get Inside the Beat

        March 2 @ 10:30 am - April 9 @ 5:30 pm
        Thu 04

        “Imagnings” by Wendell Arneson

        March 2 @ 12:00 pm - March 6 @ 5:00 pm
        Submit an Event

        Sign Up for Emails

        Find Your Way Around

        • Subscribe
        • My Account
        • Advertise
        • About Us
        • Contact Us
        • Newsletters
        • Terms of Use
        • Privacy and Cookies Policy
        • …more

        Our Events

        • Food & Wine Experience
        • GrillFest
        • Fine Spirits Classic
        • Midwest Home’s Luxury Home Tour

        View & Order Greenspring Publications

        • Minnesota Monthly March/April 2021 Cover Minnesota Monthly Subscription From: $14.95 for 1 year
        • Midwest Home $9.95
        • Minnesota Biking Guide $2.50
        • Experience Rochester Visitors Guide $2.50
        • Minnesota Visitors Guide $2.50
        • Twin Cities Living Relocation Guide $2.50
        • Minnesota Monthly Ultimate Travel Guide $2.50
        • Mall of America/Bloomington Visitors Guide
        • Official Visitors Guide to the Twin Cities $2.50
        The Spirit of Minnesota logo
        ABOUT US
        Minnesota Monthly magazine embodies the spirit of our state while celebrating the best arts, entertainment, food, culture, philanthropy, sports and lives of our home.
        FOLLOW US
        © 2021 Greenspring Media, LLC
        MORE STORIES
        Sponsored

        Renew Your Vows June 11-13, 2010 at Bluefin Bay on Lake...

        Minnesota Monthly - May 13, 2010

        Marc Schubbe

        Hour Detroit - September 29, 2016
        Near me
        40 miles