Greg Lundgren, courtesy Explore Minnesota
After a hot and humid Minnesota summer, the crisp wind and brilliantly colored foliage of the fall season can’t come fast enough to the Twin Cities. As any local will tell you, it’s vital to enjoy fall while it’s here because before you know it, the trees will be burdened with buckets of snow and temperatures will drop below freezing. To take full advantage of the season, view fall scenery from these popular vantage points across St. Paul and Minneapolis.
Fort Snelling State Park
Nestled into the crevice of the converging Mississippi and Minnesota rivers, Fort Snelling State Park features 18 miles of hiking trails. The paths meander through the forest, and despite the city and highway being nearby, the foliage blocks out the noise. In this serene setting, you’re likely to see a few squirrels and chipmunks making last-minute additions to their winter food supply.
Minnehaha Falls
Enjoy a picnic under the colorful leaves at this 193-acre park in Minneapolis, featuring a winding stream and trails that extend every which way. While its 53-foot waterfall is certainly spectacular, the beauty doesn’t stop there. Packed with trees, rolling hills and breathtaking sights, it’s no wonder the park draws more than 850,000 visitors annually.
St. Anthony Main and Father Hennepin Bluff Park
With an old movie theater, industrial architecture and tree-lined views of the Mississippi River, you’ll feel like you’re walking into another era when passing the brick buildings that line the cobblestone road of St. Anthony Main. To immerse yourself further into the fall foliage, turn off into the adjacent Father Hennepin Bluff Park. Among whimsical walking bridges, you’ll be sure to enjoy nature juxtaposed with dilapidated structures, a small waterfall and stunning views of the Stone Arch Bridge.
Summit Avenue and Mississippi River Boulevard
Walk, drive or bike down Summit Avenue in St. Paul to relish picture-perfect fall scenery. Victorian mansions with red, orange, and yellow leaves swirling down from aged trees is a can’t-miss combination. When you reach the end of Summit, be sure to venture onward to Mississippi River Boulevard for color-packed bluffs reflecting off the river.
