Fall in the Twin Cities is short, spectacular, and packed with things to do. From apple orchards and pumpkin patches to iconic Minneapolis concert venues and cozy St. Paul restaurants, autumn is when Minnesota puts on its best show. If you’re looking for the best fall activities in Minneapolis and St. Paul, consider this your ultimate Twin Cities fall bucket list.
Whether you’re planning weekend adventures, date nights, family outings, or a weekend staycation, here are the local experiences worth adding to your calendar before winter arrives.
Experience Minnesota Fall Colors at Their Peak
If there’s one thing every local should do each autumn, it’s get outside when the leaves start changing.
The Twin Cities offer some of the best urban fall scenery in the Midwest, and you don’t have to travel far to find it. Minnehaha Falls transforms into a postcard-worthy destination, Theodore Wirth Park’s trails become a tunnel of gold, and the Mississippi River bluffs provide incredible panoramic views.
- Minnehaha Falls Regional Park (Minneapolis) – One of Minneapolis’ oldest and most popular parks and features a majestic 53-foot waterfall and limestone bluffs.
- Theodore Wirth Park (Golden Valley) – A 759-acre park with trails for people of all skill levels.
- Fort Snelling State Park (St. Paul) – This park offers extensive hiking, bike and ski trails that link to Minnehaha Park and the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge.
- Lebanon Hills Regional Park (Eagan) – This park offers trails, campgrounds, a beach, visitor center and year-round seasonal activities.
- Afton State Park (Hastings) – It’s rugged, rolling landscape provides excellent hiking, horseback riding and skiing, a beach, and so much more.
Local tip: Visit on a weekday morning for fewer crowds and better photo opportunities.
Visit an Apple Orchard
Minnesota gave the world the Honeycrisp apple, so an orchard visit is basically a local fall tradition. Beyond the apples, many orchards offer hayrides, cider tastings, petting zoos, pumpkin patches, and fresh-baked treats that make for a full afternoon outing.
Aamodt’s Apple Farm
Stillwater
A Minnesota classic, Aamodt’s Apple Farm, combines classic apple picking with beautiful scenery, locally made cider, and plenty of family-friendly activities. Apple picking is available daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. through the second week of October, with available varieties changing throughout the season. Be sure to check their website before your visit to see what’s ready for picking.
Beyond the orchard, you’ll find apple-inspired treats, hard cider, wine tastings, and enough activities to keep the whole family entertained. Admission and parking are free, and attractions include wagon rides, a barrel train, playgrounds, and even a goat farm.
Pine Tree Apple Orchard
White Bear Lake
For many Twin Cities families, a fall visit to Pine Tree Apple Orchard is a yearly tradition. Known for its picturesque orchard views and irresistible bakery, this destination delivers everything you want from a classic autumn outing.
Spend the day exploring the corn maze, taking a wagon ride, picking out pumpkins, and stocking up on fresh cider, caramel apples, and homemade baked goods. Their country store is also packed with seasonal gifts and local treats.
Everly Farms
Minnetrista
If you’re looking for more than just apple picking, Everly Farms is worth the drive. This family-focused destination packs an impressive lineup of activities into one ticket, making it easy to spend an entire afternoon enjoying the best of fall.
Visitors can enjoy unlimited hayrides, train rides for kids, a giant corn pit, playgrounds, a hay mountain, pumpkins, and live weekend entertainment. And let’s be honest: no trip is complete without taking home a few extra apple cider donuts.
Find the Best Pumpkin Patches and Corn Mazes
Nothing says fall quite like wandering through a corn maze while pretending you know where you’re going. Throughout September and October, local farms transform into seasonal destinations featuring giant pumpkin displays, hayrides, and family-friendly entertainment.
Sever’s Fall Festival
Shakopee
One of Minnesota’s largest and most popular fall attractions, Sever’s Fall Festival features more than 30 activities and attractions, making it easy to spend an entire day exploring.
Highlights include the legendary corn maze, live entertainment, a petting zoo, pony rides, giant slides, a corn pit, and countless opportunities for family fun.
Twin Cities Harvest Festival & Maze
Brooklyn Park
Home to Minnesota’s largest corn maze, Twin Cities Harvest Festival is a fall favorite for families, groups, and anyone up for a challenge. Along with navigating the maze, visitors can enjoy pumpkin picking, live entertainment, food vendors, and plenty of seasonal activities throughout the festival grounds.
Emma Krumbee’s Fall Festival
Belle Plaine
Located just south of the metro, Emma Krumbee’s Fall Festival offers a classic harvest experience complete with pumpkin picking, hayrides, a corn maze, live music, farm animals, and family-friendly entertainment. It’s a great choice for those looking for a more traditional fall festival atmosphere.
Pro tip: These destinations are especially popular on weekends. Arriving early can help you avoid the longest lines and give you more time to enjoy everything the season has to offer.
Cozy Up at Some of the Twin Cities’ Best Restaurants
Fall is comfort-food season, which means it’s the perfect excuse to try a new restaurant or revisit an old favorite. Whether you’re planning a date night or a casual dinner with friends, these local spots shine when the weather turns cool.
- Aster Cafe (Minneapolis) – Beautiful riverfront patio with downtown views, perfect for brunch.
- WA Frost (St. Paul) – Its old-world charm and hidden garden feel make it one of the best date-night spots in St. Paul, hands down.
- Ciao Bella (Bloomington) – Feels secluded, yet easy to get to right off the highway.
- The Gnome (St. Paul) – The historic brick courtyard creates an inviting outdoor space, and heaters make it a cozy hidden gem that extends patio season into the fall.
- Forgotten Star (Fridley) – Along the train tracks and right off River Road, with passing trains, plenty of open space, great food and drinks.
Catch a Concert
Fall concert season is when some of the best music venues hit their stride. Even if you don’t recognize the artist, seeing a show at one of these historic spaces is an experience in itself.
- First Avenue (Minneapolis) – Perhaps the most iconic music venue in Minnesota and one of the most famous clubs in the country.
- Palace Theatre (St. Paul) – A century-old Palace Theatre that originally operated as a vaudeville theatre, but was renovated and re-opened in 2017.
- Fitzgerald Theater (St. Paul) – Perfect for comedy, storytelling, and intimate performances.
- The Fillmore (Minneapolis) – A newer venue with Trax Burgers & Bar located right at the venue.
- Dakota Jazz Club (Minneapolis) – One of the best places in the Midwest for jazz and live music.
The best thing about fall in Minneapolis and St. Paul isn’t any single attraction. It’s how easy it is to experience so much in one season. You can spend the morning picking apples, hike through colorful woods in the afternoon, catch dinner downtown, and finish the night with live music, all without leaving the metro area.
And as every Minnesotan knows, winter is coming. So now’s the time to grab your flannel, order the pumpkin spice latte, and start checking these experiences off your list.