13 Best Fall Activities in Minneapolis and St. Paul for Autumn Fun (2023)
Are you searching for something fun to do this season and want the best fall activities in Minneapolis and St. Paul?
From pumpkin patches and apple orchards to spooky haunted houses and colorful foliage, there’s something for everyone in this dynamic duo of cities.
Whether you’re a local looking for a new adventure or a visitor hoping to experience the best of the Midwest, the Twin Cities have plenty to do during this gorgeous season.
Cooler weather and fewer crowds make it the perfect time to get out and explore!
I’m a Minnesota local and love the fall season, so I have plenty to share with you!
In this post, I’m going to give you the top things to do in Minneapolis in the fall to have some great family fun.
Best Fall Activities in Minneapolis
Whether you’re a thrill seeker, a foodie, or someone who just wants to relax, there is plenty to do during your time in Minneapolis!
1. Attend the Sever’s Fall Festival
With tons and tons of attractions, including a giant corn maze, a petting zoo, pig races, and pumpkin patches, there is no shortage of fall things to do in Minneapolis for people of all ages!
The festival also boasts live music, delicious food options, and plenty of opportunities for photo ops with classic fall backdrops.
You can also check out things like their pumpkin patch to bring one home and carve it!
There’s also an apple orchard at the festival, so you can pick your own apples to bring home and bake them into a delicious pie.
This is the perfect festival to experience some of the very best fall activities since there are so many of them in just one location!
Overall, Sever’s Fall Festival is a must-visit destination for anyone looking to experience the fun and excitement of fall in Minnesota.
2. Go Apple Picking at Local Orchards
Apple picking is another classic fall activity that is a fun way to spend the day outside in an orchard.
There are so many local orchards in Minnesota, and even around Minneapolis, that you can grab a variety of types of apples.
In fact, the popular Honeycrisp apple was developed right here in Minnesota at the University of Minneapolis!
You can pick however many apples you like, right off the tree, and then take them home to make some yummy treats!
A few of the best orchards within a short distance of the Twin Cities are Afton Apple Orchard, Aamodt’s Apple Farm, and Sunrise River Farms.
3. Get Scared at the Dead End Hayride
Haunted houses are the perfect fall activity for thrill seekers who are looking to catch a fright during the month of October.
One of the best haunted Halloween attractions in the Twin Cities area is the Dead End Hayride, found in the small town of Wyoming.
If you’re driving by on I-35, you won’t be able to miss this attraction because the line-up of cars is crazy, as it’s so popular and busy!
Once you’ve arrived, you can choose to ride on their haunted hayride, which winds you back through the forest into a bunch of terrifying creatures.
Clowns, zombies, monsters, ghosts, and more are what you’ can expect to find ‘ll find lurking around every corner.
Be sure to watch your back, because you never know when they’ll come searching for you!
There’s even a unique zombie rampage where you’ll ride in a monster bus and head out into the forest to hunt zombies with paintballs.
4. Wander through the Twin Cities’ Largest Corn Maze
If corn mazes are your thing, then you may be intrigued to find out that the Twin Cities’ largest corn maze can be found right in Brooklyn Park.
The Twin Cities Harvest Festival is one of the best fall festivals in the state that features a whole bunch of activities for the whole family.
One of the top attractions is the massive corn maze that gets a makeover every year to look like something unique.
In the past, the maze has been shaped as a variety of logos for professional and college sports teams.
Wander through the maze, get lost, and see if you can find your way back out!
And on top of the maze, you can check out other attractions like a petting zoo, hayrides, a playground, food trucks, live music, and more.
5. Try Craft Beers at Autumn Brew Review
This unique event is held in Boom Island Park in Minneapolis and lets you taste some of the best craft beers from around Minnesota.
It takes place in October each year and has been going on for over 20 years now!
You’ll be right on the shores of the Mississippi River and will get to enjoy the beautiful views and fall foliage as you taste the beers.
This is an adults-only event, so you’ll need to be aged 21 or older and bring along a valid ID. If you’re looking for family-friendly events, most of the others on this list are!
You can try samples from nearly 100 breweries and brewpubs spread across Minnesota including Bent Paddle Brewing Company, Bauhaus Brew Labs, Lift Bridge Brewing Company, and Surly Brewing Company.
With so many options to choose from, you’ll surely be able to find one that suits you.
Plus, you can check out their delicious food trucks, live music, and small shops that sell local goods.
6. Attend Twin Cities Oktoberfest
Oktoberfest is a traditional German celebration that has become a worldwide celebration during the fall time.
In Minnesota, you can check out multiple Oktoberfest locations, but among the best is the Twin Cities Oktoberfest.
It’s held each year at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds and you can find all sorts of fun activities to check out.
From the endless beer tents that serve local and imported beers to the delicious food truck that will fill you up with tasty meals.
And if you’re feeling up for it, you can even dress up in traditional German attire, like lederhosen and drindl.
7. View Fall Colors Along the St. Croix River
While fall colors are spread out all over the entire state, some of the best places to see them are right in the Twin Cities area.
The St. Croix River Valley features some of the most beautiful fall colors lining the river.
You can spend time kayaking or paddleboarding down the river or hiking in one of the state parks, such as Interstate State Park.
You can even just view the colors from cities like Stillwater or Taylors Falls, where there are viewpoints spread out to see the colors.
If you really want to see some incredible fall colors, head to the North Shore. But if you can’t drive that far, these colors are still amazing.
8. Grab a Pumpkin at a Local Patch
One of the most classic fall activities in Minneapolis that you can do all month long in October is picking up a pumpkin at the pumpkin patch to bring home.
Gather the family together and head to one of the many, many local pumpkin patches in the area.
Some allow you to wander into the field on your own, while others bring you out to the field via a hayride.
Choose the perfect pumpkin, bring it home, and carve it up however you’d like to set out for display on your front step.
Some of the most popular patches to visit are Afton Apple Orchard, Pinehaven Farm, and Waloch Farm.
9. Bring the Kids to Tricks and Treats at Valleyfair
If you want to have the entire family get in on the fun, then heading to Valleyfair for their Halloween extravaganza is a great option!
At Valleyfair, you’ll find what they’ve called Tricks and Treats.
This family-friendly event has many fall things to do in Minneapolis as you’re surrounded by exceptional Halloween and fall decor.
Ride the classic fair rides, play special Halloween-themed games and indulge in some delicious fall-inspired treats.
And while this get-together was once considered scary, it isn’t anymore, and makes for the perfect October activity for great family fun.
10. See the Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular at the Minnesota Zoo
Another great Minneapolis fall activity is attending the Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular at the Minnesota Zoo.
Wander through a glowing trail of beautifully carved pumpkins of all shapes and sizes.
From spooky looking carvings to sweet carvings, you’ll see all sorts of the lined up along the trail as you wander through and admire the work.
And for an even more memorable experience, have your very own artistically carved pumpkin made with your name or picture, and then bring it home when you leave.
No matter your age, this great experience is something that everyone will love!
11. Attend Anoka’s Halloween Events
Anoka has been proclaimed as the Halloween Capital of the World, so there’s no surprise that you can find everything Halloween-related here!
The top attraction are their two Halloween themed parades, one is called Light Up the Night, and the other the Grande Day Parade.
Each has its own unique characteristics and are just a small part of the fun!
Other activities to check out are the Anoka Halloween Ambassador Coronation, a house-decorating contest, Halloween movie showings, and a pumpkin weigh-off.
There are things for the entire family, as it’s a family-friendly event.
Some of the activities are catered more towards kids, while there are also some that are great for adults!
12. Dress Up at First Avenue’s Halloween Party
The amazing concert venue, First Avenue hosts an annual event where you can celebrate the fall and Halloween seasons.
Attend their Halloween party and costume contest and enjoy things like drinks, live music, dancing, and more.
It’s held each year on Halloween night and is an 18+ event, so kids won’t be allowed here.
But adults can sneak out for a night away and enjoy all of the fun that’s happening.
Plus, there are hundreds of dollars in prizes given away throughout the night, so be sure to dress up in your best costume to bring home a prize!
13. Sip on a Glass of Wine at a Vineyard
Vineyards and wineries are beautiful year-round, but there’s just something about visiting them during the fall months!
So as one of the best adult fall activities in Minneapolis, head to one of the local wineries and sip on a glass of their delightful wines.
A few ones local to the Twin Cities area include Saint Croix Vineyard, Alexis Bailly Vineyard, WineHaven Winery, and Schram Vineyards.
Each has their own unique flair and flavors to choose from. Plus, you can often take a tour through the winery on select days.
For an even more unique experience, head to Carlos Creek Winery, about 2 hours from Minneapolis, for their very own Oktoberfest celebration.
Twin Cities Weather in the Fall
The weather is just beautiful during the fall season in the Twin Cities.
While it can definitely be a little bit chilly at times, the brisk air and sunny skies are just perfect and make for the best time to get outside.
Temperatures range from the mid-30s to the mid-60s, depending on the day, which is better than the extreme colds of winter and extreme hot of summer.
You won’t typically see snow until late October or early November, so most of these activities can be done without worrying about any snow.
I will admit that one negative about the weather in fall is that it can be 30 degrees in the morning and 65 degrees by lunch, which can be miserable if you decide to wear a sweater!
FAQs
There are many popular fall activities such as going to the pumpkin patch, picking apples, visiting a haunted house, carving pumpkins, hayrides, leaf peeping, and more.
One of the most popular fall activities is carving and decorating pumpkins, although there are many more to participate in!
There are so many great things to do year-round in Minneapolis! Whether it be shopping, going to a concert, checking out the food and bar scene, trying seasonal activities, and more, there are so many activities.
Minneapolis can definitely be chilly during the fall months. It isn’t necessarily cold when compared to Minnesota’s winters, but temperatures can sometimes get down to the 30s!
Wrap-Up: Minneapolis Fall Activities
Whether you are looking to hike through the colorful foliage, pick apples at a nearby orchard, or simply sip on a warm beverage while taking in the scenery, the Twin Cities have got you covered.
There are so many great fall activities in Minneapolis that will provide you with fun all season long, that the whole family can take part in.
If you really wanted to, you could totally fill up your entire month with activities to enjoy the rest of the season before the cold winter sets in.
