17 Awesome Things to Do in Taylors Falls, MN (State Park & More) 2023
Are you looking for the very best things to do in Taylors Falls, MN for a fun weekend exploring?
As one of the closest areas to the Twin Cities with beautiful views, great hiking, and many outdoor experiences, the Taylors Falls area is one of a kind.
This small town is home to the popular Interstate State Park, a ski resort, and an adorable Main Street. It offers plenty to do during all four seasons.
I used to live in Chisago City, just 20 minutes from Taylors Falls, and spent a lot of my free time exploring the great town.
In this post, I’ll share with you everything that you need to know for having a fun trip to this adorable small town in Minnesota.
Planning Your Trip to Minnesota? Use My Favorite Resources!
🛌 Accommodations: I love using Booking.com for any hotels or short-term rentals.
🏡Vacation Rentals: If you want your own house, VRBO is the best platform.
✈️ Flights: For flights to get here, check out Expedia to save some money!
🚘 Car Rentals: To get around, I use Discover Cars!
📍Tours: I recommend Viator for fun experiences.
Things to Do in Taylors Falls, MN
Below you’ll find the top activities to fill your visit to Taylors Falls, especially if you’re visiting in the summer months.
1. Visit the Glacial Pot Holes in Interstate State Park
You couldn’t visit Taylors Falls without doing a little bit of hiking at Interstate State Park.
Here you’ll find one of the most unique hikes that you’ll be able to do in Minnesota, where you’ll walk along the St. Croix River and see huge potholes.
These are the potholes that you despise hitting on the road; these are huge holes in the earth that were formed 10,000 years ago.
Over 200 potholes are found within the park with the largest being 60 feet deep and claiming the name as the deepest explored pothole in the world.
The main pothole area is near the visitor center and is accessible to most people.
Because the trails are mostly paved, flat, and easy, this is a nice area for family-friendly hiking and exploring.
Aside from seeing the potholes, this is the best area on the Minnesota side of the park to see the views of the St. Croix Valley.
It’s also one of the best places to hike near the Twin Cities, without having to drive too far!
2. Take a Taylors Falls Scenic Boat Tour
One of the best ways to explore the St. Croix River Valley is to take a relaxing Taylors Falls Scenic Boat Tour around the area.
The paddleboats depart from an area near the Taylors Falls State Park and glide down the river between the bluffs on both sides.
The most popular option for tours is an 80-minute tour on either the Taylors Falls Queen or Princess with a narrated history of the river.
A few other options include a twilight tour with wine tastings and a private excursion for just you and your group.
I’ve never taken a tour, but I’ve always loved watching as the boats float down the river and the people wave at you as they pass by.
3. Visit the Wild Mountain Waterpark
Waterparks definitely aren’t just for kiddos; adults love to jump in the tide pool, fly down a slide, or relax in the Lazy River too!
At Wild Mountain, you can enjoy an epic outdoor waterpark, for one of the best things to do in Taylors Falls, MN in summer!
Wild Adventure Island features a 350-gallon dumping bucket, water guns, spray jets, and a whole bunch of family fun.
The kiddie pool is the perfect place for your little ones to splash around and slide down the adorable green frog slide.
And you will love grabbing a tube and relaxing as you float down the lazy river in the warm, summer sun.
There are even four waterslides including a speed slide, a flume, and two others.
4. Have Lunch at The Drive-In
If you’re looking for somewhere to eat lunch or dinner while in Taylors Falls, make a stop at the Drive-In for some of the best food.
This adorable and original restaurant has been in the area since 1956, serving up burgers, sandwiches, and more.
You can’t miss it as you drive through town because a giant glass of root beer stands on a sign near the road.
So naturally, while you’re there, you have to try a root beer float, made with their freshly made root beer.
Car hops in poodle skirts will serve you your food, making it feel like you’re right back in the 50s.
The Drive-In is only open from April to October, so be sure to make a stop during the summer months!
5. Kayak Down the St. Croix River
Whether you have your own or you rent one, kayaking or canoeing down the St. Croix River is a great experience while you’re in town.
You can also paddleboard, which is my personal favorite thing to do on the St. Croix!
Since you are going to be kayaking down a river, the best bet is to have two cars and park each in a different spot down the way.
If you rent with Taylors Falls Canoe, near the Taylors Falls state park, you can canoe or kayak to a certain point and they will shuttle you back to your car.
This is even a great thing to do in the Taylors Falls area for families because kiddos will love being on the river and helping with paddling.
The best part of kayaking down the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway is admiring the beautiful rocky cliffs and bluffs on the edge of the water.
6. Visit Interstate State Park in Wisconsin
While you’ve likely already visited Interstate State Park in Minnesota, have you been to the same-named park on the Wisconsin side of the border?
This park was given the name ‘Interstate’ because it was the first state park to span two states, Minnesota created in 1895, and Wisconsin in 1900.
On the Wisconsin side, I’d recommend checking out the Glacial Pothole and Ice Age trail, which brings you up to a viewpoint of the bluffs.
You’ll be able to see both the Minnesota and Wisconsin sides of the river and it’s a beautiful viewpoint and one of the best things to do near Taylors Falls, MN. This is one of my favorite hikes in the park.
You will need a pass from each state’s state park system, even though they’re the same park, so be sure that you’re prepared with this.
7. See the Sculptures at Franconia Sculpture Garden
Located in the beautiful St. Croix River Valley, this 50-acre outdoor sculpture garden is artist-centered and features plenty of artwork.
The unique artwork and sculptures that you see at Franconia Sculpture Park are there to help visitors learn more about art.
The park was created in 1996 and has since been providing visitors with an interesting place to visit near Taylors Falls.
People of all ages will be interested in the artwork and love seeing the creativity that these artists have!
It’s the perfect chill activity in Taylors Falls that doesn’t require a ton of effort and is nice and relaxing. I really loved getting to see all of the larger than life sculptures during my visit!
8. Enjoy the Wild Mountain Winery
There are many wineries in Minnesota that feature great, homemade wines for guests to enjoy.
Right in Taylors Falls, you’ll find Wild Mountain Winery– you guessed it, not too far from Wild Mountain ski resort and waterpark!
Wild Mountain Winery creates delicious, high-quality wine on its property that is situated on one of the highest points in Chisago City.
You can enjoy a glass of their wine on the patio in the summers and in their tasting room during the colder months.
On the patio from June to October, you’re also able to enjoy free live music performed by local Minnesota and Wisconsin artists.
9. Grab Ice Cream at Schoony’s
Schoony’s Malt Shop and Pizzeria is another of the restaurants in the Taylors Falls area to grab lunch before heading off for more exploration.
Enjoy a delicious ice cream cone, a homemade malt, or a giant piece of pizza.
The shop is located right on the main street,, putting it in the perfect location for exploring the rest of downtown Taylors Falls, Minnesota.
10. Ride the Alpine Slide
While you’re at Wild Mountain enjoying the waterpark, plan to also check out the alpine slide.
During the winter, this area turns into a fun ski and snowboard area, but an alpine slide claims the mountainside in the summer.
Known as the Artic Rush Alpine Slide, you’ll take the ski lift up the mountain before jumping onto the track at the top.
Hop on the sled, wait for the green light, and fly down the 1,700-foot slide from bottom to top.
You’re in total control of your speed and ride as you make your way down the mountain, which just adds to the fun of it all. I think that alpine slides are great for people of all ages, and I love riding them!
Riding the alpine slide is definitely one of the best things to do in Taylors Falls, MN with kids.
11. Go Mini Golfing
Found right in the backyard of the Taylors Falls Drive-In is a fun game of mini golf for the entire family to enjoy.
Adventure Falls Mini Golf features 18 holes of challenging mini golf including waterfalls, ponds, and streams.
So after you’re done eating your lunch of burgers and fries, head back and play a few rounds.
Both kids and adults will have a blast trying to beat each other out to win the game.
12. Take a Train Ride Through Fall Colors
There’s something about hopping on a train and peering out the window at the beautiful fall colors, especially somewhere as beautiful as the St. Croix River Valley.
In Osceola, about 15 minutes from Taylors Falls, you have the opportunity to do this.
Starting in September and ending in October, hop on the train car at the depot and prepare to see the beautiful colors of Minnesota.
Oranges, reds, and yellows will fill the trees and you’ll see the fall foliage in a whole new way.
Train rides are also available during other times of the year including a wine-tasting ride, birthday excursions, and basic history rides.
Things to Do in Taylors Falls in Winter
Taylors Falls, Minnesota isn’t just for the summer months, because there is still plenty to do during the colder months.
Here are the top activities for when the snow starts to fly.
13. Hit the Slopes at Wild Mountain
During the cold months, Wild Mountain turns into a snow lovers’ paradise with 26 runs to choose from.
The runs vary from beginner to advanced and provide all skiers with an opportunity to have a good time.
Thrill seekers will also love Wild Mountain because there are 4 terrain parks to hit jumps, boxes, and rails.
Ski and snowboard rentals are available at Wild Mountain. As someone who loves to ski out west, I’ve found Wild Mountain to be a pretty great resort!
Minnesota has plenty of epic ski resorts to check out and Wild Mountain is one of them!
14. Snowshoe at Interstate State Park
Interstate State Park isn’t only open in the summertime because those views are available all year round!
There are 12.5 miles of trails available for winter use around the Taylors Falls State Park in Wisconsin which are perfect for snowshoeing.
Snowshoeing is a great way to get out and get some exercise in the winter and still enjoy the snow.
15. Go Snow Tubing
Also offered at Wild Mountain is Wild Chutes Snow Tubing which is another great way to get out and enjoy the snow this winter.
In two-hour sessions, you can reserve a slot and bring the entire family for whole bunch of family fun flying down the mountain!
This is perfect for those who want to spend time outside in the winter but aren’t into skiing or snowboarding.
Starlight tubing on Friday and Saturday nights is a unique way to get on the tubes at night with LED lights lighting up the lanes.
16. Ride the Woolly Mountain Bike Trails
Right over on the Wisconsin side of the border in St. Croix Falls, the Woolly Bike Club features plenty of fat tire bike trails to ride on.
Fat biking is a unique way to get out and explore the trails in the winter months on something that is made for riding on snow-covered trail.
There are trails for beginners, intermediate, and advanced riders available.
So even if you’ve never tried it before, there’s something for you at the Woolly Bike Club.
17. Try Cross Country Skiing
If you’re looking for something to do in Taylors Falls in winter, look to give cross country skiing a try.
Cross-country skiing is one of the best ways to get outside during a Minnesota winter because it allows you to explore the trails for a new perspective.
Interstate State Park in Wisconsin has 12.5 trails that can be used for snowshoeing or cross-country skiing.
Trollhaugen Outdoor Recreation Area is about 10 minutes from Taylors Falls, Minnesota and features a 1.5-mile trail that winds through the woods.
Where to Stay Near Taylors Falls, MN
If you need somewhere to stay near Taylors Falls for your visit, consider booking a stay at one of these few options that I enjoy.
Holiday Inn Express & Suites — This basic hotel provides a nice place to sleep with free breakfast and a pool to relax in at the end of the day.
Lakefront Cabin — Stay at this adorable 3-bedroom home right on beautiful Sandhill Lake, just 15 minutes from Taylors Falls.
Map of the Best Taylors Falls Activities
What is Taylors Falls Known For?
Taylors Falls is a small town located right on the border of Minnesota and Wisconsin, about an hour northeast of the Twin Cities.
While there are plenty of things to do around the area, the main thing that Taylors Falls is know for is the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway.
There are a lot of opportunities for recreation around the area including hiking, skiing, kayaking, and more.
FAQs
While the name may be misleading, there is actually no waterfall in the town of Taylors Falls (there isn’t one in St. Croix Falls across the border either!).
While it’s totally possible to see a bear anywhere in Minnesota, it’s very unlikely to see them in Interstate State Park.
You can swim at the Wild Mountain Waterpark, or you can swim on Lake of the Dalles across the border in Wisconsin. Another nearby place is at Big Marine Park Reserve Beach in Marine on St. Croix.
Taylors Falls, MN is found on the St. Croix River in the St. Croix Valley.
The best hike in Taylors Falls is the Walter F. Mondale River Trail, which leads you along the river and past beautiful bluffs and viewpoints of the water.
You can visit the town of Taylors Falls for free, but if you want to go into the Taylors Falls State Park, it’ll cost $7 daily or $35 for an annual pass.
Conclusion: Things to Do in Taylors Falls, MN
After just a short hour’s drive from Minneapolis, you’ll arrive at the beautiful small town of Taylors Falls, Minnesota.
This adorable town features plenty to keep you busy, food to keep you full, and things to see.
I hope that you have enjoyed this list of things to do in Taylors Falls, MN, and are able to use it to plan your visit.
