Pick Your Own Apples

Home to the Honeycrisp, Minnesota is one of the best places to get fresh and juicy apples straight from the tree. Pick your own at orchards like Afton Apple Orchard in Hastings, Emma Krumbee’s in Belle Plaine, or Apple Jack Orchards in Delano. Enjoy apples baked into pies, turned into butter, or as a beverage at restaurants and breweries.

Take a Scenic Drive

Minnesota’s fall color show progresses from north to south, starting in early September and working its way down the state into mid-October. Sign up through Explore Minnesota for fall color updates and get weekly highlights by email. Explore one of these rainbow routes when the colors are at their peak. Download a pack of ROAD-TRIP’N BINGO cards for the regions of Minnesota you plan to explore this fall.

Sip the Local Brews

The craft beer scene continues to flourish in Minnesota, and fall is the perfect time to sample the flavors. Many breweries create special Oktoberfest, pumpkin, and other seasonal varieties available in taprooms and growlers to go. 

Cheer for the Home Team

The Vikings, Gophers, and Minnesota United soccer team are among the local teams to root for this fall. Cheer for the Vikings at the shiny US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, or the United’s new Allianz Field in St Paul. Other local squads that’ll either be winding their season down or sparking a new one include the Wild, Saints, and Timberwolves. 

Attend a Harvest Festival

Pumpkin weigh-offs, scarecrow contests, craft fairs, and “booyas” are some of the many ways Minnesota celebrates harvest season. Highlights include the Applefest & Catapult Contest at Carlos Creek Winery in Alexandria, Oktoberfest LITE in Wabasha, and Stillwater Harvest Fest, complete with a giant pumpkin regatta.

Whichever activities you choose to do, we hope you enjoy the season!