9 Top Places To Visit In Minnesota This Fall
Beautiful Minnesota, an upper Midwestern state bordered by Canada and Lake Superior, is a natural playground all year long, but it especially comes to life during the autumn months. Known as the "Land of 10,000 Lakes," Minnesota is also home to lush, coniferous forests, tall grass prairies, and thriving, world-class cities such as Minneapolis. Peak fall color times vary throughout the state, but most areas are at their most vibrant by mid-October. The Great State is the ideal place to take in all that the fall season has to offer, from u-pick apple and pumpkin patches, refreshing hikes through colorful woods, and cozy drinks in charming cafes. Following are nine must-visit places to visit if you find yourself in Minnesota this fall.
Split Rock Lighthouse
Perched on Lake Superior's rocky coastline, the Split Rock Lighthouse is a popular stop for roadtrippers traveling along the North Shore Scenic Drive. Although it's a stunning landmark all year long, it's especially eye-catching during the autumn, when the leaves transform into firey shades of gold, red, and orange. When you arrive at the historic lighthouse, which was built in 1910, stop in the visitor's center first. You can warm up in the center on chilly fall days, and check out an award-winning film, check out the interesting exhibits, and buy souvenirs at the museum store. Several rustic campsites are available onsite, if you want to spend a few nights around a cozy bonfire. Don't forget to bring marshmallows!
Gooseberry Falls State Park
Located in quaint Two Harbors within the Sawtooth Mountain Range, expansive Gooseberry Falls State Park is one of Minnesota's best spots for viewing cascading waterfalls. The park offers miles of rustic hiking trails along the scenic Lake Superior shoreline, as well as a 2.5-mile portion of the paved Gitchi-Gami State Trail ideal for biking. In addition to the waterfalls and multi-use trails, the state park offers access to a quaint log cabin and stone structures, a visitors center and store featuring nature-inspired gifts for sale, and a campground. Fall is the perfect time to visit, when the vibrant leaves pop against the birch trees' white bark, there's a refreshing lakeshore breeze, and winter's arctic blast hasn't hit the area yet. Immerse yourself in the forest, surrounding by colorful cedar, spruce and aspen trees, and take in all that fall in upper Minnestota has to offer. If you're an angler, pack a pole and and try your luck at local trout fishing.
Tettegouche State Park
If you want to immerse yourself in all things autumn in Minnesota, take a trip to beautiful and bountiful Tettegouche State Park, which is located directly on Lake Superior in the small town of Silver Bay. The 9,000-acre park consists of 23 miles of scenic trails, which pop with vibrantly colored fall foliage, sweeping cliff views, rocky Shovel Point, and four calm inland lakes. The park is also blessed with four waterfalls that are situated on the pretty Baptism River: High Falls, Two Step Falls, Illgen Falls, and Cascade Falls. Vistors can take part in several exciting outdoor adventures in the fall, including hiking, rock climbing, biking, and roasting marshmallows at one of the park's campsites. There are also rustic onsite cabins available for those who want to stay overnight.
Winona
Pretty Winona, which is located on the banks of the mighty Mississippi River, has a laid-back feel with all of the conveniences of a big city. The Southeastern Minnesota town offers a colorful show each autumn, when leaves become ablaze in shades of gold, orange, and red. The fall foliage in both the valley and bluffs peak in early October, but is sometimes still visable late in the month. For the best view in town, head to the Great River Bluffs State park, which overlooks the stunning Mississippi River Valley below. You can also hike or bike along the Holzinger Trails, which are tucked beneath a hardwood forest, to see all of the season's best colors on display. On chilly days, stop in the Holzinger Lodge to warm up.
Northfield
Charming Northfield is located a few miles south of Minneapolis, and is nestled along the banks of the beautiful Cannon River. The list of what makes this lovely town a top autumn vacation destination is long, and includes fresh, crisp air, miles of colorful trails for hiking and biking, and family-friendly apple orchards and pumpkin patches. If you're fortunate to be in town during October, check out one of the festive local events, including the Riverwalk Market Fair and the annual CiderFest. Spend a sunny fall day at the Windy Willow and Shepard's Way Farms, which feature seasonal delights such as corn mazes, wagon rides, fresh apple cider, and caramel apples. One of the best places to peep fall foliage is Nerstrand Big Woods State Park.
Banning State Park
Situated on the beautiful, pristine Kettle River, Minnesota's Banning State Park is a nature lover's paradise, especially in the autumn when the landscape is ablaze with fiery colors. On warmer fall days, visitors can launch their own canoe or kayak on the river, or rent one from a nearby outfitter, and view the foliage from a unique perspective. For those who prefer to stay on land, the park offers several hiking and biking trails, such as the scenic Quarry Loop Trail. Other notable attractions to check out during your autumn adventure include the historic sandstone quarry and the eye-catching Wolf Creek Falls. There are a number of picturesque spots and overlooks where you can take the perfect fall photo surrounded by shades of gold, amber, and red. If you're visiting before mid-November and want to stay overnight in a rustic setting, you can choose from a variety of reservable onsite campsites.
Red Wing
When the weather turns chilly and you want to take a road trip to a cozy town filled with fall delights, consider visiting charming Red Wing, a historic town located on the Mississippi River. Although Red Wing is within an hour's drive of bustling Minneapolis, it's able to retain its small-town feel and warm, welcoming ambiance through a variety of festivals, family-owned boutiques and eateries, and abundance of outdoor activities. If you're fortunate to be in town during October, check out the Red Wing Arts Festival, where you can shop for locally made items, such as pumpkin spice-scented candles, under a canopy of colorful trees. To see the fall foliage from the best possible angle, ascend 340 feet to Barn Bluff, which offers spectacular views of both Lake Pepin and the Mississippi River. Another place to immerse yourself in autumn's splendor is Frontenac State Park, where you can enjoy an alfresco lunch, go hiking or biking on colorful trails, or engage in bird and wildlife watching.
Lake City
Also nestled on the shores of pretty Lake Pepin and the Mississippi River, the charming town of Lake City is among the top destinations to visit in during fall in Minnesota. The quaint town is a water-enthusiast's dream, but it's the colorful forests and fun festivals that draw in visitors from all over during the fall months. Johnny Appleseed Days happen at the end of each September, and treat visitors to live entertainment, tasty food trucks, locally made beer and apple cider, crafts and handmade personal care and home decor items, and family-friendly activities. Fisherman can try their seasonal luck on one of the waterways, and hikers and bikers won't want to miss a trip to either Hok Si La Park or Frontenac State Park, which both come to life in a blaze of autumnal hues every fall.
No matter what part of Minnesota you live in or take a road trip to this fall, you're bound to run into one of the state's top places to visit. From festive, seasonal spots such as family-owned pumpkin patches and apple orchards, to lively fall festivals and open-air arts and crafts markets, you'll find all of the quintessential autumn delights in this pretty state. If nature and outdoor activities are more of your thing, you won't be dissapointed with the colorful displays of fall foliage and abundance of hiking trails, lakes and rivers the state offers its visitors.
