Ahhhhh, the fall season is upon us. Crisp air, fall colors, delicious foods, and fun fall activities in the Twin Cities! It’s a favorite season for many. And for those of us in Minnesota, it’s the time we cherish before the season that comes next approaches…but let’s talk about more fun things.
Outside of the Minneapolis-St. Paul area you are going to find classic apple orchards and pumpkin patches. Inside the city limits, fun events and plenty of ways to celebrate the season. Here is everything going on in and around the Twin Cities this fall:
Fall Activities in the Twin Cities: Things to Do in 2022
Make sure to visit the website for hours, admission prices, hours, and any updates.
Apple Orchards in the Twin Cities
What better way to start than with one of the best fall activities? APPLE PICKING. Fresh apples right off the tree—plus, plenty of opportunities for cute fall photos. Grab your scarf and a chai latte; it’s time to be basic! Tip: the best times to go are during the week. Some of these places can get overwhelming on the weekends!
- Aamodt’s Apple Farm—Stillwater, Minnesota: 30 minutes east of Minneapolis. One of the most popular choices in the Twin Cities! Why? Apple picking, wine tasting, Thor’s Hard Cider, plus a goat farm and wagon rides. Be careful; this place gets BUSY.
- Pine Tree Apple Orchard—White Bear Lake, Minnesota: 30 minutes northeast of Minneapolis. In addition to picking your own apples, you can visit the homemade bakery, eat caramel apples, drink fresh cider, and pick pumpkins. Check their website for a few fun events & activities happening throughout the season as well!
- Fireside Orchard & Gardens—Northfield, Minnesota: 40 minutes south of Minneapolis. Get apples and visit the beautiful gardens where you can take an afternoon to relax. Make sure to stop in the store for donuts, fudge, caramel dip, hot apple cider, or hot apple pies, too!
- Sweetland Orchard—Webster, Minnesota: 40 minutes south of Minneapolis. Reserve an apple tasting kit that can also hard cider or dessert ciders. Plan a picnic (not BYOB, but they do have meats, cheeses, and cider donuts!) Note: they do not do pick your own apples, but obviously you can buy them along with other fall goodies.
- Luceline Orchard—Watertown, Minnesota: 40 minutes west of Minneapolis. Perfect place for the whole family and previously voted #1 orchard in MN. Grilled food including burgers, hot dogs, Mexican Street corn, Sweet corn, and mini donuts. You’ll also find a corn maze, sunflower forest, hay rides, apple slingers, face painting, giant hay mountains, farm animals, live music and other fun activities.
- Apple Jack Orchard—Delano, Minnesota: 43 minutes west of Minneapolis. Apple picking, restaurant on-site with a patio over the Crow River, apple cannons, corn pit, cow train, live music and more. This is one of the TOP orchards to visit in the Twin Cities.
- Afton Apple Orchard—Hastings, Minnesota: 43 minutes southeast of Minneapolis. Not only are there 250 acres of apples, pumpkins, and other fruits, there is a 15-acre corn maze, plus a petting farm and hayrides.
- Whistling Well Farm—Hastings, Minnesota: 45 minutes southeast of Minneapolis. Another Hastings, MN location where you can pick your own apples, pumpkins, and visit the country store.
- Minnesota Harvest Craft Cider Bar & Orchard—Jordan, Minnesota: 45 minutes southwest of Minneapolis. U-pick apples, sunflower fields, corn maze, duck pond, the barnyard, and more will keep you busy on a fall afternoon. The best part? Pizza and cider on the patio!
- Emma Krumbees Orchard & Farm—Belle Plaine, Minnesota: 50 minutes southwest of Minneapolis. Grab U-pick apples and tons of homemade goodies from the restaurant and bakery.
Pumpkin Patches in the Twin Cities
Find your PERFECT PUMPKIN! These are some of the top spots to do just that. Whether you like the perfectly round ones, the oblongs, or the bumpy, ugly ones, you will find just what you’re looking for at these top spots:
- Waldoch Farms—Lino Lakes, Minnesota: 25 minutes northwest of Minneapolis. A family run (since 1916!) Garden Center provides top-quality plants, produce and fall fun! Barnyard, corn maze, ropes course, pumpkin castles, and a ton of fun for kids.
- Pahl’s Market—Apple Valley, Minnesota: 25 minutes south of Minneapolis. Open year-round, this market will provide you the best pumpkins,
- Eveland Family Farm—Andover, Minnesota: 30 minutes northwest of Minneapolis. Animals and hayrides and, of course, pumpkins!
- Peter’s Pumpkins & Carmen’s Corn—Shakopee, Minnesota: 30 minutes southwest of Minneapolis. U-pick pumpkins and apples, along with free hayrides and a corn maze.
- Klingelhutz Pumpkins—Chanhassen, Minnesota: 30 minutes southwest of Minneapolis. Grab a wagon and load up on pumpkins and other goodies!
- Fischer’s Croix Farm—Hastings, Minnesota: 40 minutes east of Minneapolis. It doesn’t stop at pumpkins! There are apples and pears for picking as well. Plus, a cute shop and a corn maze.
- Barten Pumpkins—New Prague, Minnesota: 45 minutes southwest of Minneapolis. Grab pumpkins and all of your fall decor with the straw bales, corn stalks, and custom displays. There’s a pumpkin walk, play area, and delicious kettle corn as well.
Fall Festivals & Events in the Twin Cities
Fall fun doesn’t stop with apple orchards and pumpkin patches. There are so many different events going on around the Twin Cities including places for the whole fam, or just the adults (ready to get scared, anyone!?) Here are some of the best places to visit:
- Twin Cities Harvest Festival—Brooklyn Park, Minnesota: 20 minutes north of Minneapolis. Minnesota’s Largest Corn Maze! They also have a petting zoo, wagon rides, a giant slide, and that amazing corn pit to dive into! You’ll also find fair food and drinks plus live music. Open Daily, September 18-October 31.
- Minnesota Zoo Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular—Brooklyn Park, Minnesota: 25 minutes south of Minneapolis. Artfully carved pumpkins all lit up in the night making for a beautiful experience! Carve your own pumpkins and grab food and drinks as well.
- Sever’s Fall Festival—Shakopee, Minnesota: 30 minutes southwest of Minneapolis. You will have TONS of Fall Fun at Sever’s. Food trucks. Pony rides. Straw bale maze. You can also pick your own pumpkins, go down a giant slide, try the pumpkin blaster, and many other activities. Don’t forget to check out the fall lights as well.
- ValleySCARE at Valleyfair—Shakopee, Minnesota: 30 minutes southwest of Minneapolis. The amusement park turns into Halloween fun. Check out Halloween Haunt on Fridays and Saturdays with immersive mazes, scare zones, thrilling shows, and more. And for a little more family-friendly, visit The Great Pumpkin Fest on Saturdays and Sundays as well!
- Trail of Terror—Shakopee, Minnesota: 30 minutes southwest of Minneapolis. You’re unlikely to catch me here, but if you really want to get freaked out at a haunted house, buy tickets! P.S. don’t bring your kids.
Check out this article for a list of even more fun fall events and activities for both adults and the whole family.
Scenic Drives in the Twin Cities
What is better than a scenic fall drive? It’s one of the best fall activities in the Twin Cities! Admiring the colors never disappoints. Hit your favorite coffee shop, put a playlist together, and admire the views! Locations:
- St. Croix River Valley—Stillwater, Minnesota: 30 minutes east of Minneapolis. Beautiful fall colors along the river.
- Chain of Lakes—Minneapolis, Minnesota. Drive around the windy lakes of Cedar Lake, Lake of the Isles, Bde Maka Ska, Harriet and Nokomis.
- Summit Avenue—St. Paul, Minnesota. Tree-lined streets with beautiful homes and a great fall vibe!
Catch a Minnesota Vikings Football Game
The BEST thing about fall. FOOTBALL. And U.S. Bank Stadium is one of the most fun places to catch a game! Rowdy (and LOUD) crowd. Overpriced beer (you love it.) And a memorable day!
Fall Activities in the Twin Cities: Things to Do in 2022
Whether you are in the Minneapolis or Saint Paul areas, you are close by a variety of different places to take in the best time of year! Enjoy all of these Fall Activities in the Twin Cities!
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