Minnesota is well-known for its cold and snowy climate. It is one thing outsiders know our state for, perhaps even more than our 10,000 lakes. But our reputation doesn't just end with the weather. Because of the northern climate, many excellent activities have sprung up to help people truly enjoy the beauty of winter. If you want the true winter experience in this state, you'll definitely want to visit these eight awesome places for winter recreation in Minnesota this season:
1. Walk through Minnesota's largest light display.
Made up of thousands upon thousands of lights, Bentleyville is not only the largest light display in Minnesota. It is also the largest in the Midwest. In December, travel to Duluth to take part in the completely free display complete with a fire, timed lights, and even snacks.
Minnesota has dozens of fantastically fun winter festivals. From polar plunges to ice fishing contests to dazzling lights displays, you're bound to find a fun festival no matter your interests - and it's bound to be unforgettable. You'll have so much fun with these unique activities for winter recreation in Minnesota.
Every year, Vulcan Snow Park puts on an event that is unlike any other in Minnesota. It's full of food, snow sculptures, and other unique fun. But perhaps the most fun attraction is the giant slide. It's made entirely of snow, and it's the perfect way to enjoy all that winter has to offer. It's one of the most exhilarating sled-riding hills in Minnesota.
One of the most unique things to do for winter recreation in Minnesota is to walk through an ice castle. Stillwater, Minnesota is home to a gorgeous ice castle during the season. This is an attraction that must be seen to be believed! The castle will open by late December or January, and it will include LED lights that make for an enchanting experience.
Visit the Ice Castles website for more information and to book your tickets.
5. Ski, snowboard, or snow tube all day at Wild Mountain.
In Taylors Falls, Wild Mountain is the ideal place to get in some winter fun. Guests can snowboard, ski, or snow tube down its 26 runs. No matter your interest or skill level, you're bound to have a good time. And if you're looking for a unique snow tubing course in Minnesota, try Starlight Tubing at night.
Minnesota is home to many beautiful waterfalls. From Gooseberry and Minnehaha to lesser-known falls, there's one in just about every region of the state. So why not enjoy them even when the temperature drops? Frozen falls have a beauty all their own, and they're definitely worth seeing this winter. You can go winter hiking in Minnesota to see many of the frozen falls around the state.
Across all of Minnesota, there are many small and large towns that, while beautiful in every season, are even more special in the winter. Under a coat of snow, their charming downtowns and beautiful natural scenery make them look like they come from a snow globe. If you're up for traveling the state this winter, there are many small towns that will do.
In beautiful Duluth, Lester Park is a place of stunning beauty year-round. But in the winter, the tall trees are covered in a blanket of snow, and the park's atmosphere becomes hushed and still. A quiet walk through this spot is recommended for anyone who wants to take a moment away from the grind. It's one of the best places for winter hiking in Minnesota.
Autumn is a wonderful time of year in the Land of 10,000 Lakes. The temperatures are a little cooler, the air is crisp, the leaves are changing, and the mosquitoes have largely disappeared. It's also a great time to get out and enjoy all the season has to offer. These are some of our favorite things to do in Minnesota in the fall.
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Minnesota Fall Foliage: Where To Go In Minnesota For Fall Foliage
Our state is blessed with an abundance of forested land. This makes Minnesota a marvelous place to be when autumn takes over and the leaves start to sport their seasonal colors. This usually begins around mid-September in the north and can last until early November in the far southeastern part of the state. Early to mid-October is the sweet spot for leaf-peeping in the Land of 10,000 Lakes. Here are a few of our favorite places to enjoy fall foliage in Minnesota.
Need to Know: Admission to the state park by car requires a permit, which costs $35 per year or $7 per day.
Frontenac State Park is located between Red Wing and Lake City, perched on the bluffs above the Mississippi River. With expansive down the valley, over Lake Pepin, and of the forested bluffs on both sides of the river, you'll enjoy some wonderful autumn views at this park. Moreover, the park's trails thread its hardwood forests, so it's the perfect spot for some fall tree bathing, as well. Aim for a mid-October visit to enjoy the best of the season.
Location: MN Hwy. 61 from Duluth to Grand Portage, Minnesota.
Need to Know: Admission to most of the North Shore's state parks by car requires a permit, which costs $35 per year or $7 per day. Gooseberry Falls, Tettegouche, and Grand Portage have visitor centers and park amenities that you can visit without a permit.
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With seven state parks, five state waysides, the Superior National Forest, and Grand Portage National Monument, this stretch of Minnesota Hwy. 61 is home to incredible natural beauty - all of it within view of the rugged Lake Superior shoreline. Along the North Shore of Lake Superior, birches, aspens, and tamaracks take on golden hues starting in mid-September, making this a wonderful place to experience autumn in the Land of 10,000 Lakes. The view pictured is from the Oberg Mountain Loop, near Tofte.
Need to Know: Admission to the state park by car requires a permit, which costs $35 per year or $7 per day.
The name Maplewood State Park hints at how spectacular this place becomes in the fall. Its namesake trees, along with fiery oaks and golden basswood burst into beautiful foliage from late September through October. With eight lakes and miles of trails, Maplewood is the perfect place to immerse yourself in the all the awesomeness of autumn.
Need to Know: Admission to the state park by car requires a permit, which costs $35 per year or $7 per day.
Itasca State Park, home to the headwaters of the Mississippi River, was the first Minnesota State Park, and it's one of our favorites for enjoying some early-season fall foliage. You can expect to see colors starting to change here by mid-September. By early October, the park's Northwoods species - birch, aspen, tamarack - will be cloaked in a mantle of gold. Another advantage to visiting Itasca at this time of year is that this popular park is far less busy than it is in the summer months.
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Best Pumpkin Patches in Minnesota
What is fall without pumpkins? And in the Land of 10,000 Lakes, choosing a pumpkin can be an event unto itself. That's why there are so many farms that offer all manner of additional activities for folks who venture out to choose their pumpkins. Here are a few of our favorite pumpkin patches in Minnesota.
Need to Know: The patch is open September 20 - October 31, seven days a week, during daylight hours. There is no charge for admission or parking at Barten Pumpkins.
Barten Pumpkins, near New Prague, is home to one of - if not the - largest pumpkin patches in Minnesota. With, literally, thousands of pumpkins on offer every season, you're sure to find what you're looking for here, whether its seasonal decor or the perfect jack-o-lantern. Weekends at Barten Pumpkins often see live music, food vendors, and other entertainment, so it's a fun day trip destination, as well. Visit the farm on the web for information.
Need to Know: Retail center will be open seven days a week, September 25 through the end of October. Activities are open on weekends through the season, as well as M.E.A. break. The cost varies per activity.
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One of the Metro Area's more popular agritainment destinations, Country Sun Farm is a wonderful place near St. Paul for a family to spend an autumn afternoon before picking out their pumpkins and calling it a day. It was always my kids' favorite fall destination because of all the attractions, including hay rides, food vendors, a corn maze, a petting zoo, and inflatable bounce attractions. For hours and pricing, visit Country Sun Farm on the web.
Need to Know: Open daily from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. The play area is free of charge.
Located just north of Mankato, The Little Green Wagon Pumpkin Patch and Farm is my favorite new discovery in the pumpkin patch category. This sweet little farm/farm stand is super family friendly, offering a small play area with a corn pit, a straw bale maze, a slide and other fun features at no cost to visitors. There are picnic tables where the adults can enjoy a coffee while the little ones play or set up a picnic lunch after they've worked up an appetite.
Need to Know: Open on Saturdays and Sundays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., from September 21 to October 27. The patch will also be open 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. on October 17 and 18 during M.E.A. break. There is a $7 admission fee, and there may be additional charges for certain activities.
Buffalo River Pumpkin Patch is one of the most pumpkin patches near the Fargo-Moorhead area in northwestern Minnesota. In addition to, of course, pumpkins, you'll find all manner of attractions, including horse-drawn rides, a petting zoo, and a game area. The only difficulty you may face is getting the youngsters away from all the fun so they can pick out their pumpkins.
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Best Fall Festivals in Minnesota
One of my favorite things about autumn in the Land of 10,000 Lakes is all the fantastic festivals that occur during this time of year. Whether you want to admire gigantic gourds or simply heft a pint of ale in the air, you'll have your chance at one of these fun fall festivals in Minnesota.
Need to Know: The festival begins with community decorations from September 16 - October 13.
I'm pretty sure SeptOberfest, in the charming and historic Mississippi River town of Wabasha, is the state's longest fall celebration. Beginning in mid-September, the streets and town are bedecked with seasonal decorations. They'll be up through mid-October. In the middle, from September 28 through October 6, the town offers eight days of activities and events. There's already plenty to do in Wabasha, and this fall festival just makes a visit to the town a little more special.
Need to Know: Weekends, August 17 - September 29, 9 a.m. - 7 p.m. General pricing is $27.95 for adults and children 13 and over. Discounts are available for children under 13, seniors, and advance purchase tickets. On-site parking is $15, if purchased in advance, or $30 on the day you attend.
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Although not dedicated to pumpkins, pilsner, or harvests, the Minnesota Renaissance Festival is an early-autumn rite of passage in the Land of 10,000 Lakes. It's one of the largest festivals of its kind, and attending is a wonderful way to step out of everyday life and become somebody else - even if it's just a gawking tourist, like me - for a day. For daily schedules of events, themes, and a list of vendors, visit the festival's website.
Need to Know: October 12 and 13. Most events are free of charge. A shuttle is available for those who choose a remote parking lot.
Maybe it's the giant pumpkins, themselves. Or the live music. Or the general silliness of some the events, like the pumpkin regatta on the St. Croix River or the giant pumpkin smash, but Stillwater Harvest Fest is one of my favorite festivals of the year. This two-day event takes place on one weekend every October, and it is absolutely dominated by pumpkin themed events and activities, most of which are free of charge and fun for the whole family. Visit the Stillwater Harvest Fest website for more info.
Need to Know: The festival takes place October 18 and 19, over M.E.A. break.
Another fun fall event to consider is the annual Moose Madness Family Festival. Geared heavily toward fun activities for children, this festival in the beautiful town of Grand Marais celebrates the season when Minnesota's moose are feeling most amorous. Scavenger hunts, games, live music, and appearances from Murray the Moose are festival highlights. For more information about the event, check out the Visit Cook County website. If you plan on attending, you'll definitely want to reserve a stay well in advance, as M.E.A. break brings the crowds to Grand Marais.
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Free & Cheap Minnesota Fall Activities
The best part about many of the fun things to do in fall in Minnesota is that most of them are free or relatively cheap. But there are also any number of other things that you can do during autumn in the Bold North that won't set you back much at all - and you can do them on your own schedule.
Need to Know: The cost of apple picking varies from orchard to orchard.
Visiting an apple orchard in Minnesota is a popular fall activity. There are plenty of orchards that charge admission and offer all the raucous autumn agritainment that has become such a thing at many orchards and pumpkin patches. But there are also many low-key orchards that are more concerned with the fruit they produce than entertainment. These types of orchards generally don't charge an admission, and you can pick apples for a reasonable cost. It's really a wonderful way to spend a weekend day in the fall in Minnesota.
14. Enjoy Colorful Foliage, Lake Superior Views, and Migrating Raptors in Duluth
Need to Know: Fall migration starts in late August and continues through December, peaking in September and October.
Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory in Duluth is a spot that's renowned for its location on a major flyway for migrating raptors - hawks, eagles, falcons, etc. - in North America. At peak migration, observers may witness thousands of birds fly over in a single day. What's extra cool, though, is that the fall migration season peaks at about the same time as the foliage does in this part of the state. So, if you head up to Hawk Ridge in late September or early October, you can enjoy raptors, foliage, and beautiful views of Lake Superior. Visit the Hawk Ridge website to see migration numbers and predictions.
Need to Know: You can find waterfalls throughout our beautiful state.
There are waterfalls all across Minnesota - in the extreme southeast and southwest, and all points north from there. That means there's probably one near where you live in the Land of 10,000 Lakes. And as beautiful as waterfalls inherently are, if you ask me, they look even better when wreathed in gorgeous fall colors. So, why not pack yourself a lunch (or breakfast or dinner), find a waterfall, and enjoy just being outside in the lovely autumn air?
With so many things to do in Minnesota in the fall, I don't think you'll find yourself wanting for activities this autumn season. Which of these autumn experiences have you enjoyed? Be sure to let us know, and tell us about your own favorite things to do in Minnesota in the fall.
We are so fortunate that our state is home not only to lakes upon lakes, but also to large swaths of forest, from the Big Woods in the south and central parts of the state to the aspen parklands, Northwoods, and boreal forests of the north. Thanks to all this natural beauty, there may be no better time of year in the Land of 10,0000 Lakes than fall in Minnesota: The weather is cooler, the mosquitoes have returned to whatever evil place they come from, and, perhaps best, our trees put on quite a show.
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Spectacular autumn color view from Oberg Mountain, Lutsen, Minnesota, golden, yellow, orange and green hues, under a partly cloudy sky with sun shine
And when it comes time to enjoy all the fall foliage in Minnesota, there are few places that I love more than the North Shore of Lake Superior. You get the contrast of the bluffs and ridges bedecked with autumn colors sandwiched between the blue sky and the even bluer big lake - and it makes for some awfully dramatic sights... especially if you can get above it all and take it in from an elevated vantage point.
One spectacular way to do just that is to pay a visit to Lutsen Mountains resort, which you'll find between the North Shore villages of Tofte and Lutsen - just look for the big sign on the inland side of Highway 61 and head uphill. Head to the top, and follow the signs to the Summit Express Gondola.
The gondola will take you from main resort area to a chalet on Moose Mountain. The trip will take you over the Poplar River Valley, above the ski resorts forested slopes. In fall, of course, those slopes are cloaked in all of their autumn splendor.
At your perch atop Moose Mountain, enjoy a beverage and/or a snack as you take in the incredible views over the Sawtooth Mountains' fall foliage and out to Lake Superior.
You'll also find plenty of wonderful hiking in the Lutsen Mountains area - check out AllTrails Plus for reviews and trail maps of the area. For more information on Lutsen Mountains' Summit Express Gondola, including schedule and cost, head over to the resort's website. You'll find more awesome photos of the gondola in action of the Lutsen Mountains Facebook page, as well. When I've finished exploring all there is to see at Lutsen Mountains, I usually head back down to the shore, and refuel at one of the awesome restaurants in this part of Minnesota.
Have you visited Lutsen Mountains and taken the Summit Express Gondola? Let us know in the comments!
