Pick Pumpkins, Sleep in a Cabin, and Peep Leaves on This Minnesota Getaway

For the perfect fall weekend getaway in Minnesota, head toward Monticello and pay a visit to Fresh Acres Farm, Corn Maze, and Pumpkin Patch to pick your autumn pumpkins and channel your zen as you meander through a corn maze. After you've had your fill of agritainment, spend a night among the magnificent Big Woods at nearby Lake Maria State Park. Before you go, book one of the park's camper cabins, and you'll be treated to an overnight of glamping under a canopy of fall colors.

Begin your weekend with a stop at Fresh Acres Farm, Corn Maze, and Pumpkin Patch.

It's a perennial fall favorite among readers of the Star Tribune and folks from across central Minnesota. There, you'll find all the pumpkins and gourds you'll need to get you through the fall season. Visiting a farm for fall pumpkin picking is one of our favorite things to do in Minnesota in the fall. Take some time to decompress as you walk the farm's annual corn maze or watch as the kids enjoy the many activities Fresh Acres has to offer.

Be sure to check out Fresh Acres' other products before you take your pumpkins and head out.

Next, you'll drive a short distance to Lake Maria State Park, which is just west of Monticello and a few miles north of Fresh Acres Farm. Every autumn, the deciduous trees of the park's remnant Big Woods forest explode with color. It's really one of the best spots to experience the best of fall in Minnesota, if you ask me.

Your cabin will be waiting for you in the park, tucked back among the foliage, overlooking one of the park's serene lakes. (Assuming you made a reservation ahead of time, as recommended by Minnesota State Parks for cabin rentals.)

A designated wilderness park, Lake Maria State Park is largely road-free. So be sure to take advantage of the miles of trails the park has to offer. The camper cabins have heat and electricity and sleep up to six people, should you decide to bring along the kids or some friends.

But you certainly don't have to. Breathe deep and enjoy the views, along with the smell of crisp, autumn leaves. Fall weekend getaways just don't get much better than this. There are only a handful of cabins at Lake Maria State Park, and reservations may be hard to come by—especially on weekends. But fret not!

There are numerous nearby alternatives in the area, such as this cabin retreat. It's right on Sugar Lake and less than 15 minutes from Lake Maria State Park. So, you can enjoy the fall foliage in Minnesota and then relax at a lakefront cabin with all the creature comforts of home.

As your weekend winds down, take your time getting home. Plan a stop at Montisippi Regional Park back in Monticello, and enjoy the fall colors on the banks of the Big River. Do you love fall weekend getaways in Minnesota as much as we do? Where's your favorite place to savor the splendor of autumn in the Land of 10,000 Lakes? Be sure to let us know.

Feeling inspired? Try planning your own autumn adventures in the Bold North using Only In Your State’s itinerary planner.