Fall in the Twin Cities: Where to See the Colors, Pick Apples, and Get Spooky 🍂

Fall in Minnesota is short, and that's exactly why it's so special. One week the trees are green, the next they're bright orange, and before you know it there's snow on the ground. So when October hits, I try to soak up every second of it.

Here's everything I'd do in the Twin Cities this fall, from seeing the colors without leaving the city to apple orchards, day trips, and a little bit of spooky season.

You don't need to drive hours north to see fall colors. Some of the prettiest spots are right here in the cities:

• Minnehaha Falls. A waterfall surrounded by orange and gold trees. Walk the trails below the falls for the best views.
• The Mississippi River Parkway. It runs through both cities, so walk, bike, or drive and take in the river views.
• Lake of the Isles. One of the Chain of Lakes, and the colors against the water are SO pretty.
• Stone Arch Bridge. Skyline, river, and fall leaves all in one view. Go at sunset.
• Summit Avenue. Walk past the Victorian mansions under a canopy of trees. Peak fall aesthetic.
• Como Park. Walking paths, a lake, and the conservatory if it gets chilly.

If you have a free day and a car, these are worth the drive:

• Stillwater (about 30 minutes from St. Paul). A cute river town on the St. Croix with antique shops, cafes, and gorgeous views from the bluffs. In October, you can even take a haunted trolley tour.
• Taylors Falls and Interstate State Park (about an hour). River bluffs and rock formations, and one of the classic fall drives in Minnesota. Stop at Pleasant Valley Orchard on the way for cider.
• Chaska and the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum in Chaska (about 40 minutes from Minneapolis). Gardens, trails, and some of the best fall color in the metro. Chaska also has a bunch of cool spooky activities! 

No Minnesota fall is complete without an orchard trip. Here are the ones I'd pick:

• Pine Tree Apple Orchard in White Bear Lake. The closest to St. Paul, with cider donuts, a corn maze, and a pumpkin patch.
• Aamodt's Apple Farm in Stillwater. Cider donuts AND goats! It usually closes in mid October, so go soon.
• Afton Apple Orchard in Hastings. Known for its 15 acre corn maze.
• Ferguson's Minnesota Harvest in Jordan. They have a craft cider bar, so this one's great for adults too.
• Everly Farms in Minnetrista. A vineyard and wine garden, perfect for a fall date.
• Sweetland Orchard in Webster. A family run cidery with cider tastings and cider donuts.
• Waldoch Farm in Lino Lakes. They do flashlight nights in the corn maze in October, which sounds SO fun.

Fall in the Twin Cities means spooky season too:

• Anoka. It calls itself the Halloween Capital of the World, and it has the parade to prove it.
• Valleyscare at Valleyfair in Shakopee. Haunted mazes and scare zones on select October nights. Not for the faint of heart.
• Minnesota Zoo Jack O Lantern Spectacular in Apple Valley. An evening walk past tons of carved pumpkins. More cute than scary.

Fall goes by fast here, so don't wait! Pick a spot or two this weekend, grab a cider donut, and enjoy it before the snow shows up.

Save the collection so you have everything in one place, and if you have a fall tradition I missed, tell me! I'm always looking for new spots to add.

Till next time :)