Fall Favorites in Minnesota 🍁🎃🍎

Upon looking back at my blog, I noticed I’ve done not one, but TWO posts already about things to do during the autumn season in Minnesota — the initial fall bucket list I put together back in 2019, and then an updated version in 2020 with more activities and ideas.

So, it’s been a few years I guess, and I’ve done some new things that are worth sharing, so that’s what’s happening here. I realize it’s winter at the time of publishing this, but many of these activities and establishments are great to add to your list for the next fall.

New, Fun Fall Things to Do in Minnesota

A Spooky Tour in Saint Paul with US Ghost Adventures & Twin Cities Ghosts

If you love history and spooky season, this walking tour is 100% for you! Starting from Forepaughs 2nd mansion (note, NOT the restaurant) at 302 Summit Avenue in St. Paul, this one-hour guided tour takes you up and down Summit Avenue where you will learn of the ghosts and spirits that haunt the many mansions on this street. It was a fascinating look at some important Minnesota history — with the stories of some of the important wealthy people that helped to shape the city and the state. I thoroughly recommend a tour with US Ghost Adventures during the Halloween season, it’s great for adults but also teenagers would enjoy it too. We even got to use an EMF device to detect paranormal activity, a fun add-on to the experience.

Sweetland Orchard for Cider Tastings & Apples

Sweetland Orchard was my favorite “discovery” I made this fall, it’s a cider making apple orchard about 40 minutes south of the city. They make a bunch of their own ciders, and have a beautiful orchard you can wander around and sit and enjoy drinks at picnic tables scattered about. They also make apple brandy and other goods, and you can bring your own food to sit and enjoy. It was a fantastic apple orchard experience that isn’t solely geared towards children — while there were families there, it was not a place where it was completely swamped with kids running around and instead there were plenty of great adult-focused features. I look forward to booking another cider tasting at Sweetland Orchard next fall. You can pre-book a cider tasting online for a specific time, or I am sure you’d be able to book day of. It came with everything we needed in a wooden box that we took to a table in the orchard to sip and enjoy.

They do not have pick your own, but they have pre-bagged apple varieties to buy, and lots of different bottled apple beverages.

The Saint Paul Spooky Sprint

A fun, Halloween-themed race, the St. Paul Spooky Sprint was a fun 10K (there is also a half marathon, and 5K option) race that wrapped along the shores of Lake Phalen in St. Paul. Many people dressed in costumes, there was a costume contest, and it was a super fun, family-friendly activity to enjoy. No one took the race too seriously which added to the atmosphere; it was clear everyone was here to have a good time and get into the spooky spirit. We were lucky with the perfect weather that morning too; nothing beats enjoying a sunrise over the lake before getting some exercise!

Underwater Pumpkin Carving Contest

Ok, so this one is a bit more “out there” but it was super fun and a unique fall experience for scuba divers who are in Minnesota and sad about summer ending. Midwest School of Diving puts on an annual underwater pumpkin carving contest, and it’s a super fun way to get one last lake dive in for the year, and test your skills at carving a pumpkin underwater in cold conditions. I’ve never carved a pumpkin so fast in my life. Sadly my lack of creativity didn’t win me a prize, but overall it was a lot of fun and the perfect chance for me to sneak in a dive in 2024, as I didn’t go scuba diving on any of my trips this year.

Jack-o-Lantern Spectacular at Minnesota Zoo

For the past few years, I bristled at the price of this event, unsure if it would be worth spending $25 to see carved pumpkins at the zoo, but now that I’ve gone, I can safely say the experience is so much more than that. Aside from the reality that it is a VERY crowded and busy event, the Jack-o-Lantern Spectacular at the Minnesota Zoo is well worth the entry price. There are thousands of carved pumpkins on display, with many that are works of art spanning various interest categories and themes. It’s a relaxing walk through the woods, where you can really bask in the full Halloween spirit. We went for the last time slot, which was late, but it was nice that by the end the crowds were subsiding. You can get drinks (including spiked apple cider and hot chocolates) from various bars, there is food and live events and a lot happening, making it a fun thing to do as a small group. It’s crowded, but people move along. I wouldn’t go every year, but I definitely think this is a “must-do” at least one fall season in Minnesota.

Cozy Restaurants & Bars in Minneapolis

Anchor Fish & Chips for Dinner

Heavy pub food pairs much better with chilly nights than it does with humidity and summer temperatures. That’s why I always seek out a dinner at Anchor Fish & Chips once the leaves start to change color and the weather cools down. This place is great for classics like Shepherd’s Pie, Fish & Chips, burgers, meat pies, and more. It will scratch the itch for pub food and is a great moody spot to sip a Guinness or a cider.

Northeast Social

A cozy spot on 13th Avenue NE, Northeast Social is one of the best bars to have a cocktail on a snowy night. The moody decor and lighting create the ideal ambiance while the cocktails are mixed by friendly bartenders and are delicious and strong. They have really good food, too, and sometimes host live music. It’s a small spot so expect to need a reservation if going here over the dinner hour, especially on weekends, but if you come right after work you’ll likely find a spot at the bar.

Earl Giles

Amazing pizzas and cocktails await you in this distillery — yes I know this post is about fall things to do, we came here in late November and holiday decor was already up, but it’s a wonderful establishment to visit in any season. Earl Giles is a gem of northeast and fantastic for drinks and food. Just be prepared to wait a little bit for a table if you come at a busy time.

Fall is a wonderful season everywhere, and Minnesota is no exception. We get to enjoy cooler temperatures, stunning leaves changing color, blue sky days, and all the fruits of the harvest season. I always look forward to leaning into every season, and while I won’t say I will ever be super excited about pumpkin spice flavoring taking over the grocery store, I do really enjoy the transition out of summer into the colder months.

If you have a favorite fall tradition, activity, or experience in Minnesota (or anywhere!) leave a comment below. I am always looking for new ways to enjoy the season.