Megan’s Minnesota Fall Favorites!
Cool crisp air, apple & pumpkin spice everything, the crunchy sound under my feet while walking on leaves, cozy scarves, and decorating for fall. These are just a few of my favorite fall memories & moments growing up. Today I’m sharing with you my favorite things to do in fall and let me tell you, it is hard to narrow it down. Here in Minnesota, fall is such a beautiful season. Every year is a little different with the fall colors and weather. With apple orchards galore, fall festivals & events, and more. Before I get started, put on your favorite cozy sweater and garb a pumpkin spice latte…
Road Trip: Get out and see the Fall Colors!
When I was growing up, my brothers and I loved playing in the leaves. We would make cars and spaceship with the leaves we would rake up. Another memory I will always cherish is the fall foliage train ride along the St. Croix River. We would take an hour drive down to spend our day in either Taylor Falls or Stillwater, MN that day. You can still take that same train ride today. The North Shore has a train ride as well, which is a two and half hour drive north of the Twin Cities. When I was kid, the excitement of the pumpkin patches, apple cider, hayrides, Halloween and Thanksgiving just burst inside you. Just by typing that, it got me super excited.
Fall is a great time to go on a weekend or day trip to see the autumn colors. Either by car, train, bike, or hike, your senses perk up, and suddenly you see it everywhere. Aspens turn into lemon flagpoles along the Mississippi. Elms along the St. Croix are bright yellow. The Maples near St. Peter turn into scarlet banners. Minnesota has such a great variety of fall foliage.
Minnesota has many ways to experience the fall colors. Whether it is a weekend road trip to the North Shore or day trip to Western Prairies. You can bike ride through the Twin Cities Metro area or plan a camping trip along the Mississippi Valley. Each one has different look and feel, along with many fall festivals and events. Minnesotans love to celebrate every season as much as we can. With that in mind, fall is not a long season. I love to soak in everyone single moment I can get and experience.
Fall Camping: This is a must!
I absolutely love fall camping! As many of you know, I love camping in general. But camping in the fall is magical. You are surrounded by beautiful colors of red, bright orange, vibrant yellow to gold yellow. The views are truly breath taking. Waking up to the cool crisp air and the sound of crackling fire, is the best way to start your day. Again it is truly magical. Picture this: Hike along the North Shore where orange and red maple trees lead you to the over look of Lake Superior or canoeing down the St. Croix River that is lined with bright yellow birch trees. Besides, it’s not just the trees that change in the fall. The animals do too, which is also fun sight while camping. It is truly amazing how God designed this earth and the seasons.
Festivities: The celebration of fall & more!
This special season is short and sweet, so make the most of it by checking at least a few awesome autumn activities off your list. Now that October is here, fall events and activities are in full swing. My two favorite activities, still to this day, are going to the pumpkin patch and apple picking!
Pumpkin patches bring me so many wonderful memories. And pumpkin patches are a must thing to do. Whether you prefer to carve scary faces into them, bake and eat the seeds, or use them as centerpieces. It is great for all ages! Last year, I saw the cutest old couple, probably in their 80’s, picking out their pumpkins. They discussed how they wanted to carve them and how to use them afterwards for homemade pumpkin pie.
Apple picking is my absolute favorite! I go more than once, because I can never get enough apple cider donuts, apple cider, and more. Minnesota is the where the Honeycrisp apple came from. Minnesota is one of the best places to get fresh and juicy apples straight from the tree. Both are such a great way to start a tradition or continue on a tradition.
(With all this in mind, be sure to check out Naomi’s fall bucket list on her latest post. She shares her grandma’s fabulous cinnamon roll recipe along with a fun bucket list. Check it out!)
Like I mentioned earlier, this was hard to narrow down. But these are my Minnesota Fall Favorites! Now I would love to hear what your fall favorites are. Comment below and let me know. I can’t wait to hear what you do in the fall!
– Megan
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