Updated August 2021
Looking to get the most out of fall in Minnesota? Same! Find the best places to visit in Minnesota this fall right here!
Everyone knows that some of the best fall views can be seen on Minnesota’s North Shore, but if you’re looking for somewhere more unique to visit in Minnesota this fall, you’ve come to the right spot!
But, if you still want to visits the North Shore, see my itinerary here 🙂
We’ve been traveling around the state for the last few years, so I rounded up all my fall favorites right here! Keep scrolling to find the best places to visit in Minnesota this fall.
Best places to visit in Minnesota this fall
Cuyuna Minnesota
Best for: Camping and mountain biking
Click here for the full Brainerd/Cayuna post
So many people visit the Brainerd Lakes Area in the summer, but have you ever been in fall? The cities of Brainerd, Baxter, and Crosby have it all (breweries, a winery, a fall festival on a farm) but the Cuyuna mountain bike trails in Crosby take the cake with the beautiful scenery. Perfect for a weekend trip!
Winona Minnesota
Best for: Seeing the fall colors
Click here for the full Winona post
Winona is located in Southern Minnesota bluff country which makes it a great place to see the colors! Either hike up the bluffs in Winona (after grabbing a donut at Bleodow’s of course!) or cross the border into Wisconsin and admire the colors while you sip wine at the base of the bluffs or grab a bite from a pizza farm. Doesn’t get much better than that! Also a perfect weekend trip.
Related post: Wisconsin Fall Road Trips
Montgomery Minnesota
Best for: Eating and drinking all things fall
Click here for the full Montgomery post
Montgomery is the hidden gem of all hidden gems in Minnesota. This little town in central Minnesota is one of my favorite day trips I’ve ever done. Try the local brewery, pizza restaurant, and winery. But the highlight is visiting the apple orchard where you can pick apples, try flights of their hard cider, and go on a hay ride! Skip the crowds around the Twin Cities and head here instead!
Taylor’s Falls Minnesota
Best for: Hiking and river cruising
Click here for the full Taylor’s Falls post
Taylor’s Falls is home of Interstate State Park which follows the St. Croix river and spans both Minnesota and Wisconsin. The hiking here is so unique because you can see everything from glacial potholes to limestone bluffs! If hiking isn’t your thing, take a river cruise on a paddle boat for only $20. So beautiful!
St. Cloud Minnesota
Best for: Easy hiking and photography
Quarry Park and Nature Preserve is located in St. Cloud and is one of the best hidden gems Minnesota has to offer. The hiking is easy and accommodates all levels. Make sure to stop by Beaver Island Brewery afterwards! Doesn’t get better than that!
Stillwater Minnesota
Best for: Hiking, shopping, and eating
Click here for full Stillwater post
Stillwater is a great destination any time of year, but go in the fall for even more beautiful views of High Bridge and Fairy Falls! Both easy but awesome little hikes. Also make sure to stop by the local apple orchard!
St. Paul Minnesota
Best for: An urban escape
Click here for full Minnesota Airbnb Experience post
We booked an urban hike through Airbnb Experiences, which offers activities that are run by locals that you can book through Airbnb! This urban hike showed us SO MANY cool hidden gems in St. Paul, and it ended with a free tour and tasting at Bad Weather Brewing! We learned so much – would be great for locals and visitors alike! Click here to book!
BONUS: Vilas County Wisconsin
Best for: Cranberry farms, supper clubs, and hiking
Click here for full Vilas County post
This last spot isn’t in Minnesota but it’s one of my favorite all-time fall trips! Vilas County is located in Northern Wisconsin and is the ultimate fall destination. Not only does it have great hiking, but you can visit a cranberry farm, the supper club where John Dillinger had a shootout with the FBI, and have a traditional Friday night fish fry!
Related post: Wisconsin Fall Road Trips
That’s it for now, folks! Comment below if you have any other great places to visit in Minnesota this fall!
You forgot to mention the bakery in Montgomery. We visit it every time I go back home to Minnesota.
If you visit Faribault, go a little further east and north to Nerstrand Big Woods State Park & this weekend at St. John’s UCC Church is having Germanfest on Sunday 9/29/19, a fun event. Caron Park our that way is also beautiful to explore. Take some goodies from Faribault and go picnic at Nerstrand.
We love Faribault too! Seriously, so charming! We go several times a year!
It’s the cutesy little town! So glad to hear from another Faribault fan!
Granite Falls, MN is such a fun town! Beautiful downtown, small brewery, the best coffee shop, the absolute best bakery and the river flows right through it! One of the nearby towns-belview has a winery as well!