Minnesota has nearly endless ways to have fun. From camping in state parks to dining out at our best restaurants, there’s something to interest just about everyone. Unfortunately, many of these things cost money. Luckily, there are plenty of great things to do in Minnesota that don’t cost a dime. These 10 activities across the state are completely free, and they’re so good that you can’t afford to miss them.
St. Paul, Minnesota, is home to one of the state’s most popular attractions. Though a donation is welcome upon entry, the zoo is technically free to visit. Many animal species are on display, as well as a sprawling conservatory filled to the brim with lush plants. Whether you love to watch sloths and gorillas or you prefer bonsai trees and roses, you’ll find what you’re looking for here. Address: 1225 Estabrook Dr., St. Paul, MN 55103.
St. Cloud is not without its free attractions. Lake George is one of the best – and most easily accessible. A trail around the lake offers great views and good exercise in the warmer months. In summer, a splash pad will help cool kids down. And in the winter, ice skaters will be happy to race across the frozen lake’s length. All in all, this is an excellent spot in St. Cloud, made all the better because it’s free. Address: 1101 7th St. S., Saint Cloud, MN 56301-4484.
There are a few great beaches on the North Shore, and Black Beach is one of our favorites. The black sand against the red rocks and blue sky paints an otherworldly picture that you have to see to fully appreciate. Stroll along the shore, dip your toe in the water, and enjoy the gorgeous scenery. You won’t regret the drive
There are many disc golf courses throughout the entire state. One of the nicest? Acorn Park in Roseville, Minnesota. This park combines a walk through a lovely nature area with a fun activity that you will love. Grab your favorite disc and let it fly! Across many 18 holes, you'll get a workout, some time in the sun, and a new favorite outdoor activity.
If you’re a flower lover, St. Cloud holds another fabulous free option for you to consider. Munsinger Gardens is a gorgeously maintained flower garden that is absolutely wonderful for a stroll. Located along the Mississippi River, it is home to many concerts and other events. And it’s no wonder – the flowers and greenery attract butterflies and birds, making this a nature-filled spot right in the middle of a bustling city. Address: 1515 Riverside Dr. SE, St. Cloud, MN 56304.
Here’s another incredible North Shore beach that everyone should visit at least once. This one is unique for two reasons. First, it is made up of pink rocks left behind after many years of erosion by the lake’s choppy waters. Second, when the water washes the shore, the rocks tinkle together to create a fascinating song. It’s unlike anything in Minnesota, and it’s completely free Address: Gitchi Gami State Trail, Two Harbors, MN 55616.
Northern Minnesota is not without wonderful, free attractions. In Duluth, it’s easy to spend a day outdoors by strolling through Canal Park. The view of Lake Superior is mesmerizing in its own right, but you can also browse nearby shops, learn about the city’s maritime history, and – if you’re lucky – watch ships come in. Sounds like a perfect Duluth day. Address: Canal Park, Duluth, MN..
How many major metropolitan centers have a waterfall within city limits? Surely not many – especially one as impressive as Minnehaha Falls. This 53-foot waterfall is surrounded by a lush park. A series of trails leads along Minnehaha Creek, and a set of steep stairs lead to the base of the falls. No matter which angle you choose to view it at, it’ll be nothing short of spectacular.
One of the best free things to do in the state, a visit to the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden is basically a rite of passage. The spoon and cherry is the most famous sculpture, but there are plenty of lesser known pieces to discover. Pack a picnic and spend some time in the sun – all while enjoying great art. Address: 726 Vineland Pl., Minneapolis, MN 55403.
This quirky garden in small-town Minnesota is filled to the brim with wonderful sculptures. A path around the garden leads to interesting creations by artists in residence, and it’s the perfect way to spend some time outdoors. Don’t forget to check out the huge – and wacky – playground. Address: 29836 St. Croix Trail N., Shafer, MN 55074.
Have you done any of these free activities? What are your favorite free things to do in Minnesota? Let us know in the comments below!
Autumn is a wonderful time of year in the Land of 10,000 Lakes. The temperatures are a little cooler, the air is crisp, the leaves are changing, and the mosquitoes have largely disappeared. It's also a great time to get out and enjoy all the season has to offer. These are some of our favorite things to do in Minnesota in the fall.
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Minnesota Fall Foliage: Where To Go In Minnesota For Fall Foliage
Our state is blessed with an abundance of forested land. This makes Minnesota a marvelous place to be when autumn takes over and the leaves start to sport their seasonal colors. This usually begins around mid-September in the north and can last until early November in the far southeastern part of the state. Early to mid-October is the sweet spot for leaf-peeping in the Land of 10,000 Lakes. Here are a few of our favorite places to enjoy fall foliage in Minnesota.
Need to Know: Admission to the state park by car requires a permit, which costs $35 per year or $7 per day.
Frontenac State Park is located between Red Wing and Lake City, perched on the bluffs above the Mississippi River. With expansive down the valley, over Lake Pepin, and of the forested bluffs on both sides of the river, you'll enjoy some wonderful autumn views at this park. Moreover, the park's trails thread its hardwood forests, so it's the perfect spot for some fall tree bathing, as well. Aim for a mid-October visit to enjoy the best of the season.
Location: MN Hwy. 61 from Duluth to Grand Portage, Minnesota.
Need to Know: Admission to most of the North Shore's state parks by car requires a permit, which costs $35 per year or $7 per day. Gooseberry Falls, Tettegouche, and Grand Portage have visitor centers and park amenities that you can visit without a permit.
With seven state parks, five state waysides, the Superior National Forest, and Grand Portage National Monument, this stretch of Minnesota Hwy. 61 is home to incredible natural beauty - all of it within view of the rugged Lake Superior shoreline. Along the North Shore of Lake Superior, birches, aspens, and tamaracks take on golden hues starting in mid-September, making this a wonderful place to experience autumn in the Land of 10,000 Lakes. The view pictured is from the Oberg Mountain Loop, near Tofte.
Need to Know: Admission to the state park by car requires a permit, which costs $35 per year or $7 per day.
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The name Maplewood State Park hints at how spectacular this place becomes in the fall. Its namesake trees, along with fiery oaks and golden basswood burst into beautiful foliage from late September through October. With eight lakes and miles of trails, Maplewood is the perfect place to immerse yourself in the all the awesomeness of autumn.
Need to Know: Admission to the state park by car requires a permit, which costs $35 per year or $7 per day.
Itasca State Park, home to the headwaters of the Mississippi River, was the first Minnesota State Park, and it's one of our favorites for enjoying some early-season fall foliage. You can expect to see colors starting to change here by mid-September. By early October, the park's Northwoods species - birch, aspen, tamarack - will be cloaked in a mantle of gold. Another advantage to visiting Itasca at this time of year is that this popular park is far less busy than it is in the summer months.
Best Pumpkin Patches in Minnesota
What is fall without pumpkins? And in the Land of 10,000 Lakes, choosing a pumpkin can be an event unto itself. That's why there are so many farms that offer all manner of additional activities for folks who venture out to choose their pumpkins. Here are a few of our favorite pumpkin patches in Minnesota.
Need to Know: The patch is open September 20 - October 31, seven days a week, during daylight hours. There is no charge for admission or parking at Barten Pumpkins.
Barten Pumpkins, near New Prague, is home to one of - if not the - largest pumpkin patches in Minnesota. With, literally, thousands of pumpkins on offer every season, you're sure to find what you're looking for here, whether its seasonal decor or the perfect jack-o-lantern. Weekends at Barten Pumpkins often see live music, food vendors, and other entertainment, so it's a fun day trip destination, as well. Visit the farm on the web for information.
Need to Know: Retail center will be open seven days a week, September 25 through the end of October. Activities are open on weekends through the season, as well as M.E.A. break. The cost varies per activity.
One of the Metro Area's more popular agritainment destinations, Country Sun Farm is a wonderful place near St. Paul for a family to spend an autumn afternoon before picking out their pumpkins and calling it a day. It was always my kids' favorite fall destination because of all the attractions, including hay rides, food vendors, a corn maze, a petting zoo, and inflatable bounce attractions. For hours and pricing, visit Country Sun Farm on the web.
Need to Know: Open daily from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. The play area is free of charge.
Located just north of Mankato, The Little Green Wagon Pumpkin Patch and Farm is my favorite new discovery in the pumpkin patch category. This sweet little farm/farm stand is super family friendly, offering a small play area with a corn pit, a straw bale maze, a slide and other fun features at no cost to visitors. There are picnic tables where the adults can enjoy a coffee while the little ones play or set up a picnic lunch after they've worked up an appetite.
Need to Know: Open on Saturdays and Sundays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., from September 21 to October 27. The patch will also be open 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. on October 17 and 18 during M.E.A. break. There is a $7 admission fee, and there may be additional charges for certain activities.
Buffalo River Pumpkin Patch is one of the most pumpkin patches near the Fargo-Moorhead area in northwestern Minnesota. In addition to, of course, pumpkins, you'll find all manner of attractions, including horse-drawn rides, a petting zoo, and a game area. The only difficulty you may face is getting the youngsters away from all the fun so they can pick out their pumpkins.
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Best Fall Festivals in Minnesota
One of my favorite things about autumn in the Land of 10,000 Lakes is all the fantastic festivals that occur during this time of year. Whether you want to admire gigantic gourds or simply heft a pint of ale in the air, you'll have your chance at one of these fun fall festivals in Minnesota.
Need to Know: The festival begins with community decorations from September 16 - October 13.
I'm pretty sure SeptOberfest, in the charming and historic Mississippi River town of Wabasha, is the state's longest fall celebration. Beginning in mid-September, the streets and town are bedecked with seasonal decorations. They'll be up through mid-October. In the middle, from September 28 through October 6, the town offers eight days of activities and events. There's already plenty to do in Wabasha, and this fall festival just makes a visit to the town a little more special.
Need to Know: Weekends, August 17 - September 29, 9 a.m. - 7 p.m. General pricing is $27.95 for adults and children 13 and over. Discounts are available for children under 13, seniors, and advance purchase tickets. On-site parking is $15, if purchased in advance, or $30 on the day you attend.
Although not dedicated to pumpkins, pilsner, or harvests, the Minnesota Renaissance Festival is an early-autumn rite of passage in the Land of 10,000 Lakes. It's one of the largest festivals of its kind, and attending is a wonderful way to step out of everyday life and become somebody else - even if it's just a gawking tourist, like me - for a day. For daily schedules of events, themes, and a list of vendors, visit the festival's website.
Need to Know: October 12 and 13. Most events are free of charge. A shuttle is available for those who choose a remote parking lot.
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Maybe it's the giant pumpkins, themselves. Or the live music. Or the general silliness of some the events, like the pumpkin regatta on the St. Croix River or the giant pumpkin smash, but Stillwater Harvest Fest is one of my favorite festivals of the year. This two-day event takes place on one weekend every October, and it is absolutely dominated by pumpkin themed events and activities, most of which are free of charge and fun for the whole family. Visit the Stillwater Harvest Fest website for more info.
Need to Know: The festival takes place October 18 and 19, over M.E.A. break.
Another fun fall event to consider is the annual Moose Madness Family Festival. Geared heavily toward fun activities for children, this festival in the beautiful town of Grand Marais celebrates the season when Minnesota's moose are feeling most amorous. Scavenger hunts, games, live music, and appearances from Murray the Moose are festival highlights. For more information about the event, check out the Visit Cook County website. If you plan on attending, you'll definitely want to reserve a stay well in advance, as M.E.A. break brings the crowds to Grand Marais.
Free & Cheap Minnesota Fall Activities
The best part about many of the fun things to do in fall in Minnesota is that most of them are free or relatively cheap. But there are also any number of other things that you can do during autumn in the Bold North that won't set you back much at all - and you can do them on your own schedule.
Need to Know: The cost of apple picking varies from orchard to orchard.
Visiting an apple orchard in Minnesota is a popular fall activity. There are plenty of orchards that charge admission and offer all the raucous autumn agritainment that has become such a thing at many orchards and pumpkin patches. But there are also many low-key orchards that are more concerned with the fruit they produce than entertainment. These types of orchards generally don't charge an admission, and you can pick apples for a reasonable cost. It's really a wonderful way to spend a weekend day in the fall in Minnesota.
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14. Enjoy Colorful Foliage, Lake Superior Views, and Migrating Raptors in Duluth
Need to Know: Fall migration starts in late August and continues through December, peaking in September and October.
Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory in Duluth is a spot that's renowned for its location on a major flyway for migrating raptors - hawks, eagles, falcons, etc. - in North America. At peak migration, observers may witness thousands of birds fly over in a single day. What's extra cool, though, is that the fall migration season peaks at about the same time as the foliage does in this part of the state. So, if you head up to Hawk Ridge in late September or early October, you can enjoy raptors, foliage, and beautiful views of Lake Superior. Visit the Hawk Ridge website to see migration numbers and predictions.
Need to Know: You can find waterfalls throughout our beautiful state.
There are waterfalls all across Minnesota - in the extreme southeast and southwest, and all points north from there. That means there's probably one near where you live in the Land of 10,000 Lakes. And as beautiful as waterfalls inherently are, if you ask me, they look even better when wreathed in gorgeous fall colors. So, why not pack yourself a lunch (or breakfast or dinner), find a waterfall, and enjoy just being outside in the lovely autumn air?
With so many things to do in Minnesota in the fall, I don't think you'll find yourself wanting for activities this autumn season. Which of these autumn experiences have you enjoyed? Be sure to let us know, and tell us about your own favorite things to do in Minnesota in the fall.
We are so fortunate that our state is home not only to lakes upon lakes, but also to large swaths of forest, from the Big Woods in the south and central parts of the state to the aspen parklands, Northwoods, and boreal forests of the north. Thanks to all this natural beauty, there may be no better time of year in the Land of 10,0000 Lakes than fall in Minnesota: The weather is cooler, the mosquitoes have returned to whatever evil place they come from, and, perhaps best, our trees put on quite a show.
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Spectacular autumn color view from Oberg Mountain, Lutsen, Minnesota, golden, yellow, orange and green hues, under a partly cloudy sky with sun shine
And when it comes time to enjoy all the fall foliage in Minnesota, there are few places that I love more than the North Shore of Lake Superior. You get the contrast of the bluffs and ridges bedecked with autumn colors sandwiched between the blue sky and the even bluer big lake - and it makes for some awfully dramatic sights... especially if you can get above it all and take it in from an elevated vantage point.
One spectacular way to do just that is to pay a visit to Lutsen Mountains resort, which you'll find between the North Shore villages of Tofte and Lutsen - just look for the big sign on the inland side of Highway 61 and head uphill. Head to the top, and follow the signs to the Summit Express Gondola.
The gondola will take you from main resort area to a chalet on Moose Mountain. The trip will take you over the Poplar River Valley, above the ski resorts forested slopes. In fall, of course, those slopes are cloaked in all of their autumn splendor.
At your perch atop Moose Mountain, enjoy a beverage and/or a snack as you take in the incredible views over the Sawtooth Mountains' fall foliage and out to Lake Superior.
You'll also find plenty of wonderful hiking in the Lutsen Mountains area - check out AllTrails Plus for reviews and trail maps of the area. For more information on Lutsen Mountains' Summit Express Gondola, including schedule and cost, head over to the resort's website. You'll find more awesome photos of the gondola in action of the Lutsen Mountains Facebook page, as well. When I've finished exploring all there is to see at Lutsen Mountains, I usually head back down to the shore, and refuel at one of the awesome restaurants in this part of Minnesota.
Have you visited Lutsen Mountains and taken the Summit Express Gondola? Let us know in the comments!
