7 Autumn-Ready Minnesota Towns For A Weekend Retreat
From mid-September to late October, Minnesota lights up in a vibrant mix of reds, oranges, and yellows. Scattered throughout the forests and lakes are delightful towns that lean into the seasonal spirit. There’s Anoka, the Halloween Capital of the World, and Stillwater Harvest Fest, where they drop a pumpkin from a crane! Whether you want to get lost in the woods or a corn maze, these retreats feel like stepping inside a postcard. So pack a bag, bring some hot cocoa, and take in the fall colors while it lasts!
Silver Bay
Along the shore of Lake Superior sits the community of Silver Bay, which reaches its full foliage peak in late September through mid-October. The drive down the North Shore Scenic Drive is a show in and of itself, with the shores of Lake Superior on one side and a colorful display of hues on the other. Tettegouche State Park is the best way to explore the scenery in Silver Bay on foot, with colorful leaves set against a backdrop of waterfalls and steep cliffs overlooking the lake. For the absolute best view, Palisade Head is truly stunning. It’s a steep cliff that overlooks Superior, and it positively glows in the early morning hours.
The best place to stay in Silver Bay is Black Beach Inn by GrandStay, along the scenic shores of Lake Superior. Every room has a beautiful view of the area, and the grounds have fire pits for s'mores and on-site dining. If you visit in early October, you can catch the annual Harvest Booya Festival. It's a 10-minute drive to Finland, Minnesota, and it celebrates the season with music, vendors, and amazing food.
Anoka
Just outside of Minneapolis is Anoka, dubbed the Halloween Capital of the World! For the entire month of October, the area comes alive with Halloween-inspired events like the Great Pumpkin Expo or the Children’s Pumpkin Carving Contest at Riverfront Memorial Park. But its biggest attraction is the Light Up the Night Halloween Parade. Just after the sun goes down, the town lights up with color, Halloween floats, and lights in mid-October. After the parade, there’s a bonfire held at city hall with tasty food trucks and an Anoka Halloween Merchandise Tent.
While Anoka is famous for its Halloween flair, it's also a beautiful place to stay when the colors hit their peak in mid-October. Settled along the confluence where the Rum River meets the Mississippi River, the leaves explode in a fiery display of reds and yellows. One of the best places for leaf peeping is the Anoka Nature Preserve, with over 200 acres of densely wooded trails and quiet views of the Rum River. If you want to lean into the quaint small-town vibes of Anoka, the Ticknor Hill Bed & Breakfast is the best place to stay. Built in 1867, it’s a beautiful place to stay, surrounded by gorgeous foliage.
Park Rapids
In the Heartland Lakes region of Minnesota, the journey to Park Rapids is almost as delightful as the destination. As the leaves reach their peak in late September to early October, the skyline transforms into a vibrant array of colors. The best place for leaf peeping in Park Rapids is Itasca State Park. It has a variety of different types of trees, like maples, birch, and aspens, which add vibrant colors to the tree displays. With beautiful overlooks, trails that wind through forests and along Lake Itasca, it’s truly magical in autumn.
Park Rapids has a long list of festivals, but the most popular is the Red Barn Fall Festival. It takes place on the first Saturday of October on the beautiful grounds at the Red Barn. Expect all your favorite events, including pumpkin carving, craft vendors, carnival games, and delicious food like hot apple cider donuts. Carter's Fall Festival is also an excellent time for the whole family, and takes place most weekends in October. When you’re ready to wind down for the night, the Heartland Inn and Suites provides affordable accommodations in the heart of Park Rapids.
Red Wing
On the banks of the Mississippi River south of Minneapolis is the perfect getaway of Red Wing. If you’re in the mood for a hike, Red Wing has more than a few options. For the best vantage point, Barn Bluff is a local favorite. The hike may be steep, but the breathtaking views of the vibrant foliage and the town below are worth it! If you prefer easier trails, Frontenac State Park offers easy, shaded hiking trails that come alive in stunning colors.
If you visit Red Wing in mid-October, you can catch the kickoff for the season, the Red Wing Arts Fall Festival. While it gathers over 100 local artists to display their ceramics, jewelry, and paintings, it also offers live music and amazing food. After a long day of exploring Red Wing, the best place to hang up your hat is at the St. James Hotel. The massive hotel along the banks of the Mississippi River has amazing views from every room, on-site dining, and cozy accommodations.
Stillwater
Along the banks of the St. Croix River on the Wisconsin border is the town of Stillwater, where the fall kicks into full swing in late September to early October. The Gateway State Trail is your best option to enjoy the scenery of not only the leaves changing, but also the town of Stillwater. The paved trail, which accommodates both hikers and bikers, offers an 18-mile route that traverses through forests and farmland. If you travel north to St. Croix Boom Site State Wayside, you can enjoy beautiful beaches, a small waterfall, and trails along the St. Croix River.
Fall doesn’t officially kick off in Stillwater until it holds the annual Stillwater Harvest Fest in mid-October, which is one of the largest festivals in the Midwest. Expect all the classics, like giant pumpkin weigh-offs, live music, chili cook-offs, vendor stalls, and everyone’s favorite: a pumpkin drop from a 100-foot crane! To bookend your perfect weekend in Stillwater, the Water Street Inn is a great place to end the night. It lies in central Stillwater and offers stunning views from every room, a rooftop restaurant, and a convenient location.
Ely
Isolated in the northeastern corner of Minnesota is the community of Ely. The drive north to Ely is almost as beautiful as the town! With a wide variety of trees, the skies ignite in a kaleidoscope of color at their peak in the first week of October. The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness is one of the most beautiful places to visit in Minnesota during autumn. The park has over 1,000 lakes, reflecting the changing leaves in its still waters. You can launch a canoe out onto the water or hike one of their many hiking trails. Kawishiwi Falls Trail is another popular stop to take in the light show, with lush, shaded trails and stunning waterfalls.
Autumn in Ely doesn’t officially kick off until the annual Harvest Moon Festival, held on the second weekend in September. Held in the lovely Whiteside Park, the festival showcases local art and craft vendors, and food trucks stocked with tasty treats. But the best treat in Ely, however, is the Grand Ely Lodge Resort. On Lake Shagawa and surrounded by lush forests, this resort offers premier accommodations, an on-site restaurant, and an indoor pool in a rustic lodge setting.
Lanesboro
There’s just something magical about Lanesboro in October. It is a community of just over 700 residents in the southeastern corner of Minnesota, but it really comes alive in October. The Root River State Trail is one of the best ways to take in the scenery of Lanesboro. It provides 42 miles of paved trails, perfect for hiking or biking, that weave through forests and along the banks of the Root River. If corn mazes and farmers' markets are on your road trip itinerary, be sure to stop by Big Springs Pumpkin Farm! With corn mazes, hay rides, and yummy treats at their farm stand, it’s a great way to spend a crisp October afternoon.
It’s not technically fall until the Fall Into Lanesboro festival, held the first weekend of October downtown. The festival has a community-wide scavenger hunt, wagon rides, pumpkin decorating, great food, and other family-friendly activities. The best place to stay in Lanesboro is the Root River Inn and Suites, a historic inn within walking distance to all the best restaurants and shops in central Lanesboro.
Your Minnesota Fall Road Trip Finale
Autumn is such a tiny window of the year where the world seems a little warmer, despite the temperature dropping. If you want to make the most of this magical time of year, these Minnesota towns are the best way to enjoy the season. Here, there’s always a family-owned pumpkin patch, a charming festival, or a quiet park to take in the scenery. These towns may be remote, but the scenic journey is just as lovely as the destination. Don your coziest sweater and maybe a pair of hiking boots, and get ready to explore the corners of Minnesota!
