Fall is one of the best times of the year, so here are some ideas for what to do in the months of September through November.
By Leo Pomerenke
There’s a reason why a majority of Americans’ favorite season is fall. The leaves change colors, the temperatures are nice and cool and pumpkin spice is a must.
If you’re new to the Twin Cities area, or are just looking for activities to do, here are six things you should do this fall.
- Check out the tree colors across the state
Fall colors can be especially beautiful in Minnesota, no matter where you go.
The best place to view fall colors in the Twin Cities is by a lake, especially near Bde Maka Ska Lake and Lake Harriet in Minneapolis. Other great places are along the Mississippi River and along Summit Avenue in St.Paul.
Other places include the North Shore of Lake Superior and the Mississippi Headwaters in Northern Minnesota. You can use the “fall color finder” on the Minnesota DNR website to find out where the fall colors are at their peak.
- The Twin Cities Oktoberfest
The Twin Cities Oktoberfest, held every year in early October at the Minnesota State Fair Grounds in St.Paul, is a perfect way to embrace fall.
The Twin Cities Oktoberfest is a relatively new tradition, starting in 2010. The event includes many offerings from local breweries such as Lift Bridge Brewing Company and Utepils Brewing.
Those breweries offer their seasonal fall beers and ciders at the event, along with food vendors and local music acts.
- Fall golf!
Golfing in the fall? Yep, sometimes even when it’s below freezing.
Since Minnesotans don’t have the luxury of golfing year-round, golfers always take advantage of golfing when there isn’t snow on the ground. Cold-weather golf gear is commonly sold at pro shops around the state.
Jay Connelly, who works at Creeksbend Golf Course in New Prague, said Minnesotans love golfing when the temperatures drop.
“We love to golf in the fall because you never know when the last time you’re going to be out there,” he said. “You got to take advantage of it every chance you get.”
There are many courses close to the Twin Cities area that are open until the snow falls, including Roseville Cedarholm in Roseville, Brightonwood Hills Golf Club in New Brighton, and Edinburgh Golf Course in Brooklyn Park.
- Go to a Vikings game
If you’re a football fan, you’re going to love Vikings games at US Bank Stadium.
Built to resemble a viking ship, the indoor stadium located near downtown Minneapolis is known for its partially glass roof, gameday atmosphere and the “Skol Chant.”
On some occasions when the weather is perfect outside, the 95-foot glass doors on the southern end of the stadium are left open to provide some natural air in the stadium.
Despite the Vikings having yet to win a championship, US Bank Stadium was voted the best stadium in the NFL by the Athletic.
- Check out the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum
The Arboretum, located in Chaska, has more than “1,200 acres of gardens and tree collections, prairie and woods and miles of trails,” according to its website.
The various trees and gardens can be especially gorgeous this time of year, and it can be a perfect place to walk around and check out the beauty of nature.
- Visit the Minnesota Zoo
The Minnesota Zoo, located just south of the Mall of America, is a perfect place to bring families. It has 500 acres of land featuring a variety of different animals, including penguins, bison and tigers.
The zoo also holds their Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular throughout the month of October, where visitors can walk through the zoo and see thousands of carved pumpkins.
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