The best fall activities near the Twin Cities

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Entrance to Sever’s Corn Maze in Shakopee, Minnesota

Maggie Murnan, Staff Writer

Sever’s Fall Festival

Sever’s Fall Festival has an activity for everyone with their abundance of different offerings. If you are feeling more adventurous, you can take part in interactive activities, such as the obstacle course, corn pit, jumping pillows, straw bale maze, zip lines, and the tire mountain. The corn maze, which is shaped like a dinosaur this year, is a perfect way to work your brain. Festival attendees can also play with the animals by going to the exotic petting zoo, watching the pig races, going to the parakeet landing, or taking part in one of the wildlife shows. Food and beverages are for sale along with live music to listen to and watch, so you can enjoy your whole day exploring Severs Fall Festival. 

ValleyScare 

Haunted Houses are a great way to get in the Halloween mood and celebrate fall. Over three hundred people dressed up in frightening costumes lurk around the haunted mazes and scare zones, waiting patiently to jump out at you. The Blood on the Boundary Waters attraction showcases six different haunted cabins; each containing different backstories to hear and scares to experience. The carnival area is filled with roaming clowns, adding a haunting experience to the classic carnival games. The newest scare zone revolves around the French Revolution, where the haunted side of royalty is showcased in a masquerade ball. 

 

Apple Jack Orchard

Apple Jack Orchards, located in Delano, is the perfect way to spend a fall afternoon. You can walk down the rows of apple trees, picking the ones you want to bring home with you. You can also buy pumpkins from the pumpkin patch to bring home and carve. For the different apple and fall products that you can’t pick from the orchard, you can buy in the country store. Other activities such as the corn maze, corn pit, jumping pillow, hay bale maze, and the cow train are open for all ages to enjoy.  

 

Mill City Farmers Market

Every Saturday from 9 am-1 pm this October the outdoor Mill City Farmers Market is open to the public, but don’t worry if you don’t get there by the end of October–the farmers market will continue inside throughout the winter. The Mill City Farmers Market includes over 60 local farmers selling their fresh produce. There are also food stands selling pastries, meats, and meals from many different cultures. Art stands that sell handmade jewelry, ceramics, paintings, and more set up their shop in the train shed at the market. And lastly, live music and cooking classes for the public add to the atmosphere of the farmers market. 

 

Minnehaha Falls 

If you are looking for a free, outdoor activity, Minnehaha Falls is the place to go. You can walk along the river on the numerous different trails, surrounded by the trees changing colors. You can take a break on a bench and observe the falls before it turns to ice in a few weeks. If you’re not in the mood for a walk, you can pick up an electric scooter or bike rental in the area and ride around the trails or streets.