WHAT TO DO. WHEN TO DO IT.
Seasonal things to do in and around Minneapolis, including day trips within 250 km (155 miles): explore activities, festivals and outings by season, distance and type, with sources and dates on Chronopin.
Oct 28 · Fall. Seasonal windows; check the organizer for opening hours and exact dates.
15 activities within 155 mi (250 km) of the city center · straight-line distances
IN SEASON NOWMinneapolis· Mill District· Food & drink· 0.4 mi / 0.6 km from Minneapolis
A Saturday farmers market, outdoors May-October and indoors in the Mill City Museum lobby on first and third Saturdays November-April.
Suggested trip: 1 day
Mill City Museum · Jan – Dec · until Dec 31
IN SEASON NOWMinneapolis· Loring Park / Lowry Hill· Arts & culture· 1.4 mi / 2.2 km from Minneapolis
Open-air garden of large-scale sculpture, including the Spoonbridge and Cherry, set beside the Walker Art Center.
Suggested trip: 1 day
Walker Art Center · Jan – Dec · until Dec 31 · typical season
IN SEASON NOWMinneapolis· Wirth Park· Outdoors· 2.7 mi / 4.4 km from Minneapolis
A staffed native-plant garden and bird sanctuary open seasonally, with free programs.
Suggested trip: 1 day
Theodore Wirth Regional Park · Apr – Oct · until Oct 31 · typical season
IN SEASON NOWMinneapolis· Uptown· Outdoors· 3 mi / 4.9 km from Minneapolis
Canoe and kayak the connected city lakes using public launches, with rentals available at Bde Maka Ska.
Suggested trip: 1 day
Bde Maka Ska and Lake of the Isles · May – Oct · until Oct 31 · typical season
IN SEASON NOWMinneapolis· Longfellow· Outdoors· 5.1 mi / 8.1 km from Minneapolis
A 53-foot waterfall in a city park, striking when frozen in winter and busy in summer with music, creek paddling and a splash pad.
Minnehaha Regional Park · Jan – Dec · until Dec 31 · typical season
IN SEASON NOWMinneapolis· Como Park, St. Paul, 8 mi east· Family· 5.4 mi / 8.6 km from Minneapolis
Free zoo and Victorian-style conservatory with seasonal flower shows, a pumpkin display and daily keeper talks.
Suggested trip: 1 day
Como Park · Jan – Dec · until Dec 31 · typical season
IN SEASON NOWMinneapolis· Downtown St. Paul, 10 mi east· Sports· 8.3 mi / 13 km from Minneapolis
NHL hockey in downtown St. Paul, with home games from October into April.
Grand Casino Arena · Oct – Apr · until Apr 30 · typical season
IN SEASON NOWMinneapolis· Rice Park, St. Paul, 10 mi east· Arts & culture· 8.5 mi / 14 km from Minneapolis
Restored federal courthouse on Rice Park hosting concerts, exhibits and seasonal programs.
Suggested trip: 1 day
Landmark Center · Jan – Dec · until Dec 31 · typical season
IN SEASON NOWMinneapolis· Apple Valley, 20 mi south· Family· 15 mi / 24 km from Minneapolis
An autumn trail of thousands of lit, carved pumpkins at the zoo, alongside seasonal animal-themed activities.
Suggested trip: 1 day
Minnesota Zoo · Sep 25 – Nov 1 · until Nov 1
IN SEASON NOWMinneapolis· White Bear Lake, 15 mi northeast· Food & drink· 18 mi / 28 km from Minneapolis
U-pick strawberries in early summer and apples from late summer into winter at a family orchard.
Suggested trip: 1 day
Pine Tree Apple Orchard · Jun – Feb · until Feb 28 · typical season
IN SEASON NOWMinneapolis· Chaska· Family· 19 mi / 30 km from Minneapolis
A fall harvest display of scarecrows, pumpkins and gourds on the arboretum grounds.
Minnesota Landscape Arboretum · Sep 18 – Nov 1 · until Nov 1
IN SEASON NOWMinneapolis· Shakopee, 30 mi southwest· Festivals· 23 mi / 37 km from Minneapolis
A themed marketplace village with jousting, costumed performers, crafts and food each weekend of the late-summer season.
Renaissance Festival Grounds · Aug – Oct · until Oct 31 · typical season
IN SEASON NOWMinneapolis· Osceola WI, 45 mi northeast· Outdoors· 36 mi / 58 km from Minneapolis
A 90-minute vintage-car diesel train ride along the St. Croix bluffs in peak color.
Suggested trip: 1 day
Osceola and St. Croix Valley Railway · Sep – Oct · until Oct 31 · typical season
IN SEASON NOWMinneapolis· Taylors Falls, 45 mi north· Outdoors· 42 mi / 67 km from Minneapolis
Walk the basalt gorge of the St. Croix to see deep glacial potholes, with naturalist tours in season.
Suggested trip: 1 day or 2 days · 1 night
Interstate State Park · May – Oct · until Oct 31 · typical season
IN SEASON NOWMinneapolis· Frontenac, 60 mi southeast· Outdoors· 55 mi / 89 km from Minneapolis
Bluff trails above Lake Pepin that rank among the state's best places to watch warblers and other migrants.
Suggested trip: 1 day or 2 days · 1 night
Frontenac State Park · Apr – Oct · until Oct 31 · typical season