Top 10 Fall Activities in Saint Paul, MN

Pictured: A view of the fall colors from the High Bridge

1. Check Out the Fall Colors

Saint Paul is beautiful in the fall! The change of colors provides many breathtaking views throughout the city, but they don’t stick around long - catch those vibrant hues before they’re gone:

Take a walk along historic Summit Avenue and see the fall colors of this tree-lined road known for its Victorian architecture.
Saint Paul is home to one of the country's top parks systems (ranked #2), and these amazing parks are great for leaf-peeping (as well as hiking, biking, paddling and more). Fort Snelling State Park, Hidden Falls Regional Park, Swede Hollow Park and the Bruce Vento Nature Sanctuary are just a few, offering paved trails and a nature escape without leaving the city.
Take in the scenery at a faster pace on 189 miles of bike-friendly paths and trails with routes along the Mississippi River, the Gateway State Trail, downtown Capital City Bikeway and more.
Enjoy the river view with a Fall Sightseeing cruise aboard the Padelford Riverboat. Mississippi River cruises are offered through October.

2. Experience Oktoberfest

Break out your lederhosen and get ready for your fill of brats and beer. There is no shortage of Oktoberfest-ivities in Saint Paul - your biggest problem might be which one to choose.

Waldman Brewery & Wurstery | September 20-22 & 27-29
Twin Cities Oktoberfest | October 4-5
Saint Paul Brewing Oktoberfest | October 11-13

Pictured: Saint Paul Brewing

Pictured: Dock & Paddle

3. Dine al fresco

Extend your patio season into the fall. Take advantage of the beautiful fall weather and find a restaurant or brewery patio to enjoy. Check out some of our favorite outdoor dining spaces.

Discover more Saint Paul Eats:

4. Get tickets to see a show

Saint Paul takes center stage with its array of amazing theater performances from a collection of stunning venues. See what's in this season:

Behind the Sun | September 21-October 13
Ain't Too Proud | October 8-13
Holmes Poirot | October 9-November 3
Romeo & Juliet | October 19-20
Just For Us | October 26-November 10

Pictured: The Ordway

Pictured: Caydence Records & Coffee

5. Savor Fall Flavors

(Pumpkin) Spice it Up!

Get your pumpkin spice and cider fix. Try the East Cider from Caydence Records & Coffee or a classic pumpkin spice latte from Nina's Coffee Cafe in Cathedral Hill.

Shop the season's bounty at the Saint Paul Farmers Market

Enjoy shopping outdoors at the one and only Saint Paul Farmers Market, open Saturday and Sundays in Lowertown. Find the freshest of seasonal veggies, fruits and flowers straight from local farmers.

Visit a local taproom to try their seasonal beer

Our local breweries feature seasonal flavors like an Oktoberfest from Summit, a Mummy Train Pumpkin Ale from Saint Paul Brewing or a Raspberry Anomaly from Bad Weather.

6. The Spirit of Halloween

Looking for ways to get the most wear out of your costume? From music, movies, museums and more, there are all kinds of Halloween-themed events taking place throughout October.

Take a haunted tour

Saint Paul has a long history and some of it … lives on. The ghost stories about sinners, saints, and some of the city’s creepiest sites are sure to come out in these haunted tours.

Haunted Walking Tours from CynCity Tours
Gangster Ghost Tour at Landmark Center
Lost Souls Tour and Caves & Graves Tour at Wabasha Street Caves
Shadows & Spirits of the State Capitol

Pictured: Wabasha Street Caves

Pictured: Creative Enterprise Zone

7. Explore the Art Scene

From open studios to mural exploration, the beauty and creativity of local artists are on display throughout the city this season. Here are a few ways to dive into the art scene and find a new perspective:

Chroma Zone Mural & Art Festival | September 19-21
Visit open studios during the Saint Paul Art Crawl | October 4-6

8. Get in the action at a sporting event

We always love a reason to cheer, and our hometown teams deliver! Baseball, soccer and hockey are on. Get tickets to a game and get in on all the action.

St. Paul Saints | September 2-8 & 17-22
Minnesota United | September 18, 28 & October 19
The Minnesota Wild | October 10 & 12
The University of St. Thomas will face the University of Minnesota men's hockey game at the Xcel Energy Center | October 26

Pictured: A Minnesota United Home Soccer Match at Allianz Field

Pictured: Twin Cities Marathon

9. Join a Community-Focused Fitness Event

With the leaves starting to change, there's no better time to get out and get active in Saint Paul. Whether you prefer running, walking, or cycling, these wellness initiatives provide the perfect opportunity to enjoy the autumn scenery while supporting the local community.

Saint Paul Classic Bike Tour | September 8
Walk for Recovery | September 21
Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon Weekend | October 4-6

10. Experience the Culture of the Capital City

Summer isn't the only time to enjoy festivals and events. The fall welcomes a collection of fun-filled outdoor gatherings that showcase the city's diverse communities, pulse for great music, and taste for worldly flavors.