Photo: @will-wright-4

Top Things to Do in Saint Paul this Fall

Make sure you don’t miss out on any of the fun with this list of things to do throughout Saint Paul this fall.

Whether you want to admire the fall colors, explore the art scene, cheer on the home team or discover new parts of the city, this list is your start to a fantastic fall in Saint Paul.

Credit: @birkography

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.
  • If you’re more into taking in the scenery at a faster pace, we’ve got 189 miles of bikeway for you to explore routes along the Mississippi River, the Gateway State Trail, downtown Capital City Bikeway and more.
  • ​Enjoy the riverview with a Fall Siteseeing cruise aboard the Padelford Riverboat. Mississippi River cruises are offered through Oct.

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.

Get off to a running start with Twin Cities Marathon Weekend

One of the most scenic urban marathons around, the Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon attracts great runners and offers stunning scenery for spectators.

Starting in Minneapolis, the route makes its way along Saint Paul’s Summit Avenue to the finish line on the State Capitol Grounds. Whether you’re running, volunteering or cheering, there’s a whole weekend of activities to participate in.

  • 5K, 10K and Family events on Saturday, Oct 2 at State Capitol Grounds
  • 10 Mile and Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon on Sunday, Oct 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. See some of our favorites.

Discover more: Saint Paul's Hottest New Restaurants and Dine Saint Paul Restaurant Guide.

Credit: Tim Schmidt / The Ordway

Get Tickets for an Upcoming Performance

Theatre

There are few things like live theatre and Saint Paul stages are ready to welcome you back. From the Ordway to Park Square Theatre and History Theatre to The Fitz, get ready for those standing ovations.

Concerts

The song goes "you don’t know what you’ve got ‘til it’s gone", and the cancellation of concerts during the pandemic sure proved that. Well, tour dates are coming back, and there are plenty of indoor and outdoor opportunities to get your live music fix. Check out these venues for upcoming shows:

Be the First to See New Museum Exhibits

Arts, science, history, trains, music - take your pick from one of many local museums and leave with a deeper understanding of the world around us. New exhibits opening this fall provide the perfect way to truly immerse yourself.

  • Ultimate Dinosaurs, opening Oct 21 at Science Museum of Minnesota will introduce you to dinosaurs unlike any others through exhibits, experiences and omnitheater.
  • Get a new view of fish at X-Ray Vision: Fish Inside Out opening Oct 15 at Bell Museum
  • Take a trip through Storyland in the Minnesota Children's Museum’s newest exhibit
  • The Schubert Club Music Museum’s newly designed galleries include the interactive Music Makers Zone and historical Keyboard Journey.
Credit: Bell Museum

Savor Fall Flavors

It's pumpkin spice and cider time

Get your pumpkin spice and cider fix. From the caffeinated to a chaider, we have you covered. May we suggest the East Cider from Caydence Records & Coffee or a classic PSL from Bootstrap Coffee.

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 as well - how about a Schottky Pumpkin Ale from Tin Whiskers, an Oktoberfest from Summit, a Mummy Train Ale from Saint Paul Brewing or a Raspberry Anomaly from Bad Weather. Saint Paul has no shortage of great craft beer or seasonal brews.

Get in the Halloween Spirit

Halloween events

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. Check out our Halloween events.

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 Tour of Summit Avenue from CynCity Tours
  • Gangster Ghost Tour at Landmark Center
  • All Hallow’s Eve Tour with Sister Celeste

Watch a scary movie in the park

Saint Paul Parks and Rec has a full lineup of movies in the park set for the season. Grab your blanket, some snacks and get ready for big-screen frights.

  • Sept 25: Blair Witch Project at Hidden Falls Park
  • Oct 1: Hocus Pocus at Como Pavilion
  • Oct 8: IT at Lake Phalen
  • Oct 15: The Shining at Mears Park

Honor Dias de los Muertos

Saint Paul’s West Side is the place to go for events celebrating the Mexican holiday of Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead. Celebrate loved ones who have died and honor traditions through creative workshops on Oct 26 and a special ceremony on Oct 31, hosted by the West Side Community Organization.

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:

Credit: @mylesdesigns

Get in the action at a sporting event

Now more than ever, we welcome reasons to cheer, and our hometown teams are bringing it! Baseball, soccer and hockey are on - get tickets to a game and get into the action.

Rediscover Downtown

In partnership with businesses, artists, and musicians, the Saint Paul Downtown Alliance has been hosting a calendar of events and activities to safely welcome you back to downtown. From outdoor trivia and art installations to pop-up events and concerts, don’t miss this invitation to rediscover downtown.

What's on your must-do list in Saint Paul this fall? Let us know on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter with #MYSAINTPAUL.

More to Explore