By Tammy Quinn Mckillip
Fall Activities in Minnesota for Kids
If you're headed for Minnesota in the fall, you'll find plenty of fun, family-friendly things to do while you're there. From apple-picking to enjoying a gondola ride down the scenic St. Croix River, whatever you and your family do, you'll be surrounded by the beauty of fall leaves and colors. Here is a list of favorite Minnesota fall pastimes.
Apple Picking
Pick your own apples, strawberries, pumpkins and fall raspberries at Afton Apple Orchard in the St. Croix River Valley.The kids will have a blast petting animals at the free petting farm or hanging out with playmates on the playground. Get lost in a corn maze and get a bite to eat when you make it through. Take your family on a hayride after you're finished picking your fruits. Bring your camera because a day at Afton Apple is a day they will always remember.
Afton Apple Orchard
located at 14421 south 90 Street
Hastings, MN
(651) 436-8385
Bluff County Jeep Tours
Get ready for this 1-hour tour up and down the scenic bluffs of Whalen. Overlook the river from cliffs, see bald eagles, turkeys and other birds up close. You'll also see deer, flowers and bushes indigenous to the area. Off-trail fun for up the whole family. $60 a ride for 3-15 people.
Bluff View Guest House
111 1st St Whalan, MN 55949
For reservations: (507) 467-2415 or (507) 467-2388
Bunker Park Stable
The kids will have a blast riding horses or going on a wagon hayride. Guided trail rides, hay rides and pony leads for only $8 to $30 per person. They are open daily through Memorial Day and have seasonal hours during the winter.
550 Bunker Lake Blvd.
Andover, MN 55304
Green Roof Lodge
Located on beautiful Woman Lake in Cass County, this campground caters to families with kids and fishermen. Take the kids on the lake in paddle boats, kayaks or canoes. There's great fishing, wireless Internet and nine cabins under the towering pine with lake views. They even have a playroom.
945 County Rd. 5 NW
Hackensack, MN 5645
(800) 366-2399
The Grove Athletic and Fitness Center
No matter what the weather outside, your kids will have fun and get fit while they splash and play in the indoor water park with water slides and wading areas, swim laps in the pool or ice skate on the Olympic-sized rink.There's a sauna and whirlpool for you, as well as a full locker room and changing area. This may be the best bang for you buck at $7.46 per person, or $19.17 per family. The park is open 4:30 a.m. to 7:30 pm, Monday through Friday, and 12:00 noon to 7:30 pm on Saturday and Sunday. During the summer, the park is open from noon to 7:30 daily.
8055 Barbara Avenue
Inner Grove Heights
945 County Rd. 5 NW
Resources
About the Author:
Tammy Quinn McKillip has written extensively in print and online publications about pets, parenting, theater, design, health and environmentalism since 1999. She is the editor of the Macaroni Kid National Family Safety newsletter and publisher and editor of "Macaroni Kid," a local family-friendly weekly events newsletter. She is pursuing her Master of Fine Arts in creative writing at City College of New York.
Photo Credits:
morguefile.com
