All About Minnesota Seasons

I lived in Minnesota for many years (about 18 years to be exact!). I have now been on a journey to see the rest of the world and embark on my own adventure outside of my “home” state. Most people joke about Minnesota as well as joke about me being from there and leaving it. However, I always embrace Minnesota and will vouch for it at any time! I think Minnesota is a great place to visit and even live for one full year. When arriving in Minnesota, you definitely have to take into account what season you are visiting during.. There are only certain times of the year things will be available because of all of our four distinct seasons! I have gone a little more into detail below to help identify the best time to visit to do the things you may love!

• Summer: Valley Fair for roller coasters; lakes (i.e. paddle boarding, boating, swimming, tanning, water sports, kayaking, etc.); many outdoor patios for drinks and food; farmer’s markets, but specifically the Minneapolis farmer’s market since it is huge; sporting events to watch (i.e. beach volleyball, baseball, softball); Hiking (especially on the northern side of the state); Outdoor Yoga sessions; walking along the Stone Arch Bridge to get some good views of the gorgeous city skyline; and Minnesota State Fair (must-see).
  • Weather: Everyone thinks of Minnesota has cold and large jackets. However, in the summer time, we get hot, so pack your Mexico clothes and suits! I would also include at least one pair of pants and a sweatshirt for the bonfires you can have at night.

• Fall: Apple Orchards that include apple picking, apple cider, apple donuts, hayrides, corn mazes; Haunted houses in a variety of forms; Pumpkin patches for carving pumpkins; Bonfires that you will find at every other house on the block; Football (any kind of football, like peewee to professional); walking around the University of Minnesota on a Gopher football game day; generally walking around the University of Minnesota campus (you can spend a full day there and get all of your fall colors in one area); camping at any of the lakes around the state or on the northern side before it cools for the winter to see the beautiful fall colors.
  • Weather: My personal favorite time of year when the cooler sweaters come out, lighter jackets, booties, and jeans become a daily fashion.

• Winter: {We don’t typically lock ourselves in our houses, but if we do, we do it in style} Ice fishing in fish houses that could be as nice as your actual house; ice skating on frozen lakes; pond hockey and/or broomball on the same frozen lakes; ice sculptures to go check out; snow, very good amount of snow; and bundling up in 17 layers of clothing to see Christmas lights because you drove through a blizzard to get there. People don’t typically come visit in the winter, but there is such a magical feeling of bundling up to go somewhere, fires keeping you warm at night, and Christmas lights reflecting of the fresh white snow (lots of large light shows!).
  • Weather: This will obviously be cold, so pack all of your clothes and layer up!

• Spring: Minnesota Landscape Arboretum starts to bloom; baseball games all over the city (peewee up to professional); lots of trails around the state to allow you to see the leaves coming back on the trees; Minnesota Zoo; one or more of the various rooftop bars; Minnehaha Falls; Mall of America (with the amusement park and aquarium); Can Can Wonderland (indoor miniature golf for a rainy day); and Apple Blossoms Drive (southern Minnesota, also check out the bluffs in that area while you are there).
  • Weather: This is the rainy time, so dress for semi-warm weather, but it will still be chilly on the days that it rains.

For first time travelers that will be in the area, I would recommend going in the fall or summer. This time is the most appreciated time to be in Minnesota and there are so many fun activities that can be done in those times!

If you are making your second trip to Minnesota, I will recommend coming in the winter. We know how much people don’t like the cold, so we make it worth it!

Lastly, if you are coming for a longer-term stay (i.e. travel assignment), I would recommend summer into fall or fall into winter. If you are hear over Labor Day, you will get the opportunity to attend our extremely large State Fair! If you stay for the Christmas season, you will most definitely be filled with the Christmas season. I just am biased for our Minnesota fall weather, so I think everyone should experience it!

Are you a fellow Minnesotan and can think of something I missed that would make someone’s stay in Minnesota even better? Let me know! Send me a message or drop a comment below and I would love to add to the list 🙂

-Natalie-