Morning:

Wake up to the mesmerizing smells of Five Watt Coffee in Northeast Minneapolis (they have a second location in South Minneapolis), which offers extra seating and space to enjoy your deliciously brewed cup of joe. Start your Minneapolis fall tour on a warm note with their popular Pumpkin Spice Lawsuit — their take on the other PSL from a certain famous coffee chain, but this one is made with real pumpkin puree. At Five Watt you’ll also find bakery items from South Minneapolis’ Patisserie 46 and other made-to-order food that will start your morning off right.

One of the best ways to enjoy Minneapolis in the fall is right along the Mississippi River! At Boom Island Park you’ll be treated to picturesque views of the Downtown skyline in between the changing fall leaves. Rent a city bike and explore the scenery on two wheels. Or maybe you want to see the fall colors from a different perspective. If so, book a guided kayak tour of the Mississippi River with Paddle Bridge Kayak Tours. You'll begin the tour at the Boom Island marina, a railroad tie factory-turned green space just northeast of downtown. Then, you'll head upriver, under bridges old and new, the old industrial Port of Minneapolis on the Northside. On the way back down, enjoy the current, one of the most distinctive skyline views, and the gorgeous fall foliage.

Afternoon:

After that morning ride or paddle, you’ve probably worked up an appetite. Lucky for you there are plenty of great food spots nearby. In the spirit of Oktoberfest, head to Kramarczuk's and feast on some hearty, traditional German and Polish food. Or, if you’re craving something on another end of spectrum, make sure you try out one of Minneapolis’ favorite hotspots, Hai Hai. This place will warm you right up with tasty and colorful dishes of modern Vietnamese street food.

Next, take some time out of your day to shop for cozy fall outfits and accessories. Because who doesn’t need more sweaters? At I like you in Northeast you can get Minnesota made products that are perfect for gifts and souvenirs. Bonus points if you grab an Instagram pic showing off your new finds in front of their mural wall. For a unique collection of women’s global fashion head over to Key North Boutique. They sell designers who use fair trade and sustainable fabrics only. Discover more shops across the river in the North Loop neighborhood of Minneapolis where you’ll find local and designer boutiques like, MartinPartick 3, Parc Shop and D. NOLO.

Evening:

After you’ve done damage to your credit card (no shame), grab a drink and partake in one of Minneapolis’ favorite pastimes. Beer. You’ll find no shortage of taprooms in Minneapolis, with breweries creating their own seasonal ales to keep your taste buds satiated. But if you really want to get a taste of fall, check out Sociable Cider Werks. They brew tart, dry, flavorful ciders made from real apples. And if you’re hungry, they usually have a food truck on hand with plenty of options to replenish.

Or try sipping on cider while also getting competitive on the pickleball court. Minneapolis Cider Co. creates a fun taproom experience with 10 craft ciders on tap, a pickleball court reservable by the hour, and tasty, authentic, French crêpes and galettes from their onsite food vendor Breizh Crêperie. To fully embrace fall like a Minneapolis local, sip a cider on their heated patio. Check out these other heated patios in the city, which are all BYOB — Bring Your Own Blanket.

Morning:

On weekends you can still find a couple outdoor farmers markets holding their ground as the seasons begin to change. The Midtown and Kingfield markets are the ideal places to start your morning on the right foot. Local vendors are on hand to energize your morning with locally grown fruits and vegetables, quality prepared food options and handmade crafts.

If you, like many of us, can’t function until you’ve had the perfect cup of coffee, then you’ll want to visit Wildflyer Coffee in the Longfellow neighborhood. This specialty coffee company is dedicated to providing job stability to youth experiencing homelessness. Check out their fall menu filled with all kinds of cinnamony and nutmegy goodness.

Nearby you’ll come across Moon Palace Book Store, where you can flip through thousands of books and choose one to cozy up with later. Minneapolis is a book lover's paradise, so check out this list of more bookstores in the city.

Afternoon:

Dedicate the afternoon to Minnehaha Regional Park and see some of the best fall foliage in the city. Immerse yourself in nature by walking the trails, then take a couple photos of the falls surrounded by the beautiful autumn colors. You can grab lunch at the popular Sea Salt Eatery before it closes for the year or on the weekend make a stop at the nearby Italian Eatery which serves up modern takes on Italian dishes.

Evening:

Fall sports are in full swing in Minneapolis. If you plan ahead you may be able to catch a Minnesota United FC soccer match or University of Minnesota Gopher football game. Both play at outdoor stadiums, so you’ll get to enjoy the full crisp autumn weather while cheering them on.

Not into sports? Don’t fret! Fall in Minneapolis has plenty of events and activities worthy of your time. Get into the Halloween spirit by visiting the Minnesota Zoo’s Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular, where you can stroll through a trail of over 5,000 illuminated pumpkins. Or try your luck at the Escape Frenzy and their haunted house themed escape room challenge. If you really want to give yourself a good scare check out one of the many retro style independent movie theaters in the city that show horror movie classics like Psycho, Halloween, and Texas Chainsaw Massacre.

What says fall any better than bonfire? End your day with dinner and drinks at Rosalia where the outdoor patio has a fire pit and heaters to keep you warm – because we’ll be damned if we give up patio season before the temps hit freezing. Feast on some delicious pizza creations that will keep you fed well into the night.