Things to do this fall, from pumpkins to Paul McCartney
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Pools are closed. Lake water temperatures are plummeting. The State Fair has ended. Kids are back in school.
Why it matters: Summer may be over, but the next seven weeks typically bring some of the year's best weather and plenty of opportunities for fun.
Zoom in: Here are some ways to make the most of this stretch before the Gales of November arrive — hopefully not early.
🎉 Hit a festival. The Renaissance Festival runs through Sept. 28; the Bloody Mary Festival is Oct. 4 at St. Paul's Union Depot; and Owámni: Falling Water Festival at Mill Ruins Park is Oct. 18.
🍎 Pick apples at any of these 21 Minnesota orchards.
🏈 Fall is packed with sports. The Lynx begin the playoffs in mid-September. The Vikings have nine home games this season and the Gophers have five more at Huntington Bank Stadium.
- The puck drops for the Wild on Oct. 9, while the Wolves' season tips off Oct. 22.
🍻 No matter if your favorite team wins or loses, you can still booze at one of many Oktoberfest celebrations. The big one is at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds Oct. 3-4, but there will be plenty of lederhosen at local brewery parties.
🏃 Watch the runners of the Twin Cities Marathon on Oct. 5.
🚲 It's perfect biking weather. Here are five great rides.
🎸 It's a busy fall for big-name concerts.
- At Grand Casino Arena (formerly Xcel Energy Center): Keith Urban plays Sept. 26; Mumford & Sons play Oct. 9, and the next night Jonas Brothers take the stage.
- Paul McCartney plays U.S. Bank Stadium on Oct. 17.
- Willie Nelson, Neil Young, John Mellencamp, Dave Matthews, Margo Price, Kenny Chesney and Nathaniel Rateliff headline Farm Aid on Sept. 20 at Huntington Bank Stadium.
🎃 Get in the Halloween mood by visiting a pumpkin patch.
- Take it up a notch by visiting the Minnesota Zoo's Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular (Sept. 26-Nov. 2) and follow a trail of incredible carvings.
The bottom line: This is just a taste of what's out there. Be sure to read our regular Thursday evening Weekender newsletter to find out about even more.