Minnesota may have a reputation for winter weather, but the beautiful fall season is often overlooked. With Friendship Village of Bloomington’s close proximity to Minneapolis, there’s no shortage of options when it comes to celebrating fall.
Fall in Bloomington, Minnesota
Whether you want to enjoy the brilliant colors of the fall foliage or find a Halloween festival, you can do it in Bloomington. There are numerous opportunities to enjoy the outdoors with 929 lakes and over 170 parks in the metro area. If you prefer to stay out of the elements, there’s the famous Mall of America for practically unlimited shopping, as well as numerous museums and historical attractions to stimulate the mind. No matter what fall means to you, Friendship Village of Bloomington is ideally situated for all of your favorite activities.
Events for Fall in Bloomington, Minnesota
As you start to make plans to bring in the new season, here are some of the most popular events to enjoy in and around Bloomington and the Twin Cities:
Twin Cities Oktoberfest
Break out the lederhosen and embrace your inner German with the Twin Cities Oktoberfest. Hosted at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds, this popular celebration is in its 11th year and only continues to grow. The emphasis is on supporting local business, with food, beer and music from the Twin Cities area.
Date: Friday, October 8 and Saturday, October 9, 2021
Time: Friday: 5:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m., Saturday: 12:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Location: Minnesota State Fairgrounds: 1621 Randall Ave, St Paul, MN
Bloomington Farmers Market
For the freshest fall produce, you can’t beat going straight to the source. The Bloomington Farmers Market is the perfect place to stock up on everything from apples to pumpkins, as well as other festive seasonal items.
Date: Every Saturday through October 23, 2021
Time: 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Location: East Lot, Bloomington Civic Plaza
Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular
Spectacular might be an understatement for this event. Hosted by the Minnesota Zoo, you can stroll the grounds to take in more than 5,000 illuminated pumpkins creatively carved in an amazing assortment of styles. Fun for all ages, there’s no shortage of jack-o-lantern inspiration.
Date: October 1 to November 7, 2021
Time: TBD
Location: Minnesota Zoo
Scarecrow Festival
Travel 30 minutes outside of Bloomington to find Emma Krumbee’s annual Scarecrow Festival. In operation since 1983, this event features a seemingly endless number of unique, handcrafted scarecrows. While you’re there, wander the farm for activities including apple and pumpkin picking.
Date: Mid-September through October
Time: 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Location: Emma Krumbee’s: 351 E Enterprise Dr, Belle Plaine, MN
Mall of America
Mall of America is a year-round attraction, but it really comes alive during October. The amusement park gets a spooky twist, while professional sculptors are available to hand-carve just about any kind of pumpkin you can dream up. On the day of Halloween it also becomes the World’s Largest Trick-or-Treat with costumed kids and copious amounts of candy.
Date: All of October
Time: 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Location: Mall of America: 60 E Broadway, Bloomington, MN
Additional Fall Activities Near Bloomington
The beauty of Bloomington and the Twin Cities is that there’s never any shortage of options. If you prefer to pave your own trail, here are some unofficial ways to enjoy fall in your area:
Harvest Moon Viewing
Fall and full moons go hand in hand. This year is no exception, as the Harvest Moon falls just before Halloween on October 20th. Take advantage of the many community outdoor spaces at Friendship Village of Bloomington, or observe from afar with a cozy blanket and cup of hot cider.
Minnesota Landscape Arboretum
Voted best botanical garden in North America by USA Today readers in 2019, the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum allows you to take in all the natural beauty of fall. They have more than 1,200 acres of professionally-maintained gardens to get lost in, as well as attractions like the AppleHouse and Glass Pumpkin Patch. Be sure to plan in advance as they’re currently open by reservation only.
Minnehaha Falls
Fall at Minnehaha Falls is one of the most beautiful times of year. The park is easily accessible, allowing you to take in the beauty of the waterfall, as well as the spectacular colors of the fall foliage. Just a 20 minute drive from Friendship Village of Bloomington, you won’t have to go far to get out and enjoy nature.
Farm Visits
Minnesota is an amazing state for agriculture. Whether you’re looking for the perfect pumpkin to carve or want to plan an apple picking adventure, there’s a local farm that would be happy to welcome you. The Minnesota Grown website is a great resource that helps you find pick-your-own farms in your area.
Celebrate Fall at Friendship Village of Bloomington
At Friendship Village of Bloomington, community life is at the center of everything we do. We believe it’s the people who make the difference, and our residents have the freedom to shape their lifestyle. Whether you enjoy the nightlife of Minneapolis-Saint Paul or the numerous parks and outdoor spaces, the convenient location of Friendship Village offers something for everyone.
No matter your needs, we provide both independent living options and health services with wellness as the core focus. If you would like to learn more about the community at Friendship Village of Bloomington, please don’t hesitate to contact us and get the conversation started.
