Fall / Winter outdoor activities

[dmention7]

It's getting to be that time of year again... I love fall weather, but I always find myself having trouble thinking of fun things to do outdoors. So if you've got any favorite places like apple orchards, hiking/walking/biking trails, etc post em up here!

Has anyone been to the MN Landscape Arboretum recently? I remember visiting a looooong time ago, but looking at their website it's a little hard to determine if you can just show up and walk around on your own, or if you have to go on a guided walk or what.

 

[mndsm]

I believe it's show up, throw em a few bucks, and go for a walk.

As far as fall activities, The only ones I really care about are haunted houses. Those don't really kick into high gear until October though. Other than that, hitting a state park and looking at the trees sometimes yields some pretty colors and whatnot.

 

[Jana]

It's getting to be that time of year again... I love fall weather, but I always find myself having trouble thinking of fun things to do outdoors. So if you've got any favorite places like apple orchards, hiking/walking/biking trails, etc post em up here!

Has anyone been to the MN Landscape Arboretum recently? I remember visiting a looooong time ago, but looking at their website it's a little hard to determine if you can just show up and walk around on your own, or if you have to go on a guided walk or what.

Yes, we visited the Arboretum a few weekends ago. It's $9/person (kind of spendy for what it is IMO). You can walk around on your own, drive the Three Mile Drive (a little maze on that path to do) or you can get a guided tour.

We love going to the MN Zoo on cooler days, and also plan on hitting up Amodt's Apple Farm near Stillwater (http://aamodtsapplefarm.com/).

 

[AJ]

Yes, we visited the Arboretum a few weekends ago. It's $9/person (kind of spendy for what it is IMO). You can walk around on your own, drive the Three Mile Drive (a little maze on that path to do) or you can get a guided tour.

We love going to the MN Zoo on cooler days, and also plan on hitting up Amodt's Apple Farm near Stillwater (http://aamodtsapplefarm.com/).

That little 3 mile crusie is neat though, can stop at various point along the way and make it an easier way to get to all parts of the Arboretum. The main section near the buildings is a fun time if you want to get some pic taking fun in. I feel it's worth the $9 if you do it once or twice a year for a change of pace, anything more, it's a little much for rinse and repeat.

The Zoo is uber fun, and if you go 2-3 times a year, just get a family membership, it's a tax deduction as well.

More and more bike trails seem to be poping up outside the metro, that is a hopeful goal of mine for next spring. I'd really like to walk some river fronts in the early morning as well, then maybe walk more of the downtown area on the early weekends as well to see what's all new.