Experience Autumn: Scenic Drives and Walks Around the Twin Cities

September 16th, 2024 by Counselor Realty

Experience Autumn: Scenic Drives and Walks Around the Twin Cities | Counselor Realty

Few cities embrace nature quite like the Twin Cities. Our urban parks and trails are some of the best in the United States and are especially beautiful in fall. If you're in the area looking for Minneapolis homes for sale or St. Paul homes for sale, be sure to check out some of these amazing fall hikes, drives, and bike rides in the Twin Cities.

Hike: Minnehaha Creek Trail - Fort Snelling Unorganized Territory, MN 55417
Less than 20 minutes south of Minneapolis in Fort Snelling, the Minnehaha Creek Trail is one of the best-known hiking trails in the Twin Cities. The trail starts near the confluence of the Mississippi and Minnesota rivers and follows Minnehaha Creek to the charming Minnehaha Falls. The trail is five miles long, but multiple trailheads make shorter hikes easy. There are also connections to many other trails for longer adventures, including the underrated Winchell Trail, which descends into the Mississippi River Gorge and offers some great fall foliage.
Drive: Great River Road - 1190 Warner Road, St. Paul, MN 55106
One of Minnesota's best scenic drives, the Great River Road, follows the Mississippi River through 565 miles of the state, passing through both Twin Cities. The portion of the route that hugs the riverbank in St. Paul is a great place to start. The Great River Road runs concurrently with Warner Road through a network of urban riverside parks before joining US-10 and heading southward. From there, one can drive the Great River Road along the Minnesota/Wisconsin border through Red Wing and Frontenac all the way to its endpoint at La Crosse, WI.
Hike/Bike: Hidden Falls Regional Park - 1313 Hidden Falls Drive, St. Paul, MN 55116
There's a lot to explore at St. Paul's Hidden Falls Regional Park, a 130-acre nature area on the north shore of the Mississippi River. Picnic areas and a boat launch are tucked away beneath the trees in this densely wooded park, and 6.7 miles of trails crisscross the landscape. The river views and fall foliage are outstanding in Hidden Falls Regional Park—be sure to check out the namesake falls—and the trails are open to bikes as well as foot traffic.
Drive: St. Croix Scenic Byway - St. Croix Trail S, Hastings, MN 55033
The 124-mile St. Croix Scenic Byway is spectacular in any season but especially breathtaking in fall. Starting just east of the Twin Cities in Hastings, the road stretches northward along the St. Croix River, which forms part of the Wisconsin state line. Within just the first 10 miles, you'll pass by the Carpenter Nature Center, St. Croix Bluffs Regional Park, and Afton State Park, all of which offer opportunities to hop out and do some hiking.
Hike/Bike: Grand Rounds Scenic Byway - 2117 West River Road N, Minneapolis, MN 55411
A meandering network of paved pathways totaling roughly 50 miles, the Grand Rounds Scenic Byway is one of the great bike routes in Minneapolis. The Grand Rounds gets its name from its circuital path but also from the chain of lakes that it encircles along the way; you'll get outstanding views of lakes Nokomis, Harriet, and Bde Maka Ska as you pedal around their shorelines. You'll also get a good taste of the city's downtown riverfront along the Mississippi River, where the trail begins, just off West River Road.

Ready to learn more about life in the Twin Cities? Call today to talk with our team at Counselor Realty about finding your dream home in Minneapolis, St. Paul, and the surrounding areas.

Categories: Twin Cities

Tags: Things to Do, Counselor Realty, St. Paul MN, Local Attractions, Public Parks, Minneapolis MN, Fall

Related Markets: Minneapolis, Saint Paul

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Experience Autumn: Scenic Drives and Walks Around the Twin Cities

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