Minnesota in the fall is a beautiful time, so take advantage of it by driving some of these scenic routes!
St. Croix River Valley
Stretching from Hastings to Taylor Falls, this route mainly takes Hwy 95 which goes right along the St. Croix River. Wherever you start, you can enjoy the scenic river towns of Hastings and Taylor Falls and make some more stops along the way, such as Stillwater. One of the oldest towns in Minnesota, Stillwater has a beautiful downtown area right along the river where you can dine, shop, and take a walk to enjoy the view.
Minnesota River Valley Scenic Byway
Starting in Belle Plaine, a city just outside of the Cities, drivers can follow Hwy 169 to Mankato and then switch to Hwy 14 so they drive up to Ortonville on the Minnesota-Southern Dakota border. This byway follows the Minnesota River and features six state parks, multiple museums, and various historic sites along the way. Make it into a day trip so you can see all the fall beauty and stop by cool locations!
North Shore
Up near Lake Superior, you’ll find a wide variety of trees that produce vibrant leaves in the fall. This has made the North Shore a popular place to visit in the fall for admirers and photographers alike. It has even been designated as an “All American Drive” (one of 15 in the country), and it’s only a couple hours from the Twin Cities. When visiting, drive the route along the shoreline for those famous views.
Highway 169
Instead of switching over to Hwy 14 for the Minnesota River Valley Scenic Byway, continue on Hwy 169 to go from Shakopee to St. Peter. The route takes you through beautiful, vibrant wooded areas and local orchards such as Minnesota Harvest Orchard in Jordan, or Emma Krumbee’s in Belle Plaine. If you do make it down to St. Peter’s, you can tour their charming downtown with local shops, dining, and chill coffee stops.
Grand Rounds Scenic Drive
If you want to stay close, then try out this scenic drive that takes you around Minneapolis. Enjoy tree-lined streets with historic homes (Summit Avenue especially) and lots of places to take a breather. Highlight stops include the waterfall at Minnehaha Park, the wildflower garden at Theodore Wirth Park, the rose garden at Lake Harriet, and lots of other Minneapolis staples like the Sculpture Garden and Walker Art Center.
Before heading off on your trip, make sure your car has all its important maintenance items checked off. Superior Service Center can help.