Fall Color

Parkways and streets like Summit Avenue are looking so beautiful today. There's almost nothing more perfect that a Minnesota warm fall day, with brilliant blue sky, and scarlet, gold and orange leaves on the trees.

In the cities, the trees along the river in between Minneapolis and St. Paul are looking gorgeous. The parkways along the river are packed with runners, cyclists and walkers admiring the view. Minnehaha Park in Minneapolis, and Hidden Falls park in St. Paul are two good places to be out of doors today.

Just out of town, a day in Stillwater in the St. Croix valley is a classic trip to see fall color. And further up the St. Croix river, in Wisconsin, historic train rides in the beautiful St. Croix valley between Osceola and Marine offer a new perspective on leaf viewing. Train rides depart at 11 a.m. and 2.30 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays in October, and advance reservations are recommended.

The University of Minnesota's Minnesota Landscape Arboretum in Chaska has the most diverse collection of trees in Minnesota. On the approach to the Arboretum, the road leads through blazing colored woods, and once you arrive there are more trees, gardens, fall flowers, fruits and vegetables to admire. On weekends, the Arboretum offers children's activities. There is also free apple tasting on weekends from 1 to 3 p.m., to try out new University of Minnesota apple varieties.

The estimated peak dates for fall color is October 10-20, although the color may last longer or shorter, depending on the weather.