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minnesota’s spooky spirit

uncover the eerie side of minnesota

These Minnesota sites are steeped in chilling tales and haunted activity. Dare to explore the unknown and get your paranormal kicks in while the veil is thin.

GET IN THE SPIRIT

a feminine trio dressed in black and ghostly paint sing on a pink and red stage, dancers stretch around them.

halloween haunts you won’t want to miss

Whether you're into haunted experiences, themed dining, or family-friendly festivities, there's something for everyone to enjoy this October. Turn up the spooky spirit and join in on the Halloween magic!

FIND FRIGHTFUL FUN

close up of FDA-approved gloved hands setting coleslaw on a tomato and lettuce hoagie in a deli counter type setting.

fall bites that won’t eat up your budget

As the leaves change and the air grows crisper, the call for comfort food grows louder. Satisfy those cravings for steamy pho, sweet pancake stacks, and savory sambusas while skipping the sticker shock at these Twin Cities locations.

ENJOY CHOICE CHEAP EATS

visitors look upwards towards wheels hanging from the ceiling, on display in a museum.

these historical sites are a real page turner

Minnesota might be one of the younger states, but it’s packed with spellbinding stories. Trust us when we say, there’s a wide range of worthwhile lore and legend to visit, no matter where you are.

CHOOSE YOUR NEXT ADVENTURE

STITCH INCOMING

Threads:As the Honeycrisp state, we offer this with absolute authority. Img:Red Delicious-Lawful Evil+Crab Apple-Neutral Evil+Candy Apple-Chaotic Evil

LEAVE YOUR THOUGHTS >>

minnesota art happenings

FALL EDITION

Aerial view of Grand Marais, the water a deep rich blue, the coastline warm brown, and the trees a hearty emerald green.

art along the lake

GRAND MARAIS
10/2 – 10/5

Catch the last weekend of this ten-day, self-led art tour along Minnesota’s north shore of Lake Superior during peak fall colors. From Tofte to Grand Portage to the Gunflint Trail, this event offers the unique opportunity to meet local artists in their home studios and gain insights into their creative processes.

LEARN MORE >>

Aerial view of sunny St. Paul from the Mississippi River looking towards downtown.

st. paul art crawl

ST. PAUL
10/10 – 10/12

Hosted by the St. Paul Arts Collective, this event brings artists and the community together through gallery spaces, music venues, artist lofts, and shared creative spaces. Plan your route — there are over 30 locations in this city-wide crawl.

LEARN MORE >>

Aerial view of city of Lanesboro and sunset, the sky casts everything in pink and purple.

lanesboro area art trail

LANESBORO
10/17 – 10/18

On this two day event, participating artists open their studios to the public. Visitors can talk with the artist, see scenic and inspiring artistic spaces, learn each artist’s process and shop the artist’s available body of work.

LEARN MORE >>

Side view of a large historical building featuring 4 floors. Two train tracks are in the foreground parallel to one of the building's sides.

art attack

MINNEAPOLIS
11/14 – 11/16

The beautiful and historic Northrup King Building's highly anticipated fall open studio event showcases four floors of amazing art and gifts that will attack all your senses — in a good way! Meet the artists, find unique treasures, get your holiday shopping done, and try your hand at an interactive art activity.

LEARN MORE >>

Aerial view of a lit up city during sunset from the view of a chain of lakes

mcad art sale

MINNEAPOLIS
11/20 – 11/22

Thousands of people come together on campus to hunt for one-of-a-kind artwork by students and alumni. Whether you're adding to (or starting) your own collection, shopping for the holidays, or just looking forward to a fun weekend browsing with friends, there's something for everyone.

LEARN MORE >>

mn fun over mea

KID ACTIVITIES AHEAD

a towering netted playground with holographic clouds, kites, and rainbows.

your minnesota school break staycation awaits!

Find more activities and fun for all ages (and weather)

PLAN YOUR BREAK

Video still of Chef Yia Vang in an apron, testing the warmth of his fire while cooking on a camping trip. A red camper van is seen next to him.

congrats to vinai

THEY LANDED IN BON APPÉTIT’S 20 BEST NEW RESTAURANTS OF 2025

Cook with Chef Yia Vang as he shares campfire recipes in an Explore Minnesota YouTube exclusive.

Coffee Rub Ribeye

Grilled Rainbow Trout

Smoked Pork Belly Hash

Hilltribe Chicken

Pork Coppa

Swordfish Tacos

WATCH THE CULINARY CAMPFIRE SERIES

fun fact corner

FOR THE MINNESOTA TRIVIA FANATIC

does the minnesota brook trout love a good costume? maybe, seeing as its belly and under fins turn a glorious orange-red in the fall.

LEARN WHERE TO FIND TROUT IN MN >>

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CLICK-WORTHY SPONSORED CONTENT

Minnesota Historical Society | Julia Child, A Recipe for Life | NOW ON VIEW | GET TICKETS | black and white photo of Julia Child laughing

Minnesota Grown | PICK LOCAL | find fall fun in our directory | Image of orange, green, and white pumpkins and gourds

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MORE MINNESOTA MOMENTS

🌟 Relax 6 hours of Minnesota Ambience >>

🌟 Make more recipes inspired by Minnesota experiences >>

🌟 Stay at this haunted hotel >>

from top to bottom: Palmer House Hotel in Sauk Centre, photo by Kerry Peterson | Valleyscare at Valleyfair in Shakopee, photo by Valleyfair | Kramarczuk's in Minneapolis, photo by Matt Lien Photography | Mill City Museum in Minneapolis, photo by Paul Vincent | Threads: Apple Alignment chart, by Explore Minnesota | Grand Marais from Lake Superior, photo by Paul Vincent | St. Paul from the Mississippi River, photo by Paul Vincent | Northrup King Building in Minneapolis, photo by Matt Lien Photography | Minneapolis from Lake of the Isles, photo by Minneapolis Parks | Great River Children's Museum in St. Cloud, photo by B Schneider | Video still from Culinary Campfire on Explore Minnesota's Youtube

Minnesota designed playing cards, and a light canvas Star of the North tote

MINNESOTA HAS GREAT LAKES & GREAT MERCH. SHOP NOW >>

YOUR TEN MUST-DO THINGS THIS FALL IN MINNESOTA >>

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minnesota’s spooky spirit

uncover the eerie side of minnesota

halloween haunts you won’t want to miss

fall bites that won’t eat up your budget

these historical sites are a real page turner

STITCH INCOMING

minnesota art happenings

FALL EDITION

art along the lake

GRAND MARAIS10/2 – 10/5

st. paul art crawl

ST. PAUL10/10 – 10/12

lanesboro area art trail

LANESBORO10/17 – 10/18

art attack

MINNEAPOLIS11/14 – 11/16

mcad art sale

MINNEAPOLIS11/20 – 11/22

mn fun over mea

KID ACTIVITIES AHEAD

your minnesota school break staycation awaits!

congrats to vinai

THEY LANDED IN BON APPÉTIT’S 20 BEST NEW RESTAURANTS OF 2025

fun fact corner

FOR THE MINNESOTA TRIVIA FANATIC

does the minnesota brook trout love a good costume? maybe, seeing as its belly and under fins turn a glorious orange-red in the fall.

our partners

CLICK-WORTHY SPONSORED CONTENT

related content

MORE MINNESOTA MOMENTS

MINNESOTA HAS GREAT LAKES & GREAT MERCH. SHOP NOW >>

enjoy this email?

GRAND MARAIS
10/2 – 10/5

ST. PAUL
10/10 – 10/12

LANESBORO
10/17 – 10/18

MINNEAPOLIS
11/14 – 11/16

MINNEAPOLIS
11/20 – 11/22