Experience the beauty of fall during a weekend getaway in Bloomington, Minnesota, home of Mall of America! Bloomington’s 45+ hotels are centrally located in the Minneapolis-Saint Paul metro area and provide a home base for outdoor adventures, trips to Mall of America, and fall outings with the whole family.
Nature
Spend a day outdoors enjoying the beautiful Minnesota fall weather. With so many parks and trails in Bloomington, there’s no shortage of locations where you can go for an autumn bike ride, take your pup on a relaxing hike, or just do some leaf peeping and check out the changing colors of fall. Hyland Lake Park Reserve in west Bloomington and the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge in east Bloomington are two popular options for spending time in nature in our destination.
Hyland Hills Ski Area opens up their chairlifts for rides one weekend in October, timed during peak fall colors for the best views of the city’s trees. Watch Three Rivers Park District’s website for details on this quintessentially fall event, which also includes live music and food and beverages.
Mall of America
As one of the nation’s largest malls, there’s no better place for a fall shopping spree than Mall of America. Take the kiddos to pick up some new threads for the first day of school, or just plan a weekend outing to explore the latest fashion for a new season. All clothing and shoes are tax-free, so stock up on sweaters, boots, and scarves for the upcoming chilly weather!
During the month of October, Nickelodeon Universe inside Mall of America transforms into Nickelodeon “Boo”niverse to celebrate Halloween. Rides and characters are given a spooky twist, and special events pop up throughout the week with fun activities like pumpkin carving. Purchase an Unlimited Ride Wristband to get the best deal on a day of fun at the theme park.
Food and Drink
The Bloomington Farmers Market is the perfect place to stock up on everything from apples to pumpkins and everything in between. Our local market is held is held every Saturday through mid-October from 8 A.M. to 1 P.M. in the Bloomington Civic Plaza east lot.
Bloomington’s brand-new brewery, 9 Mile Brewing Company, provides a fun and welcoming atmosphere for a fall night out. 9 Mile has over a dozen craft beers on tap and tons of entertainment options, such as cornhole, board games, and trivia nights. Dogs and children are welcome at the brewery – 9 Mile is dog-friendly inside and out and even occasionally hosts events specifically designed for kids. Check the brewery’s website ahead of time to see what food truck will be on site during your visit.
Ready for more fall fun? View the fall foliage destinations itinerary, Halloween things to do article, and fall family fun guide for more autumn trip ideas.
