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Fall colors in the Twin Cities: where to find them
Pioneer Press
Updated: 10/09/2014 03:07:58 PM CDT OCT 1 0 2014 TwinCities.com
• Oct 4:
it
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jR, • Sep 18:
• Minnesota firewood shortage 'unprecedented,' timber exec says
• Sep15:
• Wisconsin grape harvest starting slowly
° ,..0: 10' • Sep 9:
Fall colors emerge Friday, Sept. 12.
2014. at Hidden Falls Regional Park • DNR predicts colorful, but short-lived fall foliage this year
along the Mississippi River in St. • Sep 8:
Paul. (Pioneer Press:John Autey) . Stillwater third best in U.S. for seeing fall colors
Northern Minnesota doesn't have a monopoly on fall color. Here are some of the best spots to
absorb fall colors in the Twin Cities area.
Peak fall color in the metro area will arrive between Oct. 5-21, according to The Farmers Almanac.
It will arrive a bit sooner in northern Minnesota.
Let us know what secret spots we've missed -- there are plenty of hidden gems.
SUMMIT AVENUE: This five-mile stretch through St. Paul's middle is lined with big, historic homes
and has the big, old trees to match. Drive it end to end -- between the Cathedral of St. Paul and
the Mississippi River -- for a glimpse of the boulevard's 19th century mansions and rainbow of
autumn eye candy.
KELLER GOLF COURSE: Tucked away in Maplewood near Minnesota 36, spectacular colors and
well-manicured surroundings might alone be enough reason to take up golf.
AUGSBURG COLLEGE: There is a row of maple trees along the south side of the Augsburg
College library in Minneapolis -- take five minutes to soak it in. It's worth it.
THE MALL: Trees in the heart of the University of Minnesota's Twin Cities campus in Minneapolis
have taken a beating from storms in recent years, but the mix of urban beauty and changing colors
can't be missed.
MINNESOTA 13 NEAR MISSISSIPPI RIVER: Near Moose Country bar and just north of Wachtler
Avenue in Lilydale. Look for the bridge where everyone is taking photos -- they're probably taking
them for a reason.
LEBANON HILLS REGIONAL PARK: Just a quick jaunt down Interstate 35E from downtown St.
Paul in Eagan lies a fall gem laced with bike and walking trails along with plenty of lake views.
MINNESOTA LANDSCAPE ARBORETUM: Located in Chanhassen, the arboretum has a wide
variety of foliage to take in: orange-leaved sugar maples; yellow elms, ash and boxelder; and fiery
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Fall colors in the Twin Cities: where to find them - TwinCities.com Page 2 of 2
red viburnums, dogwoods, sumacs and amur maples. It also has a colorful prairie and still has
annuals and container plants on display.
COLORS FROM A BOAT: Fall on the St. Croix and Mississippi rivers is particularly gorgeous in
late afternoons. You can rent a pontoon boat, take a river cruise, or borrow or buy a canoe or
kayak.
INDIAN MOUNDS PARK: A southwesterly look down the Mississippi River valley in St. Paul. The
whole valley has great views, but Mounds Park offers the bird's eye view.
AFTON STATE PARK: The ash and walnut trees have begun to turn yellow and the sumacs their
distinctive red. Some of the maples along the park road are showing color, too.
The 'up north' compromise
ST. JOHN'S UNIVERSITY: Surrounded by 2,700 acres of forest, prairie, lake and wetland, it's just
about the perfect spot to take in a Minnesota fall -- but it's about an hour northwest of the Twin
Cities. Walk a forest trail around Lake Sagatagan to Stella Maris Chapel for another view of
campus.
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