Things to do in Minneapolis-St Paul this weekend!
September 14-15, 2019
September is that glorious month in Minnesota where it’s still possible to run around in shirtsleeves, enjoying the sunshine. We like to make every early fall day count – and prove it with weekends packed full of festivals, craft fairs, farm fun and other reasons to run around in the outdoors. We’ve listed our picks for this weekend below; for more ideas hop over to our September Family Events Guide or our Family Fun Calendar.
WEEKEND FESTIVAL PICKS
We can’t get enough of the fresh outdoor fall festivals that populate every corner of the Twin Cities this time of year. Here are two we think are worth your time this weekend; find a dozen more on our Fall Family Festival Calendar.
Sat, Sept 14: Wild Rice Festival | Harriet Alexander Nature Center, Roseville | 10am-4pm
Games for all, activities with Gibbs Farm, Native American dancing and drumming, hands-on demos and much more. FREE admission.
Sat Sept 14: Golden Valley Arts & Music Festival | City Hall Campus
Family-friendly live entertainment, lawn games, kids karaoke, art activities and artist vendors to browse. Parade steps off at 9:30am. FREE admission.
TWIN CITIES APPLE ORCHARD PICKS
It’s all about apples here in the Twin Cities during the month of September. Local orchards are nearly all open for business, many with special apple festivals and events going on to tickle the taste buds. Find our complete guide to family-friendly Twin Cities apple orchards or see our weekend picks below:
Fall Harvest Orchard | Montrose
Fall Harvest has those alluring corn pits and stacks of tractor tires to play in, a field for tetherball and disc golf, and, for a small fee, wagon rides, train rides and a corn maze. Of course, you can pick your own apples as well. Open daily, 10am-6pm. Always call ahead to check the picking schedule.
Deardorff Orchards | Waconia
Take a tractor wagon ride out to pick-your-own apples and let the kids play freely in their own space with hay bales and farm animals. There’s also a winery onsite for the adults. Annual Apple Pickin’ Days held Saturday, September 14. Open 10am-6pm.
OUTDOOR PARKS PICK – Silverwood Park, St Anthony
Outdoors, Silverwood offers a combination of natural space and art for independent exploration. If you prefer guided exploration, there are regular free artist and naturalist led hikes. If you need to take a break indoors, the coffee shop is a great place to have adult conversations with kids in tow. There are games and coloring materials available for the kids and art on display everywhere.
Sat, Sept 14: Field Trip | 11am-5pm
Celebrating local artisans and the beauty of the park together with the local community has never been so colorful and vibrant. You will be able to enjoy the park sculptures, build a fort in the woods, play Lawn Jenga, blow bubbles, go on a scavenger hunt, shop at the vendor booths and walk the park paths. Read all about our take on the Field Trip at the link.
OUTDOOR NATURE PLAY PICKS
Sat, Sept 14: Saturday Mornings on the Farm | Gale Woods Farm, Minnetrista
Calling all farmhands! Help out with chores, spend time with the animals and participate in other fall farm activities.Closed-toe shoes required to enter the animal enclosures and, as always, dress for the weather. 9:30am-12pm, $5/pp.
Sat, Sept 14: FINAL CAP Super Saturday | Caponi Art Park, Eagan
Interactive performances w/ music, dance, and art activities. Explore the sculpture trails. Snacks included. 10am-12pm, suggested donation $5/pp.
Sun, Sept 15: Seed Art | Eastman Nature Center, Maple Grove
You could be the next Crop Art Queen (or King) at the Minnesota State Fair! Design a take-home project with a variety of colorful seeds. Eastman is located within the beautiful Elm Creek Park Reserve – stay to experience the huge Elm Creek Park Reserve Play Area before the temps drop. Drop in 1-3pm, FREE.
OUTDOOR FOODIE PICKS
Take a break from the chicken fingers and Kraft and head to one of these outdoor events where you just may be able to expand your littles’ palate a bit:
Sun, Sept 15: Eat Street Fest | Nicollet Ave between 25th and 27th street | 1-9pm
Be a part of the second Eat Street Fest, a celebration of the multicultural Whittier neighborhood in Minneapolis. Enjoy live music, performances, international fare, and activities from the neighborhood’s many arts and cultural organizations.
Sun, Sept 15: Twin Cities Veg Fest | Harriet Island, St Paul | 11am-5pm
Free samples! Try cuisine, take home recipes and watch cooking demos. Think the kids might get bored once their tummies are full? Harriet Island Regional Park has a great playground and is near enough to the Mississippi to (safely) boat-watch.
ALWAYS FREE TO VISIT WEEKENDS
- Minneapolis Institute of Art
- Minneapolis Sculpture Garden – adjacent to the Walker Art Center (free each first Saturday/month)
- Weisman Art Museum – located on the Minneapolis campus of the University of Minnesota
- Como Park Zoo & Conservatory