10 Things to Do Near Pine City, Minnesota This Fall 🍂

Our insider guide to the perfect Minnesota fall getaway — just about an hour north of the Twin Cities

There’s something about fall in Minnesota.

The crisp mornings. The first sweater day. Trees suddenly turning shades of gold and red. Apple orchards, cider, bonfires and that unmistakable feeling that you need to get outside and enjoy it before it’s gone.

We call it fall FOMO.

And because Minnesota fall is ridiculously short, we did the research for you.

And by “research,” we mean hiking to waterfalls, drinking cider, picking flowers, paddling lakes and spending an unreasonable amount of time soaking in a wood-burning hot tub.

If you’re planning a fall getaway from Minneapolis or St. Paul, here are 10 of our favorite things to do near Pine City, Minnesota — plus a few of our insider tips for making the most of them.

Save this list. Send it to your fall adventure person. And maybe keep a few of these spots our little secret. 🤫

1. Hike to Wolf Creek Falls at Banning State Park 🍂

If you only have time for one fall hike, make it this one.

About 30 minutes north of Sweetbriar Ridge, Banning State Park follows the wild and beautiful Kettle River through sandstone cliffs, historic quarry ruins and rushing rapids.

Our destination?

Wolf Creek Falls.

The spring-fed creek tumbles over a roughly 12-foot waterfall before meeting the Kettle River. The Minnesota DNR describes the trip from the picnic area as about a 3.4-mile round-trip hike, using portions of the Quarry Loop, Deadman’s, High Bluff and Wolf Creek trails.

It’s especially beautiful surrounded by fall color.

LOCAL SECRET 🤫: Don’t rush straight to the waterfall. Give yourself time to explore the old sandstone quarry and river overlooks along the way.

And before heading out, check current trail conditions with the Minnesota DNR — fall weather can change quickly.

2. Order a Bourbon-Barrel-Aged Red at Ann River Winery 🍷

Minnesota wine country might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of fall.

It should be.

Head toward Mora and you’ll find Ann River Winery, a family-owned vineyard growing cold-hardy Minnesota grapes right on the property.

Our fall pick is Stone Face.

It’s a dry red aged in bourbon barrels with smoky vanilla, cherry and raspberry notes.

In other words: basically made for sweater weather.

Grab a glass and something to eat, find a spot overlooking the vineyard and settle in.

INSIDER TIP: Check Ann River’s events calendar before you go. They regularly host live music, which turns a quick winery stop into a whole fall afternoon.

3. Spend an Afternoon at a Cider Barn 🍎

Next stop: Sapsucker Farms Yellow Belly Cidery outside Mora.

This isn’t just a taproom.

It’s a cider barn sitting on a 172-acre certified-organic farm, with trails to wander, live music, rotating food trucks and a long list of ciders made to be tasted.

And fall is when this place really shines.

WHAT TO ORDER: If you like a little heat, try the Cayenne Pepper cider. If bourbon is more your speed, try their Barrel Aged cider, aged in bourbon barrels.

Or do what we would do and order a flight.

They also make fantastic non-alcoholic options, including apple juice, root beer and ginger ale, so this is an easy stop with kids or anyone who isn’t drinking.

LOCAL SECRET 🤫: Don’t just grab a cider and leave. Check the live music and food-truck schedule before you visit, then plan to stay awhile.

4. Discover a Tiny Farm Meadery 🍯

If you’ve never tried mead — or think mead only belongs at a Renaissance festival — add this one to your list.

BoeMead is a small family-run farm meadery near Brook Park that makes its mead using honey and ingredients grown right on the farm.

It’s intimate, quirky and exactly the kind of place we love discovering.

OUR ADVICE: Get a flight. Notice a theme here…

The fun is trying a few different varieties and finding the one you love.

Then slow down and stay awhile. That’s kind of the point.

FUN TIP: This family owned meadery is run by a mother and son duo who harvests their own honey from their many hives on the farm! They are often behind the counter giving a warm welcome and making small talk with everyone who comes through their doors.

5. Pick Your Own Fall Bouquet at Moulton’s Orchard 🌻

Yes, you should go apple picking this fall.

But while you’re there, pick flowers too.

Moulton’s Orchard near Rush City offers the quintessential Minnesota fall experience with apples, pumpkins and family-friendly farm fun.

But one of our favorite parts is the flower patch.

Grab some clippers, wander among the blooms and create your own bouquet to take home — or bring it back to your dome.

BRI’S PICK 🍂: Don’t try to rush this stop. Pick some apples, build a bouquet, find a pumpkin and wander through the orchard shop before heading out.

It’s the kind of simple fall afternoon we remember doing as kids — and still love as adults.

6. Book a Private Guided Fishing Trip 🎣

One of the best ways to experience our little corner of Minnesota is from the water.

The Pine City area is surrounded by lakes and rivers, including Cross Lake, Pokegama Lake and the Snake River.

Instead of spending half the morning figuring out where to go, add a private guided fishing experience to your stay with us and let a local show you.

Whether you’re an experienced angler or haven’t picked up a fishing rod in years, it’s an easy way to experience northern Minnesota in the fall.

And when the shoreline starts changing color?

Even if the fish aren’t cooperating, the view usually is.

HOT TIP: Their beginner fly fishing class is perfect for a fun date night or outing with friends. All you have to do is show up and be ready for a fun time!

7. Paddle Through the Fall Colors 🛶

Most people go for a fall-color drive.

We think you should see them from the water.

Guests at Sweetbriar Ridge can grab one of our paddleboards or kayaks and head to nearby Cross Lake, only about five minutes away.

Paddle along the shoreline as the trees turn yellow, orange and red and reflect across the water.

BRI’S PICK 🍁: Go in the morning. Bring coffee. Wear an extra layer. Let the lake get quiet. And don’t rush back.

8. Take a Private Painting Class at Your Dome 🎨

Some fall activities require absolutely no driving.

Book a private painting experience with Sue at Sweetbriar Ridge, and the experience comes right to your dome. (Add to your stay at check out.)

Everything you need is provided, so you can spend a couple of hours painting, sipping something good and taking in the landscape around you.

No artistic talent required.

Really.

INSIDER TIP: If Minnesota gives you one of those perfect sunny, crisp fall afternoons, take the painting outside.

A glass of wine + fall colors + painting in the woods is pretty hard to beat.

9. Soak in a Wood-Burning Hot Tub Under the Stars 🔥

We saved one of our favorites for near the end.

If you’re staying in our Basalt or Chengwatana Dome, your private wood-burning hot tub turns a chilly Minnesota evening into something magical.

Here’s how we’d do it:

Order a charcuterie board delivered right to your dome, made with love by our amazing caterer Sue.

Put on your robes.

Open the bottle of wine, cider or mead you picked up during the day.

Then start heating the hot tub before sunset. Sweetbriar Ridge has some of the best views in the state.

Wood-burning tubs take time to heat, and that’s part of the experience. Build the fire, slow down and watch the light disappear through the trees.

Then climb in.

No traffic.

No television.

No place you need to be.

Just the woods, the stars and the sound of the fire.

THIS ONE’S OUR FAVORITE. 🤎

10. Turn Off the Lights and Look Up ✨

Your fall adventure doesn’t have to end when the sun goes down.

One of our favorite things about Sweetbriar Ridge is how different the sky feels when you get away from the Twin Cities.

Build a fire outside your dome. Wrap yourself in a wool blanket. Look for constellations.

Then climb into your stargazing loft and keep watching from bed.

And if Minnesota really decides to show off?

You might even catch the northern lights.

Your Minnesota Fall Weekend Is Officially Planned 🍂

There you have it.

Hike to a waterfall.

Pick the flowers.

Drink the cider.

Taste the mead.

Catch a fish.

Paddle through the colors.

Paint in the woods.

Order the charcuterie.

Soak under the stars.

And the best part?

You don’t need a flight or a week off work to do any of it.

Sweetbriar Ridge is tucked away on 56 acres near Pine City, Minnesota, about 70 miles north of the Twin Cities.

Our three luxury nature domes give you a comfortable home base for exploring everything this part of Minnesota has to offer — and enough privacy that staying at the dome can be the adventure itself.

Fall doesn’t last long here.

Soak up every bit of it. 🍂

[CHECK FALL AVAILABILITY →]

P.S. Sweetbriar Ridge Was Featured in Outside Magazine!

We still can’t quite believe this one.

Outside recently featured Sweetbriar Ridge and shared what it’s like to truly unplug here — from sleeping beneath the stars to slowing down in our little corner of Minnesota.

We’re incredibly grateful to see this place we’ve poured so much into recognized by one of the biggest names in the outdoor world.

[READ THE OUTSIDE FEATURE →]