The New Abandoned Drive -Thru takes place every Friday and Saturday thru November 1st. The Abandoned Hayride is a popular attraction that gets thousands of visitors every Halloween. It’s along Highway 212 in Chaska, right next to popular Scream Town. This year, the hayride is transformed into a new attraction built for 2020.
Fall is one of the best times of year, especially in Minnesota. It brings beautiful fall colors and perfectly crisp weather that make outdoor activities a blast. Some of the most popular things to do outside include pumpkin patches, hayrides, and corn mazes. But there are many other fall activities in Minnesota, including those of the scary variety. One of this best this year is the Abandoned Drive-Thru. This creepy drive-thru haunted experience is not to be missed this fall.
To enforce social distancing, the regular hayride has been replaced with a drive-through event that is just as terrifying. Cars will travel through a darkened forest filled with creepy sets, special effects, and more than a few costumed ghouls. It’s the only event of its kind in Minnesota. On most nights, the ticket booth opens at 6:30, with attractions ending at 10 or 11. You must buy your tickets in advance online. It’s also a good idea to arrive before your ticketed time so that things can run smoothly. The event lasts about 20 minutes. You’ll find more information about dates and times on the website.
No matter when you visit, one thing remains certain: this event is every bit as frightening as the usual hayride. The owners have gone all out to provide plenty of frights as you drive through the darkened woods. And best of all, you get to stay in your car safe, warm, and contact-free.
If you’re looking for more information about what the Abandoned Drive-Thru might be like, check out the video below. If that doesn’t convince you to take part in this creepy event, we don’t know what will!
For more information on the Abandoned Drive-Thru, including tickets, dates, and more, check out the website and Facebook page.
Run in Minnesota’s Largest Corn Maze with the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers!
“Row The Boat!” in Minnesota’s largest corn maze, designed to honor the University of Minnesota! This year’s 20-acre maze features a scavenger hunt for kids and families to find MN Gophers people, places, & things on signs throughout the maze. The University of Minnesota 20-Acre Corn Maze costs $6 per person on weekdays, and $8 per person on weekends. Kids 3 & under FREE! Wander through Minnesota’s largest corn maze, designed to honor the University of Minnesota! This year’s 20-acre maze features a scavenger hunt for kids and families to find MN Gophers people, places, & things on signs throughout the maze. Free Admission for the Courtyard/Market, Pumpkin Patch, and Sunflower Field.
Every year we donate to a local charity. This year, funds will go to the University of Minnesota Golden Gopher Fund to help provide a transformational academic and athletic experience for every Gopher student-athlete. Since 2010, we have donated over $200,000 to local non-profit organizations.
Bert Bouwman is an experienced farmer and corn maze developer. He and his wife Molly, along with their six kids, run the festival and 2 produce stands in Brooklyn Park and Chanhassen.After years of farming, Bert Bouwman and his family set out to have their own corn maze. In his 11 years of operating the maze, Bert has raised over $200,000 for local charities including the Twins Community Fund, Minnesota Wild Foundation, Minnesota Military Family Foundation, and the Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx Fastbreak Foundation. With 20 acres of land dedicated to the Twin Cities Harvest Festival and Maze, Bert, Molly and their kids love having everyone out and enjoying the festival.
“Thanks to all for coming out. We love seeing your smiling faces every fall!” – Bert
A show from Mother Nature, and a free night! Wave Season is just around the corner, take it the views from Lutsen Resort!
November 1, 2020 thru November 30, 2020
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Legendary Lutsen Resort was the home of the Nelson Family for more than one hundred years. In 1881, Charles Axel Nelson immigrated to the United States from his home in Norkoping, Sweden. He came to Duluth and secured employment as a tug boat captain. From his travels on Lake Superior, he became fascinated with the wild and rugged beauty of the North Shore. The land that now constitutes Lutsen Resort was especially appealing to “C.A.A.,” as he was called. At that time, the mouth of the Poplar River formed a suitable harbor for small craft— providing protection from the winds and waves of Lake Superior; and the hillside was not only picturesque, but also a fine building location and a good source of lumber.
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C.A.A. filed for a homestead and erected a cabin on the hill above the lake, at the site of the present Main Lodge. He plied the waters of the lake and worked the land as a fisherman, logger and trapper. As these enterprises prospered, C.A.A. brought his brothers and parents from Sweden and enlisted their help in enlarging the family business. C.A.A. named his growing homestead “Lutsen,” commemorating the battle of Lutzen in Germany where King Gustav Adolph II was killed. Thus, the resort and the town received their name.
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In the early days, supplies were delivered by boat and supplemented by garden products and domestic livestock. A long dock was constructed, extending out to the large rock. Passenger and freight boats generally “hove-to” off-shore; they were met by skiffs, which then carried passengers and freight to the dock where they were unloaded. When the last boat of the year came through in early December enough supplies would be stocked to carry the operation until the following June. Mail was delivered by boat and later by horse-drawn vehicles.
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The present Swedish-style Main Lodge, with its hand hewn pine timbers, ornate carvings and massive fireplaces was built in 1952. It was designed by Edwin Lundie, a prominent architect specializing in Scandinavian design, who received an award for “Exceptional Architectural merit demonstrating timeless characteristics of the thoughtful and considered design.” The conference hall was added in 1967. In 1988 the resort was sold to Scott Harrison and Nancy Burns. In 1993 they began developing the cliff area west of the Main Lodge with luxury log cabins overlooking Lake Superior. In 1998 the Poplar River Condominium development was started on the east side of the Poplar River. In 2005 the Cliff House Townhouses were built in the location of the original Cliff House.
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Recently in August of 2018, the resort changed hands. It was purchased by North Shore Resort Company, a family company owned by Bryce Campbell and his mother, Sheila. As with any new owners, the Campbells intend to add their own touches to the resort, while maintaining the extensive legacy.
Of all the things that are “back” — schools, bars, football, leaf-peepin’ — only the latter seems both pleasant and unlikely to spread the raging global pandemic.
So pause your doom-scrolling and enjoy this early sampling of leafy majesty, mostly sampled from the northern point of the Arrowhead Region. And FOMO not, foliage freaks: Peak color is still days away for peepin’ hotspots down Hwy. 61 like Palisade Head, Split Rock Lighthouse, and Enger Tower.
As Minnesota reaches peak fall color season, you may be thinking of ways to get out and enjoy the colors. If you’ve already done a fall foliage road trip, the next step may be to get out of the car and see the leaves up close. Each of these trails is less than 5 miles, and each one leads to a spectacular view overflowing with autumn beauty. If you’re looking for some easy fall hikes, these are a great place to start.
From the main parking area at Minneopa Falls State Park, the waterfall is only a .6-mile walk. The walk, surrounded by thick trees in every direction, is full of stunning fall colors. It leads to a long stone bridge that overlooks the beautiful Minneopa Falls. If you want to extend your trip a bit, you can walk down about 70 stairs to the lower falls area.
This trail in northern Minnesota’s Rice Lake National Wildlife Refuge is not to be missed. Clocking in at .75 miles, it’s a short walk that rounds a lake and passes through mixed forest that are sure to bring interesting colors. There are many other trails at the refuge, too, as well as opportunities to see any of the wildlife in the area.
This 1.7-mile trail is a classic for a reason. In scenic Red Wing, a climb up the historic Barn Bluff comes with amazing fall foliage views of the surrounding are. You’ll gaze out over the forest for a fantastic view of the Mississippi River. In the distance, Wisconsin’s equally beautiful fall colors are on display.
Maplewood State Park is home to eight lakes, many more ponds, and rolling hills covered in trees. It is those hills that make it such a great place to visit in the fall. Many hiking trails wind through the park’s 10,279 acres, but the Ironwood Trail is one of the shortest. At .7 miles, it’s perfect for a quick stroll through the vibrantly colored woods.
As one of Minnesota’s most popular state parks, it’s hard to leave Gooseberry Falls out of a list of the best fall hikes. Already beautiful in the summer, Gooseberry Falls takes on an even more beautiful look as the fall colors start coming in. There are many miles of hiking trails, but if you have to choose one must-see trail, take the Main Falls Trail. This wheelchair accessible trail is only a mile from the visitor center, and it allows you to see both the waterfall and the fall colors.
You might not think a park in the Twin Cities metro area could have such magnificent fall foliage, but there are plenty of great parks in the area. One of the most beautiful is Bloomington’s Hyland Lake Park Reserve, where the hilly expanse offers beauty every month of the year. The Hyland Lake Loop is two miles long and passes alongside marshes, hills, and colorful trees.
The Prairie Loop Trail at Afton State Park is a 3-mile loop trail across some of southeastern Minnesota’s most beautiful landscape. The hilly state park is great climbing high to gaze down at the leaves in the valleys below. You’ll also find valleys, small lakes, and vibrant trees.
As part of the Superior National Forest, it’s no wonder the Oberg Trail is a fantastic fall hike. It crosses 2.2 miles of Minnesota’s most beautiful forested landscape, climbing high over it for a truly remarkable view. The Oberg Mountain rises 1,000 feet above Lake Superior, but don’t let the height fool you. It’s a relatively easy hike with many scenic overlooks to help you take in the landscape.
If you’ve been to the Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden in summer or spring, you know this spot is truly a gem of Minneapolis. But in the fall, it takes on an altogether different type of beauty. The bright greens of summer change to the vibrant oranges and yellows of fall, and the season’s wildflowers start to bloom. The trail is only .75 miles in length, making perfect for an autumn afternoon.
Judge C.R. Magney State Park is most known for Devil’s Kettle, the mysterious waterfall that seems to disappear into the earth. And, the fall colors are also worth making the drive to see. Luckily, you can do both by hiking the Devil’s Kettle Trail. At the end of the 2-mile trail through Minnesota’s beautiful northern forest, you’ll see the Kettle decked out in vivid fall colors. It’s definitely worth a visit, but be aware that there are a lot of stairs.
Banning State Park is not one of Minnesota’s most popular state parks, but it sure is one of the most beautiful. The Quarry Loop Trail follows the path of the Kettle River as it rushes downstream. On either side of the river – and the trail – are spectacular fall colors that you don’t want to miss. The trail is about 1.6 miles long, and it also passes a fascinating abandoned sandstone quarry.
We’re aware that these uncertain times are limiting many aspects of life as we all practice social and physical distancing. While we’re continuing to feature destinations that make our state wonderful, we don’t expect or encourage you to go check them out immediately. We believe that supporting local attractions is important now more than ever and we hope our articles inspire your future adventures! And on that note, please nominate your favorite local business that could use some love right now: https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/nominate/
