Season guide · Minneapolis · United States
Minneapolis in autumn
September–November: weather, crowds, prices and the best things to do this time of year.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: August Schwerdfeger, CC BY 4.0
Quick answer
Crisp, colourful September and October days with fewer crowds, turning cold and grey in November. Expect highs up to 22°C (72°F) and lows around -3°C (27°F), with about 26 rainy days across September–November. September is among the best months of the year to visit.
Key facts
- Months
- September–November
- Temperatures
- -3°C (27°F) to 22°C (72°F)
- Rainy days in the season
- About 26
- Crowds
- Moderate
- Hotel prices
- Average
Weather in autumn
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Daylight | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| September | 22°C (72°F) | 11°C (52°F) | 9 | 12.5 h | 3/5 |
| October | 14°C (57°F) | 4°C (39°F) | 9 | 10.9 h | 3/5 |
| November | 5°C (41°F) | -3°C (27°F) | 8 | 9.5 h | 2/5 |
Compared with the rest of the year: average highs of 14°C (57°F) against a yearly 12°C (54°F), and 26 of the year's roughly 114 rainy days fall in these 3 months. Crowds rate 3/5 and hotel prices 3/5 on average.
What's on in autumn
Recurring events; dates move from year to year, so confirm with the organiser.
- September: Minnesota State Fair ends on Labor Day
- October: Twin Cities Marathon from Minneapolis to Saint Paul (usually early October)
Good choices for autumn
Museum · Phillips
American Swedish Institute
A 33-room chateau-style mansion built in 1908 for newspaper publisher Swan Turnblad houses this museum of Swedish and Nordic culture, with carved woodwork, tiled stoves and changing exhibitions.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- History
- Architecture
- Food
- Rainy day
Architecture · Downtown
Minneapolis Skyway System
Use the skyway maps posted at junctions; on cold days it is the quickest way to cross downtown on foot.
- Time needed
- As needed
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Rainy day
- Architecture
Gallery · University of Minnesota
Weisman Art Museum
Frank Gehry's crumpled stainless-steel museum on the University of Minnesota campus looks out over the Mississippi from the east bank.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Art
- Architecture
- Rainy day
Market · Lake Street
Midtown Global Market
Come hungry at lunchtime and share several small plates from different counters.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Food
- Rainy day
- Shopping
Historic site · Chanhassen
Paisley Park
Prince's home, studio complex and private estate, about 30 km southwest of downtown, is open for guided tours of his recording studios, sound stage and memorabilia including stage costumes and instruments.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Expensive
- History
- Iconic
- Rainy day
Day trips in autumn
- Lake Minnetonka and Excelsior (About 35 minutes) — The big, many-bayed lake west of the city is lined with lakeside towns; Excelsior has a walkable main street, ice-cream shops and summer cruises, including rides on the restored steamboat Minnehaha.
- Taylors Falls and Interstate State Park (About 1 hour) — The St.
What to pack
- Light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening
- Shoes with good grip for icy pavements
- A packable rain jacket for showers
- Comfortable walking shoes
Other times of year
Questions travellers ask
+Is autumn a good time to visit Minneapolis?
Yes: September is among the best months. Crisp, colourful September and October days with fewer crowds, turning cold and grey in November.
+What is the weather like in Minneapolis in autumn?
Highs of up to 22°C (72°F) and lows around -3°C (27°F), with about 26 rainy days over the season.