Experience the beauty of fall during a weekend getaway in Bloomington, Minnesota, home of Mall of America! Bloomington’s 45+ hotels are centrally located in the Minneapolis-Saint Paul metro area and provide a home base for pumpkin patch and apple orchard visits, outdoor adventures, wine tasting and fall dining. Whether you’re traveling with the whole family or planning a couples’ getaway, this itinerary is the perfect place to start planning your fall weekend in Bloomington.
Friday: Arrive and Settle In
Check into your Bloomington hotel and kick off the weekend at 9 Mile Brewing Company, Bloomington’s local brewery. Grab a pizza from their in-house Creekside Kitchen and settle in with over a dozen craft beers on tap, plus entertainment like cornhole, board games, and trivia nights. Traveling with kids? 9 Mile Brewing is family friendly! If you’re looking for something more interactive for the little ones, WhirlyBall offers bowling, laser tag, and WhirlyBall (a mix of bumper cars, lacrosse, and basketball) all under one roof, and Full Tilt Tavern has a massive arcade to burn off some energy before bed.
Saturday Morning: Farmers Market, Breakfast, and a Fall Stroll
Start the day at the Bloomington Farmers Market, open every Saturday through mid-October from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Bloomington Civic Plaza east lot, for fresh apples, pumpkins, and other seasonal finds. From there, grab breakfast at Perk Up Kitchen or Ze’s Diner before heading out for a quick fall stroll at Hyland Lake Park Reserve or the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge to take in the changing leaves.
Saturday Afternoon: Orchards or Wineries
The rest of the afternoon is yours to shape around what your group loves most. Families and groups looking for a classic fall outing can head to a pumpkin patch or fall festival around the Twin Cities; browse our full Fall Outdoor Family Fun Guide to find one that fits. Couples and friends looking for something a little more relaxed can head west to sip their way through Waconia Wine Country at Sovereign Estate, Schram Vineyards, Parley Lake Winery, or Everly Farms, all known for their scenic tasting rooms.
Saturday Evening: Dinner and Rest
Head back to Bloomington for dinner at Ciao Bella for fresh Italian cuisine and a lively patio, or Hazelwood Food & Drink for a laid-back night out. Then get some well-earned rest at your hotel before day two.
Sunday: Grab and Go Breakfast, Then Mall of America
Fuel up with a quick breakfast from Scramblin Egg before heading to Mall of America for however much time your travel schedule allows. There’s something for every kind of visit, from a quick couple of hours to a full afternoon:
- Nickelodeon Universe, which transforms into Nickelodeon “Boo”niverse throughout October with a spooky twist on rides and characters and activities like pumpkin carving
- SEA LIFE Minnesota Aquarium for an easy, indoor family activity
- FlyOver America for an immersive flight over some of the country’s most iconic landscapes
- Shopping across the mall’s hundreds of stores, with tax-free clothing and shoes making it a great time to stock up on fall layers
- The LEGO Store, a favorite stop for kids and collectors alike
Ready for more fall fun? View the fall foliage destinations itinerary, Halloween things to do article, and Fall Outdoor Family Fun Guide for more autumn trip ideas.
