If you are looking for things to do on a Taylors Falls Minnesota day trip, look no further! Here is your perfect day trip guide for visiting Taylors Falls.
Taylors falls is a nostalgic small town with an amazing state park that borders along the St. Croix River. Furthermore, the drive into town is breathtaking, with spectacular cliffsides, curvy roads and pine trees. And it’s truly enchanting in the fall with the explosion of colorful leaves reflecting off the river. A must visit!
Let’s dive into what to do on a Taylors Falls Minnesota day trip!
Taylors Falls Minnesota Day Trip
Where is Taylors Falls located?
Taylors Falls is located about an hour northeast of the Twin Cities and lies along the St. Croix River and the border of Wisconsin. Additionally, Taylors Falls is in a prime location next to the famous Wild Mountain ski resort and surrounded by cute towns, state parks, wineries and orchards. So, you’ll have plenty to do!
1. Start your day with delicious coffee
Coffee Talk is the cutest place right in the main part of town. Set in a Victorian house with a lower and upper level that has cute nooks and crannies that you can comfortably spend a couple of hours in. Or, if you want to be outside, there’s seating in the front porch and also a picturesque, wooded back patio area.
Additionally, if you are up for a very short (5 minute) drive across the border into Wisconsin, check out 3 Arrows Coffee Co. Where they roast their own coffee and have the best space with a fireplace and plush seating. It’s a must stop if you are a coffee lover.
2. Visit Interstate State Park
This state park is a fascinating place with cliffsides, rock paths, and the beautiful St. Croix River. But the most interesting thing to see are the glacier potholes. These potholes were created in the glacial times due to the melt causing forceful swirling whirlpools of water and pebbles to grind holes and allow water to breakthrough. Very cool phenomenon.
Interestingly, there are a few entrances into the park. The main entrance is kitty corner from the town, so if you didn’t want to pay the park fee, you can walk here from town. (You need a state park pass $7 for the day or a yearly pass for $35. You can purchase this ahead of time here.) Also, at this entrance is where you can do the Taylors Falls scenic boat tours.
The second entrance is a little further down the St Croix Scenic byway, this is where you want to go if you want to rent a kayak or a canoe.
And finally, the third entrance is on the Wisconsin side of the park. Click here for more information on this side of the park.
3. Have breakfast or lunch at Juneberry Café
Juneberry cafe offers local high-quality foods that are healthy and good for you. You can eat in the cafe, or they offer to-go options if you wanted to do a picnic elsewhere. I came here for lunch and got a swiss and mushroom panini with a wild rice side. So delicious! And if you need a morning or afternoon pick me up, they offer simple espresso drinks here as well.
4. Do some shopping in town
If you are a shopper, you’ll find some cute shops to visit in town. But the most popular shop has to be the River Alley Shoppes. And you can’t miss it as it’s the cute little yellow antique shop with a bunch of fun stuff out in the front yard. An antique lover’s dream place!
5. Grab a root beer and a burger from The Drive in Restuarant
Take a step back in time and have a burger and a root beer at the Drive-In restaurant. Where the waitresses dress in poodle skirts and the retro 50’s style building is bustling with action. And if you love root beer, it’s made fresh on site and brought to you in huge, tall mugs. People also rave about their delicious milkshakes. But note that the restaurant is only open seasonally from late spring to early fall. Therefore a perfect place to visit in the summer.
6. Play mini golf at Adventure Falls
Right next door to the Drive-in, is Adventure Falls Mini Golf. Which is the perfect place to work off your milkshake meal and test your luck at making some hole in ones! As you can imagine, this 18-hole course is the perfect way to spend your afternoon.
7. Have some ice cream at Schoony’s Malt Shop and Pizzeria
Another nostalgic place in town is definitely at Schoony’s. Where you can play classic pinball arcade games and order up your favorite scoop of ice cream. And as the name implies, you can get some scrumptious pizza here as well. I tried their blueberry waffle cone ice cream, and it was absolutely divine.
8. Take a stroll down to the River Walk
A stroll down to the river walk is an unexpected delight. With a covered bridge, a picnic table at the water’s edge, and a wonderful trail by the water. It totally feels like an enchanted wooded wonderland. And it’s easy to find as the entrance is located to the left before the bridge going into Wisconsin. You’ll also see a big yellow Adirondack chair right at the entrance.
9. Check out the view at Overlook Park
Since I visited Taylors Falls in the fall, I wanted to see as many leafy viewpoints as possible, and this overlook is the perfect place. The overlook is technically in Wisconsin, but it’s only a 5-minute drive from Taylors Falls. And it’s totally worth a visit in any season!
10. Try some wine at one of the wineries nearby
You might be surprised to know that there are 5 wineries within a 15-mile radius of Taylors Falls. Definitely worth a visit to one of these wineries!
Here are the wineries near Taylors Falls:
Chateau St. Croix Winery– An impressive winery that looks like a castle on the outside.
Dancing Dragonfly Winery– Try a paired tasting with a wine flight and a mini food tasting.
Winehaven Winery– Try their fun dessert wines, like raspberry or strawberry rhubarb. Or try their honey wine that has won over 30 medals!
Wild Mountain Winery– At one of the highest points in Chisago County, this winery has some of the best picturesque views.
Deer Lake Winery– A fun winery with live music throughout the year.
11. Visit Franconia Sculpture Park
This fascinating sculpture park was founded in 1996 and displays massive pieces of art on 50 acres of land. Some of the art pieces are interactive like the huge structure with a swing set underneath. Interestingly, the art can also be conversation starters to talk about a wide range of subjects. And the sculpture park also has community arts programs on site and is a huge believer that art can change the world.
12. Pick some apples at Pleasant Valley Orchard
This orchard is the perfect place to visit for strawberry picking in the summer and apple picking in the fall. Additionally, there’s a little gift shop inside and also baked goods for sale. I tried their apple turnover and wished I had bought more than one! Super cute place.
13. Visit the nearby town of Osceola
If you have a little extra time, be sure to visit the town of Osceola. Located only 15 minutes away from Taylors Falls and a totally easy town to visit. Start with a meal at The Watershed Cafe and walk behind the restaurant for some beautiful views of the back nature area. Then walk over to the overlook to see the Wilke Glen and Cascade waterfall. Within town are a few antique shops and be sure to visit the Chocolate Gnome for a sweet treat. Another fun thing to do is to visit the train depot museum and go for a ride on the train. We did the fall foliage train ride, and it was such a unique experience!
Last thoughts on taking a Taylors Falls Minnesota Day Trip
Taylors Falls is truly a delight to visit. From visiting Interstate State Park, to slurping down a delicious root beer, you’ll have the best day! Have fun making those memories!
Taylors Falls Minnesota Day Trip
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