Frugal Fun Fall Activities for the Family

ST. PAUL, Minn. -  

See the fall harvest at a local farm:
- If you belong to a CSA, many invite their members to visit the farm and learn about where their food comes from. For example, members of Marshwatch Farms in Shakopee, www.marshwatchfarms.com , don’t just stop by the farm to grab their veggies ’ they can also see the Prairie Reclamation Program and walk amongst the wildflowers, pack a lunch and picnic down by the lake, or even pick their own herbs and veggies right now. If you don’t belong to a CSA, you can still check with the farms to see if they offer free tours. Check out the CSA Farm Directory at www.landstewardshipproject.org .
- Visit a ’pick your own’ farm and help with the harvest. You’ll find a huge list of available farms at www.pickyourown.org, such as Applewood Orchard in Lakeville, MN, www.applewoodorchard.com. According to their website, the apple-picking season has begun for 2010. They charge a low $1.39 per pound for most pick your own varieties, and $2.39 for Zestar and Honeycrisp.

See a live football game:
- Pro ball games can get expense, and in the Twin Cities, they’re indoors. But there are other football options you can explore that get you outside and don’t cost a fortune.
- Attend a MIAC, MN Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, football game. Tickets tend to top out at just $7 for adults and students pay much less. Some colleges don’t even charge for tickets, so call first to see if you’ll even need to pay admission. MIAC led the nation in attendance for NCA Division Three Conference, so you know these games are well-attended and FUN.
- Cheer on a local high school, either your alma matter or a school of your choice. For example, I like to root for the Richfield Spartans. And tickets are just $6 for adults, $4 for students, and that’s the pricing for the whole conference.

Watch the fall colors turn:
- Drive along the Great River Road, which is a series of roads that travel along the Mississippi River, from the Twin Cities all the way to Itasca. You can find a map of this 575 mile route at ExploreMinnesota.com. Price for admission is just gas for your car.
- If walking is more your speed, visit the Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden and Bird Sanctuary located in the Theodore Wirth Regional Park. The Sanctuary is open daily until October 15th, and fall is the best time to check out the prairie grasses and autumn leaves. The Sanctuary is free and many of their walking tours are free as well, such as the Fall Nature Walk. The only thing you’d have to pay for is if you park in a pay lot. For more information, including where to park for free, visit www.minneapolisparks.org .