Get the News on Fall Color Hues in Minnesota

Explore Minnesota Flaunts Fall with #OnlyinMN and Weekly Fall Color Reports

ST. PAUL, Minn. (Sept. 9, 2015) – To celebrate the arrival of autumn, Explore Minnesota, the state's tourism promotion office, will launch weekly fall color reports starting Sept. 10 – late October, highlight fall-themed social media initiatives using #OnlyinMN, and serve as the go-to resource for all things fall in Minnesota. With so much to see and do, and brilliant fall colors and flavors cropping up across the state, Explore Minnesota is the place to find unique destinations, events and activities that can be experienced only in Minnesota this season.

Get the News on Minnesota Fall Color Sept. 10 – late October 

The fall color show in Minnesota begins along the northern border in early to mid-September, and the color spreads southward over the next several weeks. Each year, the fall color progression varies based on the weather and can be tracked via free weekly reports by Explore Minnesota during peak fall foliage. Travelers can sign up at exploreminnesota.com/fallcolor.

From the north shore of Lake Superior to the bluffs of the Mississippi River Valley, there is a scenic route for every traveler to chase the colors. Countless orchards, 165 pumpkin patches, museums and fall festivals can complete any day trip or long weekend drive. The landscape is splashed with color as trees, shrubs and prairie grasses take on golden, ruby and tangerine hues. Mild temperatures are the perfect time for outdoor fun like hiking, biking, paddling, golfing, fishing and more. Fall colors provide a beautiful backdrop to activities; make way for fruitful, Minnesota-made flavors; and for many, are reason alone to plan a road trip to enjoy the bright hues.

Explore Minnesota's Fall Color Travel Opportunities

• Minnesota's Rainbow Routes: exploreminnesota.com/travel-ideas/rainbow-routes-10-fall-color-drives 

• 10 Things to Do in Minnesota This Fall: exploreminnesota.com/travel-ideas/10-things-fall

Flaunt Fall Using #OnlyinMN

Through Explore Minnesota's popular Instagram account, travelers can engage in fall theme weeks each Monday through Friday for a chance to win prizes or be featured in “Top Pics of the Week” by using the hashtag #OnlyinMN:

• Sept. 14-18: Fall Harvest (pumpkin patches, orchards, festivals, farmers markets, etc.)

• Sept. 21-25: Fall Adventure (biking, hiking, kayaking, scenic road trips, etc.)

• Sept. 28-Oct. 5: Fall Foliage

“Fall in Minnesota is a stunning and peak season, accounting for 25% of annual travel expenditures,” said John Edman, director of Explore Minnesota. “There are unique experiences and vibrant color statewide, and research shows that people seek travel inspiration from their social networks, so sharing #OnlyinMN moments this fall is a fun way to highlight our beautiful state.”

In addition, travelers and media alike are invited to participate in Explore Minnesota's upcoming “Fall Tweetchat” on Wednesday, Sept. 23, from noon to 1 p.m. CST. A fall-themed Instameet will take place in downtown Stillwater in October (date TBA).

Scenic drives, orchards, harvest season, festivals and football make fall the second-biggest travel season in the U.S. With four distinct seasons, Minnesota is one of the best destinations for those looking to experience fall colors and seasonal festivals. “Fall is my favorite season, and since it is short in Minnesota, I hope people get out to enjoy it,” said Minnesota's Lt. Gov. Tina Smith. “Visit an apple orchard, pick a pumpkin, go for a hike, or take a ride to see the fall colors. And have fun!”

Travelers and residents are encouraged to follow along at exploreminnesota.com/onlyinmn and share their autumn adventures with @exploreminnesota on Instagram and Facebook and @exploreminn on Twitter and Pinterest. Explore Minnesota regularly features user-generated photos shared using #OnlyinMN. For those seeking fall vacation ideas, Explore Minnesota experts can help by calling 888-VISITMN, or via live chat by visiting exploreminnesota.com.

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About Explore Minnesota

As the state's tourism promotion office, Explore Minnesota markets Minnesota as a premier travel destination and pursues an entrepreneurial approach, leveraging the state's tourism investment with increased involvement by the private sector. A council of representatives from the state's tourism industry strongly connects Explore Minnesota with tourism businesses and organizations.

Tourism is a $13 billion industry in Minnesota, and a key sector of the state's economy. Fall travel in Minnesota accounts for 25% of travel expenditures. The leisure and hospitality industry – a major provider of tourism services – employs more than 250,000 workers, representing 11 percent of Minnesota's private sector employment. Leisure and hospitality also generates 17 percent of the state's sales tax revenues. An estimated 69 million domestic travelers and 270,000 international travelers vacationed in Minnesota in 2013. These figures do not include the 700,000 Canadian travelers who visit Minnesota annually.

See what's happening right now, only in Minnesota, at exploreminnesota.com, and join the movement via @exploreminn on Twitter and Pinterest, or @exploreminnesota on Instagram and Facebook, using #OnlyinMN.

About #OnlyinMN:

The user-driven marketing campaign, themed “Only in Minnesota,” promotes Minnesota as a one-of-a-kind Midwest travel destination. Explore Minnesota launched the #OnlyinMN travel marketing campaign in spring 2014 and achieved impressive results. An independent study found the campaign generated 3.1 million trips and $320.2 million in spending that would not have occurred otherwise. In addition, close to 2 million people who did not visit Minnesota in 2014 intended to do so in the coming year. The campaign is the largest travel marketing effort in the state's history.

In addition to the socially driven movement, this fall's campaign features TV spots, as well as radio, print, digital and out-of-home advertising. To date, the popular #OnlyinMN hashtag has been used more than 200,000 times, and Explore Minnesota has amassed more than 200,000 fans on social media.

EXPLORE MINNESOTA TOURISM – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                         

State of Minnesota

Media contacts:

Domestic: Alyssa Ebel, 651-757-1857, alyssa.ebel@state.mn.us, Twitter: @ExploreMN_PR

International: Bill Von Bank, 651-757-1860, bill.vonbank@state.mn.us