Mid-autumn · Weather & things to do
Minneapolis in October
Minneapolis cools off: highs slip to 56°F (14°C), from 73°F in September, with lows of 37°F (3°C) and about 2.8 in (70 mm) of rain.
It scores 74/100 for comfort, 6th of 12, which makes it a solid shoulder-season month.
- Avg high
- 56°F (14°C)
- Avg low
- 37°F (3°C)
- Rain
- 2.8 in (70 mm)
- Humidity
- 74%
- Cloud cover
- 59%
- Daylight
- ~10 h 42 min
- Comfort score
- 74/100 · Good
What October feels like
Days are mild at around 56°F (14°C): comfortable for walking all day, with a layer for the evening.
Nights cool to an average low of 37°F (3°C).
Some rain is likely, about 2.8 in (70 mm) in the month, so pack for a shower or two.
Plan around October
October is shoulder season: good weather, a step below the best months (August & September).
- The year's biggest cool-down: highs drop 9°C (17°F) from September.
- Comfort slips from 88/100 in September to 74/100.
- October sits inside the Jun – Oct window our Minnesota North Shore route recommends.
What to pack for October
- A warm layer for eveningslows near 37°F
- Packable rain jacket or umbrellaabout 2.8 in of rain
- Comfortable walking shoesmost places below are best reached on foot or with short walks
What to do in Minneapolis in October
October is good outdoor weather here, so these picks lean toward the open air.
Walker Art Center and Minneapolis Sculpture Garden
Contemporary art museum beside the free garden with the Spoonbridge and Cherry.
Minneapolis Institute of Art
Free encyclopedic museum with period rooms and strong Asian and American collections.
Spoon and Stable
Chef Gavin Kaysen's restaurant in a former North Loop horse stable.
Bde Maka Ska
Largest of the Chain of Lakes, with a 3-mile loop path, beaches and paddleboard rentals.
Why now October scores 74/100 for comfort, good conditions for being outside.
Minnehaha Falls
53-foot waterfall in a city park with creek trails to the Mississippi.
Why now Highs near 56°F and 2.8 in of monthly rain make this an easy outdoor pick.
Nearby in October
- Duluth in October~137 mi · highs 53°F, 3.2 in rain · 2°C (4°F) cooler by day, about as wet
- Decorah in October~137 mi · highs 58°F, 2.9 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
- Dubuque in October~215 mi · highs 60°F, 3.1 in rain · 2°C (4°F) warmer by day, about as wet
- Des Moines in October~235 mi · highs 63°F, 2.8 in rain · 4°C (6°F) warmer by day, about as wet
These averages also cover Downtown Minneapolis & the Riverfront and Minnehaha Falls.
NASA POWER 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km grid. Comfort scores weigh temperature, rain, humidity and cloud: see how we score each month. Check a forecast before you go.
Minneapolis in October: quick answers
Is October a good time to visit Minneapolis?
It's a good shoulder-season choice, scoring 74/100 against a best of 88 in August & September. Expect highs of 56°F (14°C) and 2.8 in (70 mm) of rain. October is inside the Jun – Oct window our Minnesota North Shore route recommends.
How cold is Minneapolis in October?
Average highs are 56°F (14°C) and average lows 37°F (3°C), making it the 6th-warmest month by daytime highs.
Does it rain a lot in Minneapolis in October?
Some: about 2.8 in (70 mm) of rain falls across October on average, the 6th-driest month of the year. The annual total is about 33.1 in (840 mm).
What should I pack for Minneapolis in October?
Bring a warm layer for evenings (lows near 37°F), packable rain jacket or umbrella (about 2.8 in of rain) and comfortable walking shoes (most places below are best reached on foot or with short walks).
More on Minneapolis
Routes in season in October
- Minnesota North Shore Jun – Oct
Planning Minneapolis in October?
Plan it together in TripsCircle: one itinerary, one shared packing list and costs split as you go.