Bicyclists tour the trails in and around Lanesboro.

Farmer John’s Pumpkin Patch
Farmers John and Jan Ulland, the owners of Austin’s most-renowned pumpkin patch, provide the complete fall package at their farm north of Austin. With 20 years in the business, the two have developed an experience that touches every desire of the fall enthusiast: the Sunday horse-drawn wagon, the jams, honey and raspberries, the surrounding foliage, and of course the pumpkins, gourds and Indian corn. Open seven days a week from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., the patch also hosts birthdays, reunions and other family events. It is at 90537 273rd St., off U.S. Highway 218.

Alpaca Farm
One will surely adore the view and the feel of Pajolo Alpacas’ award-winning, bushy-haired fleet. With a breeding stock that’s ranked among the best, Jim and Linda Peter will schedule tours throughout the fall at their rural Austin farm, off Minnesota Highway 105. An autumn visit also ensures the best pickings of Pajolo Alpacas’ warm, silky-soft apparel, which is available for sale right before the dark, cold winter days hit. Tours are available through the Austin Convention and Visitors Bureau at (800) 444-5713 or through the Peters at (507) 437-1561. More information is also available online at www.pajolo.com.

The Spam Museum
Its wholesome goodness spans the seasons, so stop into Spamtown for a multi-sensory tour of its namesake museum. The Spam Museum features the history, the merchandise and the inexplicable delight of Hormel Foods’ most infamous luncheon meat. The free admission also makes it a cheap place for tour bus visits or families bored of fall colors. Following Labor Day, the Spam Museum, 1937 Spam Blvd. in Austin, is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. It’s closed Sunday and Monday.

Interstate 90 travelers often stop to visit the 16,500-square-foot Spam Museum in Austin

Lanesboro
The variety, the sights, the shopping. There are endless enjoyments in the small town of Lanesboro. Called a “valley deep in culture and beauty,” Lanesboro is cut through the center by the Root River and well-paved bike trail, which offers opportunity for hours of hiking and biking. The quaint community also boasts
a vibrant downtown
rich in theater, crafts
and food. More information is available at
www.lanesboro.com.

— Mia Simpson