Minnesota Businesses Hoping For Big Fall Season

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Scenic drives to apple orchards in the fall colors season means big business in Minnesota.

Now that the leaves have already started to turn in northern Minnesota, Explore Minnesota spokesperson Alyssa Ebel says the fall color season makes up a quarter of the state's $13.6 billion tourism industry. Ebel says second only to summer, fall is a crucial time for the state's hospitality industry.

"Food, loding, retail, recreation, transportation," Ebel said of the business oppotunities this autumn. "It varies in the fall, just based on children being back in school, so some businesses are even offering late-season discounts. So yes, people are definitely promoting this season in Minnesota."

Ebel says the DNR is predicting good colors this year with all the rain we've had this summer, especially if we see more warm days and cool nights.