7 Most Beautiful Sunflower Fields in Minnesota

While not as nationally known, sunflower fields in Minnesota are nearly as popular as the urban cherry blossoms of D.C. The cheerful yellow faces are a welcome sight whether driving down a rural road, visiting a local farm, or receiving a bouquet of flowers.

Sunflowers were originally grown for food, flour, and oil by Native Americans. Spanish explorers introduced them to Europe in the 1500s.

New varieties were brought back to America. Seeds spread and evolved into more than 100 varieties and sizes. Colors include creamy white, purple, red, and orange.

Sunflowers range from tiny flowers with one to two-foot stems to towers of brilliant yellow leaves on six to eight-foot-tall stalks. Traditional black seeds can be surrounded by sunny yellow leaves, fluffy teddy bear-like petals, and starburst blooms.

Mainly an annual plant that blooms in summer or early fall, sunflowers can be perennial in the right conditions. They enjoy the sunshine but also thrive in swampy areas. Sunflowers bloom for eight to 12 weeks.

Minnesota is the third largest sunflower-producing state. While sunflowers are essentially a crop, those golden fields bring so much joy for travelers. Your Insta feed, photo album, and annual Christmas card will be the envy of everyone. 

If you live in the Midwest, you’ve probably seen a sunflower field. If you haven’t, it’s time to fix that! We’ve picked out some of the most popular fields to get started.

When to Visit a Sunflower Field in Minnesota

August and September are prime times for sunflower seekers. Of course, Mother Nature will play a role, but those two months are your best bet for finding a beautiful sunflower field.

For the best advice on timing, festivals, and sunflower-related stuff, check out each location’s website to sign up for the most up-to-date details.

Most Beautiful Sunflower Fields in Minnesota

1. Fish Sunflowers

Circling the Twin Cities from Braham to Gibbon and Alberta Lea, Fish Sunflowers offers several blooming sunflower fields around the area. With fields located in towns such as Buffalo, Monticello, Kimball, Big Lake, Andover, Braham, and Gibbon, there are many chances to see the full bloom of so many sunflower fields in Minnesota.

The goal of Fish Sunflowers is to spread joy and provide a pretty place for families to enjoy. The fields are planted with flowers in honor of organizations or causes such as mental health, hometown heroes, organ donors, veterans, animals, and Alzheimer’s awareness.

The field in Buffalo is next to Allina Health Clinic, which was the site of a mass shooting where one person was killed and another four were injured. The main field of sunflowers is in the shape of a heart.

Admission to all the sunflower fields is free. Most of the sunflower fields are on private properties, so be mindful of farmers, neighbors, and other visitors when taking photos and enjoying the blooming beauty of flowers.

Hotels near Fish Sunflowers

Holiday Inn Express and Suites Coon Rapids – Blaine

Holiday Inn Express and Suites Coon Rapids – Blaine has an indoor pool, a hot tub, and a fitness center. Room amenities include complimentary wifi, a microwave, a fridge, a coffee maker, a desk, and a seating area. Guests can enjoy a complimentary breakfast before checking out the sunflower field in Big Lake or Andover.

Best Western Plus Albert Lea

The pet-friendly Best Western Plus Albert Lea, Minnesota offers an indoor swimming pool, a fitness center, and business facilities. Guest room amenities include free Wi-Fi, a mini-fridge, and a microwave. The hotel is within easy access to gorgeous sunflowers at Fish Sunflowers field in Albert Lea.

Country Inn and Suites by Radisson – Albertville

The Country Inn and Suites by Radisson – Albertville has an indoor pool, a hot tub, meeting space, and a stylish lobby area. Amenities include free Wi-Fi, complimentary breakfast, and a dining area with a microwave, a refrigerator, and a coffee maker. Enjoy free coffee and cookies at the front desk. The hotel is near Albertville Premium Outlets and Fish Sunflowers in Buffalo and Big Lake, Minnesota.

See Related: Best Lakes in Minnesota (Ranked!)

2. Waldoch Farm and Garden Center

Waldoch Farm Garden Center, located in Lino Lakes, features six acres of sunflower field joy to walk through. Walk along with these football fields of blooming sunshine and pick your own sunflowers at Waldoch Farm. Peak bloom time at this Lino Lakes sunflower ranch is late July through September and makes great photo opportunities.

Along with sunny flowers, Waldoch Farm also offers the fun of Joyer Adventure Farm with its Zoom Mountain, farm animals, ropes course, and sandbox for the young visitors.

Sign up for an email list to hear news and marketing emails about the sunflower festival and peak blooming times. Simply hit the unsubscribe link when you’ve gathered bloom information.

Hotels near Waldoch Farm Garden Center

Days Inn by Wyndham Mounds View Twin Cities North

Guest rooms at the Days Inn by Wyndham Mounds View Twin Cities North have a coffee maker and seating areas. Enjoy daily complimentary breakfast and free Wi-Fi. The hotel is about 20 minutes from the Waldoch Farm Garden Center sunflower field and Joyer Adventure Farm in Lino Lakes.

Hampton Inn and Suites Lino Lakes

Hampton Inn and Suites Lino Lakes have an indoor pool, a fitness center, a game room, and meeting rooms. Guest rooms have a desk, a mini-fridge, and a microwave. Some rooms have seating areas and whirlpool tubs. This hotel is a great choice for visiting Minnesota sunflower fields at Waldoch Farm Garden Center and Joyer Adventure Farm.

Country Inn and Suites by Radisson – Shoreview

Located about 20 minutes from downtown Minneapolis, the Country Inn and Suites by Radisson – Shoreview has an indoor pool, a water slide, and free Wi-Fi. Spacious rooms have a desk, a microwave, a mini-fridge, and a lounge chair. There’s a business center, a convenience store, and a library for your reading pleasure. Enjoy daily continental breakfast before heading out to a sunflower field near Twin Cities and Waldoch Farm Garden Center.

3. Green Barn Garden Center

Live music, tents, and food trucks accompany the sunflower extravaganza at Green Barn Garden Center. Located in Isanti, the farm has grown sunflowers and other crops for 25 years.

They plant a couple of crops of beautiful blooms each year for an operation timed to allow more bloom viewing. Sunflowers at this sunflower field are the black oil variety that’s used for birdseed.

During the sunflower festival, the field is decorated with items like tractors, pianos, bicycles, and other fun props for photo sessions.

Thinking of getting engaged or looking for the perfect photo opportunities for a family photo? Consider popping the question or posing in front of a field of glorious golden blooms!

Green Barn Garden Center is about 30 minutes from the Waldoch Farm sunflowers, so you could easily visit these two in one day.

Hotels near Green Barn Garden Center

GrandStay Hotel and Suites Cambridge

Rooms at GrandStay Hotel and Suites Cambridge offer a 37-inch flat-screen TV, a microwave, a fridge, and free Wi-Fi. Enjoy complimentary breakfast each morning or sit around the fire pit in the evening. There’s a pool, a hot tub, and a business center. It’s about 8.5 miles to sunflower fields at Green Barn Garden Center.

Best Western Plus Isanti

Best Western Plus Isanti has an indoor pool, a hot tub, a business center, a fitness center, and outdoor seating. Guest amenities include complimentary Wi-Fi and a daily continental breakfast. It’s about three miles to the sunflower fields at Green Barn Garden Center, making it a convenient choice for sunflower seekers.

AmericInn by Wyndham Princeton

AmericInn by Wyndham Princeton has a hot tub, an indoor heated pool, a business center, and meeting rooms. Amenities include free breakfast, a mini-fridge, and a microwave. Family suites have a whirlpool tub or a fireplace. The hotel is about 30 minutes from sunflower fields at Green Barn Garden Center.

See Related: Best Breakfast in Minnesota

4. Treasured Haven Farm

The northernmost of our Minnesota sunflower field selection, Treasured Haven Farm is found in Rush City near the Wisconsin border. Up to a million sunflowers are planted each year. Several fields are planted at staggered times to prolong the bloom times and viewing season of sunflowers.

The best times to visit sunflower fields in Rush City, Minnesota are mid to late July through mid-September (weather and nature permitting, of course). You can visit the sunflower life cycle from planting to prime time and the drying and harvesting phase. Visitors can watch for birds, have a picnic, or just sit and relax among the flowers. There’s a wooded trail to walk to the creek and a gift shop for sunflower souvenirs of all sorts.

Hotels near Treasured Haven Farm

Days Inn by Wyndham Hinckley

The pet-friendly Days Inn by Wyndham Hinckley has an indoor pool, free breakfast, and complimentary Wi-Fi. Guest rooms with kitchens are available. The hotel is about 25 minutes from Treasured Haven Farm in Rush City, making it a great place to stay while visiting the blooms and beauty of sunflower farms at various locations. in Minnesota.

AmericInn by Wyndham North Beach

The AmericInn by Wyndham North Branch features free Wi-Fi and flat-screen TVs in every room. Amenities include coffee makers, a mini-fridge, a microwave, and a complimentary breakfast. Some guest rooms have a Jacuzzi tub and a fireplace. There’s an indoor swimming pool, a hot tub, and a business center. The hotel is near Wild Mountain Ski Area Water Park and sunflower fields in Minnesota.

Grand Hinckley Inn

Guest rooms at the Grand Hinckley Inn have a coffee maker, a mini-fridge, a microwave, and free Wi-Fi. For a bit more room, choose a suite with a sofa, wet bar, and two-person Jacuzzi. There’s a swimming pool, a meeting room, a library, and an outdoor gazebo and seating area.

5. Brand Farms

Family-owned since 1958, Brand Farms features four generations. They started with hens and eggs and moved on to an apple orchard, vegetables, and sunflowers. Located in Farmington, Brand Farms is just south of Saint Paul and a great place to visit during the sunflower season.

Keep up with sunflower updates, crops, bloom schedules, and travel tips on the farm’s Facebook page.

Hotels near Brand Farm

Candlewood Suites Lakeville

An IHG hotel, Candlewood Suites Lakeville has a fitness center, a snack bar, free Wi-Fi, and a BBQ area. Some rooms have a kitchen with a full refrigerator and a microwave and a separate seating area. Guests can borrow board games and puzzles for extra entertainment. Pets are allowed for an additional fee.

Hampton Inn Lakeville Minneapolis

Hampton Inn Lakeville Minneapolis has an indoor pool, meeting rooms, a fitness center, a stylish lobby area, complimentary breakfast, and free Wi-Fi. Stylish guest rooms are bright and colorful with desks, seating areas, and a microwave.

Holiday Inn Hotel and Suites Minneapolis – Lakeville

Holiday Inn Hotel and Suites Minneapolis – Lakeville has an indoor pool and water park, a hot tub, and a fitness center. Guest rooms have a desk, a mini-fridge, a microwave, and a coffee maker. Family suites with bunk beds are available for those traveling with the whole crew. Puzzles and board games are available.

The on-site restaurant, Ruby’s Red Eye Grill, features steak and brick oven pizza. Mall of America is within 20 minutes of the hotel as well as several sunflower fields in Minnesota.

Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Northfield

Enjoy complimentary breakfast and free Wi-Fi at the pet-friendly Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Northfield. Guest rooms have a mini-fridge and a microwave. The hotel is approximately 20 minutes from sunflower fields in Farmington, Minnesota.

6. Fresh Acres Farm

Monticello’s Fresh Acres Farm offers five acres of sunflowers. Prime season is usually in August. Admission is $5 per person and $10 to cut your own flowers for a bouquet. Do a photoshoot, take a yoga session, or hold private events among the sunflowers. Just imagine those wedding reception photos backed by blue skies and gorgeous golden flowers!

Hotels near Fresh Acres

Days Inn by Wyndham Monticello

Located by Marina State Park, Days Inn by Wyndham Monticello is near the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and Saint Paul. Amenities include coffee makers, free breakfast, free Wi-Fi, mini-fridges, and microwaves. You’ll find sunflower fields and other flowers, seeds, and crops at nearby locations.

Super 8 by Wyndham Monticello

The Super 8 by Wyndham Monticello has an indoor pool, free Wi-Fi, a fitness center, laundry facilities, and banquet facilities for meetings and special events. Rooms have a coffee maker, a mini-fridge, and a desk. Enjoy a complimentary daily breakfast. There’s an arcade room with billiards and a business center.

The hotel is near the Mississippi River Park and Minnesota sunflower fields.

Best Western Plus Chelsea Hotel

The Best Western Plus Chelsea Hotel has an indoor pool, a hot tub, a fitness center, and a stylish lobby area as well as banquet rooms and a business center. Rooms have a mini-fridge and free Wi-Fi. Some guest rooms have separate seating areas and tables and chairs.

7. Berry and Bloom Farm

Berry and Bloom Farm plant three acres of sunflowers that typically bloom at the end of July and the end of September. Located in Chatfield, our southernmost sunflower field in Minnesota, Berry and Bloom Farm is southeast of Rochester and west of Winona.

The farm has blueberry fields, pumpkin patches, flower workshops, a wagon ride, and nature walks. There are more than 50 varieties of flowers for U-pick in July through September. You can cut your own flowers for events, weddings, or just to brighten up your day with some floral sun. There is a fee, and containers are provided for flowers at this sunflower ranch.

Take some photos with sunflowers to end the day on a sunny note. You can sign up to receive updates and early access to products, U-picks, and workshops. Just click the Sign-Up box on the website to sign up.

See Related: Best Places to Take Pictures in the Twin Cities

Hotels near Berry and Bloom Farm

America’s Best Value Inn and Suites – Spring Valley

The pet-friendly America’s Best Value Inn and Suites Spring Valley serves daily continental breakfast and offers free wi-fi. There’s a fitness center, laundry facilities, and a business center. For entertainment, there is a game room and free wi-fi.

Oakenwald Terrace Bed and Breakfast

The 19th Century ambiance of the Oakenwald Terrace Bed and Breakfast features a parlor with antique furniture, a library, and a dining room set up for big family dinners. Some guest rooms have a fireplace, writing desks, walk-in closets, and private bathrooms with heated floors and soaking tubs. Enjoy a full breakfast and lovely gardens.

You’ll be well-rested for a day of taking photos, enjoying the summer sun, visiting farm animals, learning fun facts about sunflowers, and maybe exploring a corn maze or two in Minnesota.

Related Articles

• Best Things to Do in Little Falls, Minnesota
• Minnesota National Parks and National Park Sites
• Where to Stay in Winona, Minnesota
• Best Airports for Layovers Around the World