From Local Festivals to Cozy Bonfires, Discover the Best Autumn Activities Right in Your Community
As the air turns crisp and the leaves transform into vibrant shades of red, orange, and gold, fall offers the perfect opportunity to embrace the season’s unique experiences. Our 15 Fall Adventures lead the curious from exploring pumpkin patches and navigating corn mazes to sipping freshly pressed cider and baking seasonal treats, autumn invites you to slow down and savor the cozy moments.
Whether it’s a scenic drive through colorful landscapes or a festive night around a bonfire, fall is full of activities that celebrate nature’s beauty and the warmth of gathering with loved ones.
Here are some fun and memorable things to do and experience during fall:
Apple Picking
Head to a local orchard for a day of apple picking. Many orchards offer cider tastings, fresh-baked apple treats, and hayrides, making it a perfect fall outing for families with young children or groups of friends.
Pumpkin Patch Adventures
Visit a pumpkin patch to pick the perfect pumpkins for carving or decorating. Many patches also have corn mazes, petting zoos, and hayrides for an added festive experience.
Fall Foliage Hike
Explore the great outdoors by taking a scenic hike to witness the changing leaves. Remember to wear appropriate footwear and bring water and snacks. The vibrant reds, oranges, and yellows create a stunning natural backdrop, whether in a national park or a local forest.
Cider Tasting
Spend an afternoon at a local cider mill or tasting room sampling a variety of fall-flavored ciders—both alcoholic and non-alcoholic. Many places offer hot spiced cider, perfect for cooler days.
Cozy Bonfire Nights
Gather friends and family for a bonfire evening. Enjoy roasting marshmallows, making s’mores, and sipping hot cocoa while sharing stories under the crisp autumn sky.
Visit a Fall Festival
Many towns host fall festivals that include live music, food trucks, arts and crafts vendors, and seasonal activities like scarecrow-making contests or pie-eating competitions.
Scenic Drive for Leaf Peeping
Take a relaxing drive along scenic routes known for their fall foliage. Some of the best drives are in New England, the Pacific Northwest, and the Appalachian Mountains.
Attend a Football Game
Whether it’s high school, college, or professional football, fall is the perfect time to join the crowd, enjoy tailgating, and cheer for your favorite team.
Take a Ghost Tour
Uncover the intriguing history of your local area by taking a ghost tour during the fall, especially around Halloween. Learn about local legends and hauntings while exploring eerie streets and haunted locations. It’s a fascinating journey into the past that will leave you with a newfound appreciation for your community.
Halloween Movie Marathon
Host a Halloween-themed movie night with classic spooky films, popcorn, and themed snacks. You can even invite friends over for a costume party!
Fall Baking Day
Spend a day baking autumn-inspired treats like pumpkin bread, spiced cookies, and apple pie. The oven’s warmth and cinnamon scent will fill your home with cozy fall vibes.
Explore a Corn Maze
Test your skills and navigate through a corn maze. Some mazes are designed to be tricky, while others may include nighttime tours for a spooky twist. It’s a challenge that, once conquered, will leave you with a sense of pride and accomplishment.
Visit a Vineyard for Fall Wine Tasting
Many vineyards offer fall wine-tasting experiences, showcasing seasonal wines like spiced or mulled varieties. You can enjoy the scenic views of the vineyards with a glass in hand.
Make a Fall Craft
Try crafting autumn-themed decorations, such as wreaths made from leaves, acorns, and pinecones. These DIY projects can add a festive touch to your home.
Attend a Harvest Dinner
Some farms and restaurants host harvest-themed dinners in the fall, serving locally sourced, seasonal dishes. It’s a great way to enjoy farm-to-table meals while celebrating the fall harvest.
Did you know?
Many fall activities, like pumpkin patches and corn mazes, have roots in agricultural traditions dating back centuries. Corn mazes, for example, were originally inspired by the ancient art of labyrinths used for meditation and spiritual journeys. Today’s corn mazes often incorporate intricate designs visible from above, becoming a modern blend of art and agriculture.
Similarly, apple picking celebrates the harvest and echoes an old tradition of wassailing, where communities would sing and celebrate in orchards to ensure a good crop for the next year. So when you enjoy these activities, you’re partaking in a blend of fun and history!
A little history:
Corn mazes in the USA have a relatively recent history, with the first modern corn maze created in 1993 by Don Frantz and Adrian Fisher in Annville, Pennsylvania. The labyrinth was designed as a form of agritourism, a way for farmers to attract visitors and generate extra income during the fall season.
Since then, corn mazes have grown in popularity nationwide, often featuring complex designs and themes. They’ve become a beloved autumn tradition, blending agriculture, entertainment, and creativity, with some mazes now incorporating interactive elements, night tours, and even haunted versions for Halloween.
