Fall: it's the most wonderful time of the year. Well, at least until the holiday season rolls around.
The beautiful fall foliage, the smell of cinnamon filling our kitchens, and the crisp sweater weather are enough to make our hearts swell to three times their size.
So why not soak it all up as much as possible with some of the best fall activities around? No matter where you live in the country, you can find tons of autumn-inspired things to do in your area within driving distance.
Don your favorite fall outfit, dig your light scarf out from the closet, and pull on those hiking boots for some real fun!
What's your favorite autumn activity to do with your family and friends? Do you prefer to take it easy on the porch with some hot apple cider and a good book, or to venture out and explore a local corn maze?
These seven activities are an absolute must for anyone who loves fall as much as we do. Make sure to SHARE these fun-filled ideas with your loved ones!
Thumbnail source: Flickr 1, 2, 3
1. Pick Apples Right From The Tree
Apple picking is an obvious must-do activity this fall. Bishop's Orchards in Guilford, CT, offers everything you could ever want from an apple picking experience — from rows and rows of your favorite apples to a tractor ride that's fun for the whole family.
2. Try A Fresh Cider Doughnut
There's nothing that says fall quite like biting into a warm, cinnamon-y cider doughnut after a day of apple picking. Saratoga Apple in Saratoga Springs, NY, has some of the best in the country.
3. Get Lost In A Corn Maze
Why do we love to get lost for hours in vast mazes of maize? I'm not really sure, but it's a hoot with friends and family. If you're near Wisconsin, be sure to check out Treinen Farm's maze, full of unicorns and kittens.
4. Pick Out The Perfect Pumpkin
For some families, like mine, the best part of picking out pumpkins is debating which one is the best. Walter's Pumpkin Patch in Burns, KS, is the perfect place to have your own "best pumpkin" contest with the loved ones.
5. Visit A Spooky Haunted House
If you're the type that loves to get your adrenaline pumping with scary movies, ghosts, and monsters, find the spookiest haunted house near you. Mind you, this is not an activity for the faint of heart, so if you're headed to Shallow Grave in Tampa Bay, FL, leave the younger kids or grandkids with a sitter.
6. Take In The Beautiful Fall Leaves
If you live in the northern part of the country, you're right in the thick of peak fall foliage. So go for a colorful drive or hike through the woods. If you live elsewhere in the country, you've still got about a month to plan your trip. Try heading to the Tennessee River in late October for prime leaf-viewing.
7. Hit Up Your Local Fall Festival
There's no better way to overload on everything autumn than with a fall festival. Sever's Festival in Shakopee, MN, has it all, including a corn pit. What is a corn pit, you ask? Why, it's a pit full of corn kernels, of course! The kids love to play in them.
Do you know of any other fun fall activities that we forgot? What are your favorite autumn-friendly locations to visit? Please SHARE with family and friends who are obsessed with fall, too!
