Autumn Activities: 10 ways to make the most of the fall season

photo credit: Ava Mejia

With only a little over a month left in fall this is the time to make the most of what the season has to offer. Moreover, school starts a lot of moods are low but there are many ways to romanticize the start of the chillier months. Here are 10 fall activities to enjoy this holiday season.

1. Apple Picking. There are so many types of apple orchards to choose from and many different ones to visit in Ohio. A few great ones are Legend Hills Orchards, Lynd Fruit Farm, and The Orchard and Company. Most orchards have maps that show all of the different types of apples they have available and when they are available.

2. Pumpkin Patch and pumpkin carving. While on the farm getting the apples, make sure to visit the pumpkin patch. Many places have both apple orchards and pumpkin patches. They also make great photo opportunities. An added bonus to picking up a pumpkin is carving it afterwards. There are unlimited ways to carve a pumpkin so they can be very unique. A few of the best pumpkin patches to check out around Columbus are Lehner’s pumpkin farm, Pigeon Roost Farm, and Leeds Farm, according to the Columbus Navigator.

3. Corn Mazes. Corn Mazes are a fun teamwork activity with friends. For all sport athletes this is a good team bonding activity or just something fun to do with friends and family. Typically places with Corn Mazes have pumpkin patches and apple orchards to visit as well. There’s also a chance there will be a market nearby to get apple and pumpkin flavored treats.

4. Bonfire and s’mores. Making a fire and s’mores are a great thing to do for someone looking for a cozy night in. If the fall air is a little too cold, a fire is a great way to stay warm outside and if regular s’mores are too boring, make them more exciting with different flavored chocolate or using something like a cookie instead of graham crackers.

5. Going to a haunted house. For those looking for something to fit the spooky mood then a haunted house would work well. Ohio has a range of different houses to choose from as well as some schools putting on their own house. A few of the most visited houses in Central Ohio are Fear Columbus, Haunted Hoochie and Carnage Haunted House.

6. Making fall treats and watching scary movies. Watching scary movies and making fall treats are great for a night in. Some of the most popular fall treats are pies, caramel apples, anything pumpkin flavored, and of course candy. Pumpkin seeds can be baked for a healthy snack. A few famous Halloween movies include “Hocus Pocus”, “Halloween” and “Beetlejuice”.

7. Decorating Houses. For those wanting to be surrounded by the fall vibes all day decorating a house is a great way to do so. Putting a pumpkin or hay bail on the porch is a simple way to add a small fall touch to the house. Other ways of adding to the fall theme are putting fake pumpkins in the house, putting up a leaf garland and adding fake skeletons for a spooky touch.

8. Celebrating Halloween. One of the most popular things in October is Halloween. There is a lot to do leading up to Halloween and the day of. Buying Halloween costumes and getting candy are just a few things to do before Oct. 31. The biggest event on Halloween is trick or treating. Kids in elementary, middle, and high school all dress up to get their annual supply of free candy.

9. Football games and tailgating. The fall is full of high school, college, and professional football games to enjoy. Tailgating with food and cornhole before heading into the stadium is a great way to turn a football game into a fun, full day event. If going to the game is not possible, an easy way to make the most of the short seasons is having friends and family over to enjoy the game. Football games are a great way to meet new people and make the most of high school.

Thanksgiving festivities. Further into fall, Thanksgiving is the highlight most people look forward to. Thanksgiving is often overlooked but it can be just as enjoyable as Halloween. Going shopping in preparation for the big meal is an event itself. Decorating the table and cooking is what most people do the day before and the day of. Some of the most popular foods that people enjoy at Thanksgiving are turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, stuffing and green beans. Many people just look forward to the dessert which oftentimes is an apple or pumpkin pie.