Inside: Are you looking for fun things to do in the fall? Before this short season disappears, use this fall bucket list to check off all of the best fall activities, events, and must-dos.
Fall feels different. It’s all red leaves skittering across the ground, cozy socks, and huddling around the campfire. At least that’s how we envision it.
But reality doesn’t look like Instagram posts and Pinterest pictures. It looks like scrambling to walk the dog before dark and make dinner before 9 p.m. Like forgetting to water your new mums. Like Ubering to the pumpkin patch because the car needs an oil change and you can only go on Saturday.
But that’s beautiful too.
You can make the most of this dream season in between all the life things. Use this fall bucket list to help you fit in all of the must-do events, activities, and sights of the season. This fall bucket list hits all the highlights, so you won’t miss out on anything.
1. Go apple picking
If you want to get in the fall mood, grab your flannel button down, pull on your rain boots, and head out to your local apple orchard.
Whether you’re picking a peck, filling a bushel, or nibbling on an apple while others do the work, apple picking is a must-do this season.
Bonus if your local apple orchard serves hot apple cider. Double bonus if it dishes up apple cider doughnuts.
2. Buy a mum
When you see fall mums for sale in storefronts and at farmers markets, you know fall has arrived. (I love mums so much, I wrote about why they’re the best fall flowers.)
Mixed with pumpkins and gourds, mums make the prettiest fall displays. Whether you line every porch step with them or set one small plant on your apartment balcony, you can’t go wrong with cheery mums.
(Just remember to water them.)
3. Make a fire
Take advantage of the cooler temps by cozying up around a fire.
Make s’mores. Drink a hot beverage. Pull out the blankets and relax.
Staying toasty by a fire is the best way to a enjoy a crisp fall night.
4. Drink apple cider
Speaking of crisp things, it’s apple cider time.
Even if you only drink one cup, this season (and your fall bucket list) calls for apple cider.
Hot or cold. Grab yourself a mug and enjoy.
5. Go to a haunted house
Want to scare yourself into forgetting about the electrician you need to call and the dishes piled in the sink?
Get a group together and head to a local haunted house. Even if you don’t think you’re the haunted house type, you may find yourself having a wicked good time.
6. Buy a pumpkin
Don’t be a pumpkin head. You know you want to buy a pumpkin (or two…or three) this fall.
What’s fall without pumpkins? There’s a pumpkin for every style. Squatty. Warty. Even green ones.
A variety of pumpkin types looks so good on a front porch.
7. Go through a corn maze
Feel like a kid again navigating the twists and turns of a corn maze. Grab a coffee (add a little Kahlúa to it if you really want to have a good time), a friend or two, and head into the maze.
Most corn mazes are made more for fun than frustration. But if you want an extreme version, try one of these.
8. Bake something from scratch
Who doesn’t have an urge to bake this season? Zucchini bread, apple muffins, coffee cake.
Make something delicious from scratch to share with family and friends. (Or, eat yourself.)
9. Light a fall-scented candle
Turn on the charm when you light a fall-scented candle.
Whether you’re reading a book, watching T.V., or cleaning (sigh), a flickering candle in the background makes your home feel uber cozy.
10. Wear flannel
If you’re like me, you can already mark this one off your fall bucket list. Fall is flannel season. A comfy flannel shirt is perfect to pull on for those brisk fall mornings.
11. Drink a hot toddy
Hot toddies always remind me of a certain friend. She introduced me to them and you can often find me sipping on a hot toddy in the fall. (It’s always on my fall bucket list. Even if I didn’t realize it.
Hot toddy recipes are super versatile but I always make them this way:
- Steep a bag of orange pekoe black tea in a big mug
- Add a cinnamon stick (for flavor and looks)
- Pour in a shot or two of orange spiced rum
- Stir and sip
12. Visit a pumpkin patch
What is it about fall that makes us want to go out into a field and pick our own pumpkins?
Who cares? It’s awesome.
Take the time to wander. Hunting for the perfect pumpkin is what it’s all about. Personally, I’m always on the lookout for round, squatty pumpkins with curly stems.
13. Look at the leaves
Before you know it, those bright red, orange, and golden leaves will have disappeared.
Enjoy the fall foliage while you can by:
- Taking a walk
- Crunching through fallen leaves every chance you get
- Taking a drive to find the prettiest fall foliage
14. Go to a festival
You can’t do fall without getting out of the house and going to at least one fall event.
From harvest festivals to Oktoberfest celebrations, join in the autumn fun to celebrate this beautiful time of year.
15. Eat pumpkin-flavored…everything
The season only comes once a year, so may as well eat as much pumpkin as you can.
Here are a few baking ideas to get your stomach growling:
- Pumpkin pancakes
- Pumpkin bread
- Pumpkin pie
- Pumpkin doughnuts
- Pumpkin muffins
- Wash it all down with pumpkin ale
16. Take the scenic route
Hit the open road. Or preferably, a scenic section with lots of trees pretty leaves.
Take the scenic route in your neck of the woods, whether that’s a weekend adventure, a long drive outside of town or a jaunt around the neighborhood.
17. Go to the farmer’s market
Farmer’s markets aren’t only for summertime.
Visit your local farmer’s market during the fall to fill your tote bag with the best of the fall harvest.
Think scrumptious butternut squash, nutty acorn squash, crisp apples, fall pumpkins, and sweet potatoes.
18. Carve a pumpkin
You’re never too old to carve a jack o’ lantern.
Get your hands dirty by pulling out the slimy guts, freehand carve a scary face, and let your creation light up your porch.
It’s a fun weekend activity to do while watching a spooky movie or listening to a soothing soundtrack.
19. Roast pumpkin seeds
Whenever I carve pumpkins, I always roast the pumpkin seeds pulled from them.
Salty or sweet, they make a tasty, crunchy snack.
How to roast pumpkin seeds:
- Soak the seeds
- Rinse the seeds to clean off any leftover pulp
- Let them dry thoroughly
- Once dry, add the seasonings of your choice
- Pop them in the oven at 300 degrees for about 30-45 minutes
20. Make a fall craft
Does anybody else always seem to catch the crafting bug during the fall?
Something about this season always makes me feel creative. It’s the time of year I dust off my crocheting, think about what wreath I want to make this year, and try to think up yet another pumpkin craft.
Whatever craft you choose, it’s a great time of year to take up a project.
Need some ideas? Try one of these:
- Candy corn pumpkin art
- Candy corn wreaths
- Fall burlap wreath
- Pinecone door hanger
- Pinecone lids for jars
21. Decorate for fall
Fall calls for its own décor. Whether that’s hanging a festive wreath or dressing up your dining room table.
Autumn is about making your home feel cozy. Drape cozy throws over couches and armchairs. Change up your throw pillows. Fold an extra blanket at the end of each bed. Roll up flannel and plaid blankets and place them in baskets, so a cozy cover is always in easy reach.
Create mini displays of fall’s best pumpkins and gourds on fireplace mantels, dining room tables, sideboards, and shelves.
Even if the house is messy, a little extra fall feeling goes a long way.
Get ready to start checking off your fall bucket list. What other activities will you try this autumn?
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