According to several national surveys, fall is America’s favorite season of the year. It’s when the air turns crisp, and people seek out the coziness, comfort, and community of fall activities.
From pumpkins to harvest festivals and more, check out these top fall recreation ideas to bring out the best of America’s best season:
Apple Picking
Although pumpkin spice is the notorious representative of fall-inspired flavors, its ultimate contender is the almighty apple. Apple picking reigns as one of the top favorite fall pastimes no matter what area of the country.
People flock from miles away to frolic through the apple orchards, picking their favorite apple types. The best part is the sweet treats many participants create with their pickings such as apple pie, homemade apple cider, and apple streusel.
Pumpkin Patches
Another popular autumn activity is visiting the local pumpkin patch. With all the different shapes, sizes, and colors, people of all ages can enjoy selecting their perfect pumpkin.
Many people choose pumpkins to later carve for the Halloween season—the famed Jack o’ Lantern. Picking pumpkins goes down in history as one of those more favored seasonal festivities that span through traditions and generations.
Bonfire Nights
If you want to take in the crisp air of fall, bring your blanket, a comfy chair, and some snacks and create a bonfire. Bonfire nights make for incredible memories with your loved ones.
S’mores by the campfire are a great way to bring everyone together. These nights are the perfect time to embrace the seasonal change and welcome the holiday season.
Harvest Festivals
Most states and counties offer some sort of Harvest-inspired festivals. Check with your local area to see the calendar for these family-friendly and exciting events.
Many offer different types of food, music, entertainment, contests, and more. Some of the most fun harvest festivities are Halloween-themed where children and adults alike dress to impress (or scare) in their spooky costumes.
Corn Maze
The famed corn maze is a great way to welcome the best time of year. Corn mazes can be found in a field or assembled for a pumpkin patch or another event.
Corn mazes get your adrenaline going with touches of spookiness while engaging your memory. Get lost and found again in your neighborhood corn maze for a wild time with your friends and family.
Make Caramel/Candy Apples
A top treat of the season is the magnificent caramel or candy apple. After apple picking, you will have many leftovers. Making homemade apple treats is the way to go.
This can be an engaging and satisfying family activity. If you want the easier option, you can buy premade candy and caramel apples at your nearby store and make a day of it.
Outdoor Movie Night
Forget going to an expensive movie theater. If you have a backyard, you can bring the movie theater to you.
Grab blankets, pillows, a projector, and a digital device to create your own outdoor movie night. The novelty of enjoying a movie outdoors with the people you love makes for an unforgettable experience.
Take a Hike
Nature lovers flock to the nearest areas to view the most beautiful fall foliage. When the leaves start changing colors, it is a magnificent display of nature’s truest beauty.
Check with your local area to see the nearest trail for you and your loved ones to embark on your newest walking adventure.
Visit a Farm
Support your local farmers by visiting their farms. Many farms offer tours as well as a variety of homegrown fruits, vegetables, and other seasonal treats to purchase.
You might be able to pick your own produce, too. This can be an enjoyable and learning experience for the whole family.
Have a Picnic
This is the best weather to be outside. What better way to welcome in the season than to have a fall-themed picnic?
Find a local park and pack some sandwiches, drinks, and snacks. Throw down a blanket and immerse yourself in the wondrous time of year when some of the best memories are made.
Go Camping
There is never a better season to head to a campsite or out in nature and post camp for the night—or the weekend! Camping is one of America’s favorite pastimes where people come together and simply enjoy each other’s company with no fanfare or frill.
Sitting by a fire, roasting marshmallows, telling ghost stories, and immersing yourself in the Great Outdoors is a fantastic way to complete your fall bucket list. Bring the whole family or enjoy a night with friends.
Create a Gratitude List
Gratefulness is not just for Thanksgiving. Nothing is more satisfying than creating a list of things you are grateful for. By focusing on the positive things in life, you can truly curate your entire perspective on the world.
Studies revealed practicing gratitude and giving thanks helps people in the following ways:
- Lowers stress
- Improves personal relationships
- Decreases materialism
- Increases generosity
- Improves moods
- Increases feelings of happiness
Start every day by writing down three things you are grateful for. At bedtime, count your blessings and be grateful for another day you lived.
Decorate Your Home
If you are a huge fan of fall, you are most certainly planning on decorating for the season. You can collect fallen leaves and pinecones if you are in an area where they are available and make them into fresh arrangements for your home.
You can also purchase seasonal items to beautifully adorn your living quarters. Try comfy blankets and throws, fall-colored pillows, and pumpkins and gourds to cozy up your home.
Take a Day Road Trip
If you want to do something fun, hop in the car and head out on a fall-inspired adventure. You can visit your local landmarks, go to a new brunch place and get a patio table, or simply soak in the scenery as the leaves change.
Getting out of your normal routine is great for your mental health—especially as the seasons change. Road trips are a great and exciting way to make new memories and take in new sights away from your usual day-to-day routine.
Cook and Bake
Fall is famous for comfort food. This means it is time to dust off your crockpot and look up new cozy recipes to keep you warm as the temperatures drop.
This time of year, the heartier the ingredients, the better. Try a new chili recipe where you can set it and forget it. You can also try incorporating seasonal items such as apples, pumpkins, and squashes.
Go Foraging
If you have ever wanted to relive a bit of yesteryear, you can go out into nature and go foraging. Make it an adventurous quest by looking for specific items such as pinecones, berries, and arrowheads.
By immersing yourself in nature, you bring yourself back to your roots. Experts have revealed spending time in nature greatly reduces stress and anxiety, including improving your overall mental health. Plus, you get to go home with your new treasures!
Bottom Line
This is the most wonderful time of the year! The holidays are nearly upon us, the nights are cooler, people are coming together, and endless activities and festivities await. Fall is also the perfect time to slow down and reflect.
By immersing yourself in fall-inspired festivities, you can improve your mental health, quality of life, and inspire new traditions. Whether you take a day road trip, cook hearty chili, make s’mores by the bonfire, visit local pumpkin patches, or go camping, you are sure to have a fantastic fall season.
Once you are done with your Great Outdoors adventure, you can kick back in one of our comfortable and convenient hotels. We offer on-post accommodations at 40 U.S. Army posts across the country. We’re here to help you make the most out of America’s favorite season.
To reserve a room, for your autumn adventure, visit IHGArmyHotels.com.
Rest Easy is the owner, design-builder, asset manager, and the exclusive developer for the Privatization of Army Lodging (PAL) portfolio, the Department of Defense’s only lodging privatization program. IHG Hotel & Resorts is the hotel operator and manager of IHG Army Hotels.