utumn may be known for being the most visually stunning season, with its diorama of colors, but it has more to offer than just its beauty. From the spooky season of October to the warm and comfortable feelings of Thanksgiving, there always seems like something to do during the season.
In this post, we’ll explore ten activities that truly capture the spirit of autumn. Whether you’re looking for outdoor activities, nostalgic traditions, or simple things to do from home, there are so many options for fun opportunities.
1. Pumpkin Picking/Carving
Nothing feels more quintessentially fall than a visit to a pumpkin patch. Rows of orange gourds stretch across fields, surrounded by the scent of hay and cider, offering the kind of simple joy that defines autumn. Whether you’re searching for the perfect pumpkin to carve or just enjoying the atmosphere, pumpkin picking combines nostalgia, tradition, and creativity in one afternoon.
At its core, pumpkin picking is about slowing down and embracing the season’s small pleasures. You wander through crisp air, crunching leaves beneath your feet, and choose a pumpkin that somehow feels like yours. Once you’ve found your pumpkin, the fun continues at home with carving or decorating. From classic jack-o’-lantern faces to intricate designs, carving brings people together around a shared seasonal ritual. If you’re not into the mess of carving, painting or using stencils can be just as creative and kid friendly. Or you can simply use them as decorations for your front porch. Either way, there is almost nothing that screams fall more like a visit to the local pumpkin patch and some fun drawing on them at home.
A few tips to make the most of your pumpkin tradition:
- Visit local farms early in the season for the best selection (and photo ops).
- Save and roast the pumpkin seeds—they make a great autumn snack.
- Use LED tea lights instead of candles to make your carved pumpkin last longer.
- Try nontraditional designs: patterns, initials, or even scenes inspired by your favorite movies.
2. Apple Picking/Harvesting
Similar to pumpkin picking, apple picking is also an iconic autumn activity that is fun for the whole family. There’s something deeply grounding about wandering through neat rows of apple trees, filling a basket as sunlight filters through branches heavy with fruit. Apple picking is both a seasonal outing and a reminder of where food comes from, something to appreciate while also having fun and bringing home a tasty treat. Bonus point: they are healthy for you and taste delicious.
When you visit a local orchard, take your time exploring the different varieties. Many farms also offer tasting stations or small markets where you can try apple butter, caramel apples, or fresh-pressed cider, turning a simple afternoon into a full sensory experience.
3. Sporting Events
A great deal of sporting activities take place in the fall, whether it be football throughout the whole season or baseball playoffs in October, there is no short list of fun sporting events to go to. Or it could be as simple as attending your local high school football games: there is nothing quite like the glowing stadium lights against the backdrop of a beautiful sunset, hearing the roar of the crowd as you cheer on your team. Even if you are not a die-hard fan, the atmosphere itself, the music, the crowd, the community, can provide enough allure that you seek.
The best part of all is that there are so many sports seasons going on, whether it be professionally or at a local level. And this variety provides a lot more people the opportunity to get involved with either watching or attending fall sporting events.
4. Hayrides/Corn Mazes
Few fall traditions capture the spirit of the season quite like hayrides and corn mazes. For many, these fun fall activities border the line between nostalgia and adventure. These activities serve as the perfect family event, with fun for children and adults. Whether it is getting lost in a corn field, wandering around with no answer out as your family argues the best way to progress. Or whether it is a simple hayride through the woods to bring out your inner poet (maybe you keep that one in your head).
Some Tips for Hayrides/Corn mazes:
- Try to get to the event earlier rather than later, preferably during the evening as the sun is going down, so you’re not out too late. You can have fun outside in the warmer evening and unwind on a chillier night.
- Wear boots or old sneakers, since the dirt on cornfields is often loose and sometimes muddy. Jeans or heavy-duty long pants would also be advised.
- Nothing is needed outside your phone and some money. Things can easily get lost at events like these, so make sure you wear something with deep pockets if you do need to/decide to take something of value.
These types of activities do not have to be flashy or expensive to be fun. In fact, many times when you see these activities, they are cheap and accessible, if not free.
5. Haunted Houses
As October is often considered to be the spooky season, haunted houses become the traditional autumn thrill. They offer us the chance to plummet into the depths of suspense, spooks, and theatrical scares. Some haunted houses can tie into local superstitions or history and offer the chance to provide the most intriguing form of haunted house. For children or just those who prefer a less intense daytime experience, many haunted houses open early.
It is imperative that before you decide to visit any haunted houses, you make sure to read up on their policies regarding children, specifically age restrictions or group size. You can go with a group of strangers and have a good time, and keep in mind many times that is the only way to get people through fast enough.
6. Hiking
During the autumn season, the usual hiking trails suddenly become even more beautiful. The leaves become a wide variety of colors, which means that the normally beautiful trails become even more picturesque. Visiting the Appalachia region of the United States has some of the best autumn hiking trails in the world. The sensory experiences the trail provides, whether it be the smell of nature or the sight of the colors, are immaculate. The cooler temperatures allow for a more comfortable and longer journey. Whether it is a gentle stroll through an expansive park or a challenging mountain hike, there is nothing quite like it.
It is important to note that some hiking trails can be dangerous to do alone, and this is more of a fall activity for adults. Sometimes the temperatures during the fall can fluctuate greatly, so it is important to make sure that you check ahead of weather and trail conditions. Do research to understand what clothes should be worn and any other supplies that should be encouraged to bring along. Also check for trail lengths and trust yourself to know whether one is too difficult for you.
7. Autumn Baking and Cooking
One of the best indoor activities that one can enjoy during autumn is baking and cooking. While this activity is not limited to the autumn season, there are some autumn goods that help provide the scene. From pumpkin muffins to apple crisps, fall baking and cooking is the best way to enjoy an activity from the warmth and comfort of your own family. The act of preparing these kinds of meals creates a particular aroma of delightful scents throughout the home.
Gathering the family for the whole thing can be an even more heartwarming experience. Using ingredients like pumpkins, apples, squash, and cinnamon gives your meals a seasonal twist, while soups and stews provide both nourishment and warmth on the cooler fall evenings. There are all kinds of interesting yet healthy autumn-themed dishes you can make!
8. Farmer’s Markets
Autumn is the festival season, and there is no better way to soak in the sights, smells, and flavors than by visiting your local farmers’ markets. From pumpkin-themed fairs to harvest celebrations, these events capture the heart of the season through music, food, and community. Farmers' markets serve as a treasure trove for cheaper and fresher seasonal produce. Apples, squash, and root vegetables are the most common foods you will see at farmer markets, while local artisans offer homemade jams, baked goods, and handcrafted decorations. Festivals often expand the experience of music, craft vendors, the occasional hayrides, and fair games…providing fun for the whole family.
9. Hot Air Balloon Season
The seasonal sky and cooler temperature are perfect for Hot Air balloon riding. For children, these rides can be exciting and provide a new experience that is not every day. And for others, the experience can be relaxing, charming, or even life-changing. The picturesque views of the colors from below as you see the colors of the balloon in the sky, are one of the prettiest sights you can see. Whether it is a solo adventure, romantic experience, or a family event, the view from above transforms the already beautiful sight into something breathless.
10. Celebrate the Holidays
From Halloween to Thanksgiving, autumn has some of the most fun holidays of all the seasons of the year to gather, create traditions, and enjoy the cozy comforts of home. Decorating, hosting meals, or simply enjoying festive lights and music can make the final months of the year feel magical. Holidays in the fall are all about connection and togetherness. Whether it’s a family dinner featuring seasonal recipes, carving out time for autumn-themed crafts, or attending local community events, these moments allow for people to slow down and appreciate both the season and those around them.
Halloween is a holiday for children to dress up and take sweets in the neighborhood, while adults get together to watch scary movies and pull frightful pranks. Thanksgiving provides the opportunity to sit down with your family and enjoy a meal where you have an excuse to eat too much, while watching football and putting up your tree for the upcoming winter holidays to follow. In this manner, autumn provides some of the best opportunities and excuses to spend time with those who matter most.
