75 Fun Fall Activities to Get You Through the Season

The brisk morning air will wake you right up and have you ready to take on the day. Not really a runner? It’s not too late to begin. Here’s how to get into running. (P.S. This Gen Z walking workout trend is also a great day-starter.)

Fact: The beach is kinda prettiest in the off-season especially if you plan a visit to one of these quiet beach towns.. You can easily catch a beautiful sunrise or mesmerizing sunset. (Just pack a few blankets in case it gets breezy.)

And promptly belly-flop into it, just like you did as a kid. (C’mon, that’s basically what leaf-raking was designed for.) You know who else will absolutely love rolling around in all the crunchiness? Your dog.

While the rest of the world is worrying about, you know, football, you can tune it all out and just reset for the upcoming week. (Psst: This one calls for a carefully curated playlist to aid your relaxation and/or accompany your deep thoughts.)

Go ahead, bliss out on nature doing its thang. It’s always a sight to behold...…and if you’re really feeling it, avian life might even inspire you to find your next best place or something.

These boots were made for walkin' on crunchy leaves. And so were UGGs.

Mid-weight coats are the best weight coats, and don't let anyone tell you otherwise. They’re not quite as light as summer denim nor are they as heavy as winter coats, but they’re the perfect pick to make you feel like a boss a la Miranda Priestly. Just brush up on the rules for wearing a trench coat before you proceed.

And challenge yourself to a selfie moratorium. Find a trail with a quick internet search and then go off the grid—just make sure to consult our guide on what to wear hiking so you can bring the essentials.

Pair it with a stack of freshly sharpened pencils or if you’re bold, get a stack of pens instead. Back-to-school season is officially upon us, but you don’t need to be a student to answer the call to get organized.

Call us a buncha’ saps, but watching the sun sink over an orange tree line makes us all kinds of warm and fuzzy. Bring your pup along or make it a romantic excursion with your person.

Replace those summer flowers with fall varieties that will thrive in the chilly weather or pick from one of these types of pumpkins to plant so you have plenty leftover to make soup once Halloween passes.

‘Tis the season to be spooked, after all. You can visit a notoriously creepy home near you or check out one of the best haunted houses across the country.

Just because the weather is cooling doesn’t mean you quit all sense of adventure. Ziplining will give you that oft needed adrenaline rush, plus you get an aerial view of the gorgeous fall foliage.

Of all the fun fall activities, this one should not be missed. Not sure which one to choose? We’ve got you covered with a list of the best fall festivals to visit in every state.

Whether you’re riding solo or with the whole crew, there’s no better way to scope out some beautiful fall foliage than doing so from a relaxing train ride. Cue the nostalgia.

There are so many great camping spots across the country—and we’ve even rounded up the best ones in these states: California, Colorado, Illinois, Oregon, Washington, Wisconsin and New York.

I don’t want to beat a dead horse, but fall is a wonderful season to enjoy the Great Outdoors. That said, if you’re not the kind of person who loves roughing it, I get it! Friends, glamping is the happy medium. Yes, it’s a needlessly buzzy phrase that has hopefully not been adopted by the Merriam-Webster just yet…but don’t let that turn you off from having an experience that really just combines the comfort of home with the beauty of nature.

And resist the temptation to stick googly eyes on them—or don’t.  (We kind of love cutesy Halloween door decorations.) Since pumpkins can be a bit pricey this time of year, mix things up by adding some squash, luffas, melons and even cucumbers to the batch. They may not all make great decorations, but they are all very, very delicious.

We can all agree that the best part about football games is the food, right? Make your own oven-baked buffalo wings, and definitely consider what goes with wings while you’re at it, so you can enjoy some perfect fall appetizers and dig into a game day spread that won’t disappoint.

Oh please, like you don't love the smell of pumpkin spice, too. Not sold on store-bought? Here are 10 easy and natural ways to make your home smell good.

Call it a placebo, but rich beer literally tastes better to us in the fall. And if beer’s not your thing, swap it for this hot buttered rum recipe or any one one of these fancy beer cocktails.

When the air is fresh and brisk, nothing beats having a bonfire to cozy up around. Plus, we’ll take any excuse to make (and eat) oven-baked s’mores bars.

You'll need some funky mismatched china to go with your homemade centerpiece and the weather is finally right for browsing outdoors, no? Find a nearby market through this handy online directory.

It’s truly never too early and you can probably score some great pre-holiday steals. May no woman be left panic-shopping on Christmas Eve Day.

Show off that running prowess that you’ve perfected all summer long. And if you’re not quite there yet, just walk one instead.

Your local bar is most likely bringing Munich to your city, so why not break out the pretzels and chug some beers in celebration? Prost!

There are so many fun fall activities, but this one is a classic. First, find an orchard in your neck of the woods. Then bring home the mother lode to divide between family and friends, CSA style, and bake an apple pie (I’m a fan of Disney’s apple pie recipe) to share or keep to yourself. Plus, since it is the season of giving and all, you can always make these mini mason jar apple pies to give as gifts.

If you don’t Instagram it, did it really happen? (Psst: Here are the best pumpkin patches in NYC, New Jersey, Miami and Los Angeles to check out.)

Because nothing screams fall quite like an elaborately carved out pumpkin. Not one to get your hands all slimy and gooey? Skip the carving and just decorate one instead.

If you don't buy mums at the hardware store, do you even like fall? Here are more autumnal home decor ideas in the form of fall centerpieces that will surely tickle your fancy.

Time to channel your inner Martha Stewart. Backyard branches = budget ikebana. Consider a vase of wheat, hydrangea and pumpkin or a pine cone table runner.

Nothing says “I heart fall” like foraging like a wood nymph then turning your found treasures into tchotchkes with some inspiration from our list of fall decorating ideas. (Psst: If you’ve got kids, definitely use a nature scavenger hunt to enlist their help.)

And feign innocence when your kids accuse you of doing so. After all, you did go trick-o-treating with them. Where do your favorite sweets fall in our ranking of the best Halloween candy?

Sure, you can go to your local Party City and snag a costume from there. But why not save some dough and just make one with items already in your closet? There is a wide range of Halloween costumes you can easily pull off—from Regina George to Tinkerbell.

Bonus points for kitschy-and-proud-of-it leaf-shaped cookie cutters. And while the oven’s hot, why not make one of these 62 fall dessert recipes, too? Bring on the cinnamon rolls, crème brûlée and spiced palmiers!

Nothing says ‘fun fall activities’ like a good old-fashioned romp on the farm. For those of us who are slightly directionally challenged and get all wound up in a corn maze, you can take it easy with a relaxing hayride instead.  Either way, ‘tis the season for some fun on the farm.

You don’t have to travel far to have your own camping adventure if you check out our list of backyard camping ideas. (Scary stories seem a lot more appealing when you can dash indoors for cover.)

Nothing beats this classic outdoors fall activity that you can bring your entire family for. Let the kiddos run around while you stroll closely behind.

Even if you’re not a farmer, this classic decoration just gives your front porch those unbeatable fall vibes. This super helpful tutorial will teach you how to go about it.

It can take place around the previously mentioned bonfire or you can keep it indoors. Create forts with the kids, turn off the lights, break out those flashlights and swap scary stories.

Need another sugar hit post-Halloween? Indulge that sweet tooth with some homemade jolly rancher candy apples or mini caramel apples.

Not to belabor the point, but a farm visit is in order come fall. Find one with a petting zoo that will keep the kids entertained while the rest of the party watches with some hard cider in hand.

So your favorite team isn’t doing too hot this season, why not take the game outside and burn off some of that frustration? You can get the whole fam involved with this one—the losing team is in charge of Thanksgiving clean-up.

Fill your basket with some of these picnic food ideas and all the essentials: wine, grapes, a baguette and enough cheese for 15 people—despite being only two. Then, admire the surrounding foliage and feel the romance.

Channel your inner Gilmore Girl and tour one of the best mountain towns in the U.S., with your personal person. You’re sure to get a deeper appreciation for those changing autumn colors.

Consult our list of the coziest fall vacation rentals in every state, book a cozy cabin in the woods or head to one of the best national parks near you to bask in the beauty of the Great Outdoors. Just don't forget your nubby knitwear and glance at this ultimate hiking checklist so you're ready for the outdoor adventure.

Lazy leaf-peeping is the best kind of leaf-peeping. (Check the fall foliage map then plan your day trip.) And if you have a particularly fussy tiny human, that slow drive will surely put them to sleep.

Give us all the faux-fur pillow covers and cable-knit throws. Throw in some plush rugs and let the cozy vibes take over. For more inspiration, take a peek at some of our favorite autumnal finds for chic fall home decor.

Hit the farmer’s market to score some of the freshest, seasonal produce, and then get your family and friends to cozy up on picnic blankets and enjoy a spread of tasty fall salad recipes and perhaps a bottle of vino or two. Bonus: It’s a foolproof way to test your Thanksgiving recipes.

Yes, I’ve watched Good Will Hunting 50 times, and no, I’m not sorry about it. I’ll also be adding some of the best fall movies to my rotation and absolutely bingeing the fall TV line up.

Fall: The one time of year it's totally chill to dress like a farmer. Go ahead and wear them all at once. If you’re staying home, feel free to rock out to Nirvana in your living room; and if you’re venturing out, here’s how to style a flannel to make your look less rural and more girl about town.

It’s (debatably) the highlight of the whole damn season, so why not learn how to make a chunky knit yourself? Once the job is complete, I recommend you check out this guide on how to handwash clothes so you can take care of your wearable craft.

In our humble opinion, it’s an activity best enjoyed beneath a pile of blankets, with a cup of pumpkin spice latte and a loved one to cuddle with. (Bonus points if you bring a telescope for an even more awe-inspiring view.)

Consider this your permission slip for an entire afternoon of Cheers, The Office or Friends reruns. Add some suspense in there with shows like Breaking Bad, Criminal Minds and Law and Order.

Retro venues are having a major renaissance right now and we’re so here for it. If you can find one that’s screening The Rocky Horror Picture Show, even better. Good news: We have a list of the best drive-in movie theaters in the U.S. to help you out.

Charcuterie boards FTW. Oh, and feel free to lean into the jarcuterie charcuterie trend and dogcuterie charcuterie trend, too!

Or half a dozen of them (no judgments). Even better, make your own with our recipe for apple cider doughnut holes.

So what if our house smells like a Yankee Candle IRL…we secretly love those. Wanna DIY it? We’ll be sipping on this mulled wine sangria all season long.

Make any of these unique Brussels sprouts recipes for your brood and soothe those September tomato-season withdrawals. Got a picky eater on your hands? Here are some tips and tricks to combat the dinner time tantrums. If all goes well, you may even get your kid to eat vegetables for breakfast. (We can fantasize, can’t we?)

Spend Sunday afternoon perfecting this white turkey chili with avocado, then eat it all damn week. You can also test your culinary skills with this sweet potato chili with turkey and back beans or this cauliflower chili. (Yum!)

Let there be golden-amber light. And while you’re at it, you might as well read up on  how to clean the walls, how to clean a dishwasher and how to clean an oven, so you’re ready to make some delicious seasonal meals.

Let that fall breeze run through your house. It’s better than an air freshener. Trust.

If you’re not afraid of pumpkin guts, they’re easy to roast and even easier to eat. (Psst: We have a handy guide on how to cook pumpkin seeds for your reference.) Toss ’em in a salad, mix them into homemade trail mix or just snack by the handful. Oh, and FYI, they’re also a great source of protein.

What’s an apple galette, you ask? The short answer is that it’s basically just apple pie for lazy people, and I’m all about it. That said, you would be wise to read up on the best apples for baking before you begin.

Otherwise known as happiness in a pie dish, and it’s honestly disrespectful to the season if you don’t. Up the ante and add a cinnamon roll pie crust—it’s simpler than it looks, promise.

Say it loud, say it proud: You love pumpkin spice. Why not make this the season to embrace it? Heck, the rest of the world has. You can even use this Starbucks pumpkin spice latte recipe and enjoy the beloved beverage in the comfort of your own home.

Say “not today, lettuce,” as you make your way through our list of 80 fall soup recipes you haven’t tried (yet). For dinner, try to keep it light with one of these healthy fall recipes.

Research shows that if you know how to practice gratitude, you’ll enjoy greater satisfaction in life. Even if what you’re grateful for is having that afternoon to binge Cheers, so be it.

From Freddy vs. Jason to Child’s Play and the aptly-named Halloween films, there are a lot of classic scary movies that’ll have you clinging to your blankets. If you’re not down for all that horror and gore, take a look at our comprehensive list of the best Halloween movies. Not all of them will give you nightmares, we promise.

Take it to the park, your local café or just stay home. Whatever suits your fancy. We have plenty of favorite books for you to pick from.

Fall can get a little brisk. Warm up with one of these delicious seasonal apple cider drinks and thank us later.

With so many activities to choose from, it’s easy to get overwhelmed with options. Make life easier for yourself by listing all the activities you actually want to partake in and start there. (Bonus: Word on the street is that you’ll briefly feel more in control of your life after.)

Open up the window and let that crisp autumn air fill your kitchen while you whip up a new comfort food recipe that celebrates the harvest season. If you need some inspiration, here’s a whole host of tasty fall dump dinners to try your hand at.

It’s pumpkin spice season, yes, but that doesn’t mean the only seasonal beverage you can imbibe is your PSL. Don’t take my word for it, though—just check out our list of fall cocktails that will keep you warm for all of fall (and winter, too).

I avoided my oven all summer. Now that oppressive heat is no longer an issue, I plan on leaning into bread-making. After all, it makes the home smell heavenly and as the weather cools down, one’s desire for carbs tends to grow. That said, such a cozy culinary endeavor kneads (sorry, couldn’t help it) a perfect soundtrack, and you’ll find that on our list of songs about fall.