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Some might say the end of summer is sad, but for us, that just means it's time to gear up for all the fun fall has to bring. When we think of the festive season, full of pumpkin spice, hayrides, crisp autumn walks and apple picking, we think of all the indoor and outdoor things we can do with friends, family and even solo. And while we certainly miss the days of swimming and sunning, there are so many exciting fall activities now that the weather has cooled down and the trees are about to put on a foliage show.
Whether you're looking for something to keep the kids busy or are trying to plan your next date with your significant other, our list of the best things to do in autumn has it all. Including holiday-themed ideas, like carving pumpkins for Halloween, Thanksgiving crafts and more.
Now, all that is left to do is pick your favorites (or heck, all of them if you're feeling ambitious) and see how many you can do before the end of the year.
1
Take a Scenic Train Ride
What could be a better way to take in the changing leaves than with a fall foliage train ride? There’s nothing more magical than riding a choo-choo through the gorgeous autumn landscape — especially since that means nobody has to watch the road instead of the view out the window.
RELATED: The Best Train Trips in the U.S. for Stunning Scenery and Family Fun
2
Cozy Up by the Fireplace
Reading is fun any time of year, but there's something even better about cozying up with a book, blanket and a cup of cocoa by the fire when that first hint of a chill starts to dance in the air.
RELATED: Best Books of Fall
3
Tour a Winery
Fall is one of the best times of the year to visit a winery — not only are the vineyards especially beautiful this time of year, you can also experience the excitement of the fall harvest and bring some of the goods home for yourself. Plus, the temperatures have started to cool off now that summer is over so there's no need to be sweating out in the sun.
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4
Host a Potluck
You don't have to wait until Thanksgiving to dig into a hearty spread with loved ones. Get a group together for a Friendsgiving potluck whenever you feel like it during the fall, complete with everyone's best homemade fall recipes. Make sure to coordinate with your crew ahead of time so you don't end up with six of the same dishes.
RELATED: Tasty, Easy Fall Dinner Recipes for Busy Weeknights
5
Volunteer at a Food Bank
Spend the "season of giving" giving back to those less fortunate. With the holidays approaching, many charities may need extra volunteers, and fall is a great time to give back to your community by volunteering at a food bank or soup kitchen. Call ahead to make sure they aren't already booked up with helping hands.
RELATED: The Best Charities to Give to Right Now
6
Attend a Fall Festival
The autumn season is chock full of fall festivals and harvest celebrations with activities for kids and adults to enjoy, fun food and drink options and so much more. Take in the scenery, hang out with the scarecrows and don't forget to pick out a pumpkin or make a cute craft to take home!
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7
Light a Fall Candle
We can't resist the smell of apple spice, pumpkin, cinnamon as well as the smoky scents the pair perfectly with fall and remind us of a autumn bonfire. Is there anything that gets you in to a cozy mood more than a nice scented candle? Grab a soft blanket and a book, then cozy up with your favorite fall-scented candle.
RELATED: Best-Smelling Candles for a Luxurious Home
8
Get ahead on your holiday shopping
Before you know it Thanksgiving has passed and the time to pick out those presents is here. Instead of waiting till the last minute, why not relieve some of that stress and start coming up with some gift ideas for everyone on your list. You'll thank us when everyone else is panicking and you're already done.
9
Carve a Pumpkin
There's nothing wrong with the classic toothy grin plastered on a pumpkin, but with our creative carving ideas, you're going to be getting a bit more creative. Create something gourd-geous and one-of-a-kind— like this super-fun "candy land" pumpkin dressed up with everything from gum drops to candy corn.
RELATED: Cute Pumpkin Carving Ideas Even Beginners Can Try
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10
Go Apple Picking
Head to the nearest orchard for a fun day of apple picking. Many orchards not only provide the opportunity to pick, but also include food and drinks stalls, activities for kids and occasionally live music so you can make a day out of it. The best part is that you'll be able to take home some fresh apples to turn into delicious, fall-flavored recipes.
RELATED: The Tastiest Apple Recipes to Try for Fall
11
Make Caramel Apples
Grab a few of those apples you picked yourself and turn them into some mouthwatering caramel treats. Caramel apples might be the quintessential fall treat and they're easier to make at home than you might think. For extra fun, set up a dip-your-own caramel apple bar complete with yummy toppings like chopped Reese's Pieces.
Get the recipe for Caramel Apples »
12
Have a Backyard Bonfire
As soon as we feel a hint of a chill, we're breaking out the fire wood, some blankets, our favorite sweaters and of course the essentials for s'mores. Gather 'round the fire to warm up, swap ghost stories and spend some quality time with family and friends.
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13
Indulge in Pumpkin Spice
Enjoying a classic PSL or two is a must, of course, but for an extra decadent homemade treat, this heavenly pumpkin spice cake will make jaws drop and mouths water as soon as you go to serve it.
Get the recipe for Pumpkin Spice Cake »
14
Have a Fall Photoshoot
Getting everyone together family photos can be a bit tricky — have you ever tried to get all the kid's smiling at once — but the fresh leaves, crisp air and overall beautiful scenery might just be enough to get everyone excited enough to snap a great shot together.
RELATED: Best Fall Instagram Captions for All Your Gorgeous Autumn Photos
15
Go Horseback Riding
Take advantage of warm September (and occasionally October) weather and saddle up. If you're looking for a fun way to spend a fall afternoon, you'll love trotting along the forest trails atop a horse — which also gives you a great fall foliage vantage point.
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16
Tailgate at a Football Game
Autumn also means football season, which means it's time to cheer on your favorite team at a fun tailgate party. Don't forget your favorite football foods to get ready for the big win!
RELATED: Easy Recipes for the Best Tailgate Food Around
17
Go to a Petting Zoo
If you're heading to a fall festival or your local farm, don't forget to say hello to the cute goats, ponies and more at the petting zoo!
18
Get Spooked at a Haunted House
It's spooky season! If you're feeling brave this Halloween, head to a haunted house to get into the spirit of the season. Better yet, make your own home the spookiest spot on the block with some awesome outdoor Halloween decorations.
RELATED: Easy DIY Outdoor Halloween Decorations to Impress Your Neighbors
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19
Have a Chili Cook-Off
There's no better way to kickstart fall than with a warm bowl of chili, but it's even greater if you're hosting a fun chili cook-off with your friends and family.
RELATED: Super Easy Chili Recipes That Are Perfect for Cold Winter Days
20
Run a Fall 5K
Autumn's crisp air and cooler temperatures make for the perfect weather to go on a run, which means it's also a great time to sign up for that marathon you've been meaning to run for years.
Hannah Jeon
Associate Commerce Editor
Hannah Jeon is an Associate Commerce Editor at Prevention, where she covers expert-driven commerce content for all things health, beauty, and wellness. Previously the Editorial Assistant at Good Housekeeping, she earned her bachelor’s degree in creative writing and psychology from Johns Hopkins University. When she’s not on the hunt for all the best products online, you can often find her trying out new food spots in New York City or clicking away behind a camera.
