Fall foliage tours, apples, pumpkins and warm soups. Celebrate all that is autumn with our tips and recipes.
As we say goodbye to summer, we turn our attention to all the enjoyment that autumn can offer us. Vibrant leaves, pumpkin patches, hearty soups, and more are in store for us during this beautiful season. Check out 10 of our favorite fall activities below and tell us some of your own!
Credit: Getty Images
1 of 10 Take in the fall foliage
With the changing of the season comes the changing of the leaves. Get outside and enjoy the beautiful trees decked out in reds, oranges, and yellows. Head to an area with lots of trees—the park, the mountains, the forest, or even your backyard— to take part in some leaf peeping. Use websites like this fall foliage map to find out when your area will reach peak fall colors. Bring along a camera and snap a few shots of the leaves when they are at their most vibrant!
As the weather gets cooler, warm yourself up with a tasty cup of apple cider. You can find it at your grocery store, a local farmers market, or even make it yourself. Spice it with cinnamon for some extra flavor or add in oranges to bring out that citrus taste. Check out our popular recipe for spicy mulled cider or take it a step further and try out an apple cider donut recipe. That apple flavor will warm your soul and get you in that Autumn state of mind.
Autumn is the perfect time to curl up on the couch and crack open a good book. With cold weather on the way, you can dive into a book series that will keep you entertained all winter. Books are also a good way to slow down as you deal with a busier fall and winter schedule. Join three sisters as they solve mysteries in Amish country in the Mysteries of Lancaster County series. Or travel to Savannah, Georgia, and see how a private detective team takes on the city’s biggest cases in the Savannah Secrets mystery series.
Enjoy the great outdoors and get some exercise at the same time by going on a hike; it’s the perfect season for strapping on those hiking boots. Going on a hike can be a great way to clear your mind, get your blood pumping, and take in the beauty of God’s world. Find a hiking trail near you by looking online at websites like AllTrails. Whether it’s a day hike or a weekend adventure, be sure to pack everything you need to stay healthy and safe. Not up for an intense hike? Even just going outside for a long walk can put you in a better mood and boost your energy.
Whether it’s work, school, or catching up on household chores, many of us can feel busier than usual in the fall season. Take some time out of your day to build your relationship with God. One way to do that is through prayer, which anyone can do, even with a packed schedule. Try the practice of praying a word a day. This can fit perfectly into a busy day while also keeping you focused and connected with God.
For many of us, fall equals soup season. So start compiling your list of the healthy and hearty soup recipes you want to try. Check out some of our favorite recipes, like Thai butternut squash soup, scalloped potato soup, or vegetable barley soup. A soup can be a tasty, easy meal that warms your soul and helps you get those much-needed veggies.
As you enjoy the last of your summer and autumn gardening, get ready for the spring season (which will be here before you know it). Fall is the perfect time to plant bulbs that will sprout up as soon as the weather gets warm again. Head to your local greenhouse and pick up bulbs for tulips, crocus, hyacinth, and iris. You will be thanking yourself after the long winter when your garden is a vibrant display of cheerful colors.
Nothing says cozy more than the comforting crackle of burning wood. Make a nice fire in your fireplace or outside in the backyard firepit. Use wood that creates a great smell, like hickory, oak, or cedar. Swap stories with your family and friends as you gather around the fire; or watch for falling stars or make some tasty s’mores. Just be sure to stay safe and follow your community’s safety guidelines for outdoor fires.
Slow down your busy schedule with some arts and crafts. Whether you’re trying something new or taking up an old craft you haven’t done in years, autumn is the perfect time to get creative. There are so many to choose from: scrapbooking, painting, embroidery, quilting, knitting, jewelry making, and more. It doesn’t matter if you aren’t a master at your craft, as long as you are having fun!
Autumn also prepares us for another exciting time of the year: the holiday season. Thanksgiving and Christmas are right around the corner, so get a jump on your planning by finding and testing some new recipes and making shopping lists so that you can find meaningful gifts that will delight everyone on your list. Hop online and get some shopping done now; order early to make sure your packages arrive in time for the big day.
