Autumn is a season known for its vibrant ochre colors, mild weather and delicious food full of cinnamon, apples and spices. Obviously, Halloween has become a synonym of the season and one of its most important celebrations. We all love the spooky decorations and creative costumes, the infinite candies and scary monsters and ghosts that go out at night. Now that its fever is cooling off, many might believe that it is time for Christmas and winter to arrive. But not so fast! Actually, there’s still some time to enjoy autumn, and that’s why we thought about mentioning some of the best activities to make the most of what’s left of fall, before the first snow.
Normally, people perceive autumn as the shortest season, but technically, it is defined as the period between the autumnal equinox at the end of September, and the winter solstice, during the last weeks of December. Well, that’s the definition for the Northern Hemisphere, because for the Southern Hemisphere, fall happens between late March and late June (and the temperature changes aren’t as abrupt). Thus, with at least another official month of fall left, we’re going to go over some of the best seasonal activities to brace yourself for the end of the year. With bearable weather, long days and beautiful scenery, we’ll invite you to get out of your house and have short and sweet adventures that will make you miss fall before it officially ends.
Apple picking
One of the greatest things about fall is that the weather allows you to go out and enjoy the outdoors because it is not freezing out there! Then, we’ll begin our list with apple picking, a classic activity that’s fun for children and adults alike. Go over to an orchard or farm and start walking and identifying your favorite apples. They simply taste better when you pick them yourself. Also, be ready to spend the whole day there, because most of these sites also offer hayrides, corn mazes and other typical farm activities, so you’ll be entertained for quite some time. On the other hand, bear in mind that this activity is held in most places until the first frost, so they’ll probably be open until around mid-November. You may be thinking that this is something that only happens in the US, because some of the famous farms and orchards are located on the East Coast. However, in recent years apple picking has become increasingly popular in Europe, so you can also do this in France, Italy and even the Netherlands. The best part of it all, is that you’ll have plenty of apples afterward to make delicious pies and other recipes!
Apple picking is a beloved fall activity that has slowly spread to other parts of the world.
Leaf Peeping:
We’ll continue our autumn adventure outside, with the most mesmerizing activity of them all: leaf peeping. The magic of fall comes from its bright colors, and there’s nothing better than going around and passing by the trees adorned with yellow, orange and red leaves. There are multiple apps and sites to check when and where the foliage starts to change and peaks, so that you can have a roadtrip following this charming phenomenon. Usually, leaf peeping is pretty popular in the US in places such as New York and Vermont, but for those in other parts of the country, or the world, there are still countless places where the foliage is just as spectacular. For example, the US’ West Coast has its hidden gems, such as Napa Valley. We think about this place as a wine paradise, but during fall, it has such beautiful scenery that it looks like a postcard. In France, the Loire Valley is also an incredible place to enjoy fall, because the changes in the colors of the foliage of the vineyards is a special view that you cannot get anywhere else. Since it is also harvest time, you’ll have the opportunity to enjoy the magnificent landscape with a splendid glass of wine in your hand.
Autumn is magical thanks to its breathtaking colors, so of course, one of the season’s most important activities is leaf peeping.
Fall festivals:
Festivals roll out throughout the year, but those that happen during fall are some of the most exciting, fun and moving ones. We’re going to mention some of them, so that you can decide for yourself which catches your attention the most. Firstly, the Loy Krathong Lantern Festival in Thailand is breathtaking. The essence of this celebration is releasing a krathong (floating lantern) into a river or the sky. This act symbolizes new beginnings and is an opportunity to wish for good fortune and abundance. Clearly, the spectacle of hundreds of lanterns lighting up the sky or the water is beautiful, and the feeling of closeness, community and optimism makes it a very special occasion for locals and visitors alike. The Lantern Festival happens during the month of November, specifically on the night of the full moon on the 12th month of the Thai lunar calendar.
Thailand’s Lantern Festival is a mesmerizing experience to welcome new beginnings and wish for good fortune.
Additionally, we wanted to mention two festivals that unfortunately have already happened this year, but that are so amazing that you have to start making plans to attend next year. In early October, Paris, France, celebrates the arts during one night in the Nuit Blanche festival, when the city’s museums, galleries and venues are open all night, allowing everyone to experience the magic of the City of Lights through a different perspective. But the celebration also happens on the streets, because plenty of events and live performances happen across Paris, making this night the most charming one. Finally, we didn’t want to leave Oktoberfest out of our list, because it is not only one of the most iconic festivals in the world, but it is also the one that signals the beginning of the fall season. Every year, between late September and early October Munich and other German cities are filled with people from all over Germany and the world looking for the best beer and atmosphere. The craze is completed with sporting events and live music, and everyone is on the streets for that brief period of time.
The Nuit Blanche is an incredible way to enjoy Paris’ art and culture in a completely different way.
Camping:
Before winter arrives and we all want to stay home under a warm blanket, we have time for one last adventure outdoors. Camping during fall has its advantages, because rains and snow haven’t begun, there are less crowds and bugs won’t bother as much as during the summer. So, we invite you to take the chance and find a nice little spot for your tent, prepare a bonfire and head to the great outdoors with your loved ones. What’s more, if you’re feeling like it, you can do various things, such as leaf peeping, hiking or cycling, and then you can camp under the orange and red trees. Don’t you think that this is the perfect way to say goodbye to the fall?
Camping during this time of the year is perfect to say goodbye to autumn and enjoy the outdoors before the snow and cold arrive.
Thank you for coming with us on our journey through some of the best activities to enjoy what’s left of autumn. Hopefully, you’ve been convinced that there’s still plenty to do before winter and Christmas celebrations arrive. Let’s hold on to the charms of fall a little longer…
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