The days are getting shorter, the leaves are changing colors, and it's that time of year when we start to get excited about the fall season and all the fun activities it brings. But, if you're like most people, you don't know where to start or what to do first!
Well, we are here to help. We've put together a list of 50 fun activities that will help you get in touch with nature, try something new, or just enjoy some quality family time.
Whether it's hiking up mountains, exploring local history, or enjoying an old tradition like apple picking… we have something for everyone on this fall bucket list!
What should I put on my fall bucket list?
Are you excited about the fall? Yeah, so are we. This is a great time of year to get outside and enjoy the cool crisp air and all the fun festivities. But you're probably wondering what are some must-do's this fall that are budget-friendly.
Well, don't worry. We've got 50 ideas for you to try! So let's get started with our fall bucket list ideas:
Top 50 things to do this fall on a budget
Go on a road trip and take in the fall foliage.
Fall is one of the most beautiful times of the year, with its vibrant colors and crisp air. One way to enjoy it more is by traveling around to different destinations in your area. There are many scenic routes you can take that will give you a great view of the changing leaves as they fall from trees or line the side of the road. When driving through these areas, make sure to stop at least once an hour so you don’t miss anything!
Pick up some apples from your local orchard and make something fun at home
Apple picking season is one of the best times of fall, so load up your basket and head to your nearest orchard. If you don’t have one near you, no worries! There are many farms that sell apples year-round. Once you’ve got your apples in hand, try making some apple juice, applesauce, or some other fun apple treat.
Visit a pumpkin patch
Pumpkin patches are so much fun to go to throughout the fall season as you can pick your own pumpkins and wander through a corn maze! You might also find some other cool activities like pony rides, apple slingshots, or even a hayride nearby.
Watch a scary movie while eating popcorn and drinking hot chocolate for an extra spooky experience.
If you’re looking for a way to get into the fall spirit, why not try to go on a spooky movie date? There are tons of horror movies that come out in the fall time, so this is a great opportunity to check some off your list. Try pairing it with popcorn and hot chocolate for an extra festive feel!
Bonus: Look for a drive in movie near you for a fun way to catch your favorite classics.
Attend an outdoor concert.
Since the weather has cooled down and it’s not quite wintering yet, you might want to consider attending an outdoor concert. Many performers put on shows in the fall time with beautiful backdrops behind them that showcase all the colors of autumn. This is a great time to go because you’ll be able to enjoy a nice cool evening with your favorite performers.
Have a s’mores roast at the beach or in your backyard
S’mores season is in full swing during the fall time, so why not take advantage of it and roast some marshmallows? You can either head to the closest beach or have a bonfire in your backyard. Make sure you get all kinds of toppings like chocolate, peanut butter cups, graham crackers, etc.
Take a hayride through the pumpkin patch.
Hayrides are always a fun activity to do during the fall season. You and your family can head to local farm or pumpkin patch and enjoy a ride around the property while you take in the beautiful fall foliage. Extra points: Find a spooky hayride if you’re looking for something a bit different.
Check out all of the fun activities going on around town for fall events, festivals, and other gatherings.
There are so many fun fall events going on, whether it’s a carnival, festival, or even an outdoor concert. The best way to find out is by checking your local newspaper or town website for upcoming events. You can also check out sites like Groupon or get your guide for some ideas of things near you.
Visit local art galleries and museums that have free admission days.
Many museums and art galleries have certain days throughout the year that they offer free admission to patrons. This is a great idea for anyone looking to enjoy some culture on a budget since you won’t need to pay an entrance fee!
And visiting during the fall months when exhibits change is a great way to enjoy something new.
Visit a haunted house if you dare!
If you’re feeling brave, why not check out one of the many haunted houses in your area? We all know Halloween is right around the corner so there are tons popping up. And what better time to experience than during the autumn season?
Build a blanket fort and watch movies with the family on those chilly autumn nights.
As the weather cools down, you’ll want to stay warm and cozy inside your own blanket fort. Pull out all of your favorite movies and cuddle up in blankets with your family or friends for a fun night indoors.
Make it cozy with some hot chocolate and popcorn. You can also make it even more fun and decorate your own fort with orange and yellow Christmas lights (these are pretty cool and giving me all the fall vibes) or pin the autumn leaves on the blanket.
Visit a corn maze.
What better way to enjoy the fall season than by going on a corn maze adventure? You and your friends will have fun getting lost in the twists and turns of this maze while trying to find your way out.
Get lost in a corn maze and have a little fun with it. This is a great activity for families or even groups of friends looking for something new to do during this time of year. Get outside and enjoy what’s left of the beautiful autumn weather before winter starts rolling in with its cold breeze and snow.
Go Kayaking for another way to enjoy the fall foliage.
Water activities are always a fun way to cool off in the summer and they can also be done in the fall! Pick up some friends and head out on your kayak or canoe for a beautiful ride along the water to see all of the red and yellow leaves that have fallen into the river.
Take a bike ride on a scenic trail.
What better way to enjoy the scenery than by biking down a trail? There are tons of trails across the country that offer beautiful scenery, whether it’s vineyards and wineries or mountains and waterfalls. You can pack some snacks, bring a picnic basket (this one is awesome for bike rides) with you, and make this into an all day activity!
Make your own caramel apples.
Who doesn’t love caramel apples? This is a great activity for the fall season because it’s something everyone can enjoy. All you need to do is buy some apples, choose your flavor of candy (caramel, chocolate, peanut butter cups, candies, etc), and let the dipping begin! (Or just check out this kit).
Paint a pumpkin.
One of the simplest and cutest autumn activities is painting pumpkins. You can have a group of friends over and let everyone paint their own pumpkin to put on their porch as decoration or make it into a jack-o-lantern. There are so many cute ideas online to help you get started, but remember to add your own touch to make it really stand out!
If you want to spice things up make it a contest and have a prize for whoever has the best pumpkin.
Try geocaching as a way to get outside and explore new places in the neighborhood.
Geocaching is a real-world treasure hunting game where you use a GPS to find small containers hidden by other users. You can explore your own neighborhood or check out some new places and have fun along the way! This is great for groups of friends who want to get outside and discover something new. It makes for a great way to get out during the fall.
Have a chili cook-off with friends
When the weather starts to cool of chili is the perfect comfort food. And what better way to enjoy it than by inviting friends over for a cook-off? You can each make your own recipe and try them out against each other. The best part is everyone gets to vote on their favorite and you get to eat the chili!
Go camping or glamping
With the changing of the leaves, this is a great time to go camping. Pack up your tent and sleeping bags and take your next family vacation in nature! Glamping is also a way you can enjoy fall outside with all of the comforts of home. Are you adding camping to your fall bucket list?
Visit a cidery and try apple cider.
Apple cider is a staple during the fall season. Visit your local cidery to try their offerings and see which ones are your favorite. You might even find some new flavors that you will love!
Attend a local football game.
Nothing says fall like going to watch your local football team. This is another great reason to get outside and enjoy the weather. It’s also a great opportunity to eat some tailgating food with friends before you take your spot on the bleachers for an exciting game! This is a must on your fall bucket list.
Take a day trip to a small town you’ve never been to .
Leaves start changing color and the weather gets cooler, which means it’s apple season! Start out your day with a trip to a small town nearby that you’ve never been to and enjoy browsing their farmer’s market for fresh produce. This is also a great way to get some fall photos that will really stand out!
Take the opportunity that fall provides to get some new experiences in your area! This is a great time to go exploring and eat at new restaurants with friends or take a day trip to somewhere you’ve never been before.
Go on a spooky walking tour of your city!
Halloween is right around the corner so why not go on a walking tour of your city, cemetery and/or historic district in honor of this spooky holiday? You’ll learn about some history behind the places you visit while also getting to walk around and explore with friends.
Plan a fall picnic in the park.
Remember to bring your favorite fall snacks like apples, candy corn, roast pumpkin seeds and cider. Pack up a picnic blanket and have a great time spending the afternoon with friends!
Enjoy some hot chocolate while stargazing.
A great way to celebrate fall is by staying up late and staring at the stars! Get together with friends or your significant other and have a nice, relaxing night outside looking at the sky. Fall nights are perfect for this because of all of the beautiful weather that you get.
Learn how to knit or crochet and then make something warm.
There’s nothing like winter in the North so make sure you are prepared for all of the chilly weather. Learn how to knit or crochet and then make yourself something warm to wear as you spend your days exploring the changing leaves!
Get together with friends and learn how to cook something new for fall
.Whether it’s apple pie or a hearty chili, there are so many recipes to try during the fall season. Why not gather your friends and make some of them together? Bake pumpkin bread, make caramel, see how can make the best pumpkin pie or just keep it simple with roast marshmallows. You might also find a new favorite way to enjoy this gorgeous time of year!
Spice up your wardrobe with a new and cozy fall outfit.
A big part of the fun in the fall is using all of the great weather to change up your wardrobe. So take this opportunity to pick out a new cozy outfit for this season, whether it’s jeans and boots or leggings and a sweatshirt!
Pick up a Fall-inspired candle to set the mood at home.
A great way to create a fun atmosphere at home is by lighting a candle in the room. Check out your local candle store for some candles that are inspired by all of the beautiful things about fall. This is also a great way to set the mood for these fall activities!
Celebrate Friendsgiving with friends.
Friendsgiving is another great way to spend the fall. This holiday is all about spending time with your friends and enjoying a hearty meal of food that you can use to celebrate one of the best seasons of the year! Why not gather together as many people as you can and have some fun? It's like having two Thanksgiving dinners.
Create a fall playlist.
When the weather starts to change and fall rolls around, there’s nothing like writing down your favorite songs of this season on a list. Then you can have some good tunes for when you’re hanging out with friends or just enjoying these beautiful days by yourself.
Spend the day reading a spooky novel.
Read some of your favorite contemporary novels, or try reading a novel that’s spooky and scary for this time of year! There are so many options to choose from so you might even find a whole new literary genre that you enjoy.
Make Halloween decorations.
There are so many fun ways to celebrate this holiday. One way is by getting crafty and making some decorations for your house! Keep an eye out for tutorials on how to make scarecrows, jack-o-lanterns or even a haunted house in your yard.
Make a fall cocktail.
People love to get creative when it comes to cooking and baking. Why not try a new fall cocktail? There are so many recipes available online so search for one that you haven’t tried before, mix it in a cute glass like these and celebrate the season with some friends over drinks!
Challenge yourself to a giant puzzle that will keep you busy all Fall long.
As the fall weather starts to roll in, it can be a great time to spend indoors. Why not challenge yourself with a huge puzzle? This will keep you busy all season long and if you get really into it, it might even carry over into winter! I just ordered this one and can’t wait to dive in.
Pick up sunflowers at your local market or farmstand.
What’s better than sunflowers in the fall? You can make all sorts of decorations with them and they bring a cheerful atmosphere to your home. So why not pick up some sunflowers at your local market or farmstand this season? Or pick up these cute faux ones here that will last all season long.
Start a gratitude journal.
One great thing about the fall is that it’s a time for new beginnings. And a fall bucket list must is starting a gratitude journal so you have an outlet to focus on all of the things in your life that are going right. It can be especially helpful when the weather starts to get colder and you need some extra cheer!
Host a game night.
People love to spend time with their friends and family. Why not host a game night at your house? You can play board games, charades or even just get together and talk! Games are a great way to keep people entertained all Fall long. Just make sure you have enough chairs for everyone.
Take the time to appreciate the colors of Fall .
It’s so beautiful when the leaves start changing colors. So as you’re walking around or even just spending time inside, take some time to appreciate the beauty of Fall. The weather is cooler and cuddling up with a good book sounds perfect.
Make a new craft for the season.
Keep an eye out for tutorials and ideas on how to make the best crafts for this upcoming season. There are tons of great blogs online that have all sorts of instructions so you can find something that works perfectly with your style!
Decorate your home with some DIY decor.
You can turn your home into a cozy Fall haven by decorating it with some DIY ornaments. There are so many tutorials on how to make these so just search for one that suits you and your style best. You can also find great ideas on how to decorate your home for fall on a budget here.
Find a friend who is also doing this fall bucket list and enjoy checking off these 50 things together!
It’s so much fun to be able to enjoy the beautiful fall weather with a friend. If you can find someone else who is doing this list, try planning some days where you take each thing off together! You’ll have some great memories and plenty of fun things to do and to look forward to in the coming months. So grab a fall bucket list pal and start checking things off.
Enjoy a hot pumpkin spice latte from your favorite coffee shop.
Are you a fan of pumpkin spice lattes? Then you will love this fall classic. So find your way to the closest coffee shop and have them make one for you. You won’t regret it! Or even better. Try to recreate your own at home.
Attend a local food festival in your town.
There are tons of local food festivals all around the country that you can attend. Attend a fall festival, bring a friend and enjoy trying out different foods, drinks and desserts at these fun events.
Throw an autumn-themed party complete with apple bobbing, pumpkin carving, and Halloween costumes!
Another great way to enjoy Fall is with a party. Start planning one now and get invitations sent out. You can have the perfect fall themed party complete with apple bobbing, pumpkin carving, Halloween costumes and more!
Give back this fall by volunteering or participating in a community clean-up project.
Fall is the perfect time to get involved in your community. You can raise awareness and even give back by participating in a clean-up project during this season. Just check out if there any that you can sign up for near you.
Visit your local thrift shop or flea market and find some unique vintage items- like a cool coat for fall.
Get out there and explore all of the shops that you have never been to. You might find some hidden treasures in these places or even just a great deal on some coats for Fall!
Attend a tour at your local brewery or distillery.
Local breweries and distilleries usually offer tours of how they make their products. These can be great for learning a bit more about the processes that are used and if you enjoy drinking alcohol, then it may also be fun to taste some at the end!
Catch up on a new TV show on Netflix or Hulu during your downtime.
Fall is the perfect time of year for getting caught up on all of your favorite shows. You can even catch up on some that you have never seen before if there are any new seasons out!
Visit your local Farmers Market and pick up fresh produce for this season.
One of the best parts about Fall is the food! Get out there and visit your local Farmers Market to pick up fresh apples, pears and more. You can make some great desserts with these fruits or just eat them raw while you walk through town.
Head out to the trails and look for native Fall foliage during peak color season in your area!
Fall is a great time to get out into nature and enjoy all of the beautiful colors that are changing outside. You can make some fun memories by going on hikes and trying to spot the best leaves that you can find!
Or if you are looking for something closer to home. get familiar with your town’s history at museums, historic homes or landmarks.
Fall is also the perfect opportunity to learn more about your local history. You can go and visit museums, historic homes or landmarks to get some great information on how things have changed over the year.
What is the best way to celebrate Fall?
In the fall, you can enjoy delicious apple pie and cinnamon-scented coffee or even bake an apple pie. You can go on a hayride or carve pumpkins with your friends and family. In the fall, you have all sorts of opportunities to celebrate this beautiful season!
The best way to celebrate Fall is by going outside and enjoying it’s beauty first hand. Take a walk through a local park where the leaves are changing colors or head out into nature for some hiking in the forest. You don’t want to miss out on any of these amazing activities that come along with Fall. It's time to get out and start checking things off your fall bucket list.
What is on your 2021 fall bucket list?
We hope this list has given you some ideas of fun activities to try in the coming months. If not, we’ve provided a few more suggestions below that might spark your interest or tickle your fancy. Do any of these sound like they would be up your alley? Have you completed the ultimate autumn bucket list yet? What is on yours for 2021 so far? Let us know and share below in the comments.
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