I LOVE FALL! The crisp smell in the air, the crunch of leaves under your feet, and the fabulous display of color on the trees. It’s one of my favorite things about living in New England. However, I feel like this season goes by so quickly so we have to make the most of it while it’s here. So, what do I do? That’s right…a LIST! Here is a list of 35 items for my Autumn Bucket List:
Apple picking
There are so many amazing farms out there and doesn’t an apple taste best when it’s picked right from the tree, rubbed on your shirt, and you take a big CRUNCH out of one! Here are 15 of the best apple orchards in New England.
Burn some autumn scented candles
Autumn candles set the mood. Some wonderful ones include: Yankee, Pumpkin Spiced, Village Candle, Warm Apple Spice, Yankee, Macintosh, and Sweet Water Décor, Hello Fall.
Make some gourmet s’mores
At the lake we have making s’mores down to a science. Gourmet s’mores are when we use yummy candy bars instead of plain chocolate. This Hershey’s S’mores Caddy is great to store everything.
Make some warm apple cider
Warm apple cider is one of those drinks that immediately puts me in a calm mood. Here is a great recipe for homemade apple cider. The cinnamon sticks are key!
Time to take out those cozy sweaters
Sweater weather!! It’s a great time to invest in a few sweaters that you will wear all winter long. Check out this gorgeous long cardigan. This jacket sweater is perfect for layering in fall. I love the wooden buttons on this cable knit sweater.
Pumpkin picking
I love pumpkins! They are the perfect decoration and then you can carve them before Halloween. A visit to a pumpkin patch has been a tradition of our since before we had kids. I still smile when I see people taking the classic picture of their kid sitting on a pumpkin. Here are 12 scenic pumpkin patches to visit in New England.
Find your way out of a corn maze.
A corn maze is so fun and although I am horrible at them, I actually love being in them. (No sense of direction for this lady!) They are such a fun activity to do as a family. They really are a work of art. Here are some of the best corn mazes in New England.
Enjoy a warm cider donut.
I’m picky when it comes to a cider donut. I love them warm with sugar on top. The greasier the better. If you want to make some at home, Stonewall Kitchen has a delicious kit.
Go on a hay ride (or maybe a haunted one)
Hayrides are a fun way to experience fall. Here are nine spooky haunted hayrides in New England.
Carve a pumpkin
My family has always loved carving pumpkins and we’ve gotten more creative as the kids have gotten older. This pumpkin carving kit has everything you’ll need to make the best pumpkins. I also love this pumpkin kit because it uses a wooden hammer and molds to carve them so you don’t need a knife. It’s great for kids.
Take a scenic drive.
There are so many gorgeous scenic drives where you can appreciate the foliage. This is my favorite scenic drive in New England…A stunning drive on the Kancamagus Highway in the White Mountains.
Enjoy some candy apples or make some at home.
There are lots of different coatings for a candy apple so there’s something for everyone. This great candy apple kit has all the supplies you’ll need to create your own. I love to make these mini candy apples for autumn parties.
Go on a bike ride on a country road.
How pretty is an autumn bike ride down an idyllic road surrounded by changing foliage.
Take a hike!
One of the best places to see foliage is from the top of a mountain. Fall is a great time to go for a family hike. Here are some scenic hikes in New England.
Go to a harvest festival
Harvest festivals are a fun way to support local businesses. It’s a great place to buy local art, crafts, and taste delicious food. Here are some wonderful harvest festivals in New England.
Have a bonfire
Bonfires are a great way to get friends together, sit around a fire with some cocktails, and enjoy the last cool nights of fall.
Get up early to see a sunrise.
It’s so beautiful to see the sun start to peek out of the horizon and see the glow reflect off the changing foliage.
Have a seasonal beer or cocktail. I love a good pumpkin cider.
What Autumn Bucket List would be complete without pumpkins? I love trying all the new seasonal drinks that come out in fall. One of my favorites this year is this Woodchuck Cider out of Middlebury, Vermont.
Buy some gourds and mini pumpkins.
Head to the beach in a sweatshirt and cozy pants.
I love to read a good book while wearing a cozy sweatshirt and sweatpants and taking in the last nice beach days.
Watch some Hallmark channel fall movies. Ok, ok… these are not as great as their Christmas movies, but they are good for holding you over until the real deal.
There are some really good ones this year! Here is a schedule for a full list.
Go to a local fair.
I love everything about a local fair… the rides, the fried dough, the cheesy games. It’s the best!. Here are some fun fairs in New England.
Go to a haunted house…if you dare.
Read a spooky/suspenseful book.
I love a book that keeps me on edge. Find the perfect book here…20 Spooky Books to Read this Autumn
Watch some football.
I’ve got to admit I’m not a huge fan of football. However, I love a good football party. Day drinking, amazing appetizers, and cozy sweatshirts… what more could you want? Try this loaded nacho recipe!
Bake something seasonal you haven’t tried before.
My oldest daughter is the baker in our family and I can’t wait to see some of the delicious treats she makes us this season. I’m a huge pumpkin fan and there are so many recipes I want her to try. One recipe I’m dying for her to make is this Pumpkin Cheesecake.
Bundle up and go for one last boat ride of the season.
I love to bundle up in a thick throw blanket and enjoy a brisk last ride of the season. We have a tradition of having a fire on the sand, grill up some food, and play some cornhole. It’s a wonderful way to say goodbye to the lake.
Watch Hocus Pocus
Have you seen Hocus Pocus 2? WHAT?? Ok…of course it’s not as good as the first one but you still have to check it out! Check out the trailer here!
Switch over to dark nail polish.
I like to say goodbye to light colored nail polish and embrace warmer tones. Some of my favorite nail kits include… this warm gel set that reminds me of the colors in candy corn. I love the brown colors in this gel kit. Finally, I love the wine colors in this gel set.
Make pumpkin dip.
I yummy autumn dip I like to make is pumpkin dip. It is perfect to eat with your freshly picked apples. It’s so easy to make. Get the recipe here.
Sip on a pumpkin latte.
Fall is the perfect time to check out a new coffee shop and try a seasonal drink, like a pumpkin latte. Better yet, make one yourself at home. Here is a great latte recipe to try on a brisk autumn afternoon.
Make some comfort food, like chili.
There are honestly hundreds of chili recipes out there and fall is a wonderful time to try some new ones. I can’t wait to try this White Chicken Chili recipe. It’s on my food menu for next week.
Eat candy corn…if that’s your thing…lol.
Buy mums and decorate your outdoor space.
Mums are a must for fall decorating! So many warm colors to choose from!
Eat some yummy food from the farmer’s market while they still have some.
It’s not over for farmer’s markets and there are lots of great veggies and fruit to consume. It is also a wonderful time to buy gourds, Indian corn, honey, squash, apples, pumpkins, and end of season tomatoes.
Stowe Gondola in fall
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