Fall is arguably one of the best seasons of the year, because it’s not too hot, but also not freezing. There is so much to do, eat, and celebrate. Here are some of the best foods and activities, at home and away, in New York, during the fall season.
At Home
It is super easy to find yourself bored at home no matter what season or time of year it is. During autumn, occupying yourself with fun, relaxing, and/or efficient activities can be possible and super easy. There are so many fall movies to watch, so many books to read, so many activities to do, and so much homework to finish.
“While at home, my favorite fall activities are watching fall horror movies or shows, while drinking hot cocoa,” Ava Puthiyamadam, a ninth grader at Hackley said. Watching TV can be super easy to get rid of boredom, and although it is not the most active, it is a nice way to relax and enjoy without the pressures of school. Some of the best shows and movies to watch during autumn are, Gilmore girls, Little Women, Hocus Pocus, The Nightmare Before Christmas, any horror movies for halloween, Fantastic Mr. Fox, The Vampire Diaries, Series of Unfortunate Events, Charlie Brown, Winnie the Pooh, and many more. There are also so many autumn themed books that you can find at the library, and not only does it manage to entertain you, books strengthen the brain, making reading a super beneficial and intriguing activity to do. Some recommended reads for autumn (according to Barnes and Nobles) are People Watching: A Novel, Pumpkin Spice & Everything Nice, and especially spooky or mystery themed books.
Another way to enjoy free time is to paint. Painting can be done all year round, but the leaves are so colorful in the fall, and the scenery is so beautiful that it is hard to resist.
Along with this idea, Clancy Miesner, a student at Mamaroneck High School stated, “I also like going on runs after school in Larchmont Manor. I like running in the fall weather and exercising while seeing all the colors of the leaves”. One active way to spend time is exercising by going on runs, walks, or playing sports during the fall season. Schools offer many in school sports to stay active, that are super fun and easy to meet people. Miesner also said, “My favorite fall activities are playing field hockey on the Mamaroneck JV field hockey team. I also like playing fall lacrosse with my friends from predators, as well as the tournaments coming up in November”. Playing sports is a super easy way to stay in shape and have fun with friends. You can do these activities all by going outside and walking around the neighborhood or just playing in the yard.
One holiday themed activity is carving pumpkins with friends and/or family. Doing this activity can get everyone into a holiday spirit while being social and artistic. No one has to be great at this to have fun; sometimes it’s nice to get a little messy and make unique creations. But if the messy idea is too much, painting pumpkins and decorating them can also be a fun way to bring up the spirit.
Lastly, simply listening to music and doing whatever can make a great way to relax. You can listen while cleaning your room, doing homework, and everything else. Listening to fall themed playlists is also a spirited activity.
Outside of Home
When available and achievable, going out of the house and area can be fun too.
Two of the most popular outdoor fall activities are pumpkin patches and apple picking. Clancy said, “I like going out with my friends and family to apple orchards and pumpkin patches”. These places can be especially fun with company by friends and families. Taking pictures, eating and hanging out is a super great way to spend an autumn. One popular place to go is Harvest Moon Farm and Orchard, up in Croton Falls, New York.
The Blaze, a pumpkin art show in Hudson Valley, is a super popular and interesting way to spend a fall evening. The lights really get you in the spirit, and it genuinely is a lovely fall activity.
Another recommendation is to go to New York city, and to go shopping in Soho, get food, hang out with friends, and more. The city is full with so many interesting activities and can be a super great way to spend fall. Puthiayamadam stated “I like going to the city, and getting breakfast at Maman, a coffee place in NYC on 10th street. It is super good and I love going”, which can also be a great free time idea.
Finally, a few smaller activities that are autumn themed are hay rides on the weekends at Stuart’s Farm in Granite Springs, corn mazes at Outhouse Orchards in North Salem, fairs and festivals, and many more.
Foods
Finally, one last thing you can do to get in the fall spirit is eating autumn themed foods and drinks, that let you enjoy the colorful season.
For grocery store foods, Trader Joe’s often has delicious foods to choose from. There are pumpkin cookies that taste like a pumpkin oreo cookie, and basic things like apple cider, pies, and apple cider donuts. Jordan Silverman, a ninth grader at Hackley, said “My favorite fall treats are apple cider donuts from Stew Leonard’s”.
If you go apple picking or to orchards, eating those goods that you got can also get you more in a fall mood.
Baking is also super fun. Things to bake can be cookies, cakes, and especially pies, which are fall go-tos. Miesner said, “I also love eating pie. Pecan, Pumpkin and Apple are all great fall ones”.
Overall
Overall, autumn can be an amazing season if there are things to do. By looking at all these activities, no one will ever be bored during fall in New York.
