Fall is my favorite time of year. The weather is usually perfect, the leaves are stunning as they change colors and there is so much to do in the Triad. From pumpkins to the fair, this is a season that’s perfect for gaining extra family time. Below are some ideas to help you and your family create your own fall bucket list.
Visit a Pumpkin Patch
There are so many pumpkin patches in the area. Best of all, most offer so much more than simply picking out a pumpkin. There are games and corn mazes, too. Smith Hollow Farms has it all! It’s the ultimate fall day trip experience for families.
Go to the Fair
In our house, the Carolina Classic Fair essentially marks the beginning of the fall season. To be honest, we mostly go for the food! But, there are so many cool shows, rides and exhibits to see, too. This year, it’ll be October 4th-13th, so mark your calendars!
Take a Trip to the Mountains
One great thing about living in Forsyth County is it’s an easy two-hour or less drive to many beautiful mountain towns. Nothing says fall and showcases the leaves changing colors like traveling to the mountains. Some great destinations to consider are Asheville, Boone, Sparta and Blowing Rock.
Grab Your Favorite Pumpkin-Flavored Drink
Get ready to embrace pumpkin spice drinks all through autumn. From coffee to cocktails, so many of our local coffee shops, bars and restaurants spend time creating some tasty pumpkin drinks.
Enjoy a Fall Festival
During fall, there are so many events in Forsyth County. In particular, there are a ton of fall festivals, and they are often free! Most include family friendly vendors, games and photo opportunities.
View the Leaf-Changing Spectacle
Whether you drive out to the Blue Ridge Parkway or simply enjoy the beauty in your neighborhood, watching the leaves change colors is an amazing experience. The brilliant reds, yellows and oranges provide quite the colorful show.
Create a Fall Nature Scavenger Hunt
There are many nature items that are specific to fall that make for great nature scavenger hunt items. For example, find specific colored leaves or birds known to migrate here this time of year. You can tailor your scavenger hunt to the appropriate age so that it’s fun for everyone.
Check Items Off Your 2024 List
The one downside of fall is that it means the year is rapidly coming to a close. Now is the time to look over your 2024 goals, and try your best to accomplish those now before 2025 hits!
Try Out a New Fall-Inspired Recipe
Fall flavors are full of maples, pumpkins, apples and spices galore. That means it is a great time to try out new recipes. A simple online search will let you find anything from easy ones to more complex ones. Be sure to try your hand at roasting pumpkin seeds!
Throw a Halloween Party
Halloween is a great excuse to throw a party. You can pick a kid-friendly, family party, an adult-only one or something in-between. There are so many fun drinks, games and food ideas for Halloween parties.
Attend a Trunk-or-Treat Event
Over the last few years, trunk-or-treat events have become a popular late-October pastime. There are now numerous ones throughout the Triad that often take place during the second half of October. Contrary to what the name says, they don’t all involve handing out treats from trunks. In fact, many take place indoors.
Decorate or Carve Pumpkins
Carving pumpkins is a great family activity during the fall. If you have a little one or want to avoid a mess, opt for decorating the pumpkin with markers or stickers.
Practice Gratitude
November is a great month to practice gratitude all month long. I love doing social media posts during the month saying what or whom I’m grateful for each day.
Read Halloween and Thanksgiving Books to Your Kids
Buy or check out your favorite Halloween and Thanksgiving books to read to your kids. We love Room on the Broom by Julia Donaldson for Halloween and How to Catch a Turkey by Adam Wallace and Andy Elkerton for Thanksgiving.
