This post on my favorite fall activities is sponsored by Frank’s RedHot and Her Campus Media. All opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that make hollyhabeck.com possible!
Bring on the cider donuts, pumpkin spice lattes, and tailgating parties…fall is *officially* here and in full swing!
Is anyone else as astounded as I am that it’s going to be OCTOBER already? It seems like summer absolutely flew by, but I’m not complaining.
Fall is one of my favorite seasons, and I’m prepping to make the most of it this year. I usually try to write out a little “to do” list at the beginning of each new season, and I thought today I’d share with you guys some of my favorite fall activities in case you’d like to do the same!
Being spontaneous is always super fun, but you’re likely to miss out on some of the best fall bucket list items if you don’t plan ahead at least a little. So, here’s a few of the fall activities that most need to be on your radar this year:
13 Fall Activities to Add to Your Bucket List Right Now
1. Go to a Haunted House
There’s no better way to celebrate fall than with a little spookiness. Though I typically dislike haunted houses, there’s no arguing that this is one of those classic fall activities that you can’t miss. I’m such a wimp, but we have a haunted hayride in our area that is actually pretty fun. It’s the perfect in between, because I’m on a moving wagon and it’s harder for the actors to grab me than when I’m walking through a haunted house!
Check out the haunted houses in your area, and see what’s around. Even though your voice might be hoarse the next day from all the screaming, it’s definitely a memorable way to spend an evening in October.
2. Watch a Football Game
Though I’m by no means the world’s biggest football fan (I’m actually probably the opposite), it’s still exciting to watch the action of a live game. It’s even better though being able to use game day as the perfect excuse to indulge in some amazing, yet easy tailgate food.
Who else is with me?
If you want be the talk of the next tailgate party, or if you’re just looking for a delicious and easy fall recipe for your next on-the-go meal, you have got to try my mom’s slow cooker buffalo chicken wing dip. All you have to do is toss FOUR simple ingredients into your slow cooker, and you’re off to the races.
This fall recipe is so easy, but my mom still gets compliments every time she brings it to a party! I took it a step further recently, and turned this delicious, easy tailgate food into a quick meal.
All you need is:
- 4 medium to large chicken breasts
- 1 bottle of Frank’s RedHot (you won’t use the entire bottle for this recipe, but it’s good to have extra on hand!)
- 1 pack shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 tub sour cream
- Slider buns
From there, all you need to do is add the chicken, RedHot, cheddar cheese, and sour cream to your slow cooker and cook on high for four hours. How much RedHot, cheese, and sour cream you use is entirely up to you, and you can always add more while cooking. I typically use about 1/3 of a regular sized bottle of RedHot, a few large handfuls of shredded cheese, and one large dollop of sour cream per chicken breast.
Once you’re finished cooking, you can pull out the chicken, shred it, and place it back in the sauce. Grab your favorite dipping chips or a bun, and eat up!
3. Eat ALL the Fall Food
Like I said, fall food is the best. Some of my favorite classics include, pie, turkey, stuffing, donuts, cider, apples, and more. I’m also huge on hot sauce this time of the year, as evidenced via the above recipe!
I’ve been using Frank’s RedHot in more than just my mom’s buffalo chicken dip recipe though. I feel like it’s the perfect addition to many meals this time of the year, especially as the weather starts to cool down. Lately, I’ve been making an delish vegetarian breakfast frittata inspired by one of my favorite local diners. I always make sure to top it with plenty of RedHot…I honestly can’t eat eggs any other way!
Definitely think about adding some hot sauce to your favorite meals this fall, and don’t be afraid to play around with spices in the kitchen, either. What do you think makes fall food taste so great, after all?
4. Pick Apples
I’m fairly certain it’s not actually fall until you go apple picking. My roommates and I used to go apple picking every year at college, and I miss it so much! I’m going to try to go this year, but I need to make my way back to my favorite orchard over in Ithaca.
There’s so many great places in the Finger Lakes region, but my favorites are the ones where they have homemade donuts and cider for sale in addition to apple picking. It’s so undoubtably fall.
5. Refresh Your Wardrobe
Every fall, I get a huge urge to refresh my wardrobe. Maybe it’s due to the new trends debuted at New York Fashion Week every September, or maybe I’m just so used to back to school shopping that my brain permanently deems fall the season to buy an entire new set of clothing.
Whatever the real reason, I do believe that fall is a great time to switch up your closet. I’m always so excited to pull out my scarves, boots, and light jackets, as well as invest in a few new items.
And if you need some inspiration, just check out this post I wrote last year on the five fall trends that will never die.
6. Have a Bonfire
There’s nothing quite like a brisk fall evening. If you ask me, it’s also the perfect time to have a bonfire. Most people think bonfires are more of a summer activity, but fall bonfires are incredible. You can actually use the fire for warmth, and who doesn’t want an excuse to eat more s’mores?
7. Carve Pumpkins
I love Halloween. It’s such a fun holiday, and I truly have the best memories of it as a child. I’m not the greatest at carving pumpkins, but it’s a traditional fall activity that I like to participate in each year. If for nothing else, do it for the pumpkin seeds you can roast afterwards!
8. Dress up for Halloween
Dressing up for Halloween was always so exciting as a kid. I remember the intrigue each year when the halloween store came to town, as well as being a little scared of what might be inside. Even though I’ve obviously grown up since then, I still love to celebrate Halloween.
Rich and I have enjoyed throwing Halloween parties for his younger siblings and their friends in previous years, with our homemade haunted houses in the basement always being a huge hit. I’m looking forward to keeping up with tradition in the coming years, and I’ll of course keep dressing up as well! It’s definitely a big part of the magic and fun.
9. Attend a Festival
Some of the best festivals take place in the fall. When I was in college in Ithaca, Apple Fest was always a huge hit. There was also a Harry Potter festival and a Chili Fest, giving us plenty of options for entertainment during the weekends. Check out the schedule of events in your town…you’d be surprised how much is really going on!
10. Go Hiking
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again. I’m not really an outdoorsy kind of girl. That being said, I can appreciate a nice hike from time to time. There’s no better time to go hiking than during the fall, either. The leaves are gorgeous, and the cooler weather makes the physical activity much more enjoyable.
11. Have a Scary Movie Night
There are so many fun Halloween events things to take part in during the month of October, and one of the easiest of course includes having your own scary movie night. Grab your best girlfriends, some tasty fall snacks, and a few scary movies for a fun, low key night in.
12. Knit/Crochet a Scarf
One thing I was always envious of during college was my friends’ abilities to crochet scarves. I’ve heard it’s actually very simple, but I’ve only ever learned how to knit.
Whether I pick up a new skill or simply capitalize on an old one, I definitely want to try making a few of my own scarves this year to cozy up with during the fall.
13. Appreciate the Moment
Last but not least, appreciate the little moments. I recently wrote a post about getting rid of social media FOMO, and I’ll be putting some of those tips to use this fall. I’m lucky to have amazing friends and family, and I want to do more this season to appreciate their company and take a step back from the screen. Tis the season to be grateful!
What are some of your favorite fall activities? Anything I should add to this list?
