Fall begins on September 22nd and ends on December 21st, so that gives us about 90 days to bask in the crisp air and not-quite-cold-but-cold-enough weather before it's all replaced by sub-zero temperatures and more snow than anyone really wants. I’m not really sure about anyone else, but I’m so one of those people who goes around talking about how much they love fall, how excited they are to wear sweaters and drink hot chocolate and pick apples...and then never actually does any of it.
Seriously. By August, I’m sick of the heat and feeling sticky and sweaty 24/7, and I start planning all of these activities to do as soon as the leaves start to change. Baking pumpkin spice everything, going apple picking, going hiking to see the leaves — you name it. And then October rolls around and surprise, surprise! I’m sitting in my room Netflix-ing my life away.
This year is no different. The leaves are changing, the air is getting colder, and I’m now on the second season of "Dexter" (which, as a side note, I recommend to all). So this list is honestly just as much for me as it is for everyone who reads it.
1. Visit a farm
Connecticut has its fair share of farms, from Plasko’s Farm in Trumbull, to Silverman’s Farm in Easton, to Lyman Orchards in Middlefield, and so much more. They’re great to visit year-round, but this time of year is especially fun because of the various family-friendly activities offered, like corn mazes, hay rides, apple picking, pumpkin picking, and even petting zoos.
2. Go hiking
One of my personal favorite things about living in Connecticut is the fact that we get to experience every season, and fall is no exception. Driving down the highway and getting to look at the colorful leaves never gets old. Connecticut offers some great hiking trails, such as Southford Falls in Oxford and Southbury, Sleeping Giant State Park in Hamden, and Devil’s Den Preserve in Weston. I love to hike in the summer, but getting buggy and sweaty too? Not so much. In the fall, bundling up in a sweater and some boots and walking the trails is a perfect way to get active as well as appreciate the beauty of the state we live in.
3. Go to a haunted house
Okay, so maybe I won’t be doing this one. I like to pretend that haunted houses don’t scare me, but truth be told, I can barely walk five feet through one without getting scared out of my mind. However, when you’re with the right group of people, haunted houses or trails can even be fun. There’s Legends of Fear in Shelton (which I can personally recommend), the Trail of Terror in Wallingford, and the Haunted Graveyard at Lake Compounce in Bristol, to name a few. Depending on what you’re afraid of and how easily you’re triggered, though, this might be a good idea to skip. But if you love getting scared, then these trails are definitely for you.
4. Go to a fall festival
Saying the words “fall festival” definitely sounds like something straight out of "Gilmore Girls," but they did have the right idea in Stars Hollow, CT. Not only do fall festivals have all of the fun activities of farms, like hay rides and pumpkin patches, but they also have games, arts and crafts, and vendors of all kinds. There’s the Connecticut Renaissance Faire in North Haven, the Glastonbury Apple Festival in Glastonbury, and Oktoberfest on the Meadow in Stamford. I don’t know about you, but drinking some warm apple cider and strolling through a festival sounds like the perfect way to spend a crisp Saturday afternoon.
5. Do some baking
Pretty self-explanatory. These days, fall translates to pumpkin spiced everything, and I am here for it. Pumpkin donuts. Pumpkin muffins. Pumpkin cookies. Pumpkin pie. Pumpkin cheesecake. Pumpkin cookies. And, you know, the other typical fall flavors can get thrown in there too. Chai, apple, cinnamon, etc. I welcome any and all tastes of fall here.
So, that’s it for this list! I hope these ideas will help get the ball rolling and help you take full advantage of the beautiful and versatile ways to celebrate fall in Connecticut. If you’re looking for a few more places to go to besides the ones I mentioned, check out the links below.
- Fun Fall Activities from Real Simple
- Kid-Friendly Farms from Places For Kids CT
- Connecticut's Top 10 Hiking Trails from CT Visits
- Connecticut Haunted Houses & Trails from Halloween New England
