To honor the best season officially starting next week, here are six reasons why fall is best in the 607. So sit back, relax, and sip your pumpkin spice latte, and see how, sometimes, Bing isn't all that bad after all.

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1. The Cider Mill.

The Cider Mill is an autumnal haven in Endicott, and 10 minute drive from campus. It opens up in late August until late November, has homemade apple cider, cake donuts, pies, candy apples, cheese, and huge cookies. You can also buy flowers, pumpkins, gourds, and apples. This place so quaint, it's homier than Grandma's crocheted blanket. The cider is amazing and they feature free samples each day. You can even walk around to see them brewing the cider and making donuts. But let's be honest, you’re here to eat the food. Try to go on a weekday so you can get a wider selection of donuts. On the weekends, they only have plain, cinnamon, and powdered sugar, which is great and all, but if you’re like me and love chocolate donuts you’ll want to get there on a weekday. Open daily 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., 2 Nanticoke Ave., Endicott.

2. Apple Hills Farm.

Another adorable local business, Apple Hills Farm is open all year for different fruit seasons, you can pick blueberries and strawberries in the summer. But of course, this is fall, so apples are on display here. Aside from apple picking, there's a rustic country store which sells different speciality food items and cute little knick-knacks. Try to go for breakfast and get their french toast with warm apple cider to drink. It's rustic cooking for a reasonable price. And you can make apple pie for all your friends -- or you, probably just for you. Open Monday to Saturday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., 131 Brooks Road, Binghamton.

3. Iron Kettle Farm.

Halfway between Binghamton and Ithaca, Iron Kettle is a must for any complete fall. It offers all the seasonal activities you remember doing as a kid, but still totally love as a twenty- something. There’s a haunted house, a pumpkin display, games, a corn maze, fall food for sale, and a store. Did I mention the tons of places to take pictures for your cute fall Instagram (example shown below featuring yours truly)? Make a day of it, and drive up to Ithaca after to see the beautiful foliage, and have some good food that isn't exclusive to Lost Dog Cafe. Open daily, 9 p.m. to 6 p.m., 707 Owego Road, Candor, NY.

4. The trees. Nature Preserve.

Binghamton is beautiful in the Fall. I’m sure some of you reading this are gasping. Beautiful and Binghamton, are you sure? I am serious, though. Binghamton has an abundance of deciduous trees, meaning that -- come fall -- the streets are lined with auburn, gold, and red. I’ve never seen a more beautiful place in the fall than upstate NY (even if you'll argue this isn't really upstate). The Nature Preserve is the perfect way to view this natural beauty, without anything adulterating the view. Plus, it's a great escape when you’re feeling stressed about school. Take Emerson's advice and go immerse yourself in nature, it's pretty neat!

5. Reaper’s Revenge.

Though it’s a bit of a drive from Binghamton, Reaper’s is such a classic fall activity of the area that I can’t not list it. For those craving scares, I promise you, Reaper’s Revenge will deliver. The experience is essentially a haunted hayride, with interactive actors who actually touch you! The hayride goes through multiple themed areas that are done so well, I was constantly on edge. It’s worth the trek, so much so that many people from the Binghamton area are dedicated Reaper’s attendees (don’t let that scare you, though). For those wanting Halloween closer to home, there are other options, such as Boo at the Zoo at Ross Park Zoo, or the Haunted Halls of Horror on 135 E Frederik Street.

Reaper’s Revenge is located at 460 Green Grove Road in Scranton, Penn. Open Friday to Sunday, every weekend from Sept. 18 to Nov. 1. The hayrides start at dusk (consider booking online because it is really popular).

6. Sweater weather.

A common complaint about Binghamton is undoubtedly the weather. It’s unpredictable, aggressive, and more often than not, just too damn cold. Remember last winter? But there is one time of the year when Binghamton weather is perfect, and that is fall. Sure, it’s chilly, but after a summer of being sticky and stinky in your shorts and tank tops, part of you yearns for those comfy sweaters and fuzzy socks. Sweater weather is integral to fall, and Binghamton really delivers here. It’s not too cold -- like the depths of Dante’s hell that Bing releases from December to late March, but it’s just cool enough. That is, my friends, the perfect weather for drinking your pumpkin spice latte, so go be basic in your wooly sweater and Bean boots, but linger in that sweet sense of comfort. It won't last long.