Of all four seasons, fall has always been my favorite. From jumping in piles of leaves to digging my little hands in jack-o-lantern guts, fall activities have kept me entertained year after year. A midwestern fall will never fail to make me happy.
I’ve noticed that most fall activities are annual, but the trends and popular media change year by year. My opinions on these trends vary, but there are five categories that emerge each year.
Food and Drink
Arguably the most enjoyable part of fall is the variety of treats and beverages that are released mid-September and stay throughout November. As a pumpkin lover, autumn is by far the best season food-wise.
Starting with the obvious, Starbucks hit the nail on its head for this year’s fall menu. My personal favorites are the Iced Pumpkin Cream Chai and the Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffin. Both are full of pumpkin flavor, with a nice creamy addition that leaves you wanting more.
If you’re not a big pumpkin person, there are still great fall flavors to try. Starbuck’s Baked Apple Croissant will leave your tastebuds begging for more, and to wash it all down, try their Iced Apple Crisp Oatmilk Shaken Espresso. It may be a mouthful to order, but there is nothing quite like a sweet treat from Starbucks on a chilly fall day.
Entertainment
Once you have a drink in your hand and a full stomach, nothing is better than watching a cozy fall romcom or being scared out of your mind by a Halloween horror. Once it’s September, I only watch thrillers or horror movies until after Halloween. Occasionally, I’ll slip in a familiar favorite like Hocus Pocus.
The first horror movie I ever watched, and enjoyed, was The Conjuring. I remember being sort of scared, but not to the point of tears. This is a perfect movie if you are just starting to get into scary movies or aren’t sure how you feel about jump scares or gore.
For the more distinguished scary movie fanatics, some spooky cinema to watch, or rewatch, this fall includes Us, Halloween, any of the Scream franchise, and my personal favorite, A24’s Pearl.
As for a romantic comedy, I would recommend When Harry Met Sally or Practical Magic.
When Harry Met Sally is a magical love story following two friends who blur the line between platonic love and romantic love. This story is set in autumnal Chicago and New York, making it a perfect fall watch for hopeless romantics.
Practical Magic is less of a Rom-Com and more of a “Fam-Com,” or a comedy revolving around a family, but with a hint of love. Set in New England in fall, this film follows two witch sisters who must fight the town prejudice and their own personal struggles to confront the challenges of love and life.
Don’t have time to watch movies during the busy season of fall? I suggest making a playlist. Whether you’re in the car, doing homework, or getting ready in the morning, putting on some fall-feeling music can easily transfer you to the land of fallen leaves and flannel jackets.
I make a fall playlist almost every year, and that’s really all I listen to throughout the season. This year, my playlist is filled with The Cranberries, Laufey, Fiona Apple, Phoebe Bridgers, Taylor Swift, and more. Finding seasonal songs can help you get into the fall spirit while enjoying the cozy vibes of autumn.
Fashion
If you want to feel like the main character this year, not only do you need a soundtrack, but you need a wardrobe. Of course, you can go for a classic Rory Gilmore sweater with a favorite pair of jeans and boots, but fall is the perfect time to experiment with your fashion.
‘Tis the season for layering, patterns, bold colors, and personality driven accessories. Try out a thick, patterned jacket over your favorite fall sweater, or throw on a silky cheetah print skirt to pair nicely with a stylish cross body purse. Fall fashion is all about dark colors, statement pieces, and having fun mixing and matching everything in your closet. I’ve recently been obsessed with the concept of “chocolate cherry” inspired outfits, where you mix a deep cherry burgundy with a dark brown. My favorite place to find fashion inspiration is Pinterest.
When in doubt, layer it out.
Scares
With an Instagram ready outfit, the next thing on your agenda should be somewhere along the lines of a haunted house, the pumpkin patch, or local festivals.
Some of the most popular haunted houses in or around Omaha include Dungeon of the Damned, Scary Acres, Bloodrush, Hillside House of Hell, and Haunted Hallow. These places scare you with actors, props, decorated houses, and eerie components such as music or fog. While I am not a fan of haunted houses, being scared at least once in October is number one on my fall bucket list.
Another noteworthy place to be during the fall is the pumpkin patch. Vala’s Pumpkin Patch is a classic place to go, with games, rides, mazes, food, and so much more. Vala’s is an exciting outing with your friends and family, and is a Nebraska fall favorite with over 200,000 visitors a year according to Edge Magazine.
The Great Outdoors
If you’re not much of a people person and prefer the beauty of nature rather than the beauty of a giant turkey leg from Vala’s, fall is the perfect season to go on a hike.
Some of the best fall foliage in Omaha can be found on a hiking trail. In Omaha, some of my favorite hiking trails are located at Fontenelle Forest, Hitchcock Nature Center, Chalco Hills Recreation Area, Zorinsky Lake Park, and Neale Woods Nature Center. These places all provide great views during early to mid-October. You can spot wildlife, see tons of vegetation, and enjoy beautiful scenery all at the same time.
This fall, enjoy plenty of activities that are only offered a few months a year. Take time out of your week to enter a fall mood and appreciate the beauty of the season. I, for one, cannot wait to carve my jack-o-lantern and rake my leaves once again.
