50 Fall Activities to Add to Your Bucket List
Updated: Nov. 30, 2023
Enjoy every minute of the crisp autumn season with these must-do fall activities
Fall bucket list
Wedged between sweltering summer and frigid winter (and without spring’s tendency toward rain), fall is many people’s favorite season. With back-to-school, the first day of fall, Halloween and Thanksgiving, there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy fall activities. Don’t let this season pass you by without checking some of these fun activities off your bucket list—like apple picking and visiting a pumpkin patch. This is also your opportunity to do a fall reset and eat your way through your favorite fall food list, so make sure you make the most of it!
Plan a fall weekend getaway
Fall is a gorgeous season, and there are plenty of places to soak in every bit of autumn’s essence. Plan a fall weekend getaway and embrace all the cozy activities you can—including leaf peeping and cider sipping. Make sure to consider one of these destinations that have the best fall foliage in America.
Pick up new school supplies
If you have school-age children, then you have the perfect excuse to buy fresh packs of pencils, crisp notebooks and other back-to-school supplies. Don’t have kids at home? Everything is on sale, so now is the time to stock up on office supplies and perhaps a few fun nostalgic items. Get a new journal and some gel pens, decorate your work binder with stickers, buy a few smelly erasers or pick out a new lunch box.
Plan a fall-themed photo shoot
Fall is a great time of year to get family photos taken. Get the brood together and snap some frameworthy pictures to hang on the walls. Plus, it’s one of those fall activities you can happily include the family dog in!
Host a pumpkin potluck
Pumpkins are versatile, and we’re not just talking about pie filling and Halloween jack-o’-lanterns. Whether you’re using a can of pumpkin or the fresh veggie, you can create a wide variety of pumpkin recipes, including pumpkin soup, pumpkin cookies or bread, pumpkin pie smoothies, pumpkin scones, pumpkin cheesecake, pumpkin pie lattes, pumpkin ravioli and so much more. Invite your friends and family to a pumpkin-themed potluck and ask each person to bring their favorite dish with the recipe to share. And come hungry!
Crochet something cozy
Knitting and crocheting are two of the best fall activities when you want to spend a chilly night indoors. Both are relaxing and easier than you think. Pick up a basic kit or watch some tutorials online, and you’ll be knitting scarves, hats and pot holders in no time. There’s something so satisfying about feeling the yarn between your fingers and seeing the stitches add up. Bonus: You can craft homemade holiday gifts!
Try a new fall veggie
Pumpkins get all the love this season, but many delicious and nutritious vegetables are at their peak in the fall months. Think root veggies like turnips, parsnips, celeriac, rutabagas and potatoes. Branch out of your comfort zone—purple potatoes, anyone? Toss them with a little olive oil, salt and fresh herbs, then roast them for a hearty side dish or meal. Here’s a full list of foods that taste better in the fall.
Go for a hike
The crisp, cool air and autumn sunshine are ideal for taking a hike. Check out the changing colors of the leaves, try a new trail, enjoy a beautiful view or just spend some quiet time in nature.
Organize a blanket drive
As temps drop, it can become uncomfortable and even dangerous to be outside, so shelters fill up fast. This time of year, they are often in desperate need of warm blankets or clothing. Help out shelters—both the human and animal variety—by hosting a blanket and/or coat drive at your school or in your neighborhood. Homeless shelters prefer new or gently used items, and animal shelters will often welcome your more well-loved blankets and towels. Call ahead to find out what items they could most use, or check out these things animal shelters desperately need right now.
Visit a farmers market
Heading to a local farmers market is one of our all-time favorite fall activities. (It sure beats tackling the list of things you need to do to get your home ready for fall.) People often consider this a summer outing, but there are still a few months left to enjoy seasonal, locally grown food fresh from the farmers market. Bring your pickings back, and get creative with apples, beets, leeks, parsnips and mushrooms—all of which are best in the fall.
Play in the leaves
Here’s an autumn fact for you: Raking your backyard is much less of a chore when you turn the work into prep for fall activities like barreling full force into a pile of leaves. Even if you don’t have kids, let your inner child out while diving into the soft color-changing leaves.
Make your home cozy
Get in the mood of the season by making your home decor cozier as the air outside turns brisk. Drape a fuzzy blanket over your sofa and add some mustard yellow or sienna throw pillows.
Make leaf art
Gather the prettiest fallen leaves, then press and varnish them to make them last. Mount your pressed leaves in frames for pretty, autumn-inspired artwork that you’ll want to keep up all year. Try using these fall quotes for inspiration!
Pick your own produce
Head over to an apple orchard or pumpkin patch to bring home produce you literally handpick. Not only can you enjoy your tasty takings, but it’s also a great bonding activity for kids and grown-ups alike.
Say cheers to Oktoberfest
Oktoberfest is a seriously underrated holiday. It’s customary to enjoy a few drinks in the beer garden, but you can also eat Bavarian pretzels, sample dozens of traditional sausages, try folk dancing and learn about the rich culture of Germany.
Watch a scary movie
Fright night gives you an excuse to turn off all the lights while you huddle under a blanket for a scary movie date. The same goes for Oct. 31, when you can binge-watch the best Halloween movies on Netflix and the spookiest Halloween movies on Hulu. Better yet, Freeform’s “31 Nights of Halloween” plays Halloween movies all night long, every night, for the month of October. We bet your partner won’t mind if you cuddle close during the most suspenseful parts.
Decorate your porch
Get festive! Deck out your porch with fall-themed decorations. Fill your planters with yellow and purple mums, or add some gourds and pumpkins to sit on the end of your steps. For Thanksgiving you can add a hay bale and a cornucopia, or for Halloween you can get spooky with some skeletons and orange lights.
Make caramel apples
Autumn is apple season, making it the perfect time to enjoy some sweet, sticky caramel apples. Invite some friends over and set up a dipping bar with crushed peanuts, granola, white chocolate chips and more.
Take a historical ghost tour
The dead are a lot less scary (and a lot more interesting) when you learn their history. Many cities offer “haunted” tours through cemeteries, historical sites or local museums. Have fun and learn something new. Check with your local commerce board, library or genealogical society to see what activities are available in your area. If you live nearby, you could also tour one of the most haunted places in America.
Go on a picnic
Don’t let summer lovers mislead you—fall is actually the best time for a picnic. Wait for weather that’s crisp but sunny for a beautiful lunch or dinner outdoors. You won’t overheat in the sun, and you’ll be able to look at all the leaves changing colors as you eat. Plan a fall-themed menu with some spiced cider, popcorn, apple slices, pumpkin bread and more.
Nosh on Halloween candy
You might be too old to trick-or-treat, but you’re definitely not too old to enjoy sweets. Steal (just a few!) pieces from your kid’s stash, or stock up on the best Halloween candy during the post-holiday markdowns.
Carve a pumpkin
Get your creative juices flowing by decorating a pumpkin. Stick with the traditional jack-o’-lantern, or carve a unique picture into your squash with these pumpkin-carving templates.
Roast pumpkin seeds
Don’t throw out the seeds from your jack-o’-lantern—roast them! Clean off the major chunks of pulp, toss the seeds with oil or butter and seasonings, then bake them at 300 degrees for about 45 minutes, stirring occasionally. You’ll end up with a tasty, fiber-rich snack that you can enjoy alone or throw into soups and salads for a bit of crunch.
Make a creative Halloween costume
Store-bought costumes are stress-free, but making your own lets you get creative. Think up a silly pun (a holy cow, perhaps?), or dress up as a random household object that’s sure to get a few giggles. Get inspired with these punny Halloween costumes.
Visit a haunted house
Craving an adrenaline rush? First, read about the haunted house mysteries no one can explain. Once you’re well on your way to scared, spend a frightful night at a haunted house set up by your community. Reward your bravery afterward with a comforting cup of cocoa.
Eat an apple cider doughnut
Doughnuts are always a delicious treat, but apple cider doughnuts are extra special during this season. They’re warm, taste like fall and are only around for a limited time. Find them fresh at your local farmers market or bakery.
Bake a pie
Fall is peak pie season! Use some fresh-picked apples to make a classic apple pie or an apple crumble. You can decorate the top with leaf shapes, or use a more traditional lattice. If it’s close to Thanksgiving, you can also practice your pumpkin-pie skills to be ready to bring dessert to the holiday meal.
Run a turkey trot
Fall is full of fun runs, ranging from 5Ks to full marathons. The cooler weather is ideal for outdoor cardio, and a footrace is great for both serious runners and people looking for some fun with their exercise. The most popular races this time of year are the turkey trots, hosted in nearly every city in America around Thanksgiving. Have fun, enjoy time with loved ones, spend the afternoon outdoors and burn a few calories before indulging in the big feast. Thanksgiving not your favorite? Look for Halloween-themed runs, featuring the best costumes, haunted or glow-in-the-dark courses, and night runs.
Make a Thanksgiving basket
This is one of the most meaningful things you can do around Thanksgiving. Put together a Thanksgiving basket for a family in need, and donate it via your local school, church or soup kitchen. You’ll have fun grocery shopping for all the Thanksgiving fixings, from stuffing to sweet potatoes, and feel good knowing you shared what you have with somebody in need. It’s also a great way to practice gratitude.
Hand out thank-you cards on the fly
‘Tis the season of giving thanks, and gratitude is more fun when you share it with others. Get a stack of cheap thank-you cards (or make your own!) and pre-write thank-you notes to a variety of people, like teachers, grocery clerks, nurses, neighbors, bus drivers and friends. Kids can decorate them with stickers, markers or puffy paint. Keep the stack in your purse or car and hand them out whenever you see someone who could use a little boost.
Enjoy a bonfire
When the weather is chilly but not frigid, a cozy bonfire can give your night a warm glow. Grab a few friends and some s’mores fixin’s and share stories while you gather around the flames.
Take a stab at an old family recipe
Do you miss your grandma’s apple pie or biscuits just the way your uncle made them? If you have the recipe written down, try your hand at a secret family recipe during Thanksgiving to keep the tradition alive.
Leaf peep
This silly name just means looking at fall foliage. Go for a drive, bike to your local park or even just sit in your yard and look at the beautiful leaves as they change colors on the trees. See how many different kinds of trees you can identify, or look for the most brilliantly colored leaf you can find. First person to catch a falling leaf wins!
Volunteer as a family
Instead of (or before) sitting down for your own Thanksgiving feast, lend a hand at a local food pantry. Soup kitchens tend to see more volunteers and donations around the holidays, so make a commitment to volunteer once a week or once a month going forward, if your schedule allows.
Start a gratitude journal
Thanksgiving is a natural time to appreciate everything you have to be thankful for, but don’t limit your gratitude to late November. Make a habit of acknowledging something you’re grateful for every day, and record it in a gratitude journal. Flip through it whenever you’re feeling down.
Host a chili cook-off
This is one of the tastier fall activities. Gather your friends and hone your cooking skills for a competition that decides once and for all who can make the best chili. Reward the winner with a home-baked pie, and have another on hand so everyone can satisfy their sweet tooth.
Go sweater shopping
‘Tis the season to get cozy! Nothing says autumn more than a soft, snuggly sweater. Go shopping for a new piece for your wardrobe to keep you warm from those cold autumn drafts—and to get ready for the onset of winter. Brrr!
Perfect your stew recipe
Stew is a great comfort food on a chilly fall day, and it couldn’t be easier to make. Throw your ingredients in a slow cooker before work and come home to a hearty dinner. While we’re on the subject, here’s the difference between soup, stew and chili.
Enjoy pumpkin spice
Love it or hate it, ’tis the season for pumpkin spice. Enjoy yours in latte form, or head to the grocery store for cookies, yogurt, ice cream, cereal and more products that have jumped on the trend.
Tailgate with pals
Fall marks the start of football season, which means it’s time for a good tailgate. Even if you don’t go to a game, you can still invite a few friends over and set up in your backyard. Enjoy the countdown to kickoff with a big bowl of chili, some beers and a cornhole game.
Get lost in a corn maze
Take your kids to a corn maze, and get lost in the stalks while you embrace the fresh fall weather. It’s a life-size brainteaser the whole family will enjoy.
Go on a hayride
Pile into the back of a truck or a horse and buggy and get chauffeured around while you watch the changing leaves and feel the crisp fall air. You can laugh at these hilarious fall memes when the ride is done.
Make your home smell like autumn
Buy a candle that smells like apple cider or maple, or make your own potpourri. Just break up spices like cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves, then combine them with dried orange peels. Display the mix in a bowl with items from a nature walk, like acorns and pine cones.
Sip warm apple cider
One of the coziest fall activities? Warming up a steaming cup of apple cider, grabbing a blanket and hunkering down on the porch to read a book. Make your quiet time more enjoyable by picking up one of the best fiction books of the year or one of the best books by Black authors.
Hang a festive wreath
Invite the season in by hanging a fall-inspired wreath on your front door. Buy one with a foliage theme, or make your own with the help of your kids. You can have them collect acorns in the backyard, then make a wreath with them.
Play touch football
Don’t let the NFL have all the fun. Gather your family for an impromptu game of touch or flag football, or toss a pigskin around with your kids.
Take a nature drive
If you’re lucky enough to live near a forested area, go for a spin one afternoon so you can appreciate the beautiful golden yellows and bright crimsons of the changing leaves. See how your area compares with the most stunning pictures of fall across America.
Organize your closet
Sweaters, scarves, beanies, gloves, boots and fleece-lined everything are fun and functional cold-weather wear—but only if you can find them! Get your closet and mudroom ready for the cold and snow by organizing all your gear. (Don’t forget winter sports equipment like skis and sleds!) This way, when the first cold snap hits, you won’t be scrambling through boxes trying to find that missing left mitten.
Go line dancing
Line dancing is easy to learn, takes place outdoors or inside, can be done alone or with friends, provides some exercise and—oh, yeah—is so much fun. You can learn line dances with online tutorials or head out with a group to a line-dancing bar. They often offer free lessons. Square dancing and folk dancing are also fun fall activities. Dress up in your favorite flannel!
Visit a national park
Summer is peak time for visitors in the 423 U.S. national parks, so going in the fall will allow you more time and space to enjoy all the amazing views. Get a national park pass, then take a hike through the woods, picnic on a beach, climb a mountain, pan for gold, study hieroglyphics, observe marine life or take a cave tour—there is something for everyone to enjoy.
Play live Clue
Get in the mood of the spooky season with one of the most fun fall activities. You’ve probably played the classic board game Clue, but it’s even more fun when you bring the murder-mystery game to life by hosting a live Clue party. You can buy or stream the video version, find one of the many different versions online or try the downloadable game from Queen of Theme, which comes with printable and detailed instructions. It’s like a murder mystery party but with all the fun and campiness of the childhood game.
Additional reporting by Marissa Laliberte.
