Fall is officially upon us, and with that comes the dreaded Daylight Saving Time where we lose an hour of sun every afternoon. Because it now gets dark by 4pm and the unforgiving winds of the season are in full force, most people are opting to stay indoors this time of year and cuddle up with a warm blanket. However, while you are avoiding the sting of fall weather, you are also missing out on some fun-filled activities that are going on all around Connecticut. New England is notorious for embracing the Fall and making it as uniquely enjoyable as possible, so the next weekend when you are tempted to stay inside and bypass the season completely, instead, we encourage you to step out of the house and into the wonderfully colorful and vibrant atmosphere of a Connecticut Fall.
To get you motivated, we have compiled a few interesting, fun-for-the-whole-family activities that are meant to be enjoyed during the crisp Fall season.
To start off small, an activity that is easy to do is going “leaf peeping.” Connecticut is notorious for having some of the best, most eye-popping foliage in the New England. Whether you drive through undisturbed back roads, hike in the state parks and forests, or take a boat ride down the Connecticut River, leaf peeping is the perfect way to get into the spirit of Fall in a relaxing way. You can do this in any and all parts of the state, so there’s no excuse for missing out on the beautiful nature with which we are lucky to be living!
Another activity that is slightly more hands-on is apple picking. Apple picking is pretty much synonymous with a New England Fall, so finding a “pick-your-own” farm or orchard—no matter how large or small—is not a difficult task. Apple cider, apple pie, caramel apples… there’s nothing like the crisp taste of freshly picked apples in autumn. This is an activity that the entire family can do; where young ones can be preoccupied with eating their way through the orchard, and the adults can even shop around for produce and baked goods for the holidays. Apple picking makes for some aesthetically pleasing photos, too!
Visiting a pumpkin patch and picking out that perfectly orange pumpkin is another great way to embrace the Fall season. Just like apple picking, Connecticut has many choices when it comes to pick-your-own farms and pumpkin patches, so finding some decorative gourds and soon-to-be jack-o-lanterns has never been easier. This activity, too, has some great photo potential!
Perhaps a more rigorous Fall activity is to take a hike on one of the many beautiful trails that Connecticut has to offer. Why settle for seeing nature’s scenery from just the ground level? You can experience the foliage from the top, looking down across the colorful field of trees that create a canvas of orange, yellow, and red throughout the state. Reach some of the highest points in Connecticut and have your breath taken away by the views only available during this crisp, picturesque season of a New England Fall.
While sitting curled up by the fire in your pajamas is always a great way to spend an autumn afternoon, there is so much to see out there and so much to experience. Don’t waste this Fall season indoors; go outside your comfort zone and create some memories before this fleeting time of year is over!