Things To Do This Fall

It’s that time of the year again: the most beautiful time of the year (in my opinion), where the leaves are changing colors, the air gets crisper, we’re all wearing our favorite sweaters and the exciting feeling of new beginnings is in the air. I LOVE FALL…just as much as the next person, if not more than the average person. Something about it inspires me, and it doesn’t hurt that I can always have a pumpkin spice latte in my hand while basking in my inspiration. Fall just rocks.

Fall is full of unique activities to partake in, such as visiting pumpkin patches, picking apples, going to haunted houses, etc. Being located in Indiana, we are certainly not suffering from a shortage of fall activities to partake in.  Many of them involve being outside, as we’re quickly approaching the time of the year where it’s almost a necessity to layer 17 pairs of pants in order to maintain an acceptable body temperature (Midwest winters), plus the multi-colored canopies of the trees makes for some nice scenery. So, grab your friends and set a few hours aside over the next few weekends to cross these things off your fall bucket list.

1) Corn Maze

About a 20 minute drive from Purdue, you can find Exploration Acres. Offering a variety of maze options and cheap admission, it makes for the perfect evening activity with a group of friends. While you’re there you can also check out their haunted corn maze, zombie hunt, and find the perfect pumpkin in their pumpkin patch.

2) Apple Orchard

While we have two orchards within 20 minutes of Purdue’s campus, it seems as though this may not be the best year for apple picking. According to both orchard’s websites and Facebook pages, Wea Creek Orchard and Annie’s Orchard are done with U-Picking for the year due to last year’s harsh winter. However, they both offer the opportunity to still walk through the orchard and eat fresh apples. Wea Creek Orchard also offers hayrides. If you still have another year (or more) here at Purdue, they’re definitely places to keep in mind. Apple orchards can offer a nice place for solitude, or a romantic date option.

 

3) ANYTHING WITH PUMPKINS

Whether you hunt for the perfect pumpkin at Exploration Acres or pick one out from the giant bins at Pay Less, pumpkin art is always a fun fall tradition. Carve a spooky jack-o-lantern face, or create an awesome Purdue design. If you’re like me, you may prefer painting pumpkins. No matter what it is that you prefer, send us pictures of your pumpkin art @PurdueCCO on Twitter or Instagram!

Another great option of things to do with pumpkins is bake things with them. Have all your friends bring some of the ingredients for a delicious pumpkin treat, such as pumpkin muffins or pumpkin pancakes.

4) Turkey Run/ Park Exploration

Coming from personal experience, nothing is more refreshing than a Sunday hike through Turkey Run. With the variety of trails and picnic areas, the park lends itself for a relaxing afternoon. About an hour drive from Purdue, it also offers a nice opportunity to get off campus and remind yourself that there is in fact a world outside of Purdue. If you don’t have time for Turkey Run, there are quite a few parks within a 15 minute drive of Purdue that offer plenty of hiking trails and scenery.

5) Haunted House

If you like a good scare, why not check out a haunted house? As stated previously, there is a haunted corn maze and zombie hunt at Exploration Acres, or you can venture an hour off campus to any of these haunted places. Few things can get you more in the Halloween spirit. Don’t want to spend the money on a haunted house? Curl up in your dorm room and watch a scary movie on Netflix!

6) Attend a football game and/or tailgate

Nothing screams “fall” more than college football on a Saturday afternoon. Get a group of friends together and grill some hot dogs and toss a football around while you wait for the big game to start. With conference games finally starting, there will be no shortage of intense rivalry during a Purdue football game. Stand in the student section and cheer your heart out. Boiler up!

If you have any other suggestions of things to do this fall, feel free to leave a comment and we’ll be happy to add it on! Be sure to take advantage of these last few weeks that you’ll be able to spend outside. Have a great fall, Boilermakers!