Since fall is my favorite season, my husband has become accustomed to my giddiness over everything fall-related. Whether it’s picking out a pumpkin, picking apples, shopping for fall decor or hiking a trail to go leaf-peeping, there are so many activities to partake in this time of year.
However, since we’re in the middle of a pandemic, it kind of limits some of the activities we would normally do this time of year.
Sure we could go on a hike and perhaps we could even safely grab some bottled mulled wine to make at home, but frolicking through a pumpkin patch festival, eat apple cider donuts and drink iced apple cider? Probably not. We could do it, but we’re trying to avoid being around large groups of people as much as we can because of my history with asthma. So what can we do?
If you’re hoping to get your fall fix while maintaining social distancing, we have some suggestions for you!
Go Leaf-Peeping:
An activity we love doing every year and plan on doing this year is going leaf-peeping. There’s plenty of trails within a short drive of our area that we can appreciate the changing leaves while maintaining a safe distance from others. In fact, one trail we visited that we especially loved was in Jim Thorpe, PA during their Fall Festival during peak season!
Go with alone or with loved ones on a trail near you this fall to enjoy the fresh air and beautiful fall colors while remaining safe. Here’s a great resource for finding the best parks for viewing fall foliage near you!
Plan Your Own Fall-Themed Coffee & Hot Cocoa Night:
Grab your favorite coffee blend, some seasonal syrups, toppings, hot chocolate, or cocoa mix, and plan your own coffee bar for you and your loved ones. I used to plan coffee nights at a previous job and not only are they fun to do, but it’s rather easy to put together as long as you have the necessities.
If you’re curious to see what it looks like, I shared my tips for planning a coffee night at home and frequently share some of our favorite coffee drinks we’ve made at home here!
Decorate Your Home for Fall:
Something I look forward to every season is getting to decorate our home for the fall season. Something as little as changing up my pillow covers or switching out my decorative dish towels brings me so much joy. For example, anytime we decorate for the holidays, I like to set the mood by playing music and having holiday-appropriate snacks. Similarly for fall, you can play some spooky songs or some cozy music, light some fall-scented candles, and start setting up different areas of your house together.
Specialty Latte To-Go:
Perhaps you don’t have the time or energy to make your own coffee drinks at home. Another way to get your fall fix while safely social distancing is by grabbing your favorite lattes and drinks to-go! Grab your PSL, Spiced Mocha or Apple Cider Latte from your favorite coffee shop and enjoy the fall foliage while going for a walk. It’s a great way to be able to get the taste of fall you desire and enjoy the outdoors!
Grab a Pumpkin from a Pumpkin Patch:
While visits to the pumpkin patch may look a little different this time around, there’s still a way for you to do so, safely! I’d recommend checking beforehand to learn what their precautions are and whether that’s something you feel comfortable with and then go if you feel it’s something you can do safely. While we’re not planning to go this year, I’d recommend wearing your mask, if you do, and going early or during the weekday (if those hours are available) in hopes of beating the crowds. If you go during peak season AND during a time on the weekend where there are more people in attendance, it’ll be a lot harder to social distance.
Carve a Pumpkin and Use the Insides to Bake Something:
Got an extra pumpkin and don’t know what to do with it? Turn that into another activity by carving a pumpkin to place out front and use the insides to bake some treats. Whether it’s a pumpkin pie or pumpkin muffins, there’s a lot that you can make with a pumpkin.
Go on a Drive:
Perhaps frolicking through the woods in your Patagonia isn’t your idea of fun in the fall season. Another way you can enjoy the fall foliage is by hopping in the car, queuing up your favorite playlists, and going on a drive. Whether you’re close to any mountains that are driveable or simply driving through the small towns near you, the scenery is very different this time of year and something you can experience regardless of where you are. We love going on drives with our favorite fall lattes in hand, pointing out the fall decor and changing colors. Perhaps, this is something you can do as well in the safety of your own car. If you feel comrortable and are in an area that isn’t crowded, perhaps you can stop along the way to take photographs of the foliage or grab a quick drink to go!
Those are some of our suggestions for things that you can do during the fall season. We’d love to hear from you and hear some things you’re hoping to do this fall while social distancing. Feel free to let us know below!
