As the leaves turn colors and a cool breeze fills the air, fall enthusiasts find themselves flourished in the joy of the season. Shorians are wasting no time getting into fun fall activities. To guarantee that you make this fall your best yet, students shared their favorite seasonal activities and events that get them pumped up for this time of the year. Here are 5 things that you can’t miss this fall: 

• The Cider Mill and Pumpkin Patches

Fall would not be complete without a trip to the local cider mill. Ava Kersanty, junior, captures the essence perfectly. She said, “My favorite fall activity is going to the apple orchard and getting cider and donuts. It’s always nice to be in nature, and I like to bake with the apples afterwards.”

Ruby Fetko, junior, shares a similar experience. He said, “I like to go to the pumpkin patches and pick out pumpkins because I like to put them on my porch for Halloween and carve them.”

Ava Kozak, junior, said, “I pick pumpkins from a pumpkin patch.”

Carving pumpkins is an iconic fall tradition and holds a place in the hearts of many during fall. With so many different apple orchards and cider mills around the area, going to pick apples and pumpkins is an easy and fun way to get into the fall spirit. And, as a bonus, you can get some delicious donuts and cider while you’re there.

 Kozak said, “I go to Blake and Yates.”

• Halloween Movie Night 

For a cozy fall evening at home, there is nothing better than watching a Halloween movie. The aroma is a huge part of the experience. Ariana Boddington, sophomore, said “I light all my fall candles and bring out my fall perfumes and lotions.”

This is also a part of Fetko’s ritual for a fall movie night. Fetko said, “At home, I like to go and light fall candles.”

Some popular fall movies recommended by Shorians include Hocus Pocus, Scream, Spookley the Square Pumpkin, and Scary Movie. These films capture the essence of Halloween and the fall season overall, making them the perfect choice for your movie night. 

• Haunted Houses

If you are looking for the more spooky side of fall, don’t miss the chance to visit a haunted house. Kaylee Faircloth, senior, said, “Probably like going to haunted houses with my friends because I like all of the activities there are to do there … and it’s very fun and like, makes me get into the fall spirit.” 

Faircloth, specifying a good haunted house to go to this year, said, “Scarefest.”

Haunted houses are an ideal way to get into the spirit and get an adrenaline pump. With so many nearby to choose from, all displaying different levels of horror, visiting a haunted house this season must be added to your fall bucket list.

If haunted houses aren’t your thing or spook you out too much, don’t worry. There are so many other things you can do at Scarefest Scream Park (Lenox, Michigan) to get your adrenaline pumping like The Hayride of Doom, The Forest of Darkness and The Terror Maze Zone. These attractions aren’t quite as scary, but they are freaky enough to get your heart racing!

• Dressing Up

While many teens don’t go trick-or-treating anymore, dressing up for Halloween is still an essential part of the fall season. Whether they’re going to a party, trick-or-treating, passing out candy, or just going to school, many Shorians have costume ideas in mind for the festive holiday.

Kozak, who will be passing out candy on Halloween, said, “My costume is going to be… probably Mother Teresa.”

Kersanty, who is spending time with some friends on Halloween, said, “For Halloween I plan on being strawberry shortcake.”

Even some of the couples this year plan on getting all dressed up to be super festive together for the night.

Faircloth said, “I’m gonna be Remmy from Ratatouille and then my boyfriend’s going to be the chef.”

No matter what the stigma is, you’re never too old to dress up for Halloween. If you haven’t picked out a costume yet, it must be added to your bucket list for the season.

• Baking/Eating the Fall Foods 

With all of the fun fall foods and flavors like pumpkin spice, caramel apple, candy corn, maple and chai, baking is a must in the autumn season, along with trying out all of the season specialties offered at restaurants, fast food places, and cider mills.

Kersanty said, “I love baking, which gets me into the fall vibe.” 

If you don’t know where to get the festive ingredients for holiday baking, or if you just can’t come up with a fun autumn recipe yourself, Fetko recommends that you make a stop at Trader Joes and check out their wide fall selection. 

He said, “I like to make pumpkin cookies, and Trader Joes has those gingerbread houses that are Halloween themed, and I would put those in my house.”

If you aren’t into baking or you just don’t have the time with all of the other fall activities, be sure to at least try some treats from your local cider mills or supermarkets!

Kozak said, “I like cider and donuts.”

Boddington said, “The cider and donuts are amazing.”