As September comes to a close, October is just around the corner. With it comes the exciting energy of fall break, which is highly anticipated by students. Everyone is looking forward to the two week break. There are many fun things to do during October, and the weather is usually perfect. Here’s a list of some fun fall themed activities for the break!

• Go to the apple orchard – This is something quick and fun to do if you’re in the mood for something fall related. A few popular orchards around Indy are Beasley’s Orchard and Anderson Orchard. Both of these have apples, pumpkins, and other activities such as corn mazes and hayrides. This is also great for younger siblings or cousins that might not want to do something too extravagant.

• Carve pumpkins – Carving pumpkins is a great option for a group of friends or family. You have full creative control, and can pick whatever designs you want. Carving pumpkins is a lot harder than it might look, so it takes some practice at first.

• Watch scary movies – If you want to stay in, watching movies is always a good idea no matter what time of year it is. Around October, lots of Halloween themed and other scary movies start to become increasingly popular. Some famous movies include The Nightmare Before Christmas, Hocus Pocus, Coraline, A Nightmare on Elm Street, The Conjuring, IT, etc. Watching these movies is fun to do with a few friends or family members, or even by yourself.

• ZooBoo – Every year, the Indianapolis Zoo decorates for Halloween and has special fall activities planned for visitors. There are lots of things to choose from including Scarecrow Photo Safari, Trick-or-Treat Trail, Spook-Track-Ular Train Ride, and more. This is a great option for younger kids, or older kids who want to revisit some childhood memories. Look at the Indianapolis Zoo website for more information and tickets.

• Have a bonfire – If the weather is nice, starting a backyard bonfire is always something exciting to do. Making s’mores and gathering around the fire with loved ones is one of the best activities you can do. It’s low cost, low effort, and a lot of fun. 

• Harvest Nights at Newfields – At Newfields, there’s a newer, popular event called Harvest Nights. Halloween themed lights are displayed throughout the art museum, creating a beautiful scene. There are glowing pumpkins along the trails, and other lights filling the museum. Snacks and drinks are available for purchase as well. This event is held at night, and you can visit the Newfields website for ticket information.

• Bake your favorite fall treats – Baking is a comforting activity as the weather gets colder. There are many fall foods that everyone enjoys, and fall break is a great time to bake the things you love. Some popular foods are cinnamon rolls, pumpkin bread, apple pie, pumpkin cheesecake, apple crisp, and pumpkin cookies. The Pillsbury cookies with Halloween designs are also released around this time, which become popular very quickly.

• Road trip to Brown County – Brown County is known for its fall foliage as October and November hit. Every street is filled with trees, which look beautiful as the leaves change color. Even just driving through, Brown County offers scenic views and the fall atmosphere that is seen in movies. If you’re looking for something more interesting to do, you can even go zip lining through the colorful trees.

• Make fall drinks – Around fall, drinks like apple cider and hot chocolate become popular. These are available for purchase in multiple places, but it can be fun to make them at home. Find some different recipes you like and try them out. These drinks are very easy and fun to try homemade!
•  Visit a state park – Going on a picnic or a hike can be fun during the fall time as the weather gets cooler and the leaves become scenic. Some popular parks are Fort Harrison, Harrison, White River, and Eagle Creek. Exploring the Indy area can be something interesting to do during free time over the break.