Since Autumn is right around the corner, it is time to fall in line and get your schedule planned for the next few weeks (pun intended).Â
Here in Bloomington-Normal there are so many ways to get your fall fix for the year, but where do you begin?
You can start of the year by visiting Rader Family Farms. There is so much to do. From picking out your perfect pumpkin to getting lost in a corn maze, you and your friends MUST go check this place out. It’s also the best fall photo opp around town. They are open weekdays from 9 am to 6 pm and weekends from 10am to 6pm.Â
Considering fall is a part of spooky season, there a multiple ways to get your fear factor taken care of. Starting the first weekend in October, there are multiple local haunted houses that will definitely scare you out of your wits. Just 15 minutes away from Bloomington area, Downs, Illinois hosts a haunted house every weekend in October. You can find other great ones near Peoria such as Spook Hollow.Â
If haunted houses aren’t your thing, you can always give a haunted trail a go. There is a perfect opportunity here in Bloomington-Normal. It only costs $2 and is located pretty close to campus. The haunted trail has two different options for everyone. The not so scary trail, which is geared more towards kids and will be October 10-12. There will also be the scary trail that is on October 18 and 19.Â
Sometimes you’ll need a break from the spook though. If you are willing to take mini trips to places, there are multiple fall festivals in surrounding towns. In Dwight, Illinois they have a harvest days festival September 19-22 to kick off fall right. There are also multiple Oktoberfests around the area. They all are the weekend of September 20. Uptown Normal will be hosting one by Medici and there is also one in Peoria.
Even though there are so many events and places to get your fall fix in the area, there are other small ways to have bits of fall throughout your day. Go and try and a pumpkin flavored coffee at a local coffee shop or even try out a pumpkin treat from a bakery in Bloomington. Ivy Lane bakery will have fall treats all throughout October and has some of the best pumpkin flavored iced coffee to pair it with. You can even go to a decoration store and get cute fall decorations for your apartment or dorm. Try making a DIY fall craft or paint a pumpkin from Rader’s.
There are so many ways to make your autumn the best without having to travel or spend much, just grab a group of your pals and have a fall-tastic time!