The Classics
When you think of autumn, you probably think of haunted houses, leaf piles, and trips to the pumpkin patch. While these are always guaranteed to be heaps of fun, there are a plethora of other activities to get you in the festive spirit. These include, but are not limited to, baking an apple pie, hosting or attending a bonfire/kickback, tailgating before the next football game, volunteering in a local elementary classroom, pressing your own apple cider after checking out a u-pick apple farm, horse-riding on the beach, touring a winery and/or vineyard, DIYing your Halloween costume, soaking up the last bit of sun in a sunflower field, and taking a scenic drive to see the fall foliage. When you visit the pumpkin patch, take some time to enjoy a hayride and try your best to get out of a corn maze. Once you’ve found the perfect pumpkin, bring it home and carve the most fierce jack-o-lantern you can dream up. A cozy scary movie night with your family, friends, or significant other can be the perfect night-in, especially if the weather is drab. If horror isn’t your thing, you can watch a nostalgic autumn-related movie or show such as Dead Poets Society or Gilmore Girls.
The Active
Whether it’s hiking to see beautiful larches or participating in a 5k/10k fun run, there are an abundance of active, outdoor activities to enjoy during the last sunny days of the year. Some of the best hikes to see fall colors in Washington are Maple Pass, Skyline, Naches Peak Loop, Artist Point, Yellow Aster Butte, Cutthroat Pass, and Lake Ingalls.
The Washington-Specific
Washington has a reputation for being gloomy and cool. One town that encapsulates this essence of Washington perfectly is Forks. As Bella Swan famously says in the first Twilight movie, “in the state of Washington, under a near constant cover of clouds and rain, there is a small town named Forks. Population: 3,120 people. This is where I am moving.” Forks is definitely worth a visit if you happen to be nearby or are traveling to the coast. A well-known hike to see larches (deciduous conifer trees native to colder regions) in Washington is Artist Point at Mount Baker. It’s about a three hours drive from Seattle but is totally worth it. Next, if you love a good immersive Halloween experience, Spirit of Halloweentown in St. Helens, Oregon is a fairly close attraction that’s loads of fun. Close to Oregon, near Cougar, WA and the Lewis River, there are the wondrous Ape Caves. Reserve your tickets ahead of time and bring warm clothes and headlamps. They are open until October 27th, but will be extra chilly this time of year! Another fun, local event is the annual ‘Zoo Boo’ at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium in Tacoma. For only two days, the zoo incorporates Halloween-themed decorations and events, and encourages visitors to wear costumes. Finally, Washington is home to many noteworthy haunted houses that are worth checking out (if you’re not easily scared)! Some of the most popular include Georgetown Morgue, My Morbid Mind, Stocker Farms, Frighthouse Station, Nile Nightmares, Maris Farms, and Fright Factory.
Hopefully some of these activities inspire you to make the most of your autumn 2022 season with your loved ones!