Time to Start Your Fall Bucket List!

The change of fall can be felt just right around the bend and with it comes the experience of a new season. Although fall does not officially begin until September 23, people can begin getting into the fall spirit now by creating their own fall bucket list. This list can include family or personal goals that you want to accomplish in the coming season. Here are a few tips and ideas to help you get started with some fun things to do this fall.

One fun suggestion is going to a local apple orchard and taking the kiddos apple picking. This is usually inexpensive and can be a great way to get the kids out and about. Taking a drive in the mountains to take in fall foliage with the family is also another great idea for fall. This is especially easy given our quick access to the Great Smoky Mountains. Take part in the comforts of home by baking pumpkin bread and allowing your home to fill with the spice of the season. A popular recommendation for Halloween enthuseasts is going on a spooky grave yard tour and hearing local ghost lore.

Other people look for a slightly different approach to fall fun in that most of their ideas focus on self-reflection and are considered the least costly. One suggestion is to get your family involved and make a giving tree. This will remind the family of all that they have to be thankful for, especially in the ever-changing atmosphere in fall. Indoor camping is another suggestion and can be easier for families who have smaller children. The family can pitch a tent in the basement and can roast marshmallows on a small barbeque. Other fun traditions include making your own scarecrow and going for a walk through your favorite park as a family.

Pintrest seems to generate thousands of ideas these days and of course one could not have a fall bucket list without taking a look. Some of the top suggestions for the perfect fall bucket list include making your own caramel apples, roasting pumpkin seeds, and having a scary movie or favorite movie marathon along with festive kettle corn. A fall photo shoot with friends, a family hike through the mountains, and a visit to a local fall festival to take in crafts and foods of the season are other great ideas to try.

If you are looking for fun things to do around the area there are many suggestions open to both families, singles, and teens. Corn mazes are popular around the area, especially Echo Valley farm, which features three large mazes, a kids maze, and hayrides. General admission for all ages is $10, and kids 2 and under are free. Echo Valley would like to note that children under the age of 11 must be accompanied by an adult when they visit the corn maze. Ballinger Farm Crazy Maze is also open for the season, featuring not only a corn maze, but also a petting zoo, a grain jump pillow, and an 80 foot barrel slide. General admission is $10, 2 and under are free, and group rates are available.

For older kids and adults, Frightmare Manor is also opening for the season. Parking for the venue is $5, and general admission including entrance to all 3 attractions on site is $28. Different price packages are available and group rates are available. Nashville is also available for fall recreation, from the 15 festivals coming this season, to their free live music scene and sports and recreation events. These are just a sampling of the events going on this fall: head out and start checking off that bucket list!

Source: Elizabeth Lane, Jefferson County Post Staff Writer