Tis the season for pumpkin spiced lattes, strolls in the park, and sweater weather. I love the fresh crisp air and the wet smell of rotting leaves. Ahhh. Don’t get me wrong, I love summer, but by the time fall hits, I can’t help but welcome the change in weather and my wardrobe. I am obsessed with holidays and doing every themed thing I can, so having both Thanksgiving and Halloween in one month is a dream come true.
Here are twelve super cute & fun things to do with bae (do people still say bae?!) this fall to keep warm as the weather is turning colder.
#1 Visit a pumpkin patch
Going to Superstore is a very easy way buy a pumpkin, but it takes some of the fun out of browsing and choosing the perfect pumpkin. Make it an outing, get a latte on the way, and head to your nearest pumpkin patch to adopt your new addition to your family for the next few weeks. A few close to Winnipeg are Dear Meadow Farms, RJW Acres, and Schwabe Pumpkins.
***Remember to check COVID updates before going to make sure they are still open and wear a mask.***
#2 Have an Outdoor Movie Night
Grab your coziest blankets, light a fire, string fairy lights to set the mood and set up a sheet and projector. I don’t know why, but whenever I watch an outdoor movie, it has to be an 80’s movie. I feel like it goes with the atmosphere I’m trying to create. This is one of my fav movies, Fast Times at Ridgemont High. If you haven’t seen it, do yourselves a favor and add it to the list.
#3 Stargaze
Drive out past city limits, set up a blanket on the ground and bring a warm comforter to snuggle in. Fall is the best time to watch the stars since they tend to shine brighter and you have a chance at seeing the Northern Lights.
# 4 Plan & create your couple Halloween costumes
As a kid, I used to plan my costume for months in advance. My prime was grade seven when I was an apple juice box. This year, Halloween may look a little different, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get into the spirit and create a couple’s costume (even if Halloween is sitting at home watching movies).
#5 Go Fall camping
Chilly but rewarding. Make sure to pack warm clothes and check the weather beforehand so you don’t get rained on, as you’ll probably want a fire to stay warm in the evenings. Waking up in the morning to the refreshingly crisp air and colorful trees will instantly put you in a good mood to sit around the fire and enjoy your coffee.
#6 Visit a haunted mansion/forest
Haunted mansions really solidify Halloween for me. I hate scary movies but love the in-person thrill of people jumping out at me. Is that messed up? Maybe. Around Winnipeg there are two really good ones; Heebie Jeebies and Six Pines. Both are around $40 for the evening, but you can guarantee a good scare!
#7 Go for a walk through the forest to admire the changing leaves
The BEST fall activity. Walking through forests when the leaves are vibrant with color makes me feel so happy and thankful for everything in my life.
Walks around Winnipeg you NEED to check out:
- Assiniboine Forest
- Churchill Drive
- Bunn’s Creek
- Beaudry Park
- Forks River Trail
- Wellington Crescent
#8 Try your hand at making hot apple cider
Mmm warm apple cider. This is the perfect weekend activity as it takes a few hours to simmer to get all the goodness out from the apples. Add to the date and find an apple tree to handpick the apples from first or visit a farmers market to buy them.
#9 Have a pumpkin carving competition
Does everything have to be a competition? Yes, yes it does. Especially when two very unartistic people want to see who can carve a better pumpkin. It is never me, but it is fun to look up different designs and *attempt* to make it look somewhat similar.
#10 Go on a pumpkin spice latte tour of your city to determine the best one
Pumpkin-spiced is all the rage during fall. I am not personally a fan but it seems like everyone else is. Travel to different coffee shops around the city to determine which place holds the title for the best. Maybe a local shop will even give Starbucks a run for its money.
# 11 Get lost in a Corn Maze
Does a corn maze remind anyone else of the maze in the fourth Harry Potter at the triwizard tournament? Maybe its because it is the only corn maze I’ve been to, however, they are a lot of fun and there is a very high chance people won’t become possessed and chase you down. A fantastic one near Winnipeg is the Amaze in Corn. It also has a pumpkin barn, haunted forest and petting zoo.
# 12 Relive your youth and watch all the Halloweentown movies
Arguably the best Halloween movies to exist. Throwback to the good old days before you could record movies on TV so you would have to make sure you were READY when they came on Family Channel. Last year I made my boyfriend (who has never seen them) watch the first one with me on Halloween and discovered they didn’t have quite the same mesmerizing effect on him. Guess you have to grow up with them to fully appreciate them!
Treaty 1 Territory
Feature photo by Katelynrach Photography
