Objectively, fall is the best season of the year. There’s nothing better than sweater weather, scary stories, crunchy leaves under your feet, big knit scarves, and apple pie on a crisp fall day. To help you take advantage of the superior season, we’ve compiled five of the best (but not the only good!) things to do this fall. Wrap yourself up in a scarf and get ready for autumn.
1. Burn Some Fall Candles
Okay, okay. Technically candles are against fire code in the dorms and apartments at Skidmore. Don’t risk getting points just for your fall aesthetic. But say you live off campus – or say you’re a senior who literally couldn’t care less about the rules anymore – fall scented candles are probably the best way to bring some autumn into your life. It sometimes seems like New York gets fall a solid two to three weeks after the rest of the country – but it’s fun to pretend with candles! Bath and Body Works is hands down the best place to get your candles, and they’re literally always on sale. Flannel is our number one scent recommendation.
2. Walk Through Northwoods
Northwoods (like, the actual woods, guys, not where the apartments are) is one of the best things about our campus, and there’s no better time to take advantage of the 530 acres (that’s more than half of the size of Central Park!) than in the fall, when it’s cooled down and the bugs are all dead. That gorgeous autumnal smell is even stronger in the woods, and it feels perfectly spooky walking along the paths with orange and yellow leaves crunching beneath your boots. Prime autumn.
3. Go apple or pumpkin picking
This is so worth the money. You definitely don’t need the 335 apples you take home from Saratoga Apple, but it’s kind of fun to try to fit them all in the mini-fridge anyway. Make a day out of it, and don’t miss out on the apple cider and donuts. Literally buy two dozen. You won’t regret it.
4. Autumn Movie Nights
Even if you don’t like the scary movies that come with the Halloween season, there are plenty of fun Thanksgiving and not-so-scary Halloween things to watch. Movies like Halloweentown, It’s the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown, and a Charlie Brown Thanksgiving are prime movie material for those witchy nights in October and November. Cozy up with some apple cider, popcorn, and a black cat to get yourself in the mood. (Or you could just marathon Harry Potter. Because, you know, witches.)
5. Autumnal Cocktails
For those of us that are 21 and like to drink, autumnal cocktails are the best way to extend the autumnal vibe from day to night. A good pumpkin beer is the best place to start, or mix some apple cider with fireball for a warm treat that, honestly, tastes nothing like alcohol. If you’re really talented, whip up a dark and stormy for you and your coven.
Bonus activity: Listen to Fall Out Boy because, you know, fall.