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Apple Picking:
Grab some of your friends or family and head out to your local apple farm. Try to look out for organic apple farms and ones that have sustainable practices such as: limited or no pesticide use, reusable bags, or compostable containers for snacks and other items sold there. (Maybe even make a pie when you’re done!)
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Corn Maze:
Visiting your local corn maze is a super fun activity to get a little spooking in as well as get some good exercise walking around! No harm no foul in the act of walking, and choosing a corn maze in close proximity to you reduces the amount of miles you need to drive to get there.
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Hiking or Walking:
Hiking is one of my favorite activities to do during every season, but especially during the fall! The foliage in Vermont is truly intoxicating to look at and being able to get a little dirty while getting a good workout is always a plus! Maybe bring a furry friend along too.
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Grabbing a hot coffee with your reusable mug:
Most of my favorite coffee places let you bring your own reusable mug! I work at The Skinny Pancake (shameless plug) and I love their coffee. There are many locations, my favorite being the one on Lake St. which is only a quick walk away from the waterfront of Lake Champlain.
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Visiting your local garden:
One of my favorite activities is getting my hands dirty gardening! I participate in open garden hours at my school from time to time. It is a wonderful activity, where you can taste yummy veggies while you work! Try getting involved in community gardens near you! It’s a great way to learn practical gardening skills which can be helpful if you ever want to start your own garden someday.
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Cooking an autumn-inspired dinner:
Personally, I LOVE classic fall foods like acorn squash, apple pie, and apple cider! A fun and sustainable activity is making a yummy fall dinner at your home! Visit local farm stands to get local seasonal veggies and invite your friends over for a memorable meal.
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Leaf peeping:
A simple and easy activity you can do almost anywhere in Vermont is leaf peeping! Leaf peeping is the act of looking at and enjoying the fall foliage. Since trees are pretty much everywhere in Vermont it is easy to find some gorgeous leaves without having to travel far, which keeps your travel emissions nice and low!
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Pumpkin Carving or Painting:
Pumpkin carving and painting is a great way to engage with your creative side during the fall. Pumpkins are grown and sold locally all over Vermont during this time of year, and are naturally compostable when the season is over! If you are painting pumpkins instead of carving them be sure to choose non-toxic paint and dispose of it properly when finished!
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Picnic:
A cozy fall picnic is a nice way to enjoy a meal outdoors, and if done right won’t produce any waste! Prior to the picnic find out how many people you will be serving and make the right amount of yummy fall treats to be sure there is minimal food waste. Use reusable containers to pack the food, and bring some apple cider in a thermos with some mugs to enjoy while you’re there!
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Scary movie night:
I am always down for a good scary movie, especially with some good snacks and nice company! Try making some “zero-waste” popcorn for the movies and snuggle up with lots of pillows and blankets.
Recipe: https://www.honestlymodern.com/simply-relish-zero-or-low-waste-homemade-popcorn-recipes/