As we leave the flip flops and sunscreen behind, we often dread the leaves changing and the cold, frigid breeze. However, these following activities will change your attitude towards this new, upcoming season.

1. Watching the Leaves Change

Mueller State Park, located in Divide, Colorado, about an hour drive away from Colorado Springs, provides  beautiful scenery when searching for the changes of seasons. The tall Aspen trees change from the lush green to the beautiful fall colors of orange, red, and yellow. Plus, they have dozens of hiking trails to go hiking through the forest with your friends!

      2. Starbucks

 In the fall, it is no surprise that Starbucks brings its seasonal flavors back into stock, causing Starbucks enthusiasts (and anyone in general) to crave the drinks throughout the season. Getting these warm drinks during the breezy, cool weather would lift anyone’s spirits.

      3. Apple Picking

The “Happy Apple Farm,” located in Penrose, Colorado, about an hour out of Colorado Springs, allows families to pick new, fresh apples from the orchard. While enjoying these tasty fruits, the scenery is also gorgeous and free from admission, and apples are only $1.85 per pound.

      4. Sunday Football

During the fall season, there are parties, gatherings of family and friends, or even just hanging out on the couch to watch the NFL football games on Sunday. These football games bring everyone together, and allows people to “catch up” with each other.

      5. Pumpkin Bread

Along with the various fall pastries, pumpkin bread is one of the tastiest treats during the season. Baking the soft, fluffy bread is a great activity for you and your friends to do when you gather together. If the need to feel even more creative kicks in, ingredients such as chocolate chips or oats can make this tasty treat even better. Plus, it’s super cheap!

      6. Pumpkin Patch

When Americans think of the Fall season, we think of all things pumpkin. Along with apple picking in the orchard, the Happy Apple Farm (in Penrose, Colorado) also contains a field of pumpkins waiting to be plucked. With only the small amount of .55 cents per pound, a trip to the pumpkin patch is an adventure that is worth taking. It will give you a fun activity for you and your friends to do that will get you in the mood for the season.

      7. Carving Pumpkins

After returning from the pumpkin patch and finding your pumpkins, it is tradition for almost all Americans to carve them. Carving pumpkins is almost the matriarch of the Fall season as we get ready for Halloween.

      8. Pumpkin Seeds

As you and your friends are cleaning out your pumpkins, don’t just throw away the seeds! Throw them in the oven, sprinkle some salt or caramel on top, and you have an easy, low-fat snack!

       9.  Pumpkin Cookies

The smell of hot, freshly glazed cookies cheers anyone up. By looking up a simple pumpkin cookie recipe on Pinterest, your fall spirit will sprout up completely. This simple activity is great to do on a crisp, cool day and it gets the house to smell like pumpkin and Fall for a few hours.