Now that the temperature and leaves are dropping you may feel like you want to make the most of this fall season. However, the big question still stands, what is there to do? Well look no further because here we have put together a complete guide to help you plan out your essentials and activities for this time of year.
Activities
Fall Festival
Harvest Moon Farm and Orchard (North Salem, New York): this orchard hosts a fall festival every weekend during September and October, with a $5 entrance fee to the festival and a $30 fee for a Harvest Moon picking bag (holding about 25 pounds of apples). The festival includes apple picking, hayrides, games, farm animals, and live music. Everything is cash only. It’s a 1 hour drive from Flushing, New York.
Harbes Orchard
(Riverhead, New York): this orchard includes apple picking, pumpkin picking, and an interactive 3-acre Robin Hood Corn Maze, a Spooky Corn Maze (Saturday nights starting Oct. 6th & Columbus Day, Oct. 7th, and Friday, Oct. 26th). Pony rides and a vineyard are also included. They sell hot apple cider, cinnamon apple cider donuts, hot dogs, corn, and much more. It’s open weekends and holidays only. Prices range for different sized bags for apple picking, but all are affordable. It’s a 1 hour and 30 minute drive from Flushing.
Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade
77th Street and Central Park West (Manhattan, New York): one of NYC’s most anticipated events attracting millions of viewers at home while being free of charge if you wish to go there in person. Senior, Aleksandre De Jesus, commented,“I enjoy watching the parade on TV, they include classic characters from movies and shows. It makes people come together to watch it with their families.”
Gravesend Inn Haunted Hotel
(Downtown Brooklyn, NYC): this scary hotel is one of the city’s most high tech haunted attractions. People get scared by the animatronics that pop out when you trigger their sensors. Open everyday starting October 19 through the 31st. Hours vary each day. Tickets are $10 for general admission and $5 for students with IDs.
Hike
Bull Hill (Cold Spring, New York): Only a 1.5 mile driving distance from NYC, this hiking ground is known for its breathtaking views overlooking the Hudson Valley.
Fall photo shoot
Become your own photographer and venture out to different locations across the city. Create an album full of memories with family and friends.
Play in the leaves
Rake up your backyard and create a huge pile of leaves, then jump in!
Clothing
One of fall’s most prominent aspects is the clothing and the unique styles that comes with it. This includes chunky sweaters, boots, and flannels, to name a few. Junior, Sumya Nur, said,“I love going to the department stores especially when Fall comes, the clothes they have are really comfy.” Here we have a list of stores that currently sell on-trend clothes for Autumn, as well as some extra sales they have to save you some cash.
Sweaters
Forever 21: this store currently sells a wide range of sweaters, from knit to fringe to fitted, and prices are very affordable. On top of that, you currently get 10% off on your first online purchase, free shipping on orders over $50, as well as a student discount (10% off) when shopping online.
Urban Outfitters: this store is known for unique yet stylish clothing, and has sparked many trends in the past. Their sweater range includes turtleneck, cable knit, cardigans, and much more. You can currently take an extra 30% off all sale items in stores and online (for a limited time only). It also has a vast sale section, including $5, $10, and $20 bags, dresses and rompers $19.99 and up, and men’s tees $9.99 and up.
Zara: this store is known for its chic but sometimes pricey clothing. Its sweaters are high quality and on trend for the season. It has free standard shipping on orders $50 and up, and up to 70% off on select styles.
Boots
Nordstrom: this store has a wide range of boots, including knee high, suede, high heeled booties, and thigh highs, selling many of your favorite brands. It also has a vast selection of boots for men. The store has new markdowns on its items every day, as well as Nordstrom Rack (another branch of their brand) where all clothes and shoes are discounted.
Flannels
ASOS: this store has high quality clothes, as well as its soft flannels. They currently have a sale in which all clothing is up to 50% off, and all flannels are significantly marked down.
Halloween Costumes
Party City: this store is known for its wide selection of halloween costumes, and you currently get 15% off your purchase when shopping online. In store and online sales include 25% off on $100 or more, 20% off on $80 or more, 15% off on $60 or more, and free shipping when you use the code savemore.
Spirit Halloween: this store is also known for its vast range of halloween costumes, having something for everyone. You currently get 20% off any item when you sign up online, $10 off on orders over $65, $20 off on orders over $100, $30 off on orders over $150, $50 off on orders over $200, all when you use the code hall50 (online only).
Home Essentials
With the transition into a new season you may also want to change up the atmosphere at home. Senior, Shibangi Roy, agreed by saying that she “really loves the scented essentials because it gives her the feeling of being in a cozy environment.”
Scented candles: get single-wick candles at Bath and Body Works with the special offer of buy 2 for $16, and 3-wick candles at White Barn for $24.50 each.
Body care: get a great deal at Bath and Body Works, Buy 3 of their Fall collection body lotions and get 2 FREE.
Bath salts: Bed Bath & Beyond has them in assorted colors and scents for prices under $10.
Mugs: cute printed mugs are in high demand now, looking stylish while drinking is easy with prices under $10 at Target.
Journals: At Barnes and Nobles get colorful assorted journals to write what fun activities you did this Fall.
Decor: Go to Kirkland’s website and browse through their All Harvest Decor, now up to 40% off on all items.
Movies
To get into the spirit of Fall’s spookiest holiday we have a list of classic Halloween movies.
Non horror:
Corpse bride (2005)- “It’s one of those movies that I have already watched about ten million times and I still wouldn’t mind watching it over again.”-Senior, Dawa Sherpa.
Tim Burton’s’ The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
Coraline (2009)
Hocus Pocus (1993)
Halloweentown (1998)
It’s The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown (1966)
Monster House (2006)
Casper (1995)
Addams Family Values (1993)
Beetlejuice (1988)
Edward Scissorhands (1990)
Horror:
Halloween (1978)
The Exorcist (1973)
A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)
Sleepy Hollow (1999)
Scream (1996)
Poltergeist (1982)
Food and Drinks
While activities on this guide can keep you entertained for hours they can also make you feel tired at the end of the day. Let’s keep our energy levels up with some delicious food to nosh on. Senior, Savion Teerath, said he “likes the fact that when he eats these dishes it reminds him of Fall itself.”
Pumpkin spice latte: the famous drink can be found in your local starbucks but it’s best to hurry because it stays on the menu for a limited amount of time.
Old fashioned apple/pumpkin pie: this classic dessert can be bought in grocery stores, bakeries, or even be prepared at home. It’s a great serve to have at a Thanksgiving gathering or just a small get together with friends.
Candied apples: this sweet looking treat probably caught your eye at festival stand once. Being a dessert that can be homemade allows for it be a way to bond with family members.
Hot apple cider: with the chilly weather setting in it’s nice to drink something that will warm you up, and what better way to do so than by drinking a nice cup of hot apple cider on quiet afternoon.
Spiced hot chocolate: this drink doesn’t have to pertain only to the winter months, just by adding dashes of cinnamon or hazelnut can really give it that autumn kick.
Squash soup: with its creamy texture it’s a delicious side dish.
Thanksgiving turkey: with the holiday being a month away this traditional dish has become a huge part of American culture because of its ability to bring families closer together.
