The summer heat is slowly subsiding, and a hint of crispness in the air can be felt at times. I can’t help but get excited for all that fall has to offer. Autumn has always been my all-time favorite season — especially here in New England, where it goes unmatched with all the colors, coziness, and camaraderie it brings. With two little guys now in tow to celebrate the season, I am so excited to embark upon some of our favorite New England fall activities over the next few months. Here are a few we enjoy:
Apple picking
The options of places that offer pick-your-own apples seem limitless in New England, and through the years I’ve sampled quite a few ranging from New Hampshire to East Bridgewater. Last year we took our then 1-year-old to an 80-year-old family farm, and we loved the variety of apples in the orchard, the vibrant pumpkin display, the chickens strolling around the grounds, and the cider and doughnuts for sale — and, of course, the bushels of apples we took home!
Dining al fresco in the city
When the fall air is just the right temperature — not too humid and not yet brisk — grabbing a coffee or bite to eat at an outdoor café on one of Boston’s tree-lined streets is a timeless treat. Many of Boston’s streets host restaurants that offer al fresco dining — Newbury Street is among my favorites this time of year for the plethora of dining options there and for the classic Back Bay experience.
College football
Living near Boston, with all its athletically renowned colleges and universities, gives us the opportunity to see live college football games just a short drive away. To my family and I, there is nothing more exciting than watching the Boston College Eagles (my husband’s and my alma mater) take on their rival in BC’s Alumni Stadium on a beautiful fall day in Chestnut Hill.
Pumpkin patches
When October rolls around, my motto is the more pumpkins at my house the better! That said, visiting the pumpkin patch — and seeing the barn animals that live there, riding the cow train, going on a hayride, and picking out our very own pumpkins to bring home — is a given for my family every year.
Experiencing history in Salem
A favorite fall day trip I’ve taken since I first started living in Boston over a decade ago, one in which American history comes alive and Halloween is amplified every October, is Salem. The Salem Witch Museum is a must see with its reenactments of witch trials, the streets are always full of people in costume, and cauldrons, broomsticks, black cats, and other symbols of Halloween abound. The English major in me always enjoys visiting The House of the Seven Gables — an inspiration for one of Nathaniel Hawthorne’s novels and a bit off the beaten Halloween path of Salem. One tip I have for this trip is to go well before or after October 31 unless you don’t mind crowded streets and attractions.
