Fall in New England — there’s really nothing like it. With the leaves changing colors, the crispness in the air, cute fall clothes (break out those booties, mama!), and apple cider doughnuts, it’s time to get out and explore our amazing city and the surrounding towns. And we’ve got the ultimate fall bucket list to keep you busy all season long! So print it out, hang it up, check ’em off, and HAVE FUN!
Fun at Home
- Build a leaf pile and jump in it
- Make some fall artwork
- Get the fireplace cleaned, and build your first fire of the season
- Carve jack-o’-lanterns and decorate the house for Halloween
- Take up a new hobby
- Prepare for cold and flu season
- Plan your Halloween costumes and get ready to trick or treat
- Have friends over for a Saturday or Sunday football party
- Sleep with the windows open
Fall Fun Out and About
- Go apple picking — there are dozens of great orchards within an easy drive. We picked 12 great options for you.
- Check out all the local farms
- Head to Walden Pond
- Drive up to Salem for Halloween and fall fun
- Cheer on the Patriots
- Head to the Punkin’ Fest at Lawn on D
- Go to a haunted house
- Enjoy a hay ride
- Bundle up, head outside, and make s’mores over the fire pit
- Visit a pumpkin patch
- Enjoy eating outside at one of Boston’s great al fresco restaurants
- Go to King Richard’s Faire
- Spend the day at the zoo
- Take a tractor ride at Wilson Farm
- Spend the day at Davis Farmland
- Take fall photos at the Emerald Necklace
- Fall fashion! Sweaters, light jackets, boots…
- Tailgate
- Walk the cranberry bog and nature trail at Patriot Place
Eat, Drink, and Be Merry
- CIDER DOUGHNUTS
- Drink apple cider — hot or cold, it’s still good
- Make spiced rum apple cider
- Make apple butter, then can it and give as gifts
- Make pumpkin chocolate chip muffins. In fact, make all the pumpkin things.
- Make tomato sauce and pickles, then can them
- Keep on grilling
- Break out the slow cooker
- Bake bread. Bake everything.
- Enjoy fall-flavored ice cream, like maple and pumpkin
- Eat too much candy corn and mellowcream pumpkins
- Roast pumpkin seeds
Culture and Education
- Spend a day at the Arnold Arboretum
- Explore the Freedom Trail
- Learn about art in Boston
- Watch the performers at Faneuil Hall
- Explore the deCordova Sculpture Park (free admission on the first Wednesday of each month!)
Moving and Grooving
- Participate in the Jimmy Fund Walk
- Race through a corn maze
- Go hiking — there are tons of local trails and mountains to climb
- Enjoy a run in the cooler weather
Community and Giving Back
- Clean out your closet and donate the clothes you no longer wear
- Serve meals to people in need
- Participate in one of the many walks or runs this time of year and support a great cause. Our event calendar is full of them!
- Paint a teal pumpkin and be allergy safe
Vacation
- Head to the Berkshires for a day trip or a weekend
- Enjoy the beauty of the Cape during the off season
- Take a drive through Vermont and go leaf peeping
- Head up to the White Mountains