Hallelujah, fall is finally here! After what has probably felt like the most chaotic year for the majority of us, I can only hope that this beautiful season will bring us all some new and fun adventures. Autumn is home to hundreds of different exciting activities to do with your family, friends or by yourself. Taking into consideration the regulations involving the COVID-19 Connecticut guidelines, I’m here to inform you on the safest, closest and most affordable fall experiences you can get this year!
Silverman’s Farm:
Only about 17 minutes away from campus, this breathtaking location hosts the staple fall activity: pumpkin picking! This event is held every day of the week from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Each pumpkin costs 89¢ per pound; however, Silverman’s holds an annual exclusive tradition of ‘Guess the Weight.’ Before your purchase, if you are able to guess the correct mass within two ounces over or under, the pumpkin is free regardless of its size! In addition to visiting the patch, on weekdays from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., you have the option to roam the scenic apple orchards and pick your own bag–another well-liked fall activity. Prior to picking, visitors purchase a $12 bag to fill throughout their time in the field. Usually, Silverman’s tractor ride through the gorgeous foliage is a fan favorite experience when apple picking. Due to COVID-19, they are unfortunately unable to run the tractor ride this year. Even so, the farm still has so many other things to offer–one being their animal farm! You can feed, pet, look at and laugh at all of the animals they have there. Just be sure to wash your hands after! Lastly, Silverman’s Farm has everything from kettle corn to apple cider donuts, pumpkin butter and more. These goodies are only a few items from their abundant selection of delicious fall treats!
Plasko’s Farm & Creamery:
Located in Trumbull, Conn., Plasko’s Farm is known for its highly popular and uniquely designed corn mazes! This year marks their 20th season for hosting this celebration. As you walk through the four and a half acre cornfield filled with ten-foot corn stalks, you’ll be exploring the innovative maze design created months before building. To ensure the safety of all customers and employees, they ask that you wear a face-covering when you are unable to maintain a safe social distance of 6 feet. However, you are free to take it off while you explore the labyrinth. Plasko’s Farm also asks you to limit your group to a party of four people, not including immediate family members. If you’re interested in seeing this maze for yourself, you can go visit every weekend from 11:00 a.m.- 6 p.m, until Oct. 31. Customers can purchase their tickets at the door anytime before 5:30 p.m. with no reservation required. Regular admission is $7 per adult, $6 per child (13 and younger) and free for kids two years of age and younger. If this one-of-a-kind corn maze still isn’t enough to fully convince you to go out and take a look for yourself, Plasko’s farm also sells its famous apple cider and pumpkin spice donuts which were voted ‘Best Tasting in CT’! These desserts are the perfect flavors to complement the fall season, as are the seasonal apple and pumpkin pies located in their bakery.
While these two locations provide you with the ultimate fall experience, if you’re like me, and don’t have a car on campus or can’t afford an Uber, these activities sadly might not be available to you. But don’t worry, there are still “a bunch” of other festivities you can do on campus to get you into the fall spirit!
Have a fall movie marathon! Here are some of my personal movie favorites that always get me ready for Halloween:
- “Hocus Pocus” (Disney+)
- “HalloweenTown” series (Disney+)
- “Spooky Buddies” (Disney+)
- “Ghostbusters”
- “It’s the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown”
- “The Nightmare Before Christmas” (Disney+)
- “Halloween”
- “Sleepy Hollow” (Netflix)
- “Scream” (Netflix)
- “E.T The Extra-Terrestrial”
- “The Addams Family” (Netflix)
Appreciate the beautiful Autumn foliage we have in Connecticut:
- Have a picnic with your friends.
- Read a book outside.
- Find a safe hiking spot.
- Go on walks around campus.
- Gather up a pile of leaves and jump in it.
- Take pictures of the most colorful spots you can find on campus.
Find your inner DIY self:
- Create your own fall wreath and hang it on your door.
- Make your own COVID-19 friendly Halloween costume.
- Try to build a scarecrow.
- Paint a pumpkin.
- Carve your own jack-o-lantern.
Make some of these delicious dorm friendly fall recipes:
- Dunkin Pumpkin Spice Latte K-Cups for Keurig users
- Pumpkin Spice Mug Cake
- Caramel Apples
- Apple Crumble
- No Bake Pumpkin Cheesecake
- No Bake Pumpkin Fudge
- Pumpkin Pudding
- S’mores Apple Pops
- Don’t forget your annual candy corn and candy pumpkins to munch on!
Of course, this coming autumn is definitely not what we were expecting. The masks, social distancing requirements and constant need for hand sanitizer completely kill the spirit. Nevertheless, I hope these entertaining venues and festive ideas can bring back some of the fall season cheer!
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