5 Fabulously Fun Fall Day Trip Ideas
Today I’m happy to share with you a wonderful guest post from Tanya at Traveling Tanya – she is going to share 5 Fabulously Fun Fall Day Trips. You won’t want to miss this when you are planning out your fall fun!
I may be Traveling Tanya, but I also enjoy staying close to home. Especially in the fall. I think one of the thing best things about living in the Midwest is FALL!
Temperatures cool down. We break out our comfy sweatshirts and favorite jeans. Everything comes in a pumpkin-spiced variety. And there are tons of fun activities to enjoy before the inevitable hibernation of winter begins.
Fall is the perfect time for a day trip in Indiana. Even if you don’t have a ton of time, you can still enjoy the short escape of a day trip.
These are my top 5 Fabulously Fun Fall Day Trip Ideas! Complete with my recommendations for where to experience some seasonal fun in Indiana.
Visit a Pumpkin Patch or Apple Orchard
Hayrides, corn mazes, pumpkin picking, apple cider, farm animals. Kids of all ages as well as adults will find plenty of fall fun at a pumpkin patch or apple orchard.
Check google, the local town newspaper, or your tourism board to find plenty of pumpkin patches or apple orchards that seem to have sprung up overnight. (Trust me, they have been working hard for several months as they look forward to their fall festivities!)
Indiana Recommendation:
Indiana has tons of pumpkin patches and orchards to choose from, but one of my favorites is Beasley’s Orchard in Danville. They sell plenty of fall fruits and veggies in their Farm Market all season long and they host the Heartland Apple Festival every October. I’ll admit to getting lost in the gigantic corn maze a few years ago!
Go Hiking
A great way to enjoy the glorious beauty of fall is on a hike in nature. See the beautiful red, yellow, and orange leaves as they gracefully fall from the trees. Hear the crunch of the brittle leaves under your feet. Feel the crisp fall air on your face.
Find a new park or trail and make a day of it with a picnic. And don’t forget the apple cider for a refreshing fall drink. If you are not up for hiking, a long drive through a wooded area with the windows down will also do the trick!
Indiana Recommendation:
Indiana is fortunate to have some amazing state parks with hiking trails suitable for all skill levels. Turkey Run State Park is just one of our favorites, and fall is the perfect time to explore all it has to offer.
Enjoy a Wine Tasting Tour
This one is just for the adults! I’m not sure there is a season when wine tasting isn’t a good idea. But something about the fall weather just brings out the aroma and woody taste of a good red wine. And who doesn’t love some mulled wine around a bonfire as the weather chills?
Look for a wine trail in your area or create your own. Google wineries in your state and select 3 or 4 that are about 20-30 minutes apart. Grab your significant other or a few friends and hit the road. Be sure to select a designated driver or have Uber on standby, and let the wine tasting begin!
Indiana Recommendation:
There are so many amazing wineries in Indiana, and I haven’t even tried them all yet! A few of my favorites include:
- Oliver Winery in Bloomington
- Hooker Corner Winery in Pine Village
- Easley Winery in Indianapolis
- Cedar Creek Winery, Distillery, and Brewery in Martinsville
- Fruit Hills Winery in Bristol
- Mallow Run Winery in Bargersville
- Blackhawk Winery in Sheridan
Don’t forget to also check out this post on the Wineries of Hamilton County for more wine tasting fun!
Check out a Fall Festival
Festivals abound in the Midwest in fall. You can find a festival celebrating just about anything, including maple syrup, cranberries, popcorn, James Dean, Oktoberfest, Italy, and the War of 1812…just to name a few!
Festivals are a great way to learn about a local culture and meet people who love their town. You can also try some new cuisine, shop for crafty creations, and keep the kids entertained all day long.
For help in finding the perfect festival for you, check out this post: Find a Fall Festival
Indiana Recommendation:
You can find a festival (or 3!) in Indiana just about any weekend in the fall. One of the most well-known is the Covered Bridge Festival, which takes place across 9 communities in southern Indiana’s Parke County. The festival celebrates the county’s 31 covered bridges and welcomes over 2 million people each year!
Take in a Football Game and do some Tailgaiting
Fall is synonymous with Football in the Midwest. If your city has an NFL team, enjoy a day taking in all the football hoopla. Or enjoy a long standing rivalry among two big Universities in your home state.
Just as much fun and quite a bit less expensive, you can experience Friday night lights at a local high school or even a pee-wee football league. Don’t worry if you don’t know anyone on the team. Just head to a neighboring town, pick a team to root for, and cheer your heart out!
Whichever age range of football you choose to watch, make it even more fun with a pre-game tailgate. Burgers and hotdogs, buffalo chicken dip, pizza or subs. So many options! YUM!!
Indiana Recommendation:
I don’t know any rivalry bigger than Indiana University and Purdue University. The series includes 74 wins for Purdue, 41 wins for IU and 6 ties. Since 1925 these two schools have battled on the football field to claim the coveted Old Oaken Bucket Trophy. If you see Traveling Tanya on the sidelines you can bet I’ll be in gold and black supporting my alma mater. Go Boilers!
Looking for that perfect place to eat when visiting Purdue? Hit one of the Best Places to Eat Near Purdue University
Looking for some more fun fall ideas? Check out my post on Five Fun Fall Adventures in Hamilton County and my post on Mompreneurs on 3 Don’t Miss Fall Events near Indy.
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