For many, autumn is the season of excitement, joy, and awe. From the beauty of the changing surroundings to the anticipation of Halloween, fall has something for everyone.

Here are a few ways to enjoy the season that you may not have thought of.

Get Spooky

Fall is a chance to put your fears aside. At Liberty University in Lynchburg, Va, Scaremare is an experience you won’t want to miss. For 40 minutes, visitors are led through frightening trails, the dark woods, and what is known as “The House.” The journey concludes with a Christian message. With tickets only $10, the attraction attracts many visitors each year. For more information on dates, times, and tickets, click here. 

Another popular attraction is Busch Gardens Williamsburg’s  Howl-O-Scream, which celebrates Halloween and Oktoberfest. The amusement park is transformed by elaborate seasonal decorations, and when the sun goes down it is filled with haunted houses, live shows, and scare zones, all guaranteed to frighten park visitors. Single day tickets are $80, but that is only if you pay full price. You can save $15 or more with a promo code. For the latest promo codes, click here. Kings Dominion’s Halloween Haunt is another popular option if you lie the full haunted house experience. It is a similar idea, where visitors are taken through scare zones and a haunted park. Tickets can be found for as low as $40, so grab yours now. For additional information, dates, times, and more, click here. 

Enjoying The Fall Scenery

Virginia is admired worldwide for its breathtaking scenery. With sites like Charlottesville’s  Carter’s Mountain and Skyline Drive, visitors can observe the brilliant reds, oranges, and yellows as the leaves slowly change. With peak leaf season in mid to late October, the vibrant colors and brisk air make for a lovely evening. Located off of Route 53 near Monticello, Carter’s Mountain’s Thursday Evening Sunsets offer visitors a pleasant way to unwind. With apple picking, hayrides, live music, and their famous Apple Cider Donuts, this popular tradition is a favorite for many locals.   

Virginia is also recognized for its beautiful hiking sites, especially in the fall. Humpback Rock is a popular hike along Skyline Drive in Waynesboro. With a summit elevation of 3,080 ft, the relatively short 1 mile hike is surprisingly quite strenuous thanks to the fact that it is almost all uphill, but it is still a family-friendly location with spectacular views. Another option is Crabtree Falls in Nelson County, which features what are often referred to as the tallest waterfalls in the East. This steep, rocky trail can be quite strenuous and is not for novice hikers. Be careful: signs are posted along the trail warning visitors to stay on the trail, as multiple fatalities have occurred from people straying from the path.

Even though these trails are open throughout the year, fall is often the most popular time to visit. The weather is often cooler and more comfortable for physical activity. Also, with the changing color of the leaves, an already beautiful view is multiplied to an unexplainable beauty you’d only believe if you see it in person.

Celebrate the Pumpkin in All its Forms

For many, fall does not seem complete without a pumpkin. Fruit Hill is a small-scale apple orchard in Fluvanna along Route 53 that offers a wide selection of differently colored and sized pumpkins at an affordable price. Carter’s Mountain is another location known for their wide assortment of pumpkins, as well as an actual pumpkin patch, although their pumpkins can get pricey. If you really want to go dirt cheap, Walmart and Food Lion often sell them as well.

There are many different ways to decorate pumpkins in preparation for Halloween, so if you are looking for something different and out of the ordinary, take a look at pinterest.com and tumblr.com for unique ideas to take your pumpkin creation to the next level.

Fall Foods and Crafts

Around this time of year, pumpkin-flavored foods begin to appear. For a limited time, Trader Joe’s offers products like pumpkin pastries and bagels, while Starbucks offers a long-awaited and very popular menu item, the Pumpkin Spice Latte. A delicious way to warm you up on those brisk days, this latte is something you’ll want to try while it lasts.

Meanwhile, Fluvanna’s own Fruit Hill orchard sells pumpkin butter, a delicious spread that will spice up anything and everything, or you can purchase it through FCHS teacher Russell Jenning’s Future Farmers of America club (FFA). They will be making and selling the concoction at the BBQ, Bands, and Brews event at Pleasant Grove on Saturday, October 1.