The Top Five Fall Activities
by Amille Bottom
photography courtesy of Pexels
Fall in New England is, without a doubt, one of the most beautiful experiences in the United States. As the leaves change from emerald green to amber orange, the world comes to life in a bloom of color. Read on for a list of college-student friendly fall activities.
Leaf Viewing
Sarah Vickers, blogger at Classy Girls Wear Pearls, has compiled the perfect New England leaf peeping guide. She and her husband recommend taking in the leaves in numerous places throughout the Northeast, including the White Mountains region of New Hampshire and the city of Manchester, Vermont. She also recommends taking a trip to Mystic, Connecticut, and Providence, Rhode Island.
Vickers emphasizes the quintessential New England feel of Connecticut, offering up a list of activities in her blog post, such as “antique shopping, visiting a farm, following Connecticut’s wine trail, or viewing the foliage while on a harbor sail.” Best of all, these lovely locations are reachable by short Amtrak rides straight out of the city of Boston. Gather up a group of friends, grab a seat on the train, and travel for picture-perfect Instagram shots!
Journey to Salem
Searching for something a bit more… spooky? Then head over to Salem! New England Today recommends stopping by the Witch House, the Witch Trial Memorial, the Burying Point, and Count Orlok’s Nightmare Gallery. Different organizations in Salem also host a series of costume balls, one of the most famous being the Hawthorne Ball. Dance the night away with ghouls, goblins and ghosts. Salem, famous for its gruesome Witch Trials, is the perfect spot to soak in some fear and fright with friends! It can also be reached by train and car — take your pick!
Apple Picking
Harvest season is upon us, with bunches of apples growing ripe for the picking just outside of Boston’s city limits. Boston Magazine sums up the experience by stating, “Fresh hot cider, crisp juicy apples, and sugary cider doughnuts are all some of the best parts of fall in New England.” All of these delicious delights are available at some of the premiere apple orchards around Boston, including the Belkin Family Lookout Farm, the Brooksby Farm and the Dowse Orchards. Surround yourself with friends, food and fun while soaking up the autumn sun!
Hiking
Hiking is a fantastic way to get out of the city and escape the glass, concrete and steel that surrounds students. There are numerous spots just outside of Boston and throughout New England that provide beautiful views to take in with your friends. Boston Magazine has ranked a number of trails throughout the area from easy to advanced. The top spots to journey through? The Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary, Bunker Meadows Trail in Topsfield, MA and the Middlesex Fells Reservation, Skyline Trail, in Stoneham, MA.
According to The Stanford News “people who walked for 90 minutes in a natural area, as opposed to participants who walked in a high-traffic urban setting, showed decreased activity in a region of the brain associated with a key factor in depression.” Give your mental health a boost and embrace nature to clear your mind before midterms and final exams!
Find Spots Around Boston
If journeying out of Beantown doesn’t fit into your schedule, there are plenty of beautiful sites around the city, including the foliage and Halloween decorations on Beacon Hill, that can satisfy your fall needs. The Boston Public Gardens are a stunning place to take in the fall foliage and play with friendly squirrels, while the Halloween decor on Beacon Street is legendary for being over-the-top and full of fright.