5 Fabulously Fun Fall Day Trip Ideas

I must say that my favorite thing about living in the Midwest is FALL!  I don’t know that I appreciated fall when I was a girl, but as an adult, fall is definitely my favorite season.

The temperatures cool down, perfect for a comfy sweatshirt and your favorite jeans. Just about everything comes in a pumpkin-spiced variety, and the tastes and smells are cozy and inviting.  People are out and about enjoying lots of fun activities before the inevitable hibernation that winter brings.

What’s not to love about fall?!

Fall in the Midwest is the perfect time for a day trip. You may not have vacation time you can take, and the kids are busy with school during the week. But you can still enjoy the short escape of a day trip.

In case you need a little inspiration, these are my top 5 Fabulously Fun Fall Day Trip Ideas! And if you live in Indiana, be sure to check out my destination recommendations.

Visit a Pumpkin Patch or Apple Orchard

Hayrides, corn mazes, pumpkin picking, apple cider, farm animals. Kids of all ages as well as adults can find plenty of fall fun at a pumpkin patch or apple orchard.

If you are not aware of any local farms, just check google or local town newspapers or tourism boards and you will find plenty of pumpkin patches or apple orchards that seem to have just sprung up! (But trust me, they have been working hard for several months as they look forward to their fall festivities!)

My 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 fruit 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. It is a treat for all the senses!

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!

My 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 it.

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 a few friends and hit the road. Be sure to select a designated driver, and let the wine tasting begin!

My 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
• Buck Creek Winery in Indianapolis
• Mallow Run Winery in Bargersville
• Blackhawk Winery in Sheridan
• Fruit Hills Winery in Bristol
• Daniels Vineyard in McCordsville

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 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.

My 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 Tailgating

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 big 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!!

My 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 me on the sidelines you can bet I’ll be in gold and black supporting my alma mater. Go Boilers!

Now it’s time to plan that fall daytrip!

What do you love most about fall?? Comment below and share your favorite fall activity.

Happy Fall Y’all!

Wherever the road takes you, make it a joyous journey,
Traveling Tanya

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