The Best Fall Activities on a Budget

Fall foliage and pumpkin spice and cozy sweaters, oh my! Fall is a great season to spend one day curled up with a book and a fuzzy blanket and the next on the road taking in nature’s autumnal glory. As you start to plan this season’s many adventures, make sure you’re keeping your budget in mind – after all, there’s a lot of fun winter activities to save for just around the corner! Here are some ideas for enjoying all that fall has to offer without having to completely rework your budget.

Plan a Leaf Peeping Trip

Most states can expect to see peak fall foliage around mid-October. Do your research to find the best times to see some colorful scenery as well as the best places to go in your area, and then hit the road! For maximum (budget-friendly) enjoyment, we suggest packing a cooler or hitting up local farmers markets to set up a picnic under the leaves.

Compare Prices Before Hitting the Road

Planning is key when it comes to sticking to a budget. If orchards and pumpkin patches are part of your itinerary this fall, then do some comparison shopping ahead of time to find the locations with the best deals. Some places will feature bonus activities like petting zoos and hayrides, so if these are things you’re interested in, be sure to check if they are included in the cost of admission or cost extra.

You should also be on the lookout for coupons and incentives before choosing where to visit. Sometimes pumpkin patches will offer incentives like donating canned food for discounted admission or discounts such as for military families. And, if possible, avoid peak times for less crowds and hopefully better prices!

Start a New Pumpkin Tradition

Pumpkin patches are a super fun place to stock up on everyone’s favorite fall décor item; plus, just think of the photo ops! However, purchasing a pumpkin (or, let’s be honest, a few) at a pumpkin patch over the grocery store will probably cost you a lot more. This year, try starting a new tradition! Instead of opting for the biggest pumpkin you can find, try making a game out searching out the smallest one (you can always buy something bigger at the grocery store later). Also, try opting for a modest, “off-the-beaten-path” pumpkin farm over the bigger establishments – just look for the line of pumpkins edging the property.

Two Words: Potluck Parties!

Fall means football season! That coupled with cooler temps makes it a great time of year to host a potluck. You can even add other fun activities to the day like pumpkin carving contests or chili cook offs. 

Have a Movie Night

The cool fall weather is also ideal for outdoor movie nights. Look into renting, borrowing, or purchasing a projector to elevate your outdoor setup. You can even project the football game during one of your potluck parties (see above). Even better, add a bonfire and s’mores to the mix for an awesome fall night in.

Make Staying in Festive

We’re talking baking fall themed treats (hello, pumpkin pie), carving epic pumpkins, and curling up on the couch at the end of the day for a scary movie.

Whether you’re cuddling up at home or hopping in the car for a leaf peeping adventure, there’s so much to do this fall, and a little creativity goes a long way when it comes to sticking to a budget