1. Flower/Fruit Picking at a Farm

New York Crop Harvest CalendarPhoto Courtesy of Pickyourown.org

With COVID-19 causing urban areas to close or adopt restrictions, many have turned to rural, remote areas for recreation and vacation. One such place you could visit in the fall is a farm that allows you to pick your own fruits and vegetables. Many know of apple and pumpkin picking in the fall, but they aren't the only vegetation ripe for picking! After finding the right farm near you, you're one google search away from seeing all the other fruits, vegetables, and flowers available during the season. The graphic above shows all the other crops you could enjoy harvesting this season. Going to a fruit picking farm is the ideal day out: you get to experience the beautiful fall foliage on a short road trip to the destination as well as the adventure of finding the perfect fruit. Of course, you get to end the day with a car full of your desired pickings, which opens possibilities for baking or cooking something delicious afterwards, too!

2. Indoor Game Night

The possibilities for game night are endless! Jitka Svetnickova - Fotolia

Though a game night can be fun at any time of year, there's something special about the fall-time that cannot be ignored. With the perfect breeze, hoodie weather and some homemade fall-flavored drinks, you're guaranteed a fun night in with your friends. You could play classic games such as Scrabble, Trouble, Sorry, Monopoly, or Cards Against Humanity. Each game could last you anywhere between 30 minutes to hours and will have your whole group laughing and on the edge of their seat.

3. Go on a Hike

©iStockphoto.com/PetarPaunchev

If driving through foliage isn't hands-on enough for you, there's no better way to explore the outdoors than a hike. Here in the Northeast there are plenty of hills, mountains, and trails for all levels of experience. Perhaps the best thing about hiking is that you get in touch with yourself as well as your surroundings in a surreal way. Your instincts kick in and you take in the world around you more mindfully. This way, your entire group gets a nice workout of the body and mind with a beautiful view, all while making memories and bonding with each other along the way.

4. Outdoor Scary Movie Night

Getty / M_a_y_a

Fall-time, for most, is synonymous with Halloween, making it the ideal season for spooky movies. Taking it outside adds a level of reality to the film and makes it scarier altogether. And, contrary to popular belief, setting up a little outdoor theater in your backyard can be easier than you think! First, tape a white bed-sheet up on a flat vertical surface so you have a screen. This can be on the wall of your house or on a fence, whatever works. Then, set up a relatively inexpensive Mini Home Projector, and voila! Your outdoor theater is complete. Don't forget the popcorn and blankets and enjoy the show!

5. Light a Campfire

Photo Credits of TalktoTucker.com

Whether in your backyard or the beach, a bonfire is a great evening activity for a group of friends. Whether you make it authentic and sit on wooden logs or opt for chairs and pillows, the fire will provide a warm atmosphere to have some relaxed fun. Of course, no campfire is complete without s'mores, so make sure to have some skewers, marshmallows, graham crackers, and chocolate handy. If you're feeling the Halloween spirit, campfire ghost stories are an excellent way to embrace the spooky nature of sitting around a fire after the sun's set.

Some Tips

All in all, there are plenty of ways to enjoy the upcoming season that don't require you to meet with strangers in close quarters. This is a key factor in reducing your risk of contracting COVID-19. If you think a certain area, such as a farm, will be crowded or still closed, make sure you call ahead. And, of course, make sure everyone in your group is comfortable with the activities you have planned, as every person has their own boundaries and levels of comfort when it comes to going out these days. Stay safe and healthy, everyone!