If you already disagree with me, just wait! I’m going to present a list of my favorite things to do that all happen (or at least start) in the beautiful month of October. And since I’m not anywhere near Minnesota, I hope you all go out and enjoy these things on my behalf. You won’t regret it.
1. Apple Orchards
Okay. So I technically believe that you can go to apple orchards starting in September. BUT I feel that in order to get the full experience, must partake in October. The temperatures make it more bearable to be outside for a good length of time, and all the variety of apples (like Honeycrisp!) should be ready to go. One of my favorite orchards, Apple Jack Orchards in Delano, Minn., has many activities to enjoy. You can enter their little shop that’s filled with trinkets to decorate your home in a fall style, pies, apples, caramel and even a dining area. Outside is a lovely playing area for children, plus a petting zoo and pony rides. When you cross the streeet, there are hayrides, corn pits, apple orchards to pick your favorite variety and even a corn maze (more on corn mazes later).
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| Me and my niece and nephew at Apple Jack Orchard's corn pit. You will find corn everywhere for days to come. |
If you don’t live on the west side of the Twin Cities, have no fear! There are plenty of other orchards around that will provide you a lot of entertainment — plus some sweet, sweet apples to devour. I just can’t comment on them because I haven’t been to a lot of other places to give you a good review.
2. All Things Pumpkins
I will confess something to you: I did not carve a pumpkin until I was 17. Weird, right? I know. My boyfriend, now husband, added it to my bucket list of things to do that I had never done. Believe me, the list was lengthy. But moving on...
You don’t have to celebrate Halloween to carve pumpkins, or eat pumpkins or have a basket full of pumpkins as decoration. Pumpkins really help bring in the new season, with their bright orange coloring and the yummy treats they can provide.
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| Very serious pumpkin carving occurring |
One of my favorite places to go is Knapton’s Raspberries, Pumpkins and Orchard in Rockford, Minn. They are friends of mine and have a lovely array of items to choose from. Their raspberries have always been enjoyed, but their pumpkins (and gourds!) are really my favorite part. You can get many different sizes of pumpkins, but you can also get some uniquely colored varieties, due to their knowledge of breeding plants. Their most desired pumpkins are the white ones, from what I hear. I’ve even had a co-worker from Minneapolis travel all the way out to get some of these special breeds of pumpkin. So you might want to hurry out there before it’s too late.
Be sure to grab some smaller gourds and colored corn to add more festive-ness around your home!
3. Corn Mazes
Now this is something you will want to do sooner or later. Mostly because by the end of the season, so many people have made their own pathways (either because they needed to get out, they’re small children or they are just rude) and the maze is not what it once was. But at the beginning of the season, they are very tricky to get out of and you might end up lost for days. Not true, but you get my drift.
A lot of apple orchards have mazes for you to hit up, but one of my favorites is Sever’s Corn Maze in Shakopee, Minn. This place is more than a maze, with it’s corn pit, exotic petting zoo and zip lines, but once again, i come for the maze. It’s their 20th year of mazes, and it won’t disappoint. The theme this year is Australia. Not entirely sure what that means, but it’s worth checking out.
Most corn mazes cost money, but if you head on over to Groupon, I’m sure there will be plenty of deals on mazes around the Twin Cities area.
4. Bonfires
If you live in Minnesota, you probably know one or 12 people that have a bonfire pit in their yard. I suggest you give them a call and start a fire TONIGHT. For real. The weather in October reaches optimists temperatures to seat yourself next to a flaming hot pile of sticks and logs. Some partake in this activity in the summer, and that seems to always be like a mistake. An 80-degree day, followed by literal fire? No thanks. But give me those 50-degree nights and the heat of a fire on me.
Bonfires set the perfect evening mood, no matter where you are. Jokes and stories are shared, and it’s the perfect even to whip out the s’mores you’ve been dying to have. I could go for one right now, however that would consist of me actually buying all the ingredients and then melting the marshmallow over a lovely blue flame over the burners on on our stove. Doesn’t quite ring true to “fall activity” if you ask me.
Some of my best times in my teenage years revolved around a bonfire. Maybe this isn’t the case for you, so now would be a great time to start some of those wonderful memories. If you live in the city, I promise you someone out there is completely willing to share their pit with you because, Minnesota nice.
5. Fall Drives
Minnesota's fall colors are one of my favorite things about the entire season. We have managed to make it to Vermont for the fall, and that was breathtaking in it's own right, but Minnesota has my heart.
There are dozens of drives you can do throughout the state throughout the month of October. I find Explore Minnesota's site the most helpful because it gives you a good amount of drives to take part in, as well as letting you know when the drives are at their peak time. My favorite would be the Mississippi River Valley drive — number nine on the website's list. You are given beautiful views of the river as you head down south-eastern side of the state toward the beautiful bluffs in Winona, Minn. There are plenty of stops in river towns along the way, with many apple orchards to pop over too as well.
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| Leaves! Leaves of all colors! |
But I would also say head up north to get another great view of Minnesota's foliage. Driving along the north shore toward Duluth can be a wonderful way to experience the beauty of the trees while also catching a peek at Lake Superior. And if you are thinking more toward the center of the state, I would check out the Brainerd/Mille Lacs Lake area. There are parks you can go to that have many trails to take in all that nature has to offer.
6. Haunted Houses
This will only be for some, but nothing says October like haunted everything. I mean, this is the month of Halloween after all. I have always enjoyed mystery/thriller books, which led into my love of scary movies. But, of course, as I've gotten older, I'm more afraid of scary movies than I used to be. Not sure why. I should be able to know that most of these things portrayed cannot actually happen. But here we are.
I've been to my fair share of haunted houses, and I don't know if I have a favorite. There is that "scary" haunted house at the Minnesota State Fair, but that's more family friendly. Last year a few of us checked out the haunted wood walk and the indoor maze at the Trail of Terror in Shakopee, Minn. It's full of everything that makes your skin crawl. One of the other places I've been to is the Soap Factory in Minneapolis, Minn. that creates a haunted basement every year. This will make your heart stop. Seriously.
7. Salted Caramel Mochas
This one might just for me. I have never been into Pumpkin Spice anything. Don't buy me candles, coffee or potpourri. Please. Just don't. However, I will take a delightful cup of salted caramel and chocolate. I'm not sure why this is subjected to a few weeks in the fall, but it brings me pure joy to know that I can get a cup on my birthday. I've really only found it at Starbucks, but maybe there are some local places that you know of that create this glorious creation? I'm all ears!
8. October Birthday Freebies
You don't have to be born in October to get these wonderful birthday freebies, but since I'm born in this month, this seems like the place to put it.
If you are a member of Starbucks, you will get a free drink on your birthday. AKA get that salted caramel mocha! I've also received free drinks from Caribou Coffee and I don't think I needed to be a member of anything.
Dairy Queen will give you a free treat on your birthday, but you will have to sign up for their emails. A free blizzard on my birthday? I'll literally sign up for anything to partake in this.
Benihana used to be super amazing by giving you $30 toward your entree, which essentially pays for the entire meal. The caveat is you have to bring someone that will pay full price for their meal. I used to go with a few other people and we'd all eat for free. So... if you are going anyway, this will work in your favor.
The beauty store Sephora will give you a free gift on your birthday. Nothing big, but usually enjoyable.
Pazzaluna, a restaurant in the lovely St. Paul, Minn., will discount your bottle of wine by your age. So when we went there for my husband's 27th birthday, we were surprised to learn we could buy a $30 bottle of wine for $3. And yes, the food is good as well.
The list goes on, but these are my favorites. Check them out so you'll be ready for your birthday!
BONUS: When your birthday is in October, you can have some pretty epic murder/mystery dinners. The picture below is of one of my favorite parties. And yes, that's supposed to be a dragon in the background. That I made. You're welcome.
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| Murder/mystery dinner success! |
Always,
A
Your are blessed as a good writer and a blessing to others. Your good advice aimed for the 30-somethings works for me too and I'm a sixty-something.
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