There are some things that I love about fall — apple picking, the pumpkin patch, crunchy leaves — the usual stuff. Then there are the things I dislike about fall. Things like unseasonably hot days (September 2017, I’m looking at you), mosquitos, and swarms of ladybugs. Also all the hornets that seem to be very active in the hot days of early fall. No one likes those.
But on the whole, fall is a pretty awesome season. There are so many activities to do in the fall. Fall is typically a dry-ish season for us which makes it perfect for adventuring outside and spending time with friends and family.
Fall Favorites: The Best Things About Autumn
1. Chili cook-offs.
My husband is a huge football guy. Me? Notsomuch. But we can both agree on one thing. We enjoy fall/game day foods. For us, these include tortilla chips with cheese sauce (not to be confused with nachos — they’re not the same!), chili, and good beer. Our favorite fall get-togethers often involve a football game and a chili cook-off. Because let’s face it, chili is amazing. It can be meaty, it can be plant-based. It can be spicy, mild, or even sweet. Chili can serve as a side or the main meal. It’s so delicious and versatile! Chili cook-offs are one of our favorite fall activities because not only do we spend time with friends, but we often learn a new recipe! Plus, football.
2. Cooking/baking with apples.
Yes, I love apple picking. I know some people may think it’s overrated, but it’s totally not. But what’s better than apple picking is apple making. It’s the moment you get home and realize you have waaaaaay too many apples for two adults or a small family. And then you remember you have an apple crisp recipe you’ve been wanting to try. Or the apple pie that looks so delicious in the store? Apple picking —-> apple cooking/baking. And it’s the best!
3. Fall racing season.
I was trying to avoid talking about racing in this post, but I can’t help it! I love running. And there are so many awesome fall races! My fall race wish list is about a mile long. So many amazing races I would love to run in the future. We’ll see where I end up next year!
4. Bonfires.
We don’t have bonfires at my house. We just don’t have the space. And to be perfectly candid, my son has never been to a bonfire. But I asked him what one of his fall favorites was and he said, “bonfires” so I’m sticking with it. Mostly because I know how awesome bonfires are when done right. The kid’s right, right? Bonfires in the fall are the absolute best. They’re huge, they’re warm, and you get to feel all snuggly on cool fall evenings. I can’t wait to take my little people to a legit bonfire when they’re older.
5. Admiring the views.
Sometimes it’s nice just to unwind and admire the views. Fall is a quick season with a lot of visual flair. A feast for your eyes, some may say. The sunrises and the sunsets are epic. The different colored foliage and the way it changes each and every day is breathtaking. If you don’t stop to admire the beautiful colors of fall, you may miss it! A few of my fall favorites are an early morning run to see the sunrise, going for a hike to crunch on the leaves, or a lazy Sunday drive to admire the beautiful colors.
๐ย Fall is a wonderful season. It’s quick, so make sure you take a look around and admire the beauty! Then get outside, grab some apples, and start making some pie!
Or chili. Chili’s good, too.
Have a great weekend! I’ll catch you back here on Monday.
xo
Let’s talk!
What’s your favorite thing about fall?
Pick one: Apples or Pumpkins!

63 Comments
I love fall races, especially when you train through the summer heat and then (hopefully) get a cooler day for the race! And I love sitting outside in the cooler weather looking at all the colorful trees.
My only complaint about sitting outside in the fall are the bees. It’s like they have one last hurrah and have to get all the annoyance in at once.
Don’t get me started on the hornets. I can’t even eat outside on our deck!
I love both apples & pumpkins, but if I had to pick it would be apples. We don’t go picking, but there are several orchards between here & my folks & we’ve stopped a few times. My husband doesn’t even eat apples . . .
I guess I did luck out there cause he’s not much into football either!
Hornets are the WORST! What are the giant bees that are dying this time of year? They’re all over my driveway dying. It’s so gross.
Apples are delicious. I eat one every day!
My husband loves football! I’m starting to get on board a little bit.
I LOVE fall especially fall running. Except it is expected to be 95 here today so I don’t feel much like celebrating. Bring on fall and all of the good things!!
Yep! I love fall running. So peaceful and beautiful.
Yes, yes, yes! I’m just waiting for the temps to drop so I can have chili! I am going to make an apple pie this weekend–I can’t wait any longer!
I’m waiting. I’m sweating just thinking about it. Haha ๐
I’ve already made apple crisp (and peach crisp this week), and I’m eager for chili season. Yum.
You have?! That sounds amazing!!! Got any leftovers??
I forget about apples! Come fall, I’m always like, “Okay, time to make my famous pumpkin cookies!” But I do love apple crisp. Maybe I will make one next weekend while the hubby watches football.
Apple are my favorite. I can do without the pumpkin, but bring on the apples!!
I love me some pumpkin, but if I had to choose one over the other, I’d go with apple. You can do so much more with an apple including eating it raw.
Fall in Vegas doesn’t have quite the same things but it does linger a bit longer, which I love!!
I moved to Vegas in August. I was only there for 9 months but I didn’t notice any changes in seasons except that it was a little cooler in the winter. And my coworker wore a puffy jacket to work which I thought was hilarious because I was coming from Cleveland where it’s consistently in the teens and low 20s in the winter and that’s what *I* wore to stay warm!
Maybe you need to experience a full Vegas summer to truly appreciate the fall/winter. I don’t ever wear a puffy coat, but love digging out the sweaters. ๐
True, maybe I just didn’t notice the seasons changing because I wasn’t there for long enough!
I can’t wait until the leaves start changing here. Fall is my favorite time of year for sure
Our leaves have already started changing. I just hope they stay on the trees a while longer!
Where I used to work, we used to have a chili cook-off. I miss that but I love to make chili and making apple pies with picked apples.
Hard to believe it is fall with 90 degree temps.
Apple pies with fresh picked apples are seriously the best!
Yes to all of this! There’s always lots of chili and football at my house throughout the fall, and we ‘ve been taking the kids apple picking since they were babies. Fall racing is the best – though after the past two humid Septembers I think I’m sticking to October/November!
I love apple picking. So much fun! And I’m a new football convert. I’ll be watching every game from here on out.
Apples! I’m making an apple pie to celebrate that fall is here! I love apple pie and apple crisp, heated up with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
That sounds delicious. I love apple everything.
I love fall, the changing leaves and fall races. It’s a great time of year for sure! I’ve never gone apple picking but it does sound like a fun family activity.
Apple picking is the best! With or without a family! But you have to like apples, so there’s that… ๐
The colors!! I am all about seeing the colors ๐
I love the colors, too!
#6 – all the sports I like are back!!!
#7 – the weather cools off, which makes for amazing running temps ๐
I’m all about the apple EVERYTHING, too.
Agreed, it is amazing running weather! Not yet here, though. Still so hot.
The changing leaves are my absolute favorite !! But I hate when the trees go all naked, that make me feel sad. I wish they could just change and be orange, then green again.
I feel the same way. When the trees are naked you know the bad time is coming… lol. Then it’s time to hibernate.
I am so loving all of your reasons to love fall! Bonfires in the fall with flannel shirts and boots to keep you cozy.,And apple pie!!!
Yes!! Apple pie. Mmmm!
I like fall baking but who can think about baking when temps are in the 90’s!!
We don’t do bonfires but we do have an outdoor fireplace. Unfortunately we’ve only used it twice! Maybe this fall when it gets cool we’ll be able to sit out t night!
Right, it’s been so hot here I literally want nothing to do with my kitchen right now!!
I agree with all of these reasons! Thanks for sharing the lovely list!
You’re welcome ๐
bonfire sounds so goooood!
We had the opportunity to go to a bonfire on Saturday but it was in the 90s so we opted to stay in the shade!
I am anxiously awaiting my first pot of chili!!
I love warm chili on a cool day!
So many great reasons to love fall! Can’t wait for all of these!
Absolutely! Fall is fantastic.
Yes, love fall and some of these are my favs too! Love the cooler temps, perfect for getting out and getting a workout, walk, or hike in. Although we had an unseasonably hot and humid start to fall today with temps in the 90s! We got in a quick trip to the apple orchard last week but will be going again. I love apple picking, pumpkin picking, hikes to see the colors changing, baking and cooking with all the apples, squash, and pumpkin, the smells, oh there is so much to love!! Of course not loving that we will miss our families favorite fall race tomorrow. ๐
Sorry to hear you missed the race. ๐
We went apple picking on Sunday. SO. HOT. We usually come home with ten pounds of apples. This time we ended up with four because it was just too darn hot out. We’ll definitely have to go back!
I love fall and can’t wait for it to be there. This HOT temperature is driving me crazy.
Yeah it’s been a little brutal here, too…
Fall colors are to die for! I totally agree! I’m with you on all things fall
Yes! It’s such a pretty time of year.
Fall is SO my favorite season! I can’t wait for crisp weather and warm bowls of chili!!!
Warm bowls of chili are the best.
I love Fall too! Though here in central Florida is arrives around Christmas time. LOL!
I still embrace it though. Starting to decorate and pumpkin stuff already.
That must be so strange! Well, not if you’re from there. But my family all lives in Arizona and I still can’t get on board with not having visible seasons!
Fall is definitely my favorite time of year! I love Fall running weather and baking/cooking with apples too!!
Apples are my favorite. Mmmm!!!
My favorite thing about fall is clear sky, can actually see sky blue color and I love that.
I love blue sky in the fall, too. The leaves look so radiant against the blue backdrop!
Fall is my favorite time of year. Awesome running weather and boot season.
I love boot season! Except when I’m training because they really mess with my gait. ๐
I am all about fall foods! *-* The fall colors are gorgeous too!
Yes, I agree! Fall colors are beautiful.
Ah, I’ve been falling behind and am catching up on blogs… AGAIN. So, expect a galore of comments… haha.
I am looking forward to fall… especially apple season and cooking chilis! Isn’t that what fall is for : )