10 Things to Do This Fall

1. Go to a pumpkin patch: One of the major parts of fall is getting a pumpkin to carve and display. There aren’t many pumpkin patches around New Tampa, but the Humane Society of Tampa Bay is having their fourteenth annual pumpkin patch lasting through Halloween. It is open seven days a week, from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM on the weekend, and noon to 7:00 PM on weekdays. All proceeds go towards their homeless pets.
2. Buy Publix fall cookies: Publix is known for their seasonal cookies, and their Halloween treats don’t disappoint. They come with pumpkin or ghost faces, and can be found in 24 and 40-count packages.
3. Get Lost in a Corn Maze: Similar to a pumpkin patch, corn mazes are a good Autumn activity. If you’re up for the drive, there is one in Lakeland called Cornfusion Crop Maze. They are open Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. It is a fun way to spend time with friends and family.
4. Watch a Halloween/Scary Movie: One of the best activities for fall is watching a scary movie. Classic films include Halloweentown, The Nightmare Before Christmas, and Hocus Pocus. They are entertaining, especially when watched with friends in the dark.
5. Get a Pumpkin Spice Latte: Fall isn’t complete unless you have a Pumpkin Spice Latte from Starbucks. They have been available since September 6^th, so get it before it’s gone!
6. Go to Howl-O-Scream or Halloween Horror Nights:  If you’re not a fan of being scared, seeing blood or violent things, then this is not the ideal option for you. Busch Gardens’ Howl-O-Scream, open until October 30^th, is a frightening but fun event for a night out with friends. Universal Orlando’s Halloween Horror Nights offers a similar experience, just a bit more frightening.
7. Enjoy Some Candy Corn: Eating candy corn is a must for Autumn. Whether handing them out to trick-or-treaters for Halloween, or simply snacking, don’t miss out. Get the bags of Autumn mix as well.
8. Volunteer: Give back to the community by volunteering somewhere. Elementary schools around the area, such as Chiles and Tampa Palms are always looking for volunteers. You can always research other places to volunteer if you don’t want to go to an elementary school.
9. Pumpkin Pie: A fall staple, pumpkin pie is usually always served at Thanksgiving, but why wait until then to have some? Just about every supermarket sells pumpkin pie, and they’re not that pricey.
10. Enjoy the Cool Weather: Finally, Florida is cooling down. Since it’s no longer above 80 degrees, grab a light coat and a scarf, and hit town. Go for a walk, or sit outside and read a book. Whatever you do, just savor the nice temperature.