61 Awesome Bucket List Ideas for Your Best Fall Ever

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Every year, as soon as the leaves change, the best of fall flies right on by, like Harry Potter in a Quidditch match. It’s easy to let this beautiful and cozy season pass by without making the most of it. That’s why I’ve pulled together this extensive fall bucket list – to do all the fall things before crunchy leaves and pumpkins are traded for Christmas trees and Santa.

These days, I appreciate fall more than ever because with my old tax job, I’d miss the best of the crisp air and apple picking. Since I left that job, it’s been my mission to experience fall to its fullest. This bucket list stems from my attempt to do just that: experience every fall festivity I used to miss out on.

Although 61 items on a fall bucket list might sound like a lot, it’s meant to be fun! In fact, I’ve included a bunch of little things that you’ll be able to check off quickly, but don’t feel like you have to do it all. For example, I spook easily and will lose sleep if I visit a haunted house or watch horror movies.

Also, don’t discount the little things; they are often all that is needed to make a perfect fall day.

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61 Awesome Ideas for Every Fall Bucket List

What constitutes a well-done fall, anyway? Is it doing all the things or is it more of a state of being? How many pumpkin spice lattes does one person need to drink before they can say they’ve done fall properly?

I say experiencing fall encompasses so many things – many of them simple! Throwing on a cardigan and walking under the foliage, hot coffee in hand, is my vision of autumnal bliss. On my fall bucket list below, I’ve included that and plenty more easy ways to incorporate fall vibes into your every day life.

Start Here: Iconic Fall Bucket List Traditions

The below iconic activities are synonymous with fall and deserve a spot on every bucket list:

1. Go apple picking
2. Go leaf peeping
3. Carve a jack-o-lantern
4. Pass out Halloween candy
5. Go pumpkin picking at a local pumpkin patch
6. Go on a fall hayride
7. Visit a haunted house
8. Find your way out of a corn maze. In Ohio, we even have a few mazes that include wine tastings so the adults can have some fall fun. Not that corn mazes are just for kids!

Fall Things to do Outdoors

Fall temperatures typically start to cool down from summer, with crisp air that is a dream for walking and hiking. Make the most of the comfortable weather outdoors before the winter chill sets in!

9. Go on a hike, especially one with colorful foliage views
10. Have or attend a bonfire
11. Rake a leaf pile (for jumping in!)
12. Go tailgating before a football game
13. Plant colorful mums in your garden
14. Attend a fall festival. In the Cleveland area, we have events like Oktoberfest and the Spooky Pooch Parade, where dogs wear costumes.
15. Run a Fall 5k. Many cities do costume runs for Halloween and even turkey trots close to Thanksgiving.
16. Go stargazing. With more darkness at night, it’s the perfect opportunity to see more stars.
17. Go on a fall photography walk. Grab your phone or camera and get out there to take some pretty foliage pictures in your neighborhood. These colors don’t stay put long enough, so capture them while they’re here!
18. Do a spooky walking tour. Old cities, like Salem, Charleston, New Orleans, and Savannah, are notorious for their ghost walks.
19. Play a round of golf at a course with plenty of pretty trees.
20. Visit a graveyard near you. This might sound creepy, but have you ever noticed how beautiful and historical they can be? Some notable ones are Sleepy Hollow Cemetery in Concord, MA, St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 in New Orleans, and Bonaventure Cemetery in Savannah, but this list is hardly exhaustive.

Top Indoor Fall Activities

The beauty of fall is that it’s a vibe whether it’s sunny and popping with color or wet and gray. You’ve gotta appreciate the best of both worlds: charming fall and moody fall. Take advantage of those gloomier days with this list of cozy indoor activities:

21. Shop for fall candles. Bath & Body Works is honestly my go-to, but try to arrive in the morning before the crazy crowds!
22. Drink craft beer at a local microbrewery
23. Take up a knitting project. Scarves are easier than you think! I learned on Youtube, and now I even make sweaters!
24. Go to a winery; it’s extra fun during harvest season. There’s a reason why fall is the top time to visit Napa Valley! Vermilion Vineyards is my favorite local Ohio winery.
25. Attend a wine tasting. Check to see if your local wine shop or grocery store holds any tasting events. Or host your own!
26. Decorate your house for fall. I love to put little pumpkins everywhere.
27. Curl up with a good book
28. Do a weekend or overnight getaway at a cozy cabin, especially where you can have a bonfire and go on some beautiful fall hikes. The weekend my husband and I spent in Hocking Hills for our anniversary a few years back was a dream.
29. Make a fall playlist on Spotify. You know, songs with moody vibes or that make you feel warm, cozy and magical. It’s different for everyone, but here’s a link to mine.
30. Get a fall manicure. Whether it’s nail art, a single autumn color, or sophisticated black, you’ll be chic for the season.
31. Attend a clam bake. I don’t know why, but this time of year is when we gather for the baking of clams – which I support!

Fall Bucket List Shows & Movies

Get into the magic and spookiness of fall by snuggling up on the couch to watch the following:

32. Hocus Pocus
33. Halloween Baking Championship on the Food Network
34. College or pro football games
35. Gilmore Girls (charming small town fall scenery and Ivy League vibes)
36. The entire Harry Potter series
37. The MLB World Series
38. At least one horror movie. I don’t like to be scared, so one is my limit!

Bucket List Fall Foods for Home

Many factors make fall a great time for baking, like cooler temps that make turning on the oven more appealing. This is also when you’ll find pumpkin puree on every endcap and prepare recipes with spices that make your house smell amazing. Here are some bucket list ideas for home cooking:

39. Make fig jam (I usually see figs in stores beginning in late August through September)
40. Drink pumpkin beer (I love Dogfish Head and Shipyard, but shout out to Fat Head’s Spooky Tooth and Masthead’s Haunted Hayride in CLE)
41. Make a dish with sweet potato
42. Stock up on pumpkin puree for smoothies, muffins, pancakes, cookies, etc.
43. Stock up on cinnamon
44. Embrace your basic and drink a pumpkin spice latte
45. Eat an apple fritter (my all-time favorite pastry)
46. Drink apple cider with a warmed glazed donut. Can’t go wrong with Krispy Kreme!
47. Make a batch of chili
48. Bake a pumpkin pie
49. Prepare a soup from scratch
50. Eat s’mores
51. Bake some tasty cinnamon rolls, and remember you can never use too much butter!
52. Bake an apple pie
53. Make a warm meal in a crock pot

Cozy Things to Wear in Fall

Certain fabrics, like wool and leather, are simply unbearable in summer, so fall is the time to break them back out. Also, we can’t forget Halloween costumes – my husband and I dress our dog up as a taco every year!

54. Thick, cozy sweater
55. Warm plaid, flannel button-up over a t-shirt
56. Your favorite pair of jeans
57. It’s scarf season! Wear the fashionable pashmina or a scarf that you knit.
58. Break those boots back out! I love both tall black boots and low brown ones.
59. Camel coats class up every fall outfit.
60. Dress your fur-baby in a Halloween costume or a little sweater.
61. Headed to a Halloween party? Buy or DIY your costume.

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Now you are all set to live your best life all cozy season. No more pushing your favorite fall activities off until next year. In my opinion, the autumn months pass the quickest, but this bucket list will guarantee you don’t miss all that fall has to offer.