As blue skies and lush green landscapes give way to early sunsets complimented by the reds and golds of fall, many of us are excited to welcome our favorite season.

The chill of fall in the Midwest means football tailgates, hayrack rides, pumpkin pie, and gathering around twilight fire pits.

Fall is the perfect time for traditions. Who hasn’t scrambled to round up friends and family to make a day of it at Vala’s Pumpkin Patch and Apple Orchard? Basically the Disneyland of Nebraska, Vala’s brings games, treats, and shows for the kids with plenty of food and drink options to satisfy the foodie in all of us. Just want succotash and some apple pie with a solid hit of hot apple cider? No problem, word on the street is that you can get a 30 minute food pass to feed that craving if a full day sesh isn’t in order.

The changing leaves outside somehow scream pumpkins to us. When you see the trees start to shed their summer glamor, carving pumpkins and roasting marshmallows just naturally comes to mind. Spending the day at the Bellevue Berry and Pumpkin Ranch brings all of that nostalgia and more. If you love picking berries there in the summer, wait until you see how they do it up for the fall! We love Skinny Bones Pumpkin Patch for their kid-friendly feel and, really, have you lived if you haven’t “survived Tornado Alley?” Been there, done that, bought the t-shirt, will return.  

We are fortunate to have so many incredible outdoor venues to enjoy the gorgeous change of season. Fall feels like that time of year where everything comes with a fond, warm memory from childhood and growing up. The innocent pleasure of being outside and getting your hands in the dirt is enough to make a whole weekend level up. There isn’t much that can beat cider and pumpkin pie… but what are your favorite traditions for fall?