While the weather here in State College can’t seem to make up its mind, I am going to go ahead anyway and declare that it is officially fall. Because this blog is all about the suburbs, I have to address the city that unintentionally overshadows us. Philly, I will admit that I love you, and you –hands down– have the best cheesesteak in the world. But when it comes to autumn, the suburbs have you beat. Yes, the scenic pictures of Philadelphia in the fall are breathtaking (here’s an example to the right), but there’s much more to the festive season than the changing colors or leaves.

Pumpkin picking! This is a staple of any given October weekend. There’s nothing better than pumpkins fresh off the vine, in a space that is so in the middle of nowhere that all you can see is pumpkins and haybales- no taxis or footsteps in the background. AGA Farms is the pumpkin patch I have been going to since I was a kid and is a great community spot for school fundraisers, family days, and fall festivals! Sweater Weather! This is one of my personal favorite times of year because of the perfect amount of chill in the air. Being in an area with open space and large patches of grass, the suburbs are the perfect place to grab a blanket and sit outside under the stars on a nice fall night. I don’t know about you, but I have never had a clearer view of the stars than when I’m far, far away from city limits.

Festivals! Fall festivals are some of the best parts about weekends in the suburbs, too bad they only come around a few months out of the year. In my hometown, there’s been one going on for the last sixteen years, and the great thing about having so many small towns close by is that each one hosts a festival or two throughout the season. With pie-baking contests and scarecrow competitions, the whole day is a blast for people of all ages! Here’s a short video that highlights one local festival in 2016!

Bonfires! Sure, anyone can set up a fire in their backyard, but being out in the open, surrounded by nothing but silence and stars, is an envious activity.  And PS, firepits and open fires are illegal within city limits of Philadelphia, haha Philly. One of my own favorite fall memories was one night when twenty or so of my friends sat around a bonfire until three or four in the morning and just made smores and laughed all night. We had just gotten back from a school retreat and were dwelling on the playlist from said retreat, in this video. Here’s a short snapchat memory of that.

Staying in! Sure, you can chill with your friends in the city too, but I feel like living right in the thick of so much activity comes along with a social pressure to go out and about. A fireplace can be just as appealing as a bonfire, sometimes even more so! An added bonus, you can do anything you want when you stay in, things that you really can’t do in public.

Singing,  watching the office, drinking gatorade out of oversized cups, braiding hair, and eating mac and cheese off the floor are just a few examples. 🙂