Favorite Reasons to Love Fall (2025)

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Guess what time it is?! That’s riiiiight! It’s time to proclaim my favorite reasons to love fall. This is now my third installment in this series, and it’s my favorite post of the year. I began this post when I first started blogging in 2023, and I love it so much, I decided to write a version of it every year. Obviously, it’s still August, and if you’re in the camp of “fall doesn’t start until the first official day of fall,” feel free to skip this one or wait until the first official day of autumn to read it. Even now in mid-August, the air is starting to turn just a little bit. In Colorado, the temperature low averages in the upper-50s in the mornings, definitely giving off cozy fall vibes. While many of my ideas overlap each year, they also evolve as well. So, if you go back and read the other posts in this series, you’ll see many similarities. Let’s jump in as I share 20 of my favorite reasons to love fall.

If you love this post, consider checking out some of my other content:

HOW TO THROW THE ULTIMATE GILMORE GIRLS FALL PARTY

19 REASONS TO GET EXCITED ABOUT FALL

14 WAYS TO CELEBRATE FALL IN A SMALL TOWN

FUN WAYS TO CELEBRATE FALL WHILE IT’S STILL SUMMER

10 REASONS TO LOVE LIVING IN A SMALL TOWN

Life just feels a little different in the fall

First on our list of favorite reasons to love fall is that life just feel different during the fall season. I’m honestly not sure I can put my finger on it, but the pace of life and everything else along with it changes just a bit. The air is crisper and cooler, the food tastes better, and there is almost a sense of renewal as the leaves change color. Fall is called “cozy season” for a reason, and I absolutely love how coziness takes precedence during this time of year.

Fall-inspired beverages

One of my absolute favorite reasons to love fall is fall-inspired beverages. Apple cider, pumpkin spice lattes, caramel apple cocktails, maple cinnamon lattes, I want them all! No matter your drink of choice, during the fall there is a beverage option for anyone. Whether you are indulging or trying to be a little healthier, during cozy season there is something for you, I promise. Check out some of these delicious options below.

Apple cider sangria

Hocus Pocus cocktail

Witches’ Brew cocktail

Spiced honey bourbon old fashioned

Pumpkin spice white Russian

Black magic sangria

Iced pumpkin cream chai

Pumpkin cream cold brew

Thanksgiving punch

Apple cider floats

Pumpkin spice white hot chocolate

Spiced caramel apple cider

Leaves, leaves, leaves

Next of my favorite reasons to love fall is the leaves, the oh, so beautiful leaves, specifically the ones you find in the eastern-most states. I never knew how much I missed the fall foliage until I moved out West with my husband to Colorado. Last year was the first year I didn’t experience all of fall in Pennsylvania, and wow, was I bummed. I’m so thankful I got to spend the last week of October in my hometown and experience all the beauty of fall. Colorado just doesn’t have the beautiful fall foliage that we have back East. If you have never experienced the gorgeous fall foliage of the eastern United States, you are missing out. I’m a little biased, but Pennsylvania boasts some of the best fall foliage in the world. If you can’t get to Pennsylvania, almost any of the eastern states will do just fine.

Hiking and time in nature

One of my favorite reasons to love fall is that fact that the weather cools off and being outside is more pleasant. Gone are the hot and humid days of summer, and in come the gloriously beautiful days of fall. As the weather cools off, it’s a great time to get out in nature and do some hiking. Whether you are in the East or West, it’s a great time to get outdoors. While Colorado may not have the beautiful fall foliage I love so much, it does offer some great hiking. Check out some of these great Colorado destinations to see beautiful foliage as you hike. Rather go hiking in the eastern US? Check out this post and this one as well. Both offer suggestions for beautiful East Coast hikes.

Cozy clothes

Don’t get me wrong, I love my summer florals, but another one of my favorite reasons to love fall is warm and comfy clothes. When it’s time to switch out shorts and dresses for sweaters, jeans, and boots, I know it’s truly fall. There is something so wonderful about knowing you’ll need to wrap up in a cozy sweater to stay warm. Here are some clothes that are on my Fall Fashion Wish List for this fall season.

TV shows and movies

As the weather turns and gets cooler, we enjoy cozying up inside with a good book or TV show or movie. Cozy TV shows and movies (or spooky ones) are the perfect way to get inspired by the fall season. They offer a form of escapism that adds to the already cozy vibes. Grab a delicious fall snack and warm beverage and check out some of these ideas for TV shows and movies to watch during cozy season.

Movies

You’ve Got Mail
When Harry Met Sally
Dead Poets Society
Twilight
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone
Good Will Hunting
Matilda
October Kiss

TV Shows

Gilmore Girls
Gossip Girl
Friday Night Lights
The Vampire Diaries
Wednesday
The Fall of the House of Usher

Festivals and farm events

The next of our favorite reasons to love fall is one of my all-time favorites during the autumn season. There is nothing that feels more like fall than being on a farm or at a fall festival. These events are usually loaded with things that scream fall, like hay bales, pumpkins, gourds, corn mazes, cute animals, games, activities, and delicious fall food and beverages. For traditional fall festivals, check out these suggestions. If you’re looking for something a little more unique, you might enjoy the ideas in this post.

Perfect time to start running

I am not exaggerating when I tell you that fall is the best time to start running. The summer heat has begun to subside and depending where you live, there is beautiful scenery and colors, galore! There are so many reasons fall is a good time to start running, including being trained for the winter season, seeing all the fall foliage, and the weather being more pleasant. Check out these tips to help you start running this fall.

Decorations, galore!

Nothing gets me more excited than when I start to see fall decorations put up outside. This is why it’s one of my favorite reasons to love fall. Just like how I get excited to switch out my clothes, it’s the same thing with decorations. There’s something about seeing pumpkins, gourds, planters, and silly inflatables that makes me smile. Check out some of these items you may want to snag to liven up your home during the fall season.

Outside activities

I’ve already mentioned a few outside activities, and this is just one of the many reasons to love fall. It’s one of the best times of the year to get outdoors and take in some fresh air. Hiking, leaf peeping, and farm visiting are fun ideas, but other fun fall outdoor activities include going to a winery, taking a scenic train ride, picking pumpkins, hosting a bonfire, taking a hayride, going camping, visiting a farmers’ market, and attending a football game. For more fun fall activity ideas, check out my Ultimate Fall Bucket List.

Gorgeous scenery

If the fall foliage wasn’t enough to get you excited about fall, the gorgeous scenery should be. One of my favorite things about the Eastern United States is the sprawling hills and farmlands. We may not have the impressive heights of the Rocky Mountains, but we have plenty of color. In my opinion, there is nothing more beautiful than witnessing the farmlands of Lancaster County dotted by historic oaks and maples. There is simply nothing like it. Check out this post for plenty of Pennsylvania fall destination suggestions (getting to see the beautiful pictures in the post is a bonus). Lancaster County was even featured in National Geographic. How cool is that?!

Savory and sweet fall treats

Ok, this might be my absolute top choice for favorite reasons to love fall. At heart, I am a cook and a baker and there’s no better time for my passions surrounding food to come out. There are so many delicious recipes, both sweet and savory during the fall season. Fall is the perfect time of year to highlight flavors such as apple, pumpkin, pear, nutmeg, cinnamon, caramel, cranberry, and browned butter. Earthy flavors during fall pair well with the cooler weather, making for deliciously cozy recipes. Here are some yummy ideas to get you excited about fall foods.

Savory

Sweet

Cozy tunes

Next up on our favorite reasons to love fall is cozy music during the autumn season. I don’t know what it is about stringed instruments, but they always remind me of fall. Acoustic guitars and violins provide beautiful sounds that make you feel like you’re at an old-fashioned bonfire with leaves falling all around. The softness that this type of music provides adds to the coziness of the season. I love the Instrumental Folk station on Pandora, and a few years ago, I created an Autumn playlist on Spotify. Most of the songs are instrumental folk songs but there are some lyrical songs with acoustic, fall vibes to them. It sets the mood in the morning when I’m drinking my coffee with pumpkin spice creamer. It doesn’t get more fall-like than that.

Fall-scented candles

It isn’t fall without candles! I’ve worked hard to remove most scented products from my home as I’ve gone on my crunchy journey. While I used to go on a “fall haul” at Bath & Body Works and buy all the good smelling items they have, I stopped in order to buy cleaner products. Now, if I want candles, I make them myself or buy low or nontoxic candles that smell just as great. If you want some cleaner options that remind you of fall, check out these candle suggestions.

Spooky season

Nothing gets me as excited for fall as spooky season does. That’s why it’s next on our list of favorite reasons to love fall. I’m not a huge fan of horror movies or things that are super scary, but I do enjoy the more fun and childlike aspects of Halloween. Some of my favorite memories of Halloween include getting dressed up to go trick-or-treating with my sister in our homemade costumes, watching Hocus Pocus at my family’s cabin in Wellsboro, Pennsylvania, and camping during Halloween-themed weekends. Here are some fun Halloween-themed ideas that includes most non-scary activities.

Small town vibes

In my most humble opinion, fall is best spent in a small town. Even better if you can make it to the mid-Atlantic or New England, which has some of the best fall scenery and foliage in the world. There are so many reasons fall is best in a small town. Some of these reasons include adorable coffee shops, stores with lots of decorations, beautiful parks and downtown areas, fairs and festivals, and homes with fun decorations. Fall in a small town feels so much more charming than it feels anywhere else.

Dinner parties

Fall is a great time to get together with friends and family and have a dinner party! It can be as simple or as complicated as you want it to be, but the important thing is to spend time with those you care about. A few years ago, I hosted a fall dinner party at my mom’s and it was a huge hit. I had a beautiful tablescape and featured delicious, fall-themed recipes. Some ideas for your next fall dinner party might include a charcuterie board, a soup bar, Friendsgiving, a wine and cheese pairing, or even a simple potluck with your favorite foods. Whatever you choose, pick something you love and your friends and family will, too.

Fun books to read

Whether you love spooky season or just cozy season, there are so many fun books to read during the fall. You can go the romance route or find a thrilling mystery. Books are one of my favorite reasons to love fall because they provide such great vibes for the season, no matter what style or genre you love to read. Below are some suggestions to get you excited for fall reading.

The Last Witch of Scotland by Philip Paris
The Thirteenth Child by Erin Craig
Harvest Season by Melanie Lageschulte
Picture Perfect Autumn by Shelley Noble
The Midnight Library by Matt Haig
Autumn Days: Stories of Everyday Wonder and Coziness by Karima Ameziani
The Inn at Tansy Falls Cate Woods
A Dark and Secret Magic by Wallis Kinney (This one is brand new this year and sounds amazing!)
Mystery of the Pumpkin People by Laine Wilder

Perfect excuse for a road trip

If you don’t live in a small town in the eastern half of the United States, fall is the perfect time to take a road trip there. You can drive cross-country or take a flight and rent a car. There are an endless amount of ideas of where you can go. Some of the best states to visit during fall include Tennessee, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, New York, and any of the New England states. This post has some fun road trip ideas for New England. For small town fall road trip ideas in Pennsylvania, check out this post.

Gilmore Girls

Last, but certainly not least, of my favorite reasons to love fall is Gilmore Girls. My fall post would not be complete without mentioning the show. There’s something so enticing about this show. It’s something to do with the nostalgia, the small town vibes, the cozy outfits during fall, the decorations parading all over Stars Hollow. I started watching in 2016 when the revival came out. I still can’t believe I waited that long! Within minutes, I was captivated. Everything about it felt familiar and I fell in love. It’s one of the many reasons to love fall. Each year on September 1, I eat a pumpkin treat, drink apple cider, and binge watch Gilmore Girls as I pine through all my fall food magazines. It’s my kickoff to the fall season and my annual reminder that life is good and simple pleasures are the best.

As summer rolls on for just a few more weeks and the nights and morning start to cool, I hope you will use this post as inspiration for finding things you love about fall. Just wait, my friends, cozy season is soon upon us. Let me know what else you love about fall!