19 Reasons to Get Excited about Fall (2024)

It’s that time of year my friends… It’s time to get excited for fall!! Last year, I wrote a post on 13 reasons to get excited for fall. I decided it was time that post received a little updating. A lot has happened over the last year and I’ve had plenty of time to ponder about all the reasons to get excited about fall. You’ll see some of the familiar favorites but I’ve also removed some and added a few to better reflect my personality and stage of life. I’m so excited to share these with you!

Since moving to Colorado, I’ve noticed that this state isn’t fall-crazed yet like my small hometown in Pennsylvania. I’m only just seeing fall and Halloween items come out and even though most kids are back to school, those items are still large and in charge in many of the stores. Maybe it’s still too early, but guys, I’m ready! Well, almost. I’m still enjoying the final moments of summer in the slowest way possible, but fall is just at the tips of my fingers and I’m excited to embrace it in all of its splendor. I’m not kidding when I tell you I could LIVE in fall year-round. The foliage, food, scents, scenery, activities. Does it get any better than fall?? I think not, my friends.

Fall has always felt like meeting up with an old friend. They can’t stay for long, but they’re happy to see you and it’s like you never left each other. There’s such beauty in everything fall has to offer and I can’t wait to share my (mostly) updated reasons to get excited about fall.

Fall food (Apples and pumpkins, oh my!)

If I had to pick one to go at the top of the list, fall food would be it! Oh my goodness, I can’t even describe my love for fall food. From appetizers to main meals, from desserts to drinks, it doesn’t get better than the cozy foods we get to make and eat during this wonderful season. Some of my favorite dinner recipes include meatball rigatoni soup, maple apple pork chops, autumn salad, apple cider bacon chicken, and chicken biscuit skillet. Don’t even get me started on desserts! My personal Pinterest board is littered with amazing dessert ideas to check out.

Hiking

My husband and I love hiking! I haven’t traveled nearly as much as I’d like to, but I’ve gone on some amazing hikes. Now that we live in Colorado, we have trails literally within a few miles of our house and they are beautiful. Colorado’s scenery is very different from Pennsylvania’s. In Pennsylvania, there are a lot of green trees, especially maples, oaks, spruces, pines, and sycamores. In the fall, the maples and oaks turn gorgeous hues of red, yellow, and orange, leaving for some stunning scenery. Due to the arid alpine climate of Colorado, there aren’t nearly as many of the same tress out here. I haven’t experienced fall in Colorado just yet, but I know fall hiking will look a little different. While I do prefer Pennsylvania’s scenery to Colorado, I know that the hiking will be even more beautiful in the Springs during fall.

Small towns

If there’s one thing I miss about Pennsylvania, it’s the abundance of small towns. I lived in a rather rural area that was surrounded by farmland, so I had to drive a good bit to get anywhere. Some of my friends think I’m crazy but I absolutely loved it and wouldn’t have had it any other way. Being in a bigger, more urban area doesn’t have quite the same charm and appeal that a quaint little town does. In small towns, you get cozy vibes from the adorable fall decorations set up amongst the little shops. And nothing beats a small town fall festival! There is usually no shortage of fun festivities like a pumpkin fest, Oktoberfest, children’s fair, or bonfires and hayrides. Best of all are the people who make up these wonderful little towns, filled with big hearts and excitement for the season.

Baking

Have you tried my brown butter pumpkin streusel muffins yet? If not, you should. They’re fabulous. Fall is the time of year where I think most of us truly just don’t care about losing weight the rest of the year. We know fall is a time to enjoy delicious baked goods. With notes and motifs of apple, pumpkin, chai, spice, and brown sugar, you can’t go wrong with these delicious aromas. It’s one of the many reasons to get excited about fall this year. Even if you’re not a seasoned baker, it’s still fun to try new and delicious recipes.

Some of my favorite baked goods this time of year include pumpkin bars with brown sugar frosting, pumpkin whoopie pies, pumpkin bread, apple cider donut loaf cake, apple spice cake, and apple dumplings. In my humble opinion, there’s almost nothing better than the smells of fall baked goods wafting throughout your house. It’s a delight for everyone.

Fall drinks

I don’t think fall drinks get enough credit because we LOVE our fall treats. But it’s one of the best reasons to get excited about fall. Cold or hot. Spiced or not. Apple, pumpkin, chai. Boozy or mock. There are so many fun flavors you can play around with. If you’ve read recent posts on my blog, you know I work hard to avoid ultra-processed foods wherever possible. While I love the sweet taste of Starbucks’ pumpkin cream cold brew, I feel so much better when I make it myself. And it also tastes great! If you love fall beverages, then you’ll love these fun libations: Apple cider sangria, Hocus Pocus cocktail, Witches’ Brew cocktail, spiced honey bourbon old fashioned, pumpkin spice white Russian, and black magic sangria.

Not feeling the alcohol? Try these! Iced pumpkin cream chai, pumpkin cream cold brew, Thanksgiving punch, apple cider floats, pumpkin spice white hot chocolate, and spiced caramel apple cider. Don’t mind me while I start getting out all my fall mugs and glasses now!

All the smells

There’s something about our sense of smell that has strong ties to memories. Out of nowhere, you catch a whiff of something and are taken back to your grandmother’s house or summer camp 1999. For whatever reason, our brain likes smells. And if you’re anything like me, you’ve got a VERY strong sense of smell. One of the reasons to get excited about fall is the aromas that hit the air this time of year. In Pennsylvania, there’s something magical about the cool, crisp air and the smell of the leaves as they change and eventually turn brown. The scent of pine becomes more prominent and you can almost taste the frost on your tongue. Kitchens are filled with mixtures of apples, pumpkins and spices. Fall-scented candles make homes warm and cozy. Coffee and tea are brewed making fall feel more alive than ever. Even fall soaps make their way into bathrooms and make guests in our homes smile just a little more.

Gilmore Girls

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 get excited about 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.

Outdoor activities

Fall is just one of those times when everyone wants to be outside. The weather has begun to cool down and it’s one of the most pleasant seasons of the year. Not too hot and not too cold. There are also so many fun outdoor activities you can do during the fall season. I already mentioned hiking, but there are so many more. Some of my favorite activities include apple and pumpkin picking, hayrides, corn mazes, bonfires, and town events and festivals. Other favorites include farmers’ markets, picnics, camping, stargazing, making leaf piles, and nature walks. Even though Colorado Springs is more urban, there are many amazing activities to do outside during the fall season.

Cooler weather

This has to be one of the top favorite reasons to get excited about fall. Summer has a multitude of reasons why it’s loved, but by the end of August, I think most of us are ready for the days to not be climbing into the 80s and 90s (and sometimes hotter!). I might sound like a broken record for talking about beloved cooler weather, but there’s nothing more appealing that cozying up by a campfire, wrapped in a blanket with a warm beverage in hand, in 50 degree weather. I love shorts and floral dresses, but I’m ready for jeans, sweaters, and boots all day, please!

Take it a step further and mention fall foliage. Not everyone is blessed to get fall weather each year, but where I’m from in Pennsylvania, there are some of the most amazing colors you’ll ever see. It’s not just about the leaves, though. It’s also about a crispness in the air and that pungent yet pleasant smell of decaying leaves. The air is also turning cooler and being able to turn off your air conditioning yet not have to turn on the heat. There’s just something about the weather this time of year that makes everything seem more peaceful as the world continues to spin.

Football

Ah yes, an American classic. In America, we love our football. High school games, college, or pro. It doesn’t matter. I’m not a huge football fan, but according to my husband, “we are” a college football household (Catch the Penn State reference? 😉). While I’m not the biggest fan, there’s something really fun about having the game(s) on while sipping something boozy and eating gameday foods. Even better: Live college football games. They’re serious the best! If you’ve never attended a college football game, especially for a big team like Penn State, you should absolutely put it on your bucket list. Even if you don’t like football, it’s so much fun and an experience you’ll never forget!

Fall movies

One of the reasons to get excited about fall is to romanticize your life. I don’t think there’s a better season in which to romanticize your life. One way to do this is through fall movies. Watching movies gives us a different version of reality that we can’t necessarily make happen for ourselves. Fall movies are so much fun because they have all the elements of fall in them, even if we can’t necessarily experience them for ourselves. Here are some great cozy fall films to check out: Mystic Pizza, Dead Poet’s Society, When Harry Met Sally, Good Will Hunting, Practical Magic, You’ve Got Mail, October Sky, and Little Women.

Specifically Hocus Pocus

I know this isn’t a Halloween post, but we absolutely cannot forget about Hocus Pocus! If there was ever a movie to sum up all the reasons someone should love fall AND Halloween, Hocus Pocus would be it. As a 90s kid, this movie has been with me since I was about two. Not that I watched it when I was that young, but I’ve basically watched it every year since I was probably 6 or 7. It has it all. The weather and foliage, beautifully decorated houses, fantastic 90s fashion, costumes and trick-or-treating. It’s got zombies and witches, and even some not-so-accurate history! Best of all, it’s filmed in Salem, Massachusetts, which is definitely a place you should visit in the fall. In fact, you can check out my fun itinerary from my trip to Salem in Fall 2023!

Cozy books

Reading is magical and it’s even more magical in the fall. Curling up on the couch with a good book while wrapped in a blanket is pretty much top-notch. It’s a different way to engaged our minds and romanticize our lives. In fact, I like reading so much better than watching movies. It activates my imagination in a way that watching something can’t. Check out this fun list of autumn books curated by The Creative Muggle.

Festivals and events

Small towns throw the BEST festivals and events. Am I right?! One of the other reasons to get excited about fall is all of the festivals and events that are happening. Just like in Gilmore Girls, small towns will pretty much do anything to celebrate an occasion. In my hometown, there are fun events like Second Friday, Pirate Fest, Halloween Candy Crawl. You name it, we’ve probably got it. It’s one of the many things you can do during a small town weekend getaway! Trust me, we have got you covered. It doesn’t get much better than seeing the smiles on residents’ faces as they enjoy all that the town has to offer.

All the parties!

Fall is such a fun time to celebrate and it’s best to do it with a party! The costumes, apple bobbing, smells of campfires, fun treats, music, and maybe even a fog machine. Some of my favorite fall memories have been spent at fall-inspired parties. What’s not to love about seeing other people get weird with their funky costumes? Even more than attending, I get such fun out of planning parties. Check out my Fall Dinner Party Planning Guide. It’s my most popular post and I know you’re going to love it.

Decorations

When I think of all the reasons why I love fall, it is so hard to pick my favorite. Decorations are one of the reasons why it’s hard to pick! I know some people go all out for Halloween but I prefer to stick with overall fall décor. I love that you can decorate any room of your house and make it look adorable. From shower curtains and bathroom towels, to lights and potholders, I have so much fun decorating!

I lean towards a modern farmhouse look and that’s what I focus on with my fall decorations as well. I like clean, uncluttered looks and my thought with decorating is that less is more! Gone are the days of overstuffing a house with decorations like we did with 90s country style. You can keep it simple but still have beautiful decorations in your home.

Fall Fashion

I don’t consider myself a fashionista by any means, but I love cute clothes. I am definitely a person who loves pops of colors, patterns, and florals, and so the warmer months get me excited about sundresses, sandals, and fun cardigans.

However, I think I love my fall wardrobe just about as much as my spring and summer wardrobe, maybe more! It might not be as colorful, but I love the idea of colored denim, sweaters, boots, scarves, and sweatshirts. One thing that gets me so excited is looking through the clothing racks at TJ Maxx, Old Navy, and different thrift stores to see what adorable new outfits I can put together. The best part is that you don’t have to spend a lot of money on fall outfits!

Fall themed races

As I get back into running this fall, I think about all the fun races there are. It’s one of the many reasons to get excited about fall. There’s something about running in cooler weather amidst beautiful colors that is just so appealing and makes me want to run a 5K right now! While I’m not sure how many races I’ll get to run this fall due to healing my body, it’s still fun to think about. Whether you do a zombie run, turkey trot, or pumpkin race, there are plenty of options. There are fun outfits to wear and food and entertainment to get you pumped up. Best of all, running with others creates a sense of community. Most people who run these fun races are not there to be competitive. They are there to have fun and maybe even make a few friends.

Music

When you think of fall, you don’t typically associate it with music. However, I’m here to tell you it’s one of my favorite reasons to get excited about fall. I started a Halloween playlist years ago and there are plenty of fun Halloween songs out there, especially if you’re hosting a Halloween party! But that’s not the only playlist I have for fall. Years back, I was searching through YouTube for songs about fall and I found one. That was the beginning of the end, because now I have a Spotify Autumn playlist with almost 100 songs on it. 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.

I can’t believe another August is almost gone. While I will dearly miss summer, moving into a new season is like taking in a big breath of fresh air. Fall is such an incredible season with so much to offer. I can’t wait to take in everything in about it this year! What are your favorites reasons you love fall? Post below in the comments.