The leaves are turning colors, the air is getting crisp and fall break starts this weekend, so I can’t think of a better time to take a break from the stresses of college and enjoy the season. Get into the spirit of Halloween with an outing to a local event, or have a night in and with a more relaxing vibe. Here’s a compilation of different kinds of fall activities you can participate in without breaking the bank. 

• Pumpkin patch

Pumpkin patches aren’t just reserved for elementary school field trips. There’s many different activities to participate in depending on where you go, but commonly all farms have hayrides, corn mazes and of course pumpkins to pick. If you’re local, try College Run Farms in Surry for their homemade pumpkin ice cream as an additional treat. Going with friends and family always heightens the experience and kicks off the fall season.

• Halloween-themed night

Looking for more of a relaxing night in? Invite your friends over to your dorm room and have a watch party with all your favorite halloween themed snacks. Bring fun themed crafts to do as well, such as painting, pumpkin carving (if you want to get messy) and crocheting as you relax in front of the TV to whatever movies you and your friends agree upon.  

• Boo Baskets 

You don’t have to have a significant other to participate in this new trend! Get a bunch of friends or family members together, have an outing to a store like Target or Walmart, and pick up fun Halloween themed items to put inside a basket. I think it’s a super fun idea to surprise your friends in the spirit of the holiday season, and you don’t have to go crazy with the price, set a budget that works for everyone!

• Restaurant deals

Want to go out with your friends on a budget? Chain restaurants such as BJ’s and Chili’s currently have fun dinner deals to get into the Halloween spirit. For $13.99 at BJ’s, you can pick from eight different entree items and get a Pizookie for dessert, which now includes their “Spookie Pizookie,” a Cookies ‘N’ Cream cookie with vanilla ice cream and topped with Oreo crumbs and Halloween sprinkles. For six dollars, Chili’s currently has a Witches Brew Margarita for the month of Oct. that tastes like green apple. 

• Apple picking

Another popular activity to do during fall is going apple picking. My favorite place is Carter mountain in Charlottesville, but there’s other local places if driving three hours is a lot. If you pick enough apples, try making apple pie, applesauce or other sweet treats with the ones you don’t eat. Carter mountain also has delicious apple cider donuts, homemade jams and other fall flavor foods to buy when you go. 

• Howl O’scream

Staying local? Busch Gardens Howl O’scream in Williamsburg is always a fun time, especially if you enjoy haunted houses and getting spooked by people in costumes. Buy a day pass and take your friends for a fun night of eating sweet treats, going on rides and visiting all the haunted houses, which always rotate every year. Howl O’scream is open until Nov. 3rd.