Finally. It’s what we’ve all been waiting for. We have on our flannel and booties. We have been sipping our PSLs for days (weeks.) We are ready. And now, the season’s main event has finally begun and we couldn’t be more excited. It’s autumn and us New Englanders, well, we live for this kind of stuff. It’s just part of our DNA. (That and Pumpkin Spice). Here's a Fall Bucket List of all the fall things. Let me know what I missed makaylasilva@macaronikid.com!
Pumpkin Pickin' - New Haven County
We like to visit B&B Farms in West Haven to feed the horses, grab some ice cream and pick our pumpkin. In Orange, Field View Farm, one of Connecticut's oldest farms, has all of your fall needs from hay bales to corn stalks to perfect-for-carving pumpkins (plus some seriously large dairy cows to visit!) Sunflower Farm, in Orange, gives you a free small pumpkin when you buy a large (if he sees your kiddos) and Kriz Farm on the Woodbridge/Bethany line gives a free hay ride with the purchase of a pumpkin around their pastoral paradise.
Flashlight Corn Maze - Treat Farm, Milford
It’s one thing to get lost on a 5 acre corn maze at Treat Farm during day time. It’s another to brave the maze at night. For the brave adventurer, head to Treat Farm for a night of flashlight fun. Open select weekend dates through October from 6-10pm.
Pumpkin Patch Rides - The Shoreline Trolley Museum, East Haven
All Aboard! Take the trolley down to the pumpkin patch, where your kiddos can select their own little pumpkin to decorate. Coloring pages, toy train layouts, refreshments, and plenty of photo opportunities! Pumpkin Patch opens at 10:30 a.m. No reservations required. Trolleys depart every 20 to 30 minutes.
All of the Fall Things - Bishop's Orchards, Guilford
We all scream for -- you guessed it! Ice Cream. Not only did Bishop's launch a brand new ice cream stand, but they've also dreamed up a corn maze in the shape of an ice cream cone. If you go, make sure to grab some apple cider, pay a visit to the children's activities and pick-your-own pumpkins.
Pumpkin Cheesecake Cupcakes - Sugar Bakery, East Haven
Okay, okay. You've had your PSLs. Your pumpkin muffins. Your apple crisp. But. You have not lived until you have tried a Pumpkin Cheesecake Cupcake from Sugar Bakery in East Haven. You're welcome.
Pumpkin Ice Cream - Walnut Beach Creamery, Milford
Superbly creamy, pumpkiny flavored perfection. Be sure to grab this while they're still open. AND WBC puts on a fabulous Halloween Parade on Halloween night at 5pm for all of the little ghouls and goblins to don their costumes and have (what else?) FREE ICE CREAM!
Spirits of Milford Ghost Walks - Milford
For the older kiddos, these ghost walks are lantern-lit guided tours that are down right chilling. Hear about some of the local history including the deadly curses on Charles Island and the "witch" buried in the Milford Cemetery.
Take a Hike - New Haven County
Catch fall foliage during peak season on one of the areas many hiking trails from Eisenhower Park in Milford to East Rock in New Haven.
Tailgate at a football game - Yale, New Haven
A perfect way to spend a Sunday: food + football + fresh autumn air. Fall in Connecticut at its best.
