Thank God the best time of year has officially rolled in after this especially hot summer; no more melting, because it’s Pumpkin Spice Season! As you can tell, I am personally very excited about this time of year. I attribute that to living out on the West Coast in the arid deserts of Nevada for most of my life. Which does make you seriously appreciate four seasons instead of Hot or Cold!

When I first moved here and truly got to experience the movie-like seasons, I went headlong into everything I could dream of: pumpkin patches, apple picking, cafe hopping, apple cider drinks, walks in picturesque parks, hayrides, scare parks, and anything else that fit the bill. I had finally experienced most of the things that seemed made up and unreal in the Mojave Desert. I have truly grown to love each season, but there is just something so special about the seasons changing into the orange and yellow leaves before winter falls on us.

I think a lot of people who have lived out here their entire lives have forgotten these types of feelings, even with something as simple as the seasons changing. Which makes me so sad! Maybe this comes from my huge love of the great outdoors, plants, and the environment around me. I hope I can make those around me appreciate even the little things again, because that’s what makes Northern Kentucky so special—not just to me, but to all of us.

So I threw together this little list of fun fall activities that would make this the most aesthetic season yet!

  • Wool Festival: Oct. 2–4, Concord Cabbo Rd, Falmouth, KY

    • A larger craft- and food-centered festival right by Kincaid State Park. It features plenty of classic and very Kentucky food vendors, as well as unique wool crafts.

  • Pumpkin Jamboree at Eckert’s Versailles: Oct. 3–4, 1396 Pinckard Pike, Versailles, KY

    • A classic fall farm experience with pumpkin patches, baked goods, hayrides, and so much more!

  • Apple Picking at McGlasson Farms: Sept.–Nov., 5832 River Rd, Hebron, KY

    • A generational family farm that sells farm-fresh goods and offers U-pick harvests for a chance to experience these beautiful, generational orchards.

  • NightLight 513: Oct. 15 & 18, 10 E River Center Blvd, Covington, KY

    • This is a 21+ theater experience on the Levee along the Ohio River. It’s the perfect place to mingle with food and drink vendors on these perfect fall nights with a group of friends!

  • Rabbit Hash General Store: Open All Year, 10021 Lower River Rd, Rabbit Hash, KY

    • A perfect half-day trip on the weekends with a fun and hippie vibe! It has the best homemade BBQ trailer and occasionally features live music.

  • Big Bone Lick Salt Festival: Oct. 16–18, 3380 Beaver Rd, Union, KY

    • An early-settler-life- and Native American-driven festival with plenty of demonstrations of daily life. The perfect weather to also visit the museum and trails in the state park.

  • Turning of the Leaves Festival: Oct. 10, Main Street, Augusta, KY

    • A local gathering of small food, craft, and harvest vendors along the charming main street of historic Augusta on the river.