Looking for things to do in Colorado this Fall?

I’ve got you covered!

It’s no secret that fall is my favorite season, and part of the reason I love it so much is that there are SO many amazing things to do in Colorado this time of year.

This post is dedicated to my top 10 favorite things to do in Colorado over the next couple of months AS WELL as how to plan in order to make time to get out there and do them!

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Do you ever feel like your adult life is just an endless march from one Monday morning to the next, with nothing but the occasional celebration to break up the monotony?

This is where we all raise our hands. Guilty!

It stinks, but the obligations we have in the real world ( washing the dishes, keeping our kids and pets alive, putting on pants…) sometimes suck the magic out of seasons that used to be more fun.

We have busy schedules, obligations, and responsibilities.

Sports practices, work projects, fitness goals.

It’s enough to drain the life out of anyone!  It’s easy to feel numbed by routine.

But it doesn’t have to be that way!

We live in one of the most desirable locations in the country; there are SO many things to do in Colorado during the Fall months.

I know you’re tired and you don’t have free time to spare. You’d rather plop down on the couch with a big ol’ glass of wine and binge Netflix.  I get it.  But hear me out.  There is MAGIC surrounding us right now, and I want you to GET OUT THERE AND EXPERIENCE IT! 

As much as I love Fall, I’ve had years where I have missed its beauty.  I’ve felt blah.  I’ve mentally fast forwarded toward Christmas and skipped right past all the joys right in front of me. I’ve holed up in my living room and refused to let the daylight in. Looking back, I regret those wasted opportunities.

I don’t want that for you.

What if you committed to planning just ONE fall outing with your family or friends? 

Like… what if you actually put it onto your calendar and treated it as an important commitment?

It might take work.  But when you invest time now, you will be richly rewarded with memories for YEARS to come.

Here is my (very doable) challenge for you:

• Pick ONE THING OFF THIS LIST (or something more… YOU, if you think these are lame. It won’t hurt my feelings, promise).
• Pick a date and schedule it.  Invite your spouse, your mom, your bffs.  Make yourself accountable.
• Keep this commitment to yourself.  Don’t blow it off or think of it as optional.  Invest in making time for having fun; it matters.
• Then… go out and live your life.  Go to a haunted house and pee your pants laughing after a Zombie scares you like a little girl.  Let the aggressive donkey (almost) bite your finger off while feeding him a $12 carrot.  Inhale the campfire smoke and raise your s’mores stick as we toast the special blend of cozy comfort that only Fall can offer.

Don’t get caught up in the rush and miss it. You are NOT a boring grown up. You are a lighthearted fun seeker on a mission to make memories. 

Godspeed.

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Top 10 Things To Do In Colorado This Fall

1.) Pumpkin Patch (Time: 1-2 Hours)

I’m starting here because it’s a staple; and it’s popular for a reason.  No Fall bucket list in our house would be complete without a trip to the pumpkin patch.  One reason is practical:  we go to stock up on gourds, mini pumpkins, and future Jack O’ Lanterns.  But there is also a festive air that can’t be beat.  The sensory experience alone (fall colors, smells of leaves, popcorn and sunshine…) are worth the effort.  

If you go: 

• Wear your coziest fall outfits and bring your camera.  Stage a mini fall photoshoot with your kiddos or friends (you don’t have to share them, but they’re fun to have!).  
• Even if you aren’t a big decorator, pick up a few colorful gourds and mini pumpkins.  Place them in a simple bowl in the middle of your table for an easy centerpiece.  Or scatter them around your home for small touches of fall in every room.
• Stop at a coffee shop on the way and grab a cup of tea or a Caramel Apple cider to keep your hands warm.
• Bring cash.  You’re probably going to want some kettlecorn,

Osborn Farms has been a fixture in Loveland for decades, and for good reason.  The classic red barn is the perfect backdrop for taking perfect fall photos, and they have a huge variety of interesting and unique pumpkins/gourds to choose from.  On weekends in October, the farm offers many family activities including a barrel train, hay rides, and vendors.

Other local favorites include:

• Bartel’s Farm (Fort Collins)
• Anderson Farms (Erie)
• Miller Farms (Platteville)
• Fritzler Farms (La Salle)

2.) Apple Orchard (Time: 1-2 Hours)

Apple orchards offer a similar feel to a pumpkin patch, with a slightly different twist.  Although the agricultural setting and activities are similar, the offerings provide an entirely different experience.

If you’re wanting to have a U-Pick it experience, it pays to plan ahead… many locations require reservations.  But actual apple picking isn’t necessary to enjoy the venue.  Most locations have plenty of ways to have a good time.

If you go:

• Follow the same guidelines mentioned for pumpkin patch.
• Check the hours and dates before you go!

Our local favorite is Ya-Ya Apple Orchard outside of Longmont, CO.  They offer hayrides, farm animals, and have a great store with delicious apple cider, apple cider donuts, honey and other fall treats.

They also host events, such as an all adult Boofest with pumpkin carving and a scary movie in the barn.  What a fun way to get out there and celebrate with friends!

To see if there is an apple orchard near you, do a google search.  If apples don’t grow where you live, other u-pick it locations (flowers, berries, etc.) might offer similar options.

3.) Rent A Cozy Cabin (Time: Overnight or Weekend Getaway)

Can you imagine anything more cozy than being curled up by the fire with your favorite people?  It’s probably at the top of my list of things to do in Colorado any time of year.

Fall is a great excuse to plan a getaway with your spouse, family or girlfriends.  You don’t have to travel far to find a feeling of calm and reprieve.  If you’re lucky enough to live near a mountain town, like we are, Fall is an especially great time of year to visit.  The winter crowds haven’t arrived yet, and rates are more affordable.  Plus, the drive alone is part of the fun; don’t forget to look out the window at the changing leaves as you pass by!

If you go:

• Pack a new (or favorite) card or board game to play together at night.
• Bring plenty of your favorite Fall foods and enjoy a night in.  (Don’t forget the s’mores!)
• If your cabin has a place for an outside fire, bundle up and get out there!  Nothing beats visiting with friends around a campfire.
• Pack warmly; even a slight difference in elevation can mean a big change in temperature.
• Check VRBO or HomeAway for unique properties or go more traditional with a condo.

4.) Hike to See the Leaves Change (Time: A Full Day)

I did this last year with my girlfriends, and it was one of my favorite things to do in Colorado.  We met in the morning after dropping our kids off at school and drove up to Rocky Mountain National Park.  The park was crowded, we couldn’t find a parking spot, and it felt like it took FOREVER to get to the trailhead.  But once we did, I immediately knew it was worth the effort.

The scenery was breathtaking.  Like… I was in absolute awe of this place we live.  Simply being there that day, with people I love filled me with an enormous sense of gratitude and peace.  It’s hard to describe… but if you make the effort to do this, you will be rewarded with the chance to experience this feeling for yourself.

I have lived in Colorado my whole life, and never made the effort to drive up there and make that hike until now.  How many of you can say the same?  If you’ve never done this before… you have to.  Even if you’re not “active”.  Even if you’re not a “nature person”.  Even if you think you’ll hate it.  I promise you, you won’t.  

If you go:

• Pack a picnic and plenty of snacks.  Stop along the hike and enjoy lunch together in the sunshine (or shade).
• Don’t rush it:  Even though we only live about an hour away, this is a FULL DAY activity.  We underestimated how long it would take and had to cut our hike short.  Don’t plan anything else that you will have to rush home for.  Move at as leisurely of a pace as you would like.
• Check the weather report before you go; weather can change quickly and this experience is considerably less enjoyable in bad weather.
• Pack lots of water and extra layers.

5.) Go to a Hometown Football Game (Time: One Evening)

You may not love sports. You may not know a single person in the stands or player on the field.  But there is something so nostalgic about the atmosphere at a high school stadium. 

The air is always crisper and cooler, giving you a chance to bundle up and get close.  The marching band and people watching provide great entertainment (even if you could care less about what is happening on the field).  If you have kids, they’ll love running around on the grass and climbing up and down the bleachers.  Wear ‘em out before bed!

Trade just one movie night for Friday night lights; I bet you’ll have fun.

If you go:

• Bring cash for admission
• Pack blankets, hats + gloves, and wear warm socks!
• You can give younger kids a scavenger hunt with things to look for: scoreboard, mascot, etc.
• Don’t feel like you have to stay for the whole game; stay as long as it’s fun… that’s the point.

6.) Try an Escape Room (Time: 1 Hour)

Escape rooms are a fad, and they probably won’t be around forever.  If you haven’t tried one yet, Fall is the perfect time to round up a group of friends and see what they are all about!

I’ve done escape rooms with girlfriends and other couples and they are fun either way!  You can also do it as a date night (but they might put you in there with other groups).

There is something so satisfying about solving a problem and working together toward a common goal.  Plus, the spooky nature of most of the backstories (murders, disappearances) falls perfectly in line with the mood of the season.

If you go:

• Don’t take it too seriously, have fun!
• Extend the evening by going out for dinner or drinks afterward (not too many before, or the tasks might be harder!).
• Check reviews for the highest rated escape room in your area.

7.). Get Lost in A Corn Maze (Time: 1-2 Hours)

There are two ways to go with corn mazes: tame or terrifying.  I’m personally a fan of the mellow, laid back pleasure of wandering through the maze in daylight.  But there are plenty of people who show up for the thrill of exploring it in the dark as well.

Like many of these other suggestions, local corn mazes also offer additional activities.  The major corn maze attraction in our area, Fritzler Farm, has a schoolbus that allows you to drive by and shoot paintballs at “Zombies”!  There has to be someone in your life who would love to do that with you, right?

P.S. Fritzler farm has a TON of other activities and attractions.  It is HUGE and is a must see if you are looking for things to do in Colorado and have never been before.  Pumpkin cannon: check.  Castle made of pumpkins: check.  Sandbox full of corn kernels: check.  Giant slide tower made of hay bales: check.  You can even rent a campfire spot, bring your own hot dogs and marshmallows, and make a full night of it with a group of friends or another family.

8.) Attend a Halloween Carnival or Fall Festival (Time: 1-2 Hours)

These are everywhere.  They exist in some form in every city and in every town.  It’s so fun to see all the little kids dressed up in their cute costumes…throwing candy induced meltdown tantrums… wait.  What?  Well… just being honest about my experiences, haha.

In all seriousness though, fall festivals are offered throughout the season and are generally free to the public.  There are seasonal activities for kids and adults alike, and they are usually held on weekends.  Check your local paper or do a Google search to find out what’s going on in your town any given weekend. 

9.) Try a Coffee Shop in a New Town (Time: Up to you!)

This is a favorite “field trip” to do in any season because it forces me to get out of my routine and experience something new.

Pick a nearby town you don’t go to often, and do a quick web search ( I like to check TripAdvisor) to find the highest rated coffee shop (or breakfast spot) in the area.  

Then pick a morning and go explore.  Park the car and walk around the area a little bit if there are shops nearby.  If it isn’t near anything, drive around town and just see what you can see.

10.). Host a Halloween Party (Time: Planning Time + An Evening)

This  was on my bucket list for a long time.  Then I hosted it once and got it out of my system.  It’s not something I will do often (like usual, I probably went too big and it was a lot of work). But I’m so glad I did it at least once.

This could take many different forms.

Some ideas:

• Create a haunted house in your garage 
• Adult costumes + cocktails
• Scary movie night with friends
• Pumpkin carving (or painting)  contest
• Fall cookie exchange
• Traditional kids’ party 

There are so many options!  It can be low key or have a large guest list. 

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Well… there you have it!  Ideas and inspiration for 10 Ways To Have Fun In Colorado this Fall.

I hope you found something here that sparked your interest and feel inspired to get out there and enjoy this wonderful season in a new and different way. Remember… it’s important to plan for fun!

Stay tuned next week for my next Fall bucket list challenge item (and remember it’s not too late to sign up to receive my free guide if you want more inspiration and ideas for a happy Fall).

Thanks for joining me. Happy planning!

Xoxo.

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