As the leaves start to change color and the temperature changes from 80 degrees to a low 50 degrees, we realize fall is approaching. The second the temperature starts to drop, hundreds of new pumpkin spice products hit the stores; stores all over the country trade their sunscreen and flip-flops for pumpkin spice and sweaters. The transition from summer to fall leaves some people devastated, already missing summer, but for others, it is the best time of year. The season of fall has so much to offer; Three Berkley students, freshman Tatum Saltsman, sophomore Alex Sims, and junior Ella Francis tell us what their favorite things to do in the fall are.
TV Shows:
One great way to get into the fall spirit is by watching shows. The one show that seems to stand out the most is Gilmore Girls. All three Berkley students said that Gilmore Girls was their favorite fall show. When asked why she liked it, Francis replied, “It has a very fall aesthetic and reminds me of fall. Everything from the sets to the wardrobe has colors that could be considered fall colors, just increasing the experience.”
Coffee Shops:
According to many different coffee shops and cafes, fall starts in late August, when they start serving the classic Pumpkin Spice Latte. The new fall drink this year at Starbucks has the world questioning their loyalty to Pumpkin Spice Lattes. The new Iced Pumpkin Cream Chai Tea Latte: this drink has become wildly popular, with millions of people across the world ordering it. Saltsman explains that “The Iced Pumpkin Cream Chai Tea Latte is sweet and so good, it even tastes like fall!”
Beverages:
Along with beverages sold in cafes, there is a classic drink that pairs especially well with donuts; apple cider. Both Sims and Francis said that they believe apple cider is the best fall drink. Sims says, “Apple cider reminds me of my grandparents, I have had it at their house every year since I was little.” Similarly, Francis says, “Drinking apple cider brings back memories from my childhood, like going to the cider mill with my family.”
Food:
Unlike any other season, fall has lots of food associated with it like turkey, gravy, stuffing, potatoes, but especially the dessert. The classic pumpkin pie is always a fan favorite, a great way to end a Thanksgiving Day meal. Pumpkin-flavored food has taken over fall, with pumpkin muffins, pumpkin ice cream, pumpkin pancakes, and so many more. These fall foods might bring back special moments from childhood, family memories, or special times. All three Berkley students said that their favorite fall food brought back memories.
Local fall activities to do this fall season:
It’s easy to get distracted by all the twinkling lights and Christmas trees of the season rapidly approaching once Thanksgiving is over, and miss out on some of the best excursions fall has to offer. But, there are many amazing local activities that Michigan has to offer.
Local cider mills: Franklin Cider Mill is a cider mill in Bloomfield Hills. It has been around since 1837 and offers a large variety of apples, donuts, cider, popcorn and many other products. Blakes Cider Mill has many locations around Michigan, and they sell their products at local grocery stores. It was founded in 1946 and has many unique events listed on their website. Yates Cider Mill is in Rochester Hills and was founded in 1863. They offer delicious pastries along with apple cider.
Local apple picking: Long Family Orchard is in Commerce Charter Township. They have asparagus, peas, sweet peas, sweet corn, apples, and pumpkins available for picking. To top it off, they also have a corn maze! There is also Plymouth Orchards & Cider Mill in Plymouth. They have wagon rides, apple picking, farm animals, pumpkin patch, live music, and, of course, cider and donuts. Last is Three Cedars Farm in Northville. They have a pumpkin patch, a corn maze, train and hay rides, and many farm animals.
Local haunted houses: Azra Haunted House Chamber of Horrors, Erebus Haunted Attraction, Hush Haunted Attraction (see Molly Frankel’s article for more information)
Both Francis and Saltsman enjoy going to the cider mill with their friends and family.
Stores:
From the months of August through December, stores go all out on their decorations and merchandise. Currently, the stores are covered from head to toe in leaves, gourds, Halloween decorations, and pumpkin spices products. Saltsman and Sims both recommend Target and Trader Joe’s for fall products and food. If you are looking for true Halloween decorations, they recommend Spirit Halloween.
Local Pumpkin Sales:
Last but not least, there is no better way to get into the fall mood than the classic tradition of carving pumpkins with family and friends! There are many places to buy pumpkins. There are always pumpkin patches, but there are also local stores that have them. Even grocery stores near Berkley sell them, including Trader Joe’s, Target, Holiday, Westborn, Meijer, and Kroger.
All of these things are highly recommended this season. Happy Fall!
