The ‘ber months are my favorite time of year (September through December.) I love the crispy air, colorful leaves on the ground, and all the misty rain we’ve had recently! But now that it’s *officially* fall, let’s go over some of the great things to do in the Anderson area and a few weekend trips. I’ll share my bucket list for fall, then a few resources so you can check them off, too!  

Gillian’s Bucket List  

• Attend a fall festival  

• Go apple picking with my friends  

• Carve or paint a pumpkin  

• Make it through a corn maze  

• Go on a drive to see the colorful fall leaves  

• Get matching fall PJs with my roommate   

• Watch a fall movie (cozy or scary, up to you!)  

• Drink a PSL  

• Bake pumpkin bread  

• Go to an AU football game 

Fall Festival  

Denver Downs is one of the ultimate places for fall activities in the Anderson area! There’s everything from a petting zoo to pumpkins to a gem mine. Tickets are on pre-sale right now if you want to save a few dollars and snag your tickets early. On October 6th, they’re offering a discount for students at the gate if you show your student ID. If your family is coming to town for Homecoming and Family Day, encourage them to stay an extra day to go to Denver Downs together! Select dates and pre-order your tickets here. (Denver Downs Farm | Fall Festival | Anderson, SC)  

Apple Picking  

One of the closest apple orchards I have been to is Sky Top Orchard in Flat Rock, NC. They have a corn maze, apple picking, and the most delicious apple slushies, apple cider donuts, and pumpkin donuts! It’s just under an hour and a half drive from campus, so plan accordingly. There are many orchards a bit farther north; just 10 minutes past Sky Top is Stepp’s Hillcrest Orchard, where my family and I went apple picking growing up! In fact, almost everyone I knew in middle and high school has worked either at Sky Top or Stepp’s Orchard! 

Pumpkin Patch  

If you don’t check out the pumpkin patch at Denver Downs, Trinity United Methodist Church (across from the Ingles by campus) will be hosting their 22nd annual pumpkin patch fundraiser. All profits support a variety of local charities. I love their display every year and supporting the Anderson community even more! Another great nearby option is Concord Market (208 Concord Rd, Anderson, SC, United States, South Carolina), which is owned and operated by a local family. They have a huge assortment of local fruits and vegetables, as well as baked goods, pumpkins, and mums! If you’re more interested in picking your pumpkins straight from the patch, check out the Rooted Family Farm Pumpkin Patch. They’re open on weekends, October 4th –27th, with pick-your-own pumpkins, local honey, mums, seasonal items, and snacks for sale. You could also go on a hayride or a guided nature walk. Find their event details on Facebook (Pick your own Pumpkins & Farm Fun | Facebook)  

See the Fall Leaves  

Because it is warmer here, our fall leaf season is a bit later than North Carolina, so if you have the itch to see the vibrant colors, you’ll have to take a drive. The timing for the leaves to change color is based on elevation and can vary from year to year. This year, it’s recommended that you take a drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway from October 9th to 16 or visit the Hendersonville/Asheville area near the end of October! My mom shared this helpful resource with me years ago, and it’s been pretty accurate! (Fall Color and Foliage Guide 2024 (blueridgemountainlife.com)  I’d expect our leaves to change significantly locally around the end of October or early November, depending on the weather!  

Unfortunately, I can’t mention every fall event in the Anderson area, even though I’d love to. If you’re still looking for ideas and resources for your fall weekend plans, check out this great page from Visit Anderson. (Autumn Chills – Visit Anderson)   

There are so many awesome events to attend this fall; you won’t want to miss a thing!