Time to bust out the sweaters and pumpkin spice latte’s!

Although the weather may have not caught wind yet, today is the first day of fall.  Autumn seems to be a favorite season among many Coloradoans, and for good reason!  After a couple dry, hot months, pulling on that jacket while running out the door in the morning actually feels good.  Eating that first batch of chili while watching some football, makes it that much more enjoyable.  But besides the cooler temps, we also have tons of fun fall activities to do right in our backyard.  I’m going to fill you in on my top 5 favorite fall activities, right here in Northern Colorado.

1. Rock Creek Farms in Broomfield has over 100 acres of you pick em’ pumpkin fields.  Impressive mountain views make for a gorgeous photo backdrop, just follow the loop around to the west side.  They also have a hay bale maze, great for little ones and over 6 miles of corn mazes, for the older ones.  Their petting area includes goats, ponies, donkeys and pigs.  Finish the day out with some fresh baked goodies!

2. Berry Patch Farms in Brighton has strawberries, raspberries, flowers, basil, pickling cucumbers and plums ready for you to pick.  Enjoy seeing the free-roaming chickens, farm cats and pigs while on the farm.  Head home with a basket full of goodies!

3. The Georgetown Loop Train takes you on a scenic route nestled high up in the Rocky Mountains, yet only 45 minutes from Denver.  Bring the kids along and enjoy the fall foliage on the hour and 15 minute ride.

4. The Festival of Scarecrows in Olde Town Arvada is Saturday, October 8th, 10 am- 2 pm.  Olde Town square transforms into a pumpkin patch with scarecrows of all shapes and sizes guarding the patch.  Dress the kids up for the costume parade, take a hay ride through the streets or try to find your way out of the corn maze.

5. Anderson Farms in Erie has all the usual pumpkin patch necessities- corn maze, pumpkin field, hay ride, but they also offer so much more.  You can ride on the barrel train or pedal karts, have the kids go wild in the playground area, feed the farm animals, or have fun gem stone mining.  If you make your visit on the weekend, there will be live entertainment, food vendors, face painting and pony rides.  Make a day of it!

Whether you visit them all, or just one, any of these fall activities are bound to put you in a festive mood.  So put on your flannel and head out there.