activities Archives - Chrysalosity

Fall is finally in the air, and it's the perfect time to head out for some outdoor activities!

This week I took an impromptu trip to Louisburg, Kansas in search of fall fun! Living in Kansas City has been good for us, but my husband and I both grew up in small farm towns just like Louisburg. It was a treat for me to drive down a gravel road and get the old "one-finger-wave" again from other drivers out in the country!

I'm sure Louisburg is beautiful any time of year, but I can see why fall is a special season for this community. With towering trees and beautiful rolling hills, mid-October is the perfect time to take a day trip to the country.

First Stop: Louisburg Cider Mill

The Louisburg Cider Mill was such a fun experience and would be perfect for a fun weekend day trip with the family. Here you'll find a sizeable petting zoo, corn maze, pumpkin patch, and of course, the Cider Mill where all the apple goodness is processed!

You're in luck! The Cider Mill is hosting its 41st Annual CiderFest THIS weekend, October 5 & 6, so head on down to the cider mill for some yummy cider, donuts, sodas, and other treats. You can even buy some to take home at the Country Store, open year-round. Check out what I found!

Next Stop: Sunflower Orchards

I found Sunflower Orchards by total serendipity. I was navigating away from the Cider Mill when my GPS lost signal, and I ended up passing a road sign advertising for U-Pick apples! It turns out that you can't pick apples at the Cider Mill, but you can pick them at Sunflower Orchards, only 4 miles from the Cider Mill in Paola, KS.

Lance was very kind in showing me around the orchard and letting me try some of the apples while I was there. It turns out that the orchard also grows peaches in the summer months, so I guess I'll have to come back next summer for that! In the meantime, I enjoyed picking a variety of apples while I was there, despite the fact that it was 90 degrees!

Sunflower Orchards will be featured on the 2019 Fall Farm Tour, so make sure you check that out on October 19-20! You can also find them at the Overland Park Farmer's Market.

Last Stop: Powell Pumpkin Patch

For a wide variety of pumpkins and a fun corn maze, head over to Powell Pumpkin Patch for an afternoon of family fun! It's a short country drive from the Cider Mill, and it's definitely worth the stop. Their pumpkins are very reasonably priced at 45 cents per pound, and you can find other decorative items like corn stalks and gourds as well. Your kiddos can pick out their ideal carving pumpkin while you pick some colorful options for your decor!

This pumpkin patch only accepts cash or check as of now, so plan accordingly! They are open all October long, so head over while you can!

September 23rd is the First Official Day of Fall!

In honor of making it to day 15 of the #30DaysOfBlogging challenge AND the first day of fall, I'm bringing you 15 fun fall activities you can do on the cheap this season. I've been counting down the days until today, so I'm very excited to get a jump on all the fall fun!

Whether you're looking for inexpensive date ideas, family friendly activities, or a fun outing with friends, this list will inspire a season of fall festivities. Now get out there, enjoy the cooler temperatures and warm colors, and celebrate the best season of them all!

Take a Hike!

Find a local nature reserve and lace up your hiking shoes for an afternoon hike. Early October is the perfect time to enjoy the foliage, and what better way to do so than to get lost in the trees at your local nature reserve or arboretum?

Have a Bonfire

Cool evenings are perfect for cuddling - so snuggle in a little closer to the fire and roast a s'more! There's nothing better than swapping stories and eating gooey, golden-brown marshmallows while enjoying the changing seasons.

Get Lost in a Corn Maze

Drive out to the country and be prepared to get lost! If you're looking for a fun outing with friends or a playful date night, navigating your way through a corn maze is the perfect solution. And if you love a good scare, check out a haunted corn maze for an extra dose of spooky!

College Football Watch Party

Okay, so going to the big game isn't exactly cheap, so why not host a game day watch party of your own? Complete with nachos, burgers, cold drinks and backyard games, you can enjoy the tailgate festivities without the price of the ticket.

Check Out Your Local Fall Festival

Parades, vendors, live music... these are all sights and sounds you can find at a fall festival. Celebrate the season by supporting local businesses and taking the kids out for some family fun.

Oktoberfest

Don't be confused by the name - Oktoberfest is a German celebration that begins late September. You can expect traditional German food, music, dress, and of course, beer! It might just be the perfect way to kick off the fall season!

Watch an Outdoor Movie

Why not enjoy your next date to the movies outdoors? Find a local drive-in theater, a pop-up movie in the park, or host your own in your back yard with a projector screen!

Visit a Pumpkin Patch

What better way to enjoy the season of pumpkin everything than to take the family out to the pumpkin patch? You can find the perfect pumpkins to decorate or carve, plus it's the perfect way to enjoy the weather and changing colors.

Check Out a Local Winery

Vineyards are beautiful at this time of year! Enjoying a glass of good wine is even better while enjoying it in a beautiful landscape. Get dressed up and enjoy a sweet date night with your significant other!

Go to the Farmer's Market

Support local farmers, vendors, and artisans while also enjoying new seasonal products at the farmer's market! I love discovering seasonal veggies, flowers and foods at the market, then going home and making fall goodies with my market finds!

Visit a Cidery or Orchard

Pumpkins can't take all the credit for fall flavor! Visit a local cidery or orchard to pick your own apples and check out all the best apple delicacies of the fall season. A nice, warm cider on a chilly afternoon just might be the best comfort drink of all!

Have a Spooky Season Marathon

Fall is spooky season! For some, that means haunted houses and scary movies. For others (myself included), spooky season means watching It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown or having a marathon of every Halloween episode of The Office. Movies can be a great way to spark tradition!

Make Your Own Caramel Apples

Who needs all that candy when you can make a sweet treat of your own? Skewer a Granny Smith apple, cover it in homemade caramel, and coat it in melted chocolate and toppings! DIY caramel apples make for a fun family activity or a perfect date night in.

Search for the Perfect Couple's Costumes

If you've got a costume party coming up, finding the perfect costumes can be challenging - and expensive! Head to your local thrift store to try to create your own costume. Sometimes, stores like savers will put together costumes from thrifted items for you. Whether you're going with a date or flying solo, there are plenty of ways to create your own costume on a budget and have fun doing it!

Host a Friendsgiving Party

Friendsgiving is a relatively new tradition, but it's one that's here to stay. Gather your friends and host a potluck, complete with turkey, mashed potatoes, pumpkin pie, and other goodies. It's the perfect way to get the whole gang together while also celebrating the season of Thanksgiving.

Find Fall Fun in Louisburg, Kansas | Day 25 of #30DaysOfBlogging