By Emma Bracken
As autumn falls upon us here in Fayetteville, there are plenty of activities to do to get out and celebrate the season. Whether that means tracking the foliage and exploring local parks, a little seasonal retail therapy, or finding new favorite menu items, the choice is yours; there are many festive opportunities on the calendar through the rest of the season.
- Fayetteville Farmers Market
Fall is the perfect time of year to stroll around downtown, and the Fayetteville Farmers Market is a must-see! The market is open every Saturday from 7 a.m.-2 p.m.on the Downtown Square. There are tons of booths with all the autumn essentials, including homemade candles, flowers and houseplants, and all of your seasonal fruits and vegetables. There are also food trucks if you are hungry while shopping, and it is conveniently located in Downtown, where you can find clothing shops, record stores, bakeries, and more small local businesses. It’s officially soup season, and the Farmers Market has everything you need for a perfect fall recipe. Getting there early is recommended to get the most of what the vendors have to offer.
- Parks and Hiking Trails
There are many parks to explore during the fall months’ nice weather, and Devil’s Den is a perfect place to start. While the trees are just beginning to change in color, there are still a plethora of scenic views awaiting you, including Devil’s Den’s iconic spot, the Yellow Rock Overlook. The foliage will spread farther and wider across the trees under the overlook, creating the perfect fall photos and a beautiful hike. There are multiple trail routes and several waterfalls to hike to. Camping is also available at Devil’s Den, and now is the ideal time to do so before it gets too cold. Entry to the park is free, and it is open every day from 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Another option just outside of the University of Arkansas campus is Wilson Park, one of Fayetteville’s unique gems. If serious hiking is not your thing, there are still great opportunities to enjoy the weather and foliage this fall. Wilson Park is perfect for this, as it is a mostly flat, scenic park with picnic areas and, famously, a fantastical castle structure and mosaic tile art overseeing a pond. It’s the perfect place for a relaxing lunch or a casual stroll with your friends, your dog or a good pair of headphones. The park is open every day from 7 a.m.-11 p.m.
- Explore Fall Flavors
One of the best parts of any new season is the introduction of a new seasonal flavor palate, and there are none quite as beloved as the sweet and spicy menu items that roll around this time of year. You can find seasonal flavors sprouting up in the specialty coffees and pastries in cafes around town. The university’s own coffee shop–Hill Coffee Co.–has officially introduced their fall flavors for the season, including a pumpkin chai and a pumpkin cold foam.
There are several other cafes around the city, such as Doomsday Coffee, where you can sit down with a “Thanksgiving Break” or “Sweater Weather,” or one of Arsaga’s Coffee Roasters’ seasonal drinks, including a hot apple cider, pumpkin spice latte, and other specialty fall-themed teas and coffees. At Pink House Alchemy, you can buy an array of coffee syrups to make your own fall recipe at home, such as toasted caramel and pumpkin spice butternut.
If coffee isn’t your thing, you can find the flavors of fall in breakfast diners, ice cream shops, and local grocery stores all across town as businesses transform for the new season.
- Pumpkin Patches
There are several pumpkin patches open this month throughout Fayetteville, full of festive activities alongside getting the perfect pumpkin for your doorstep.
McGarrah Farms Rivercrest Orchard is open through the end of this month on Thursdays and Fridays from 2 p.m.-8 p.m., and Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m.-8 p.m. The farm has a pumpkin patch, a corn maze, hayrides, sunflower fields, and ziplines for an admission fee of $12.95.
Farmland Adventures in Springdale also offers a pumpkin patch, corn maze, petting zoo, wildflower fields, and campfires. They are open on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays 3 p.m.-9:30 p.m. for an admission fee of $14, but every Thursday in October, students are allowed admission for only $8.
If you’re looking for free admission, you can check out Ranalli Farms in Tontitown. They produce fresh farm goods year-round, but during the fall months they open up their pumpkin patch for locals to peruse and find their ideal pumpkin or gourd. Ranalli Farms is open Monday-Saturday from 8:30 a.m.-6 p.m., and 12 p.m.-5 p.m. Sundays.
Whatever your fall favorite is, Fayetteville is the place to be; the weather is welcoming in cozy sweaters and hot lattes all around. Get out and enjoy the season before it’s over!