Fall Edition: How to Be a Tourist In Your Hometown

Autumn is a wonderful time of year. The changing leaves and cooler temperatures are a major part of the fall season in the Northern Hemisphere. Exploring your hometown is one of the best ways to enjoy fall. Attend local outdoor events or on rainy days revisit past favorites. If you need inspiration on how to be a tourist in your hometown, check out the following for ideas.

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Research

When was the last time you spent wandering around your hometown or the surrounding area?

  • Begin by researching your hometown.  
  • Look for anything new that interests you.
  • Join social media groups that focus on your hometown or county. The shared information is a great resource.
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Check Seasonal Events for Autumn

The changing seasons bring new community events. The autumn events are generally a yearly occurrence.

  • Farmers’ Markets
  • Pumpkin weighing contests
  • Corn mazes
  • Haunted houses
  • Homecoming parades
  • Fairs and festivals
  • Craft shows
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Write a Local Bucket List

Approach your hometown like any other travel destination. Begin by making a list of places you want to see. Are you traveling solo or with family and friends? Travel buddies are a great way to enjoy your hometown experience with a new perspective.

  • Check out new restaurants, revisit childhood favorites, and go to art galleries, historical sites, or other interesting events.
  • Consider taking a different mode of transportation to get around your hometown. Ride the bus, rent an e-bike, or walk around your neighborhood. The change in transportation is a great way to see everyday sights from a new perspective.
  • Go ahead and use coupons for discounts on meals, tours, or admission costs.  Many coupons use free items as an incentive for spending a certain amount of money. Businesses use self-promoting products as a way to draw tourists to their locations.
  • Check out the tours of your local hometown attractions. Follow the tour guide throughout the museum or local sites. Every tour is a learning experience.
  • Buy postcards.
  • Take business cards.
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Document Your Travels

Do not forget your camera. Or use your phone to document your travels around your hometown.

  • Eat or get a beverage at a local café. Try the hometown special. If you are traveling solo, bring a small journal with you. Use the time at the cafe to write notes about your day’s experiences.
  • Take photos of everything. Even if you pass the place every day going to work or running errands, stop and take a photo. Try different angles. The final results may surprise you.
  • After each hometown adventure, create a scrapbook with photos, postcards, and notes.

Have fun! Enjoy your day acting like a tourist in your hometown.

40 Movies to Watch This Autumn

Autumn is the perfect season to snuggle under your favorite blanket and watch movies. Grab your favorite mug filled with hot chocolate, make popcorn with lots of butter, and find a new fall favorite. If you need inspiration, check out the following films to watch in autumn.

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  1. Sweet Home Alabama (2002)
  2. Little Women (2019)
  3. Love Story (1970)
  4. Always Be My Maybe (2019)
  5. Mystic Pizza (1988)
  6. When Harry Met Sally (1989)
  7. Soul Food (1997)
  8. Runaway Bride (1999)
  9. Roman Holiday (1953)
  10. A Walk to Remember (2002)
  11. Under an Autumn Moon (2018)
  12. The Lake House (2006)
  13. Casablanca (1942)
  14. Save the Last Dance (2001)
  15. If Beale Street Could Talk (2018)
  16. Rudy (1993)
  17. The Notebook (2004)
  18. Friday Night Lights (2004)
  19. 10 Things I Hate About You (1999)
  20. A Star Is Born (2018)
  21. St. Elmo’s Fire (1985)
  22. October Sky (1999)
  23. You’ve Got Mail (1998)
  24. Home for Harvest (2020)
  25. P.S. I Love You (2007)
  26. Hoosiers (1986)
  27. Autumn in New York (2000)
  28. Maid in Manhattan (2002)
  29. Dead Poets Society (1989)
  30. Falling for Vermont (2017)
  31. Silver Linings Playbook (2012)
  32. Sweet November (2001)
  33. Crazy Rich Asians (2018)
  34. Autumn Stables (2018)
  35. To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before (2018)
  36. Love and Basketball (2000)
  37. Titanic (1997)
  38. The Blind Side (2009)
  39. Sylvie’s Love (2020)
  40. Love Actually (2003)

Do you have a favorite autumn movie? Happy watching!

32 Autumn Songs for Your Playlist

Today, September 22, is the first official day of fall. The season brings a change to the landscape with colorful leaves and frosty mornings. Artists have been singing about the changing seasons for decades. Do you have a favorite? Check out the following autumn songs to add to your playlist this season.

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  1. “Wake Me Up When September Ends” by Green Day (2004)
  2.  “Autumn In New York” by Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald
  3. ‘Autumn Leaves” by Eva Cassidy (1996)
  4. “Colder Weather” by Zac Brown Band (2010)
  5. “November Rain” by Guns N’ Roses (1992)
  6. “Harvest Moon” by Neil Young (1992)
  7. “Harvest Time” by Luke Bryan (2011)
  8. “September Song” by Frank Sinatra
  9. “September” by Earth, Wind & Fire (1978)
  10. “Indian Summer” by Ella Fitzgerald
  11. “September in the Rain” by Dinah Washington
  12. “The Last Leaf” by The Cascades
  13. “Autumn Waltz” by Tony Bennet
  14. “Forever Autumn” by Justin Hayward (1978)
  15. “Autumn Serenade” by John Coltrane and Johnny Hartman (1963)
  16. “Shine on Harvest Moon” by the Four Aces
  17. “’Tis Autumn” by Ella Fitzgerald and Joe Pass
  18. “Autumn’s Not That Cold” by Lorrie Morgan (1991)
  19. “Autumn Town Leaves” by Iron & Wine (2018)
  20. “Just Like Autumn” by The Tuesday Crew, Carly Bannister, Jordy Searcy (2018)
  21. “October” by U2 (1981)
  22. “Sweater Weather” by The Neighbourhood (2013)
  23. “Pale September” by Fiona Apple (1996)
  24. “Autumn Almanac” by The Kinks (1967)
  25. “When Fall Comes to New England” by Cheryl Wheeler (1993)
  26. “Autumn Sweater” by Yo La Tengo (1997)
  27. “September” by Corb Lund (2012)
  28. “Harvest Fair” by Summer Salt (2019)
  29. “Autumn Song” by Van Morrison
  30. “Chill of an Early Fall” by George Strait
  31. “The Last Day of Summer” by The Cure
  32. “Boys of Fall” by Kenny Chesney

Ways to Celebrate the Autumn Equinox

Today, September 22, 2022, at 9:03 pm EST in the Northern Hemisphere, marks the official first day of autumn. The fall season ushers in cooler temperatures and beautiful foliage. If you are looking for ways to celebrate the autumn equinox, check out the following for inspiration.

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Get Outdoors

Enjoying nature is the best way to celebrate the autumn equinox. Spend as much time as possible outdoors. Enjoy the fresh air.

  • Go on a hike.
  • Go stargazing.
  • Grab your camera and go on a nature walk.
  • Gather pinecones, acorns, twigs, leaves, rocks, and other nature items for crafts.
  • Have a picnic in the park.
  • Read a book while sitting under your favorite tree.
  • Mediate outdoors.
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Create a Feast

The autumn season is historically a time to harvest crops. Make a meal or dessert with freshly harvested fruits and vegetables.

  • Make a stew in your crock pot. The smell will fill the entire house.
  • Bake an apple or pumpkin pie.
  • Make fresh soup from squash, pumpkin, or potatoes.
  • Eat fruit including apples, pears, and berries.
  • Make zucchini bread.
  • Create a salad from fall harvest vegetables
  • Eat corn on the cob or fresh carrots.
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At Home

Staying home? That’s okay. There are still small ways to celebrate the autumn equinox.

  • Read a fall-themed book.
  • Watch an autumn-inspired movie.
  • Light a candle with a fall-related scent.
  • Listen to autumn-themed music.
  • Start a journal.
  • Do autumn crafts.
  • Decorate your home in autumn-inspired colors.

Enjoy the start of the season with these simple ways to celebrate the autumn equinox. Happy fall!

40 Photo Prompts for Autumn

The first official day of autumn is almost here! Are you ready for cooler weather, football, tailgating, and beautiful colored leaves? Each autumn day is a perfect time for photos. If you are looking for inspiration, check out the following photo prompts for autumn.

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  1. Selfie with autumn leaves
  2. Fall Décor
  3. Up-Close
  4. Black & White
  5. Shadows
  6. Harvest
  7. Scarecrow
  8. Traditions
  9. Nature
  10. Wildlife
  11. Gourds
  12. Pumpkin
  13. Pumpkin Patch
  14. Farmer’s Market
  15. Pie
  16. Landscape
  17. Trees
  18. Colors
  19. Leaves
  20. Sunset/Sunrise
  21. Apples
  22. Cider
  23. Cider Mill/Farm
  24. Apple Orchard
  25. Fall Attire
  26. Football
  27. Tailgating
  28. Homecoming
  29. Parade
  30. Marching Band
  31. Mascot
  32. School
  33. Weather
  34. Friends
  35. Family
  36. Carmel/Candied Apples
  37. Fall Treat
  38. Distance
  39. Road Trip
  40. Photographer’s Choice

Happy Fall!

40 Ideas for Your Fall Bucket List

Fall ushers in cooler weather, football games, tailgating, and changing leaves. The season is a great time to enjoy everything Autumn. Gather your friends and family to make a fall bucket list. If you need inspiration, check out the following ideas for your fall bucket list.

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  1. Go apple picking.
  2. Watch cider pressing.
  3. Bake a homemade apple pie.
  4. Go on a hayride.
  5. Go to a pumpkin patch.
  6. Hike in a state or national park.
  7. Host a bonfire.
  8. Make a fall wreath.
  9. Eat pumpkin spice waffles or pancakes.
  10. Make a DIY bird feeder.
  11. Press wildflowers.
  12. Make a scrapbook of your summer adventures.
  13. Rake fallen leaves into large piles and jump in.
  14. Take a fall family or friends’ professional photo.
  15. Go on a nature walk.
  16. Photograph the colorful foliage.
  17. Eat pumpkin cheesecake.
  18. Have a fall picnic.
  19. Eat a Carmel apple.
  20. Go to a football game.
  21. Go to a homecoming parade
  22. Make homemade apple jelly, apple butter, or apple sauce.
  23. Make a scarecrow.
  24. Visit a fall-themed festival.
  25. Host a game night.
  26. Do fall crafts.
  27. Drink pumpkin spiced latte.
  28. Go star gazing.
  29. Go to a farmer’s market for fresh vegetables and fruit.
  30. Make an entire meal from your farmers’ market finds.
  31. Decorate with items from nature.
  32. Make homemade chili and bread.
  33. Go Geocaching.
  34. Host or attend a fall scavenger hunt.
  35. Visit a brewery or winery.
  36. Build a blanket fort.
  37. Host a movie night.
  38. Read by the fireplace on a cold autumn night.
  39. Plant autumn flowers.
  40. Light fall candles

Have a fantastic autumn season!

40 Quotes to Celebrate Autumn

The official first day of Autumn is almost here! Are you ready for the changing leaves and cooler temperatures? If you are searching for the right words to add to your social media posts, check out the following quotes for autumn.

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  1. “Autumn…the year’s last, loveliest smile.” — John Howard Bryant
  2. “Autumn passes and one remembers one’s reverence.” — Yoko Ono
  3. “I would rather sit on a pumpkin, and have it all to myself, than be crowded on a velvet cushion.” — Henry David Thoreau
  4. “Autumn… the year’s last, loveliest smile.”  – William Cullen Bryant
  5. “I’m so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.” –  L.M. Montgomery
  6. “Autumn shows us how beautiful it is to let things go.”  – Unknown
  7. “Is not this a true autumn day? Just the still melancholy that I love—that makes life and nature harmonize.” –  George Eliot
  8. “If a year was tucked inside of a clock, then autumn would be the magic hour.”  – Victoria Erickson
  9. “Autumn seemed to arrive suddenly that year. The morning of the first September was crisp and golden as an apple.”  – J.K. Rowling
  10. “I cannot endure to waste anything so precious as autumnal sunshine by staying in the house.” – Nathaniel Hawthorne
  11. “Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower.” — Albert Camus
  12. “It looked like the world was covered in a cobbler crust of brown sugar and cinnamon.” — Sarah Addison Allen
  13. “I loved autumn, the one season of the year that God seemed to have put there just for the beauty of it.” — Lee Maynard
  14. “Life starts all over again when it gets crisp in the fall.” – F. Scott Fitzgerald
  15. “Autumn is the mellower season, and what we lose in flowers we more than gain in fruits.” — Samuel Butler
  16. “No spring nor summer beauty hath such grace as I have seen in one autumnal face.” — John Donne
  17. “Go, sit upon the lofty hill, and turn your eyes around, Where waving woods and waters wild Do hymn an autumn sound. The summer sun is faint on them— The summer flowers depart— Sit still— as all transform’d to stone, Except your musing heart.” -Elizabeth Barrett Browning
  18. “Listen! The wind is rising, and the air is wild with leaves / We have had our summer evenings, now for October eves!” — Humbert Wolfe
  19. “I hope I can be the autumn leaf, who looked at the sky and lived. And when it was time to leave, gracefully it knew life was a gift.” –  Dodinsky
  20. “A fallen leaf is nothing more than a summer’s wave goodbye.” –  Unknown
  21. “And all the lives we ever lived and all the lives to be are full of trees and changing leaves…” — Virginia Woolf
  22. “If you run, then allow those first few breaths on a cool Autumn day to FREEZE your lungs and do not just be alarmed, be ALIVE.” — Kyle Lake
  23. Why did dusk and fir-scent and the afterglow of autumnal sunsets make people say absurd things?” — L.M. Montgomery
  24. “Give me juicy autumnal fruit, ripe and red from the orchard.” — Walt Whitman
  25. “The tints of autumn…a mighty flower garden blossoming under the spell of the enchanter, frost.” — John Greenleaf Whittier
  26. “Autumn is as joyful and sweet as an untimely end.” — Rémy de Gourmont
  27. “Autumn is the hardest season. The leaves are all falling, and they’re falling like / they’re falling in love with the ground.” — Andrea Gibson
  28. “Autumn leaves don’t fall, they fly. They take their time and wander on this their only chance to soar.” — Delia Owens
  29. “Autumn lingered on as if fond of its own perfection.” — Winston Graham
  30. “And I rose / In rainy autumn / And walked abroad in a shower of all my days…” — Dylan Thomas
  31. “Fall has always been my favorite season. The time when everything bursts with its last beauty, as if nature had been saving up all year for the grand finale.” — Lauren DeStefano
  32. “The heat of autumn is different from the heat of summer. One ripens apples, the other turns them to cider.” — Jane Hirshfield
  33. “It was one of those perfect English autumnal days which occur more frequently in memory than in life.” — P.D. James
  34. “Two sounds of autumn are unmistakable…the hurrying rustle of crisp leaves blown along the street…by a gusty wind, and the gabble of a flock of migrating geese.” — Hal Borland
  35. “Just as a painter needs light in order to put the finishing touches to his picture, so I need an inner light, which I feel I never have enough of in the autumn.” — Leo Tolstoy
  36. “Autumn carries more gold in its pocket than all the other seasons.” — Jim Bishop
  37. “There is something incredibly nostalgic and significant about the annual cascade of autumn leaves.” — Joe L. Wheeler
  38. “I can smell autumn dancing in the breeze. The sweet chill of pumpkin, and crisp sunburnt leaves.”– Ann Drake
  39. “Winter is an etching, Spring a watercolor, Summer an oil painting and Autumn a mosaic of them all.” — Stanley Horowitz
  40. “Autumn dresses up in gold; the richest season of the soul.”— Angie Weiland Crosby

Happy Autumn!

52 Hashtags for Autumn

Are you ready for the fall season? The first official day of autumn is just around the corner! The changing seasons are a perfect opportunity to add photos to your social media platforms. When you use hashtags, your posts receive more attention. If you are looking for inspiration, check out the following hashtags for autumn.

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  1. #Autumn
  2. #Autumn2022
  3. #Fall
  4. #Fall2022
  5. #FallIsComing
  6. #ILoveAutumn
  7. #AutumnEquinox
  8. #SummersEnd
  9. #OfficiallyFall
  10. #FallVibes
  11. #AutumnVibes
  12. #Harvest
  13. #Gourds
  14. #Scarecrow
  15. #Pumpkin
  16. #PumpkinPatch
  17. #PumpkinLatte
  18. #PumpkinSpice
  19. #September
  20. #October
  21. #1stDayofFall
  22. #FallTravel
  23. #AutumnCamping
  24. #FirstAutumnHike
  25. #FallDecor
  26. #FallTrees
  27. #AutumnColors
  28. #AutumnLeaves
  29. #LeafPeeping
  30. #AutumnBonFire
  31. #FallsBeauty
  32. #FallAdventure
  33. #Football
  34. #Tailgate
  35. #Homecoming
  36. #AutumnMood
  37. #AutumnMoments
  38. #Apples
  39. #ApplePicking
  40. #Orchard
  41. #AutumnSunrise
  42. #AutumnSunset
  43. #AutumnLandscape
  44. #AutumnNights
  45. #CoolNights
  46. #Cozy
  47. #Family
  48. #Friends
  49. #FallLove
  50. #FallBride
  51. #AutumnGoals
  52. #WinterIsComing

50 Drawing Prompts to Celebrate the Fall Season

The first official day of autumn is almost here! Take advantage of colder, rainy days by embracing your inner artist. If you need inspiration, check out the following drawing prompts to celebrate the fall season.

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  1. Autumn themed self-portrait
  2. Traditions
  3. Sunflowers
  4. Scarecrow
  5. Trees
  6. Colorful leaves
  7. Pinecones
  8. Acorns
  9. Nature scene
  10. Harvest
  11. Farmer’s Market
  12. Harvest moon
  13. Friendship
  14. Leaf fairy
  15. Mushrooms
  16. Wild animals
  17. Autumn hiking
  18. Trails
  19. Boots
  20. Cabin
  21. Tractor
  22. Lanterns
  23. Hayride
  24. Haybales
  25. Water
  26. Falling leaves
  27. Frost
  28. Wind
  29. Book
  30. Owl
  31. Fox
  32. Hedgehog
  33. Crow
  34. Squirrel
  35. Hot Cocoa
  36. Pumpkins
  37. Squash
  38. Apples
  39. Bonfire
  40. Family
  41. Autumn sunrise/sunset
  42. Stars
  43. Moon
  44. Distance
  45. Warmth
  46. Family
  47. Spirit
  48. Socks (design your own)
  49. Cozy
  50. Last day of fall

21 Staycation Ideas for Your Labor Day Weekend

The 3-day holiday weekend is here. Millions of people travel during Labor Day weekend. Are you heading out or did you decide to stay home? Don’t worry; you are not alone. Many people decide to spend the long weekend at home. Even if you are staying close to home, there are still plenty of things. The best part, many of these staycation ideas are free or have minimal costs to enjoy.

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If you are looking for inspiration for staying home on Labor Day weekend, check out the following ideas.

  1. Explore Hiking Trails: Get outdoors and enjoy nature. Find a new trail to hike. Hiking is a great activity for the entire family. Grab your camera to take lots of pictures. Make a day of hiking, pack a lunch, and bring lots of water.
  2. Go to the Beach: Pack a picnic and spend an entire day at the beach.
  3. Go to a Local Winery: Many wineries allow free taste testing. Gather your friends, enjoy the sights, and sample different wines.
  4. Host a BBQ: Invite your friends, family, or neighbors over for a holiday BBQ.
  5. Classic Game Night: Dust off your favorite Monopoly or other board game for a fun night of friendly competition. Don’t forget the snacks.
  6. Picnic in the Park: Pack your favorite goodies and head to a local park for an afternoon.
  7. Host a Bonfire Night: Beautiful weather calls for a bonfire night. A chance to sit around a warm fire with family and friends is always a good idea. Don’t forget the S’mores.
  8. Go Stargazing: Pack a blanket, snacks, and your favorite beverage to spend an evening outdoors. Looking at the stars is a great way to spend an evening.
  9. Host a Themed Movie Night: Host a family night or invite friends over. Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, or Marvel movies are just a few of the many superb movies to watch over the 3-day weekend. Add to the fun by ordering pizza, making popcorn, or ice cream sundaes.
  10. Do Crafts for the Holidays: It’s never too early to start holiday crafts. Many stores already have Autumn, Halloween, and Christmas crafting items out. Make a trip to your favorite spot to find everything you need for a crafting day.
  11. Spend Time Reading: How long has that book been setting on the shelf? Labor Day weekend is a great time to snuggle under a cozy blanket and read. If you do not have a new book, reread a favorite.
  12. Go to a Local Sporting Event: Many sporting events are starting over the holiday weekend. Go to a local college football game or watch the game on television with friends and family. Do not forget to tailgate. Delicious food is a major part of any sporting event.
  13. Attend Community Events: Parades, concerts, and other events are generally part of the Labor Day weekend. Many local events or festivals are free which is great for your bank account.
  14. Volunteer: MDA and other organizations use the 3-day to collect funds. Volunteer to help locally. Networking with new people has benefits beyond the weekend.
  15. Make a Homemade Meal: Try a new recipe. Make an entire meal from your recent purchases at your local farmer’s market. Bake a dessert. Make a meal as a family.
  16. Go on a Day Trip: Travel closer to home. Visit sites in the next town over from yours. Or go on a long car ride to see the scenery.
  17. Ride Bike: Get outdoors and enjoy the sunshine. Before cold weather sets in, go for a long bike ride.
  18. Go Somewhere New: Is there a new cafe, restaurant, or other local business in town? Go check out the establishment. Who knows you may find a new favorite spot. Remember to be patient during the holiday weekend. Many establishments are short staff.
  19. Be a Hometown Tourist: When is the last time you visited your hometown tourist sites? Go to your local park or historical site. Take pictures. Act like a tourist from another area. Have fun.
  20. Declutter and Organize: The holiday season is slowly approaching, spend time organizing your living space. Set up a homework area for your kids. Or reorganize your home office. You can always tackle a major task and clean out the garage.
  21. Feel Free to Do Nothing: There’s no harm in doing absolutely nothing over the Labor Day weekend. Stay in your pajamas for a day, get extra sleep, and just relax.

Have fun! Enjoy time with family and friends. Remember to be safe over the Labor Day weekend!

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