Although fall didn’t officially start until September 21^st, most people were ready for it to come by the second week of school. Fall brings us much more then leaves on the ground and sweater weather. Just because the pools are closing and the weather is getting colder doesn’t mean you are going to trap yourself in your room and binge watch a whole Netflix series in one night (that’s for winter). To narrow it down for you, here are the top 6 fun things to keep you busy during this season.

Everyone thinks that when summer is over, so are the amusement parks. You’re wrong! Fridays and Saturdays from September 30^th until October 29^th plus October 9^th head down to Kennywood Park and experience their Phantom Fright Night. You can get your tickets now from anywhere between 30 and 40 dollars. Demented clowns, hungry vampires and ghastly ghouls haunt the grounds of Kennywood with ten haunted attractions for guests to explore. Although the actors aren’t allowed to physically touch you, they still get extremely close and achieve their goal of making you feel sketched out and uncomfortable. This October, face your fear!

If you’re not into roller coasters but still want a thrill find a group of friends and make a trip down to the Pittsburgh Scare house! You can check it out on Thursdays and Sundays from 7-10 or on Fridays and Saturdays from 7-12. There are different stages of the Scare house such as the Summoning’s 100 years of darkness, the Infernal where shadows no longer fear the light, and the Nocturnia – a circus of shadows. If you are 18 or older and are looking for a more intense scare, you have the option to enter the basement. Unlike upstairs, in the basement you should expect to be touched, restrained, and blindfolded. You will be tormented, challenged, and scared out of your mind. Because of these circumstances, you are required to sign a waiver. The Scare house has been said to be the America’s scariest Halloween attractions, go see for yourself!

Something similar and a little closer to us is The Beacon! You can come every weekend in October for only $15. The Beacon is a haunted corn maze. You should expect people jumping out at you or chasing you with chainsaws. It isn’t as scary as the Pittsburgh Scare house but it is definitely enough to get you spooked. You can usually have a group up to 4 to enter the maze, and a group up to 2 in the haunted house. Afterwards there is a bonfire and a concession stand to eat and hangout with your friends afterwards.

If you’re someone who doesn’t enjoy getting scared, you’re not out of luck! You could always go to a traditional pumpkin patch! The most fun part about a pumpkin patch isn’t necessarily going and picking out a pumpkin, it’s carving it! It’s fun to come up with ideas of what to carve with your family and friends. It also can make your house look pretty cool on Halloween if you put them in your front yard. My favorite part about carving pumpkins is the seeds afterwards. You can roast the seeds to make a good snack!

Fall isn’t all about Halloween activities, for some people fall means football! We get a pretty big student section for our Knoch football games. From crowd surfing to loud chants it’s always a good time. Not only is there high school football in the fall, but also college and professional. Football games mean getting together with friends and family and eating buffalo chicken dip and yelling at refs that can’t hear you over the TV.

Last but not least, bonfires! With some chilly weather there’s no better way to keep warm then sitting around a bonfire. It’s fun to just talk with your friends and roast some marshmallows or hotdogs. It’s a good way to escape the stress of school on weekend nights.

These top 6 aren’t the only fall festivities that you can do! With all these suggested ideas, you should be occupied for every single weekend in fall.

Kenley Renfrew: “I like the fact that it is jeans and sweatshirt weather. I also look forward most to it being football season! It doesn’t matter if it Friday Night, football, college, or NFL. Its the best time of the year!

Shayne Zappi: “During fall I get excited to not sweat my butt of at football, and shred dirt bikes after it rains!”

Maddie Guthrie: “Jake and I went to Soergel Orchards for our 1 year and 6 month anniversary. There were many activities to do there with a lot of good food.”