Readers, we are getting deep into my favorite season. The temperatures have officially dropped, coats are on, and the days have shortened. While it may seem that Mother Nature is trying her best to keep us indoors and miserable, the chilly fall days and nights are a great time to get creative with our socializing, whether it’s date nights or time spent with friends. There are still leaves to be seen and hot cocoa to be sipped; those two alone are worth bundling up and venturing outside!
I’ve compiled a list of creative fall hangouts, with inspiration from this Woman’s Day article.
- Explore a state park. If you have an adult Levittown Public Library card you can reserve our Empire Pass, which provides access to over 100 parks within New York State. Hike, bike, or walk through a gorgeous landscape of fall foliage with the ones you love.
- Visit a new town. Without even leaving Long Island, you can discover a hip new locale or perhaps a nostalgic little Main Street. Just this past weekend, I was driving through St. James and Stonybrook, two towns I’ve never visited, and was astounded by their charm. You never know what hidden gems you can find less than an hour from your home base.
- Enjoy a minor league or college sporting event. We’re halfway through the NFL season, but with ticket prices as high as they are (about $150 per ticket!), making it to a game is difficult. NHL tickets can be just as expensive. Instead, for about $20-$30 a ticket, you can enjoy high quality games from minor league or college teams. In certain cases, most of the sporting events offered by a college or university are free of charge, which is true of Adelphi University (the exception being Men’s Basketball).
- Practice new recipes. This is an example of staying indoors and still having a great time. Watch five minutes of any cooking reality show and it becomes clear that the only thing stopping us from trying new recipes is a lack of creativity. Cooking is one of the unexpected ways we flex our creative muscles, and inspiration can be found via a variety of sources. For instance, you can play host to your own version of Chopped and create mystery ingredient boxes; this generator will even do the work for you! Pinterest is always a handy source for recipes. So what if you end up with a “Pinterest fail;” sometimes, those are just as fun! If cookbooks are more your speed, stop by our neck of the woods. We love our cookbooks here at the LPL, and we have hundreds to keep you chopping, baking, and nibbling. Lastly, this is the PERFECT time to work on those Thanksgiving dishes! Experiment with abandon! Try adding a twist to a traditional dish, like these modern recipes (Hello, Thanksgiving Stuffing Muffins and Loaded Cheesy Mashed Potato Balls!).
- Take an exercise class. All that cooking adds up to a whole lot of calories. Boost your metabolism with an exercise class or two. Workout buddies keep us accountable and motivated. Use this as an opportunity to make your workouts fun by trying something other than the treadmill, whether it’s pilates or barre or even hula hooping! Make it cost effective by taking an exercise class at the Library!
- Try an escape room. I might be one of the last people in this country to have not experienced an escape room. It’s been on my fun list for at least two years and maybe this will be the season that I will finally make it happen! This is great for both couples and friend groups. The best part? Because it’s indoors, you’ll stay toasty warm!
- Take a musical deep dive. You know when you’re changing stations on the radio and a song comes on that hits you right in the gut, and you remember how much you loved it five, ten, or twenty years ago but you cannot remember the last time you heard it? Spend a day or night going through your respective playlists. Rediscovering certain songs will be like a trip down memory lane, and one you can take with a friend, family member, or partner. Even better–take your music on the road; create surprise playlists and alternate during the drive.
- Practice some fancy footwork. In the classic words of Ren McCormack, “Let’s dance!” Ballroom, tap, ballet, hip hop, salsa, breakdancing; try any or all!
- Photo Scavenger Hunt. This is perfect for couples who love taking photos! Create a list of items to find then hit the pavement with your phone or Canon; the one with the most photos after an hour or two pays for dinner. Keep it seasonal by including autumnal items. Some examples: to-go coffee cup, red scarf, orange maple leaf, white pumpkin, and so on.
- Hang out at the library! You know you want to! The library is the coolest place to chill out on a Saturday afternoon. We have comfy chairs, computers, tons of reading material, and even a cute little eatery with vending machines to keep you noshing. Sometimes, being quiet and content next to a person you love is the best way to spend a day.
Happy Reading,
Jess
