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Five Must-Do Activities for Fall

From sneaking a peak at the fall foliage to picking pumpkins, you’ll find countless activities to fill your autumn days. We’ve got five experiences that you can’t miss in the greater Champaign County area this fall. 

Pick Your Pumpkins & Apples

Home décor, Halloween decorations, or cooking and baking, pumpkins serve many purposes. The Great Pumpkin Patch combines education on uses of these cucurbits alongside the fun of a pumpkin patch, picking your own or exploring their remarkable pumpkin and squash displays. Curtis Orchard & Pumpkin Patch encourages you to walk the yellow brick road through the kids activities before reaching the apple orchard and pumpkin patch, leading you back to their shop filled with cider, donuts, and their award-winning honey. Okaw Valley Orchard in Sullivan is an off-the-beaten-path farm with U-Pick, apple cider making demonstrations, educational tours, and a charming store to pick up their cider, donuts, and more.

	Escape a Corn Maze Wander into the tall stalks of corn at Hardy’s Reindeer Ranch, where you can get lost in their 10-acre design which changes every year. Buxton’s Garden Farm in Sullivan presents their “Corn Maize” in the fall, where you can also grab pumpkins, squash, and mums. For the younger ones, check out the smaller mazes at both Curtis Orchard & Pumpkin Patch and The Great Pumpkin Patch.
	Discover Art Among the Fall Colors A gem in Monticello, Allerton Park & Retreat Center, features over 14 miles of hiking trails along the Sangamon River. From forests to prairie, you’ll see stunning fall foliage with plenty of art along the way to set up a stunning backdrop. Make it a weekend with a “Glamping Getaway” or stay in the mansion or other guesthouses.
	Camp Under the Stars Camping in fall provides the perfect opportunity to bundle up in those sleeping bags under the stars next to a campfire. There’s no better place in Illinois to camp than Middle Fork River Forest Preserve, the only certified International Dark Sky Park in the state. Catch a spectacular view of the stars at night and hike during the day.
	Shop the Markets Fall brings some hearty veggies that make some great at-home meals. Seven farmers markets across five days—from Urbana’s Market at the Square, the largest area market with over 70 regular vendors to the Sustainable Student Farmers Market held on the University of Illinois campus—make it easy to pick up seasonal produce, meat, eggs, flowers, bread and more.

Ready for your fall getaway?

Need help planning your visit to the greater Champaign County area? Check out our Experience Guide, or contact us for more information! Don’t forget to book your stay at our area hotels, located conveniently throughout the community.