The fall vibes are just around the corner! With classes being in full swing, and midterms creeping up on us all, it’s important to take some breaks and let yourself enjoy the warmish yet cold enough to wear a sweater weather, and it so happens that Des Moines offers a wide variety of fun fall activities for all!
The Downtown Farmers Market:
The first, and most fall activity is the farmers market in Downtown Des Moines, which occurs every Saturday from 7am-12pm, and in October from 8am-12pm until October 30th. The market has been rated #2 in the country and offers a wide variety of homemade foods, fresh cut flowers, art and more. If you’re interested in going, the market is located in Downtown’s Court District. To learn more, you can check out their website.
Make spooky baskets for your friends:
Fall is home of Halloween, and while most of us are too old and tired for trick or treating, you’re never too old to get into the spooky mood. A spooky basket can be anything you want it to be, but most include a pair of fuzzy socks, a halloween cup, some candy, and any inside jokes you share with your friends. I like to go to Dollar Tree and buy them out of anything that they have that reminds me of my friends, and has to do with halloween. Spooky Baskets are such a thoughtful and lovely gift for everyone involved, trust me, your friends will love them!
Photo shoots:
There are so many fun photo shoots to have with your friends! A few of my personal pinterest favorites include, but are not limited to, the sheet ghosts, (where you take sheets and shades and look like ghosts around spooky places or campus) pumpkin head, (where you buy a big pumpkin, carve it, put something to protect your hair over your hair, and dress up to the nines) and the forever classic leafs, where you get a bunch of leafs, and throw them up in the air, and have fun with it! If you need more ideas, a quick pinterest search will give you infinite ideas! You don’t need a fancy camera to take good photos either, you can use your phone to take advantage of the changing colors and falling leaves.
Take a Hike:
One of my favorites, going to explore nature for yourself! Fall is the perfect time to go hiking, tent camping, or just to explore Iowa’s county and state parks. There are a few parks close to the Des Moines area that I personally love are Margo Frakel State Park in Polk County, Ledges State Park in Boone County, and Walnut Woods State Park in West Des Moines. If you decide to go for a hike, camp, or just to hang out please remember food, water, and to share your location with someone. Please don’t assume you know the land well enough and are able to go alone unless you are experienced in this region. Bringing someone else in case you get lost or hurt is a great idea. Nature, and state parks are as dangerous as they are beautiful.
On a lighter note, I hope you all find fun in fall with some of my ideas above and your own traditions! I wish all of you survival of your midterms and a mouthful of those cookies with pumpkins or ghosts on them.
