Now that summer has come to a close and the school year is in full swing,  fall has truly begun. Autumn provides a smooth transition from summer to winter. The time for going to the pool is over, and it’s not yet time to break out the snow boots, but fall provides many exciting activities to fill the gap.

“Snuggling up next to the fire with a warm glass of apple cider is even better than lemonade by the pool,” said freshman Josie Harris.

To combat the falling temperatures, many people start by firing up their chimneys, or simply grabbing a warm blanket. Fall is the perfect time to relax and enjoy cool weather and seasonal activities alike.

Fall weather can be a great time for outdoor activities. The mild weather encourages students to get outdoors and enjoy nature. One popular destination is the Sands Point Preserve, which spans 216 acres and is full of beautiful paths. Now is the best time to go and enjoy the beauty while getting some exercise!

“My family loves to walk in the Sands Point Preserve, and sit and relax by the water during the fall,” said junior Celia Christake.

For those who want to venture outside Port Washington, visiting a farm could be the perfect choice. Some of the most popular farms on Long Island are Lewin Farms in Calverton and Milk Pail U-Pick Farm in Water Mill.At these farms, you can pick apples and pumpkins or try to find your way through a corn maze. This variety of activities makes a farm a great spot for a day out with family or friends.

“Picking out pumpkins from a farm is great because you have so many options. It’s interesting to see directly where your food comes from, and it’s also just really fun,” said junior Maddy Wiener.

Pumpkins have become a popular choice for fall decorations and a staple ingredient in some dishes, so stocking up on some pumpkins is an excellent idea. To turn your pumpkin into a decoration, you could make a jack-o-lantern, paint it, or simply leave it the way you picked it.

After you bring home your fresh produce from the farm, you can bake or cook some flavorful fall dishes. Halloween and Thanksgiving are the best opportunities to show off your fall cooking skills, but you can prepare fall foods all season long. There are countless fall recipes on the Internet, and there’s something for everyone.

“I love to bake apple pie in the fall and try new recipes that put a fun twist to the traditional pie. I find a lot of cool recipes from Buzzfeed Tasty” said freshman Lucy Jarach.

People who went apple picking can harvest the fruits of their labor by making apple cider. For savory dishes, you can incorporate seasonal vegetables, such as acorn squash, butternut squash, or sweet potatoes, into your meal.

One of the highlights of fall is Halloween, of course. Apart from making jack-o-lanterns, people can also visit haunted houses. The Bayville Scream Park in Bayville, NY is one possible location to find a little spooky fun on Long Island. It is a theme park dedicated to thrilling visitors with their themed “houses,” which  include vampires, mummies, clowns, pirates, and more.

“I am so excited to go to Bayville this year,” said junior Sarahi Interiano. “It seems so scary, and I like that it opens in the fall because it is so close to Halloween.”