Fall is a beautiful time on the Iowa State campus. As the leaves start changing and the weather gets colder, students may find themselves at a loss for fun activities.

Visit Center Grove Orchard
Center Grove Orchard became a staple for students in the fall. You can get the ultimate taste of the season with apple picking, corn mazes and hayrides. After a long day of fun, you can visit their store, where they have hot apple cider and fresh apple donuts.

Center Grove is open daily from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Cost of admission is $13.95 on weekdays and $18.95 on weekends. After paying the initial fee, most activities are free within the orchard.

Have a picnic on Central Campus
Iowa State’s campus is beautiful in the fall, with all the trees changing color. Bring some friends to Central Campus and have a picnic. Bring a blanket and some fall-themed foods — something pumpkin or apple flavored — and enjoy the beautiful scenery on campus.

Central Campus also has lots of room for activities, along with the grass area around Lake Laverne. A football or frisbee could be a fun addition to your afternoon on campus.

Carve pumpkins at Reiman Gardens
Another popular fall tradition is carving pumpkins. Our very own Reiman Gardens puts a spin on this with its Spirits in the Gardens. To put together this event, they ask volunteers to help design and carve pumpkins. You even get free admission to the preview event for volunteering.

“We have around 1,500 people volunteering to help us hand-carve our jack-o-lanterns, and a majority of them are ISU students,” said Kimberly Hope, Reiman Gardens employee. “In addition, we’ll have volunteers helping at the event to support staff and pass out candy to trick-or-treaters.”

Watch a scary movie at Cyclone Cinema
Cyclone Cinema is an essential destination on campus. When the weather gets too cold for outside activities, the movies are always a safe option. Take this opportunity to discover Cyclone Cinema in Carver 101 and see a fall movie. “Nope,” a sci-fi/horror film, will be playing for free Halloween weekend.

Drink a pumpkin spice latte
The beginning of fall can always be marked by the release of the pumpkin spice latte. This sweet pumpkin drink can be found all around Ames. Most known places include Starbucks locations both on and off campus and the Dunkin Donuts location on Lincoln Way near Friley Hall. Morning Bell Coffee Roasters, a local shop, is also a popular choice for students.

“Fall is my favorite season, and being able to get a taste of the delicious fall drinks is always a treat,” said Hannah Yetter, junior in English and technical communication.

Make an autumn craft at The Workspace
The Workspace is another great place to visit in the fall. Their pottery painting has a new theme each week. Take some time to visit during the week and paint something with a fall color scheme. Not only will it be a fun experience, but you will have a piece of art you can take home with you.

Visit Spirit Halloween
Spirit Halloween is a great place to go and get inspiration for the perfect Halloween costume. They have tons of costumes, accessories and decorations. Located in the mall, it’s just a short bus ride away from campus. They are only open leading up to Halloween so pay a visit while you still can.

Go to a football game or tailgate
An ISU football game is a great way to hang out with other students and feel connected as a member of this campus. Find your tickets and enjoy a game of football. Root for our team and cheer with the crowds of students, all there for a fun time.

A popular tradition before a football game is tailgating. Iowa State fills all the parking lots surrounding the stadium with fans ready to celebrate the team. During tailgating, there will be food, music and corn hole. Grass lots are $25 to the public.