Lincoln fall favorites
Jumping in a pile of leaves is a great way to enjoy fall. | PC: Kimberly Ortiz
With the fall season officially started, hot apple cider, pumpkin-flavored treats and walks in the crisp, cool weather become more commonplace. Nebraska offers some of the best places to enjoy the fall season to its fullest.
Spending a Sabbath taking a walk among the newly changed leaves is a relaxing way to spend the afternoon with friends. The Lincoln Journal Star recently listed Oak Lake Park, Holmes Lake, the Union Plaza, Taylor Park and the Rotary Strolling Garden (also known as Antelope Park) as some of the best areas in Lincoln to get the finest of the colorful fall views.
From the stunning sunsets that reflect on the water’s surface in Holmes Lake to the blue flowers of the pitcher's sage in the Union Plaza, each of Lincoln’s parks has its own unique atmosphere.
For junior elementary education major Jessica Bovey, the annual ASB Barn Party is one of the best ways to enjoy the fall season.
“You get to spend time with friends and there're different activities like the hayride [and] pumpkin carving. There’re your fall comfort food [and] there’re also live music,” she says. This year’s barn party will take place Saturday evening, Oct. 29.
Another popular place to visit is Vala’s Pumpkin Patch. Just a little less than an hour away from campus, Vala’s Pumpkin Patch can be found at 12102 S.180th Street in Gretna.
Over 20 places are available for you to choose from for food in Vala’s Pumpkin Patch, including the Big Barn Bakery where you can purchase handmade caramel apples, the Apple Education Barn Snacks which offers apple cider slushies and the Pie Barn that has a variety of savory and sweet pies, sandwiches and soups.
Admission to the pumpkin patch is $17.99 (plus tax) on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, and $11.25 (plus tax) during the rest of the week. The admission also includes access to most of the attractions offered, including their two -acre corn maze.
For those that would rather stay close to campus, simply enjoying a hot drink from the Mill with a friend can be just as enjoyable. Sophomore computer science and music major Eric Carlson offers this advice on taking advantage of the fall season: “Just leave your dorm room. Union college’s campus is beautiful in the fall when the leaves turn a beautiful red and orange.”
Enjoying the fall season can be as simple or as complicated as you want to make it. So make a half hour to go on that walk, or take a day trip over the weekend to explore the area. Take advantage of the fall season and make some lasting memories.
Amanda McCarter is a sophomore studying biomedical science