Fall into the festivities

By this week last year, we were bundled up in puffy winter coats, hats and gloves, preparing for the early onset of winter. Campus had a light dusting of snow, and the Bridger mountain range was covered in a blanket of white. The colorful leaves scattered throughout town and the foothills of Bozeman had fallen and been swept away by the chilling wind.

Although the weather has begun to turn cold, as of publication, campus remains without snow and the mountains are faintly enveloped in white and the beautiful orange and yellow leaves cling to the trees, for the most part. Bozeman is being blessed with an exceptionally beautiful fall this year, and every Bobcat should make the most of it.

There are many fun things to do in Bozeman during the short Montana autumn season. Here are some of the best ways to spend this special time of year.

The first thing necessary to get into the cozy fall spirit is a cup of whatever warm beverage you like best. If you prefer tea, Townshend’s Tea House is the best place to grab a comforting cup of delicious hot tea. But if you prefer a special fall latte, check out one of the many amazing coffee shops downtown including Wild Joe’s, Rockford Coffee, Treeline Coffee Roasters and Zocalo.

Now that you've grabbed your warm cup of goodness, it is time to pick a fun activity for the day. Luckily, there are many choices for fall activities in and around Bozeman.

One great place to spend an autumn afternoon is Rocky Creek Farm. Going to Rocky Creek Farm is a classic autumn Bozeman tradition where you can go on hayrides, to a pumpkin patch, pick apples, and press cider as part of their Fall Festival. Rocky Creek Farm is a great place to grab a perfect pumpkin for jack-o-lanterns and support local community members. Reservations are free and required. They can be made on the Gallatin Valley Botanical website at https://www.gallatinvalleybotanical.com/.

While the Bozeman Hay Maze has sadly been canceled this year, the Montana Corn Maze remains open. The Montana Corn Maze is located in Manhattan and offers safe, COVID-19-friendly experiences for everyone involved. Their five acre maze is available to all who are looking to satisfy their craving for fall festivities. Be sure to register for the maze online at the Montana Corn Maze website for only $7 at https://montanacornmaze.mazeplay.com/Products/general-maze-admission-age-4up.

If you would rather get out and enjoy the fall foliage by escaping into the mountains, these next few weeks are a great time to do so. As the leaves continue to change, many trails around Bozeman are absolutely beautiful this time of year. You could take your bike for a loop around the Bozeman’s Mainstreet to the Mountains trail system or hike into beautiful Sypes Canyon.

Additionally, a pumpkin carving contest between friends is always a good way to spend a fall afternoon, as well as a good way to minimize the risk of contracting COVID-19 out in public. Battle it out between friends and see who can carve the best MSU inspired pumpkin.

It is hard to go wrong during such a beautiful time of year in our valley. Let’s get out and enjoy this beautiful weather while we can, Bobcats!