How to Make it Feel Like it’s Fall in Southern Arizona!

For most of the country, the temperatures have started to drop, the leaves are beginning to turn, and the skies are turning a dreary shade of grey. However, for those who live in hot areas of the country like Phoenix and Tucson, this is far from the case. While many treasure the endless blue skies, warm weather, and flip flop & shorts weather of sunny Arizona, others crave that special feeling that only comes along with the fall season. Personally, I love the traditional fall season and everything that goes along with it. I have a hard time giving up leaf peeping, hiking, cozy sweaters and boots, pumpkin spice everything, horror movies, and festive Halloween events. I love living in Arizona but I do miss the traditional fall ambiance I enjoyed while living in New England.

Luckily, there are plenty of ways to feel that fall vibe without even leaving your house. Also, festivals throughout the state are there to make it feel fall-ish even when the temps still soar into the 90’s. And even better, you can take a quick day trip to enjoy the fall temps no matter where you live.

So don’t get too bummed out if you live in Phoenix or Tucson and love that cozy, cool fall vibe. Even if it is sunny and 90 degrees, there is still lots to do to make it feel like fall! After living here just a short while, I quickly learned that is one of the most diverse states in the country. The northern portion of the state is home to some of the best leaf peeping trails in the country. Just head up to Flagstaff if you are looking to get out of the heat. Additionally, there are plenty of fall festivals, seasonal treats, and Halloween attractions to enjoy all season long throughout the entire state.

I had the opportunity to live in both Tucson and Flagstaff. While both cities had their pluses and minuses, I did miss the gorgeous fall weather and leaf peeping in Flagstaff when I relocated to Tucson. Fortunately, Flagstaff is just a quick drive from the Sonoran! Check out my list of how I got into the fall vibe while living in Tucson!

1. Make your own Pumpkin Spice Latte

It’s not difficult to find a quality Pumpkin Spice Latte recipe. Simply do a quick search online and you will find many different variations including low sugar and dairy-free versions. Or enjoy a hassle free drink at Starbucks. Starbucks is using real pumpkin this year, so the drink is tastier than ever! Or better yet, check around your local coffee shops to see who is offering this seasonal favorite. I’ve found most local shops typically use real pumpkin!

2. Go crazy decorating the house

It’s easy to make it feel like fall in your own home – simply put up lots of festive decorations everywhere. Pumpkins, garland, Halloween decor, wreaths, candles, orange lights outside… the options are endless. I love the Lemax Spooky Town house set at Michaels (my collection is growing strong as I can’t resist a new piece each year).

Any department store like Macy’s, Home Goods, and Kohls will offer more than enough options to deck your place out. And, you can’t go wrong with a visit to your local Spirit Halloween store, which offers the ultimate in seasonal spooky decor!

3. Find a local pumpkin patch

There are more than enough pumpkin patches scattered throughout the entire state, even in warm areas like Phoenix and Tucson. The Prescott area is home to a particularly nice festival at Mortimer Farms. Because temps are mild this time of year in Prescott (much cooler than Phoenix), and the festival is rather large with lots of fun activities for 1 low price, it’s definitely worth the short day trip for a full day of fall fun.

I also like the Pumpkin in the Pines event in Flagstaff featuring a corn maze, petting zoo, pumpkin patch, hayrides through the ponderosa forest, and seasonal treats. Viola’s garden in Flagstaff is another great choice. You’ll find a patch, a straw maze, and many kids’ activities.

4. Enjoy the fall colors in Flagstaff

Flagstaff is your best bet for leaf peeping in the state of Arizona. Although the area is mostly known for its’ gorgeous location amidst the largest ponderosa pine forest, there are still plenty of deciduous trees planted throughout the city. From late September through October, all the streets are lined with beautiful hues of yellow, orange, and red. Downtown is lined on both sides with pretty yellow foliage and is a great place to grab a coffee and stroll around enjoying the colors of the season.

And if you feel like getting a fresh workout in while enjoying the cool temperatures and beautiful colors of the season all at the same time, you can take your pick amongst plenty of high altitude hikes featuring the most striking golden aspens of the season. No matter the temps in town, it’s always much cooler in the mountains. Aspen Nature Loop and Kachina Trail (both at Snowbowl) are 2 of my favorites.

5. Take the scenic chairlift ride at Snowbowl

Up until about mid-October, Snowbowl offers scenic chairlift rides. Although you will not see as much foliage as you would on the trails here, you will still get a glimpse of the beautiful aspens surrounding the peaks. Really, the scenic views of the mountain and pines is spectacular enough to warrant a visit even if your visit falls outside of peak. 

The ride is relaxing, beautiful, and offers you the opportunity to enjoy “the coolest place in Arizona.” Temps at 11,000 feet are pretty chilly in October, so bring a sweater and jacket! And, don’t forget the camera!

Update: The chairlift ride is now an enclosed gondola ride. If you are scared of heights, this may be a great new addition!

6. Hike the West Fork Trail in Oak Creek Canyon

Surprisingly, despite Sedona’s warmer fall climate, the West Fork Trail along Oak Creek Canyon drive is one of the fall color hotspots in the state. I drove this beautiful road almost every weekend while living in Flagstaff. Any weekend in October, I saw lines forming well before 10am.

While the Sedona area is known for its’ outstanding red rock formations, the leafy Oak Creek Canyon located in between Flagstaff and Sedona, features one of the most diverse ecosystems in the state, and thus, is home to a wide variety of animals and plants. West Fork is the most popular trail in the Coconino National Forest due to the wide variety of deciduous trees including maples and oaks. I also love crossing the creeks (there are 13 in total). While this trek is pretty easy, it’s also quite long at 3.5 miles so plan accordingly.

Come fall, the trail is alive with a variety of hues and has a very New England-ish vibe in comparison to the high altitude aspen trails populating the Northern Arizona region. It’s one of the only trails in the area that features brilliant red and orange foliage. In short, it’s a must-do for anyone craving that traditional fall feeling.

7. Hike amongst towering aspens on the Inner Basin Trail

The Inner Basin is the king of fall hikes in Arizona. Although it gets quite crowded (especially on weekends), walking amongst the towering golden aspens truly is an awe-inspiring experience. This trail is so colorful that it rivals many of the best I’ve experience in New England. Every direction in which you look along the 1.7 mile journey is just overloaded with the colors of the season. Be aware – this trail is no easy feat. A hilly trek combined with high altitude (8000-10000 feet) means you really must be in decent shape to enjoy this one.

However, you do not need to hike the whole trail to experience the beauty of fall in Flagstaff. Simply go out to your comfort level as the colorful views begin as soon as you start your journey. Alternatively, if you do not feel like waiting in line, consider hiking the Bear Jaw trail which is much less crowded and just as beautiful. On the downside, the road to get to this trail is pretty rough and 4WD is recommended.

8. Hike the Snowbowl Trails

Arizona Snowbowl in Flagstaff is home to 3 beautiful hiking trails, 2 of which can be used year-round for all types of activities including hiking, leaf peeping, and snowshoeing after a big storm. Aspen and Kachina are nice short leisure trails which are lined with many golden aspens in the fall. The Aspen Nature Loop is appropriately named as so for the abundance of aspens which populate the trail. In the fall, it is just spectacular (definitely my favorite). I love the mountain vistas on this one and it is surprisingly not overcrowded.

The Kachina Trail is also loaded with aspens, especially for the first mile or so, making it a must-hike in the fall. Also halfway up Snowbowl Road is the gorgeous Veit Springs trail, which features a diverse mix of ponderosa pine and aspens. This heavily treed trail is very peaceful, making it the ideal option for those seeking to avoid the hefty tourist crowds found on more popular hikes like Inner Basin & West Fork. Check out my Snowbowl fall hiking guide for more info on each.

9. Sign up for a haunted ghost tour

Most cities in the northern cities offer some type of ghost tour around Halloween. Flagstaff and Jerome are particularly good options as they have a long haunted history.  One popular and scary tour meets at the Flagstaff Visitor Center. On this tour, you will get to explore numerous sights including the Weatherford Hotel. As the oldest hotel in Flagstaff, it is no surprise that it is so haunted. I love Ghost Adventures and one of my favorite episodes (where they capture great evidence) is at this hotel! Also, the historic Monte Vista is known to be one of the most haunted hotels on Route 66. They have some cool ghost stories in the lobby and also an awesome coffee shop + cocktail bar on site called Rendevous.

Even Phoenix offers ghost tours in the downtown area. around and see if anywhere near you is offering a ghost tour, and consider driving up north to get the full experience including brisk weather and old architecture which makes any ghost tour feel all the more creepier.

10. Explore a real ghost town

Arizona is known for its’ many old mining towns which are now ghost towns. If you are a fan of history, you may enjoy exploring these abandoned towns and getting a glimpse into how people lived long ago. Some of these ghost towns are hard to get to, while others are easily accessible from the highway. Some have been restored and are now home to numerous attractions and museums.

Jerome is America’s largest ghost town and a popular tourist attraction. Dinner at the totally decked out Asylum Restaurant is a must around Halloween! Or dare to spend the night in one of the hotel’s haunted rooms! I had a lot of fun walking around here in October. There are lots of ghosts tours, restaurants with names like the Haunted Hamburger, and lots of cool architecture. It’s an interesting place seemingly stuck in time.

Check out my favorite ghost towns which includes the remains of an old zoo on Rt. 66 and a now decrepit Santa themed amusement park. Lots of unusual places to explore in this reigon!

11. Carve tons of pumpkins

Make the season more special by carvings tons of Jack O’Lanterns in all different styles. Get creative or use the premade designs found in the carving books. Trader Joe’s is a great place to stock up as their large pumpkins are priced under 10 bucks.

12. Stock up on seasonal pumpkin items at Trader Joe’s

When it comes to Halloween, Trader Joe’s has you covered with a pumpkin version of almost everything. I make at least 2 stops here every October. I highly recommend these pumpkin flavored products: Muffin Mix, cereal O’s, instant oatmeal, Pumpkin bars, Pumpkin Ravioli, bagels, cinnamon Rolls, coffee, spicy samosas, spiced Rooibos Tea, and autumnal harvest pasta sauce.

They really have everything and anything you could possibly think of here. If you have ever wanted to try out a new pumpkin product but were afraid to do so, Trader Joe’s is the perfect choice as everything is so affordably priced here, and thus, less of a risk to try out.

Check out the full pumpkin product list at Trader Joe’s

13. Enjoy seasonal treats at your favorite chain restaurant

Olive Garden and Cheesecake Factory both have delicious seasonal pumpkin cheesecakes on the menu. Starbucks has the ever popular Pumpkin Spice Latte and the most delicious seasonal Pumpkin Bread. Jamba Juice has a wonderful Pumpkin Pie Smoothie that actually tastes like you are drinking pumpkin pie – it’s a must try! And Dunkin’ Donuts has the most tasty pumpkin spice donuts.

And don’t forget to check local restaurants in your area – many offer seasonal specialties this time of year, with everything from Pumpkin Ravioli, to pumpkin soup beginning to show up this time of the year! For a great local choice, I recommend the seasonal soup at Wildflower Bread (locations in Flagstaff, Sedona, and the Phoenix metro area).

14. Watch Halloween classics on the big screen at Harkins

During the month of October, seasonal selections like Halloween and The Lost Boys are screened for just just a few bucks at select Harkins locations throughout the state. Check this year’s lineup of Tuesday Night Classics. Even better, they screen the movie again on Wednesday afternoon for just 5 bucks.

15. Watch fall movies

The Blind Side, Rudy, Back to School, You’ve Got Mail, School Ties, Good Will Hunting, Remember the Titans, and Dead Poets Society are some of my favorite fall movies to add to your viewing lineup. These are all wonderful films that just happen to take place during the gorgeous fall season in regions of the country known for gorgeous foliage. All of these selections are great films which just happen to feature numerous scenes highlighting the beauty of the season.

16. Attend Boo at the Zoo at the Phoenix Zoo

The Phoenix Zoo puts on 2 great Halloween events. One is a family-friendly daytime event featuring festive seasonal attractions, and the other a nighttime celebration featuring scarier attractions. The daytime Celebration of Fall, held all month long, includes themed fall areas, a Haunted Lighthouse 4-D show, and the opportunity to watch the animals playing with pumpkins. The Howl O Ween night event held October 28th and 29th, includes a wide range of seasonal fun including special shows, a Jack O’Lantern and trick or treat trail, haunted houses, ghost stories, and more.

On a side note, I love visiting this zoo during the early mornings hours this time of year. The temps are not too bad.

Update: Phoenix now hosts Spooky Safari which includes 3 nights of trick or treating and special entertainment.

Additionally, The Reid Park Zoo in Tucson also offers a nice Boo at the Zoo event. And Prescott’s tiny Heritage Park Zoo offers a special celebration held yearly on Halloween.

17. Turn the AC on super cold & read a fall novel

Shut the blinds to block out the sun, turn on the fireplace, get into some cozy pjs and enjoy a good fall novel like Harry Potter. Make a hot cup of pumpkin spiced tea/apple cider and you will feel like it is fall in no time!

18. Take advantage of fall festivals

There are numerous seasonal festivals to enjoy throughout the state. If you can put up with the less than ideal fall weather, Phoenix has tons of great fall festivals to choose amongst. If you prefer your weather a bit cooler, head up north 2 hours or so to Flagstaff where a whole lineup of fun seasonal events & activities are on the schedule. A few to check out include: Oktoberfest, a Pumpkin Walk at the Arboretum, and The Grand Canyon Railway Pumpkin Patch Train.

19. Hunt down new fall recipes on Pinterest

Just browsing through the thousands of fall inspired recipes will keep you busy all day! Some of the great finds I have tried in year’s past include Pumpkin Chili, Pumpkin Pasta Bake, Butternut Squash macaroni and cheese, and Pumpkin Waffles! Try something new! The season is always more exciting when you have plenty of interesting new recipes to check out!

20. Host a Halloween Party

Decorate the house, have all your guests wear costumes, and encourage everyone to bring a creative fall dish. Play classic Halloween movies in the background. You won’t even think twice about the hot weather outside if the atmosphere is festive enough inside!

21. Plan a horror movie marathon

Nothing really says Halloween is on the way quite like a long day of lazing around watching your favorite horror/Halloween movies. A few of my personal must-sees this time of year include Hocus Pocus, Halloweentown, Thirteen Ghosts, Killer Klowns, The Craft, Urban Legend, Watcher in the Woods, 1409, Child’s Play, 1-3 Fright Night, Cube, The Faculty, Megan, The Cabin in the Woods, Gremlins 2, Disturbia, The Lost Boys, and the Scream series. 

22. Take a scenic fall drive

A few of my favorite scenic options include: Snowbowl Road and Hwy 180 in Flagstaff, Oak Creek Canyon in between Sedona and Flagstaff, and the Rim Road/General Crook Trail Scenic Drive near Happy Jack.

23. Go camping

Simply being outside in a beautiful natural setting, enjoying the crisp cool weather, is often one of the most overlooked aspects of fall. Oak Creek Canyon and the Grand Canyon are great options. Pine Flat Campground in Sedona is amazing but often books out months in advance. Tip: There is a wonderful underrated trail in this area called the Cookstove. Super steep and short but totally amazing overlooks!

Spend some time soaking up the beauty of nature in cooler Northern Arizona. And don’t forget to bring with some S’mores!

24. Check out all the costumes and crazy decorations at Spirit Halloween

You will find that it is hard to not feel Halloween-ish as soon as you step through the doors of everyone’s favorite seasonal Halloween store, Spirit. No matter what the temp is outside, it feels like Halloween as soon as you walk through the doors! Aside from the biggest costume selection anywhere, Spirit has so many great Halloween displays and the most festive decorations to browse through or add to your Halloween collection.

25. Light pumpkin spice candles

They say that scents can really impact your mood and well being. Just smelling a fall inspired scent brings back great memories of living in the Midwest for me. So why not light a few seasonal candles to enhance the fall atmosphere? Michaels offers an awesome assortment of pumpkin scented candles. Home Goods and Kohls are my favorite stores to find the most delicious scented fall candles!

26. Scan the holiday sections at stores like Kohls and Michaels

Michaels has tons of great Halloween decorations including the best Halloween village display anywhere. The Lemax Spooky Town village is such a cute addition to any Halloween collection and simply fun to look at even if you do not plan on buying anything. Kohls also has lots of great budget friendly decor, with everything from wall hangings, to jewelry, to shower curtains!

27. Check October movie releases for upcoming horror movies

Many horror movies release around October including The Blair Witch and Don’t Breathe in recent years, so check the list of upcoming releases if you are looking for a scary movie to see on the big screen this fall season. Also, most AMC theaters screen Halloween sometime around the last week of October. I recently saw Hocus Pocus on the big screen which was pretty fun for a 90’s kid who grew up watching this movie all the time!

28. Start a new scary series on Netflix

I recommend: Supernatural, The Secret Circle, Ghost Adventures, The Witches of East End, and American Horror Story. It’s impossible not to get into the Halloween spirit while watching these spooky shows! And for some old-fashioned fun, you must check out Goosebumps, So Weird, and The Haunting Hour available on Disney Plus. Also look into HBO Max, Disney Plus, and other streaming services. If mystery is more your style, definitely check out the creepy and intriguing Disappeared TV series!

29. Pick acorns, pinecones, and/or colored leaves and turn them into holiday craft projects

I love to pick pine cones on the trails and then decorate them in purple and orange glitter for Halloween. The same goes for mini pumpkins. Buy a bunch of pumpkins and get creative with carvings or craft designs. It will make the house feel fall festive in no time at all! And of course, there are so many unique crafts you can enjoy using gorgeous colored leaves. So plan a few days out on the trails and start collecting essentials for your fall craft projects!

30. Make pumpkin hot cocoa and top it with pumpkin marshmallows

Yes, this drink is absolutely delicious and you can find many variations on Pinterest to suit your personal taste buds and dietary preferences. And, yes strangely enough, they do make pumpkin marshmallows! Find them at a natural foods store like Trader Joe’s or Sprouts. If you really want to go pumpkin crazy, you can even find a recipe online for pumpkin whip cream!

31. Embrace the natural climate & culture of southern Arizona

Be fortunate that you live somewhere with beautiful mild & sunny fall and winter weather! Many who hate cold, humid, and dreary climates would gladly change places with you! Even if you miss out on some of the great aspects of fall, you will have a much milder winter than many other areas across the country. This time of the year, hiking in the morning is usually quite tolerable. You can check out my favorite hiking areas in Phoenix and also my favorite Tucson trails for some ideas.

Come winter, you will be happy not to shovel snow and scrape ice off your car! Basically you are trading one month or so of gorgeous fall weather for 4-5 months of nice winter and spring weather! Personally, I love snow, but to each their own!