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Itching to enjoy fall festivities like you used to? This fall may not look the same as years prior but rest assured, Austin is still finding ways to make this autumn a fun one. From family fun to spooky outings to drive-thru Halloween events, here are six ways to make your fall season count.
For lovers of all things autumn:
Sweet Berry Farms Texas Maze and pumpkin patch
Texas-shaped mazes, pumpkin patches and hayrides, oh my! Sweet Berry Farm, located on 1801 FM 1980 in Marble Falls, has opened up its 60 acres of fields yet again this year for fall flower and pumpkin picking, scarecrow stuffing, hayrides and all different kinds of mazes. The farm will be open now through Nov. 8 and requires customers to wear face masks at all times.
Enjoy the (brief) fall weather by heading outdoors
Lady Bird Lake
(Laura Figi)
Make the most of the forgiving Texas fall weather by getting outside. Zilker Park and Botanical Gardens, Emma Long Metropolitan Park, Lady Bird Lake, Barton Creek Greenbelt, Deep Eddy and Barton Springs pools are all open, including others. Take this time to hold a picnic, get out on the water or even take a brief walk outside and enjoy the weather—it will be over before you know it.
Spooooky events:
House of Torment
Affectionately dubbed the "scariest haunted house in America," the House of Torment, located at 2632 Ridgepoint Dr., is open for business as usual this spooky season. According to its website, capacity will be "extremely limited" for COVID-19 purposes, which will, in turn, reduce wait times so you can get the pants scared off you faster. As for the experience, the only thing that changed is that you and the actors will all be wearing masks and groups will have more distance between them. Tickets start at $22.99.
Attend an Austin Ghost Tour
If ghosts and ghouls are more your speed, reserve a walking tour through downtown Austin with Austin Ghost Tours. The walking tours take patrons all over town, to the Texas Capitol, Austin's first hospital, the Driskill Hotel, the old Travis County jailhouse and more, telling historically-researched ghost stories all the while. Austin Ghost Tours also offers late-night haunted tours through Pioneer Farms every Thursday in October. Tickets start at $22.
For the kids:
Boo at the Zoo
Get your Halloween garb on and head to the Austin Zoo for its annual Boo at the Zoo. The evening will include a haunted train ride, haunted mansion, shows and a chance to see the zoo after hours, decked out and illuminated during October. The zoo is not normally open at night, so this is a great time to see nocturnal animals in action. Tickets start at $17.50 and are limited; purchase by calling 512-288-14990.
Street of Treats
Many families have electing not to trick or treat this year but there are still ways to get your candy fix and stay safe. For the Hill Country Galleria's Street of Treats Halloween Drive-Thru, which takes place on Oct. 24 from 10 a.m.-2p.m., you never have to leave the safety of your vehicle; oh, and don't forget the family dog. During the event, families will drive through the outdoor mall and have bags of candy passed to them through open windows. Plus, the event is completely free.
While this fall may not include the typical traditions, there are many other ways to celebrate and even create new traditions. Here's more ways to stay safe for the holidays:
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Popular
The Pudding’s People Map of the U.S., which shows each city’s “most Wikipedia’ed” resident, placed celebrities from all walks of life on the Texas map. As for Central Texas celebrities, there are some interesting (and not so surprising) names on deck.
(The Pudding)
Proving that Austin is “alright, alright, alright,” Minister of Culture Matthew McConaughey is both Austin’s and Uvalde’s top Wikipedia’ed resident. McConaughey, who was born in San Antonio adjacent Uvalde, has deeply ingrained himself in Austin by studying Radio-Television-Film at UT Austin, starring in the Austin-filmed movie “Dazed and Confused” and investing in Austin FC.
Heading down just a few miles south, San Marcos claimed former president Lyndon Baines Johnson as Texas State University’s most famous alumni, who graduated in 1930, and was also named in Fredericksburg. LBJ wasn’t the only ex-president on the map—George W. Bush was listed as the top resident in Dallas, Midland, Houston and Crawford.
You’ll see some other names with ties to Austin strewn around the state: Janis Joplin in Beaumont and Port Arthur; Stone Cold Steve Austin in Victoria and Edna; Dan Rather in his hometown of Wharton; and Waylon Jennings in Littlefield.
Venturing outside of the central areas, there are big celebrities who call Texas Home. Actress and artist Selena Gomez dominated search traffic in her hometown of Grand Prairie, musical artist Post Malone was most “Wikipedia’ed” in Grapevine, and Shaquille O’Neal was named in the city where he went to high school, San Antonio.
Plus, Thomas Haden Church, Angela Kinsey, Jessica Simpson, Chuck Norris, Roy Orbison, Ron White, Jessica Alba, Colt McCoy, Jimmy Dean and Johnny Manziel all had at least one city covered on the list.
Where’s Texas’ newest resident, Elon Musk? You’ll find him still in Los Angeles, as his foray into Texas living has just begun.
Click here to view the full map.