Fall in Love with Dallas this October

Did you know that autumn is the very best time to visit Dallas? The city has traded in its signature summer days for temps that are a little more palatable and patio-friendly. Whether you're into picking out pumpkins, tossing the pigskin or indulging in some autumnal activities - there are plenty of memories to be made and fall-themed fun to be had. Here are a few ways to ensure your next trip to Dallas makes all your pumpkin spiced dreams come true!

Visit "The Art of the Pumpkin" at the Dallas Arboretum

No trip to Dallas is complete without visiting the Dallas Arboretum, and this is especially true each fall when the pumpkin festival is in full swing. Nationally acclaimed as one of the best fall festivals in the United States, Autumn at the Arboretum features over 150,000 autumnal blooms that are accentuated by more than 90,000 pumpkins, gourds and squash. It's the perfect place to don all things plaid and sip a spiced cider as you meander miles of pumpkin lined pathways or visit Pumpkin Village for plenty of photo ops. Rotating daily programming means there is always something new to see and do and there's fun for the whole family. Running until Nov.1, be sure to reserve a time slot at DallasArboretum.org and experience it before it's gone.

Post up on a patio

Dallas does a lot of things right, but one of the most beloved traditions is that of the weekend patio experience and fall is the perfect time to partake. Cool autumn evenings spent under the glow of cafe lights or next to the warmth of a toasty fire pit are practically a religion. So whether it's a cozy date at Paradiso in Bishop Arts, a girls get together at The Rustic to start a night out on the town or claiming the perfect vantage point of a wall of TV's to watch the big game at DIBS on Victory - there's a patio for that. Pro tip: Book ahead and reserve a table well in advance, as all restaurants tend to book up fast due to limited seating and the popularity of football season!

Sip on a cider

Why go bobbing for apples when you can sip them straight from the tap! Did you know Dallas is home to two amazing cideries? Bishop Cider Company, known best for their Crackberry Cider, has a cozy tasting room in the heart of the Bishop Arts district. It's here where you can sample their regular taps, pick up some cans to-go, as well as try a seasonal rotator or two. For a date night experience, make your way to the Bishop Cidercade. Pay admission to have access to a much larger menu of ciders and hard kombuchas on tap and play as many hours of free arcade games as you can handle!

Trinity Cider, located in the middle of the Deep Ellum neighborhood, offers several selections of ciders on tap. They always have standard selections, like the ever-popular, 'Deep Ellum Dry' and are known for their creative season offerings such as 'Black is Beautiful,' a stout cider with cacao nibs and cold brew or the 'Okay, Bloomer' made with hibiscus and rose water. And you can celebrate the spooky season by ordering your cider "Casper-style" and add a shot or four (if you dare) of their super spicy ghost pepper infused cider to your drink and kick it up a notch.

Shop local produce & vendors at Dallas Farmers Market

Is there anything that makes you want to wear a sweater and eat pumpkin flavored everything than a picturesque morning at the Farmer's Market? If so, you're in luck! Every Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., the Farmer's Market in Downtown Dallas is home to a bustling open air market filled to the brim with gourd-geous pumpkins, produce and the friendliest farmers you'll find in Texas. There are also plenty of food trucks and local vendors offering treasures like artisanal soaps, local honey and other Texas-made trinkets - the perfect takeaways from a trip well spent. So, grab a cup of coffee and a cardigan and go shopping and stock up on holiday goodies before the seasonal rush.

2020 Big Tex Fair Food Drive-Thru

Nothing says fall like spending a day at the state fair! While unable to open in its full regalia and glory, fear not! For the first time in its 134-year history, the State Fair of Texas is proud to introduce a drive-thru fair experience. Now through Oct.17, get your fair food fix and your annual fall photo with Big Tex from the comfort of your car! Though people watching on the promenade in Fair Park will be missed, everyone can rest assured that the root beer will be flowing and Fletcher's Corn Dogs, as well as many other fan favorites, will be available to all fair goers this year.