Nights are darker, harvests are happening, leaves are changing and classes are in full swing. Fall is upon us, South Dakota. The question is, what is there to do in the fall besides study like the diligent students we are?

1. McCrory Gardens

Of course, one great thing to do is observe fall’s namesake and see the foliage change over the season. There is no better place to observe the change of season than the 45-acre Arboretum full of trees and shrubs and the 25-acre botanical gardens at McCrory Gardens.

McCrory Gardens isn’t just a place to wander, but a place to participate in all things fall.

“We have our Fall Festival, which is a pretty big day for us,” Lori Puetz, the McCrory Gardens venue sales and services coordinator, said. “That’ll be Oct. 10 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. We offer a lot of stuff going on throughout the day. We will have pumpkins here, and you can decorate and paint your own pumpkin or you can wander our large pumpkin maze.”

OPEN:

Every day

HOURS:

10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Last admission 5:30 p.m.)

LOCATION:

631 22nd Ave, Brookings, SD 57007

PRICE:

Members: Free

Adults: $6

Senior ages 65 & over: $4

Youth ages 6–17: $4

SDSU Employees: $4 w/SDSU ID

Military personnel: $4 w/valid ID

Children ages 5 & under: Free

SDSU Students: Free w/valid SDSU ID

EVENTS:

“There are so many fall events we are planning at the moment,” Kelly Mitchell, McCrory Gardens assistant venue coordinator, said. “We’re going to be having a scarecrow scavenger hunt where guests try to find all the scarecrows in the gardens and maybe even vote on the best one.”

Several other fall events including this year’s Dog Day of Fall, a day where you can bring your four-legged friend through the garden, will be announced on the McCrory Gardens Facebook page.

To learn more, visit www.sdstate.edu/mccrory-gardens or the McCrory Gardens Facebook page.

2. Country Apple Orchard

This Harrisburg orchard will fulfill all your apple-picking dreams! Open since 1984, Country Apple Orchard has a range of different attractions including zip lines, an apple cannon range, pony rides, a giant hay maze, two 90-foot jumping pillows, a petting zoo and a 120-foot long corn pit.

OPEN:

September & October

HOURS:

Friday – 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Saturday – 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Sunday – 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

PRICE:

$13/Person

Kids Under 35” tall are Free

LOCATION:

27249 SD Highway 115

Harrisburg, SD 57032

EVENTS:

Pumpkin Festival – Oct. 8, 9, 10

Oktoberfest – Oct. 15, 16, 17

Halloween – Oct. 29, 30, 31

To learn more, visit www.countryappleorchard.com.

3. Sioux Falls Corn Maze

This 7-acre classic corn maze is a South Dakota fall staple. Tickets include the trivia-filled corn maze, free use of a 9-hole mini golf course and free use of giant jumping pillows! Add-ons include laser tag, ceramic painting and gem mining.

OPEN:

September & October

HOURS:

Friday – 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Saturday – 12 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Sunday – 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

PRICE:

Ages 12 and up: $10

Under 12: $6

LOCATION:

Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park

26014 478th Avenue Brandon, SD 57005

EVENTS:

Muttz in the Maze – Oct. 3

12th Annual Monster Mash – Oct. 30

To learn more, visit www.siouxfallscornmaze.com

4. Jaycees Feargrounds

If you’re a fan of fall frights and all things spooky, stop by the Jaycees Feargrounds this October! Jaycees Feargrounds (previously known as the Sioux Falls Jaycees Haunted House) is a non-profit haunted house project located in Sioux Falls.

OPEN:

Oct. 8, 9

Oct. 14, 15, 16

Oct. 21, 22, 23

Oct. 28, 29 , 30, 31

HOURS:

Ticket Window – Opens at 6:45 p.m.

Weekdays – 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. (Last ticket sold at 8:30 p.m.)

Weekends – 7 p.m. to Midnight (Last ticket sold at 11:00 p.m.)

PRICE:

Buy Online: $12

Buy At Gate: $17

Fast Pass (Online or At Gate): Additional $5

LOCATION:

W.H. Lyon Fairgrounds

100 N Lyon Blvd, Sioux Falls, SD

EVENTS

Kids Day – Oct. 24

Blackout Night – Oct. 27

To learn more, visit www.jayceesfeargrounds.com

5. Fear Asylum

For some local scares, Fear Asylum is the perfect stop! Besides the main haunted asylum, Fear Asylum has several different attractions to explore. The Last Ride is a motion attraction with the look and feel of riding in a coffin to the graveyard, and the B Block Breakout Escape Room is a mini escape room. With these attractions and a skilled cast of characters, Fear Asylum is sure to scare you into the fall spirit!

OPEN:

Oct. 8, 9

Oct. 15, 16

Oct. 21, 22, 23

Oct. 28, 29, 30, 31

HOURS:

7 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Closes at 10:30 p.m. Oct. 21, 28 and 31

PRICE:

Base Price: $20

LOCATION:

216 West 6th Street, Brookings, SD

To learn more, visit www.fear-asylum.com