5 Fun fall activities near UMD
By Mya Zepp
November 5, 2020
Image Credit: Mya Zepp for The Campus Trainer
The leaves are changing and the weather is getting colder. With fall comes a whole new world of activities to enjoy.
Finding things to do during a pandemic can be difficult, but there are fall activities near you that are safe and socially distanced.
Here are the top 5 fall activities for you to enjoy near College Park
UMD activities
Though there are many opportunities off-campus, some people may not have the means to get there, but there are still ways to enjoy fall activities on campus. UMD will be holding many events to help get students in the fall spirit.
From Oct. 20 to 22, several dorm communities held pumpkin painting events. “It was something relaxing to do after a super stressful week of midterms,” said Julianna Scarcella, a freshman kinesiology major at UMD.
A Halloweentown screening was also held at the Clarice on Oct. 23 and Fall Fest was held from the 29th to the 31st.
Fallapalooza is something to get excited for, happening on Nov. 12 at 8 pm, it will be a fun virtual show featuring singer/songwriter Finneas. Students can also do simple things like a picnic on McKeldin Mall before it gets too cold. Erasable Inc, a student-run comedy group holds weekly shows on the steps of McKeldin, every Friday from 1 pm to 2 pm.
Riverdale Park Farmers Market
The Riverdale Park Farmers Market is a small but lively market near the Riverdale MARC train station.
They open once a week on Thursdays from 3 to 7 p.m. and each week they offer a new lineup of vendors ranging from organic food to classy jewelry.
“This market is a good spot to stop and take everything in,” said Deanna Cohen, a sophomore government and politics major.
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, they had local artists play music live, but since the pandemic, that has been put on pause.
Only 13 minutes from campus, students can stop by between Zoom classes on Thursdays. Masks are required, and social distancing is encouraged.
The Maryland Corn Maze
The Maryland Corn Maze is home to an 8-acre maze, hayrides, a petting zoo and tons of other fun activities.
Open on Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, this maze is made for a fun fall day after a short drive from campus.
The Maryland Corn Maze has changed the way it operates in order to run safely in the midst of a pandemic, requiring masks, social distancing and operating at 75% capacity, so all the same fun can be had while still being safe.
Tickets must be purchased online before arrival on weekends. On weekdays, it is still highly recommended to pre-order tickets to ensure you get a spot, but it is not required.
Butlers Orchard
At Butlers Orchard there are multiple activities to enjoy, from hayrides and tours of the farm to picking out your own pumpkin or attending pumpkin harvest days.
The orchard has been officially open for less than 10 years, but the property has been in the Butler family for several generations.
On top of the other activities, Butlers Orchard is also home to a farmers market that has been selling everything from local honey to seasonal decorative items since the 1970s.
Though operating in relatively the same manner as prior to the pandemic, the orchard does require masks and encourages social distancing to all guests. The orchard is open Tuesday to Sunday from 9 am to 6 pm and is a great place to pick up a pumpkin and get in the fall mood.
Montpelier Farms
Montpelier Farms is a nice fall spot about 30 minutes from campus. They have a pumpkin patch, corn maze and farmer’s market. They also hold a fall festival, open Saturdays and Sundays until Nov. 8.
The farm is at reduced capacity due to COVID-19, so all tickets must be purchased online and in advance. They have minimized contact, promoted social distancing and increased sanitization to keep employees and guests safe.
If you are looking for a good pumpkin patch, the one at Montpelier Farms 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Fridays and all pumpkins under 3 pounds cost only 60 cents.
With so many different attractions, Montpelier Farms is a safe and fun way to spend a fall day.
Finding things to do during a pandemic can be difficult, but there are fall activities near you that are safe and socially distanced.
Here are the top 5 fall activities for you to enjoy near College Park
UMD activities
Though there are many opportunities off-campus, some people may not have the means to get there, but there are still ways to enjoy fall activities on campus. UMD will be holding many events to help get students in the fall spirit.
From Oct. 20 to 22, several dorm communities held pumpkin painting events. “It was something relaxing to do after a super stressful week of midterms,” said Julianna Scarcella, a freshman kinesiology major at UMD.
A Halloweentown screening was also held at the Clarice on Oct. 23 and Fall Fest was held from the 29th to the 31st.
Fallapalooza is something to get excited for, happening on Nov. 12 at 8 pm, it will be a fun virtual show featuring singer/songwriter Finneas. Students can also do simple things like a picnic on McKeldin Mall before it gets too cold. Erasable Inc, a student-run comedy group holds weekly shows on the steps of McKeldin, every Friday from 1 pm to 2 pm.
Riverdale Park Farmers Market
The Riverdale Park Farmers Market is a small but lively market near the Riverdale MARC train station.
They open once a week on Thursdays from 3 to 7 p.m. and each week they offer a new lineup of vendors ranging from organic food to classy jewelry.
“This market is a good spot to stop and take everything in,” said Deanna Cohen, a sophomore government and politics major.
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, they had local artists play music live, but since the pandemic, that has been put on pause.
Only 13 minutes from campus, students can stop by between Zoom classes on Thursdays. Masks are required, and social distancing is encouraged.
The Maryland Corn Maze
The Maryland Corn Maze is home to an 8-acre maze, hayrides, a petting zoo and tons of other fun activities.
Open on Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, this maze is made for a fun fall day after a short drive from campus.
The Maryland Corn Maze has changed the way it operates in order to run safely in the midst of a pandemic, requiring masks, social distancing and operating at 75% capacity, so all the same fun can be had while still being safe.
Tickets must be purchased online before arrival on weekends. On weekdays, it is still highly recommended to pre-order tickets to ensure you get a spot, but it is not required.
Butlers Orchard
At Butlers Orchard there are multiple activities to enjoy, from hayrides and tours of the farm to picking out your own pumpkin or attending pumpkin harvest days.
The orchard has been officially open for less than 10 years, but the property has been in the Butler family for several generations.
On top of the other activities, Butlers Orchard is also home to a farmers market that has been selling everything from local honey to seasonal decorative items since the 1970s.
Though operating in relatively the same manner as prior to the pandemic, the orchard does require masks and encourages social distancing to all guests. The orchard is open Tuesday to Sunday from 9 am to 6 pm and is a great place to pick up a pumpkin and get in the fall mood.
Montpelier Farms
Montpelier Farms is a nice fall spot about 30 minutes from campus. They have a pumpkin patch, corn maze and farmer’s market. They also hold a fall festival, open Saturdays and Sundays until Nov. 8.
The farm is at reduced capacity due to COVID-19, so all tickets must be purchased online and in advance. They have minimized contact, promoted social distancing and increased sanitization to keep employees and guests safe.
If you are looking for a good pumpkin patch, the one at Montpelier Farms 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Fridays and all pumpkins under 3 pounds cost only 60 cents.
With so many different attractions, Montpelier Farms is a safe and fun way to spend a fall day.