Don’t take this out of context; summer is great. Three months of absolute bliss where students get to enjoy having no homework, staying up all night and most importantly, getting to nap outside during peak UV hours. It’s hard to accept the summer of ‘23 is over, but that just means it’s time to bring out some fall candles and rewatch “Gilmore Girls” for the fifth time. Here are four spots that are reawakening with the season that you should check out to keep you from falling into the dreaded seasonal depression — or just to capture that perfect photo for your next “fall dump.”
Location: 1400 S Old Hwy 141, Fenton, MO 63026
Starting Sept. 30, “America’s Biggest and Longest Haunted Screampark” is back open. The park has prepared an even more terrifying season this year than previous years. Creepyworld has 13 different haunted houses in one location, including three brand new attractions, making Creepyworld one of the top-rated haunted houses in Saint Louis. With the purchase of one $34.95 ticket, you get to walk through all 13 houses in one frantic, goosebump-inducing evening that will have you wishing you stayed home that night (in the best way possible). With real actors popping out of every dark corner and the hyper-realistic props, you’ll be on edge the whole time. Visit with a group or by yourself, but be prepared to withstand some serious teenage PDA while you wait in the sizable line before entering.
Location: 4900 Six Flags Rd, Eureka, MO 63025
Six Flags’ Fright Fest is a classic must-visit during spooky season. It’s a great combination of exciting rides and Halloween terror all in one theme park, creating the perfect thrilling outing for a chilly October night. The event includes scare zones, haunted houses and rides in the dark. If Halloween fright isn’t your thing, you can ask for a glow stick, which tells the actors you are too much of a softie to handle a little jump scare, or you can avoid the certain designated scare-zones and still catch the excitement of the hair-raising rides. The best part about Fright Fest is the park stays open later than usual, so buy your tickets and invite that special someone you’ve been yearning for an opportunity to hang out with. If you don’t bring a group of friends you’ll feel excluded in the alarmingly large crowds of couples holding hands and jumping into each other’s arms at Fright Fest.
Location: 951 S Green Mt Rd, Belleville, IL 62220
Eckert’s Farm is the best place to go if you’re looking to get in the autumn spirit. While they have lots of fall-themed events like wagon rides, pumpkin patches, halloween activities, live music and great festival foods, they are best known for their apple picking. After more than one hundred years and seven generations of growing apples, according to their website, they “have it down to both an artform and a science.” Head over to pick their apples right off the tree, and they’ll even give you a wagon ride from the lot to the orchard. Eckert’s Farm is further away, but it’s the perfect excuse to take a drive with your friends and turn on some fun music. However, if you’re worried about running your car for too long and “wasting” precious gas, the next place is for you.
Location: 150 E Argonne Dr, Kirkwood, MO 63122
During the month of October, when the beloved Tropical Moose goes into hibernation, the Kirkwood Farmers’ Market transforms into a pumpkin patch that is open seven days a week. They have many different types of pumpkins, fall decorations and some great photo-opps. The best part about the Kirkwood Farmers Market pumpkin patch is that it’s right here in Kirkwood, so you can run over right after school or whenever it’s most convenient to grab a pumpkin, an overpriced beeswax candle, or do your annual fall decor shopping. If you’re a freshman and you can’t drive yet, then you will most likely be able to ride your bike over, or if you need to ask your mom for a last-minute ride, she shouldn’t be too mad because of the Farmers Market’s close proximity. If getting up early is your thing, head over on a Saturday morning and if you’re lucky, you might catch the Walk-Away-Waffle truck before it’s gone. Don’t forget to grab some of the fresh kettle corn on your way out.
Hopefully, after reading this, you have found a fun outing that makes the 50-degree weather sound a little more appealing. If none of these destinations pique your interest, then you’re probably just an autumn grinch and you’re better off sulking around by yourself while you wait for your favorite day, Nov. 1—the painful day when the Christmas radio airs a month too early. All others, please take advantage of the amazing fall festivities that Saint Louis has to offer before it’s too late.
