What's Missing: Fall in Georgia

Apple cider, colorful leaves, cool weather, pumpkins, cozy sweaters, and fall fairs. All of these come to mind when thinking about the autumn season. However, in Georgia, the leaves die quickly, the weather quickly drops from the scorching summer heat into the winter chill, and fun fairs are hard to find. While people from all over the country are enjoying fall, Georgians have to work a little harder to romanticize this magical season. 

Fall is a season of renewal. As the leaves fall to the ground, people start to wonder what they need to change or add to their lives. This season is a time of transition: from motivated summers to hermit-like winters. People start settling into their daily routines. The temperature begins to drop, and the nights grow longer. People start trading in their T-shirts and shorts for cardigans and jeans. It surrounds the country in bright orange and red colors and fills the air with the sweet scents of cinnamon and chai. People decorate their yards with spooky skeletons and pumpkins to prepare for Halloween, and on Thanksgiving, they celebrate and reflect on what there is to be grateful for. Overall, fall is a beautiful time of year and it represents changes and growth in our lives.

Fall in Western states is vibrant. Mountains covered in aspen trees turn into stunning seas of gold, orange, and red. In Colorado, the temperature drops to around 50 degrees, and the air becomes fresh and cool. Ski towns are decorated with little orange lights, pumpkins, and festivals. Colorado gives people plenty of access to festivities, with apple picking at Ya Ya Farm and Orchard as well as Downtown Boulder’s Fall Fest.  In the small coastal town of Camden, Maine, colorful trees overlook the misty shoreline, giving fall a whimsical effect. The temperature stays between 40-60 degrees. Beth’s Farm Market opens and townspeople can enjoy a corn maze while still smelling the salty sea air. Even though New York City is a huge metropolitan area, there is still room for some seasonal beauty. Central Park’s 18,000 trees turn bright warm colors, and it creates a nice spot for picnics, walks, and photoshoots. The temperature ranges from 50-70 degrees and is one of the best times to be in New York weather-wise. All of these places have an easily noticeable autumn season and plenty of accessible activities to truly romanticize this beautiful season.

In Georgia, autumn passes by in a blur. 80-degree weather can last up until late October, and people find themselves extending the use of their summer clothing longer than they have planned. The rainy season begins, and the leaves seem to fall quickly without even changing colors first. If you live in Atlanta, there is a far commute to any cozy spots and activities, and unless you want to spend a frightful evening in Netherworld Haunted House, there are not too many options. Even though you don’t get the beauty of the trees, you can certainly get the seasonal allergies that are mostly caused by ragweed and pollen. Fall in Georgia just feels like a rainy and depressing transition straight from summer to winter.

How can people in Georgia romanticize autumn? Even though Georgia is missing serious aspects of fall festivity, Georgians can still make this season cheerful if they put some work into it. First of all: decor. Decorations are an amazing and relatively cheap way to bring spirit and warmth to your house, car, and even phone. On Amazon, you can find pumpkin lights to string around your house, spiced candles, Halloween decorations, ghosts, pumpkins, and more seasonal decor to light up your house or car. You can also organize and design your phone to make it “fall” themed. 

Another way to romanticize autumn is to lean into the “cozy” aspect. Even though you may not get to wear your sweaters outside due to the rain and heat, those dreary conditions can make the season more mystical. Buy new slippers, curl up in your PJs, light a fire, put on a fall playlist, and read a new book while the rain is pouring outside (like it usually does in Georgia). Acting like Rory Gilmore and getting cozy with a book and PJs for a night in can help you embrace the autumn vibes. You can also go to one of the many coffee shops and order a delicious fall specialty drink. There are also plenty of spooky Halloween movies to watch, such as The Nightmare Before Christmas and Scream. Sometimes doing simple things that represent autumn can make the lacking season in Georgia more fulfilling. 

If you have a lot of energy to put into making this season special, you can go up to North Georgia and go for a hike. The leaves in North Georgia are a little brighter, and there are thousands of beautiful hikes and walks available. One of the best pumpkin patches is Scottsdale Farm. They have plenty of big pumpkins to choose from, and you can go inside the farmhouse and shop for some autumn furniture. 

Overall, fall in Georgia isn’t super special compared to some other places in the United States. However, there are ways for Georgians to make it more exciting. There may not be comfortable weather, golden leaves, or much town spirit, but it is possible to romanticize this season and turn it into something beautiful. 

By Ella Marks