Photos taken by Maywyn Haydamack
Your guide to this year’s fall festivities.
There is no better place to experience autumn than on Rocky Top! Who else is excited for everything pumpkin spice-flavored, re-watching “Gilmore Girls” for the fifth time while wearing cozy, oversized Snoopy sweaters?
Fall in Knoxville is such a lively and vibrant season. There are so many enjoyable activities to do with your friends locally.
There is always the option to stay in on a chilly night, watching Ron Weasley attempt to dance with Minerva McGonagall and eating Pillsbury’s pumpkin shortbread cookies. However, to properly indulge in this upcoming harvest season in Tennessee with all its amber and orange ambiance, you should check out these spots!
Taking in the scenic views
The fall semester can become overwhelming and intense, so when you are busy with exams and in desperate need of a break, Cades Cove and Foothills Parkway are both less than an hour away from campus and can offer a scenic reprieve.
Maria Copper, a UT junior who loves hiking all around in Knoxville, talked about her first time visiting Cades Cove.
“The drive up is absolutely beautiful, especially when the leaves are finally changing colors. And once we arrived, it most definitely took my mind off classes and started to feel like a proper fall,” Cooper said.
Being away from home can be a difficult adjustment, especially if you are a freshman, but visiting the Smoky Mountains can help make you feel more comfortable here in your new home.
Cades Cove has a variety of historical churches, birdwatching excursions, pedestrian and cyclist opportunities, and more. During your visit, make sure to venture up towards the most popular destination spot, Abrams Falls Trail. This trail leads to a magnificent waterfall, and you and your friends can also drive along the scenic roads and see beautiful landscapes and wildlife.
When you’re visiting the renowned and well-known Foothills Parkway, make sure to check out the Happy Valley Overlook and the Capshaw Branch. Foothills Parkway offers multiple pull-offs where visitors can take a break and soak up all the spectacular scenery.
Rainbow Falls is another admired route along the Foothills Parkways where guests enjoy hiking. Take your time and bring plenty of snacks because after 2.3 miles, you will encounter an 80-foot waterfall where you can play and rest. Rainbow Falls is unquestionably worth the journey and is guaranteed to bring the fall vibes.
Vintage shopping for your fall wardrobe
Looking for a vintage flannel for fall? Mood Rings Vintage is located at 906 Sevier Ave., just across the Tennessee River from campus. Mood Rings sells handpicked clothing items and goodies from more than 20 vendors. They have everything from classic home decor, music records, jewelry, and more secondhand shopping. These pre-loved and unique accessories will transport you back in time and are a perfect addition to your fall wardrobe. Anything from retro garments to antique apparel, Mood Rings has got you covered!
Exploring Oakes Farm
Another great autumn destination for fall scenery is our very own Oakes Farm which is only a 40 minute drive from campus.
After trying their renowned apple cider, make sure to check out their 12-acre professionally designed corn maze. Oakes Farm is one of the largest pumpkin patches in Knoxville and it is a wonderful photo opportunity; on arrival, you can purchase a ticket that you will later use to pick your own pumpkin to take home to paint or carve.
They also have a petting zoo including friendly goats and chickens that you can feed as well as a colorful sunflower patch where guests can hand pick their own flowers. Oakes Farm also has a spooky Haunted Trail of Doom to check out and classic hayride along with many sweet pumpkin-inspired treats.
For UT student Sarah Sanseverino, Oakes Farm brought back memories of her childhood visits to the pumpkin patch.
“I would say my absolute favorite part of Oakes Farm was probably the hayride up to the pumpkin patch. It was very nostalgic for me, and the employees really tried to make our experience exceptional,” Sanseverino said.
Hosting a charcuterie board night
One of my personal favorite fall activities is getting the girls together and enjoying an elaborate charcuterie board after a long week. To make a phenomenal charcuterie array, I would suggest dry-cured meats and savory crackers paired with hard cheeses like cheddar and gouda to satisfy that salty craving.
The absolute basics of charcuterie often include artisanal cheeses and dried fruits; but to spice it up—feel free to add salami and prosciutto, as well as fresh fruit such as strawberries. Adding different colors and textures to your board will also enhance the experience. Make sure to check out Kroger because they offer roasted almonds, olives, sweet raspberry jam, raw honey, fig spreads, apricot preserves, sugar-coated cranberries and more that you and your friends will love.
Charcuterie boards offer both sweet and savory cuisine, they are convenient and will make an amazing appetizer! Customizing and shopping for charcuterie board ingredients can be a fun way to spend time with friends and get your mind off of midterms or being away from home. I would consider a good charcuterie board a staple for fall and a great starter to bring to Friendsgiving.
There really are so many opportunities and ways to feel more at home here at Rocky Top, especially during this upcoming fall. To indulge in the full experience and brisk atmosphere, bundle up and make sure to check out some of these unforgettable activities. And don’t forget to use your VolCard to buy a pumpkin spice chai from Starbucks at Hodges during this semester!
