The leaves are changing, the wind has picked up, and the faint aroma of pumpkin spice lattes has permeated the air around Edina High School. As it’s one of the best seasons for activities, fashion, and food, Zephyrus has some suggestions for what to do in these next few weeks:

Places to go

Sever’s Corn Maze: Located in Shakopee, Sever’s is filled with all of fall’s best activities, complete with everything from a pumpkin patch to corn maze. The maze changes its theme every year: this year, it’s in the shape of the state of Minnesota. There are also many other entertaining attractions, including an exotic petting zoo with giraffes and kangaroos.

Apple Orchards: Apple orchards are a staple of Minnesotan culture and a great way to get outside and enjoy the beautiful weather while it lasts. Minnesota Harvest is located on Apple Lovers Lane way out in Jordan, so make a day trip out of it. At Minnesota Harvest, there’s apple picking, fresh apple cider, a petting zoo, hayrides, live music, a corn maze, and so much more! The orchard is only open until the end of October or until the snow falls, so get out there while you can!

ValleySCARE: Screams fill the air as Valleyfair transforms from a fun amusement park into the frightful land of ValleySCARE. Every year, thousands test their courage by braving the many terrifying haunted houses. A few of the best scare zones are Camp Wekilou, Carnival: Ringmaster’s Revenge, and the new attractions Zombie High and London Terror.

A walk around the lake: If you’re not in the mood to spend money, the Chain of Lakes are among the most beautiful places in the Twin Cities. We’re not called the land of 10,000 lakes for nothing! Whether you’re a Calhoun fan or more a Harriet kind of guy, all the lakes are beautiful in the fall. Go for a jog or even take some artsy pics for your Instagram – whatever floats your boat!

Things to eat and drink

The Pumpkin Spice Latte at Starbucks and the Pumpkin White Chocolate Mocha from Caribou: Even Starbucks and Caribou, the most popular coffee shops in Edina, are getting into the season. Starbucks recently brought back their popular Pumpkin Spice Latte. Having a warm cup filled with this fall goodness can perk up any cold day. However, let’s not forget about Caribou: their Pumpkin White Chocolate Mocha seems to have the best of both worlds – it’s filled with pumpkin flavor and white chocolate. It doesn’t matter which drink you get because both are great and will get you into the fall spirit.

The Autumn Gnocchi at The Good Earth: Don’t let the tough pronunciation stop you from ordering this amazing fall dish from The Good Earth, located inside the Galleria. For those who don’t know, gnocchi are small potato dumplings, often served in a creamy sauce. The Good Earth puts a fantastic fall twist on this classic Italian meal by adding wild mushrooms, sun-dried tomatoes, and little cubes of roasted sweet potatoes. For anyone who likes sweet and savory meals, this one is a great local option!

Pies at Perkins: Here in the Edina area, Perkins is a popular restaurant choice for Edina High School students. The best part of Perkins, hands down, is their delicious pies. They have a wide variety for everyone – everything from a french silk option for chocolate lovers to the All-American apple pie. They’ve also got a caramel apple pie that’s perfect for the autumn season. Stop by either the Perkins on Eden Avenue or off of France to pick up a slice or a full pie (no judgement!).

Chipotle Halloween deal: The only thing that beats a Chipotle burrito is a discounted Chipotle burrito! On Halloween, if a customer wears a costume into a Chipotle restaurant, they get a burrito (“boorito”) or any other menu item for $3 in honor of the spooky holiday! Make sure to stop in between 4:00 p.m. and closing time to pick up your Halloween treat. You can check out their website, www.boorito.com, for more details.

Things to buy

Big cozy sweaters at Ragstock: Ragstock is a one stop shop for the best oversized, fluffy sweaters. The big comfy sweater is a trend that will hopefully never die. If your closet is lacking in the comfort department, check out Ragstock, located at the Mall Of America and in Uptown on Lake Street. Ragstock carries both new and used clothing at great prices, and its huge selection almost guarantees you’ll go home with a fuzzy sweater friend of your own!

Minnetonka Moccasins: Minnetonka Moccasins are the best comfort shoes of the season: as Crocs are to summer, moccasins are to fall. Wearing a pair of these is like walking around in slippers on a cold autumn day. As you can imagine, many Edina girls are sporting these shoes all throughout the halls. If you’re looking for a pair of super comfy shoes, stop by a shoe store like Journey’s or Macy’s to pick up a pair.

Scarves at Charlotte Russe: Keeping warm in the frigid rooms of Edina High School is no small feat, but a warm scarf can make all the difference and keep you fashion-forward!  From fashion to comfy to infinity, scarves of all shapes and sizes are fabulous for fall. Charlotte Russe, in the Mall of America and Eden Prairie Center, has a wide variety of fall scarves at reasonable prices ranging from $5.00 to $15.00.