Your Texas Fall Bucket List: 3 Places to Visit This Season
Fall in Texas can seem a little hard to imagine. Sure, the calendar says autumn has arrived, but the weather still feels determined to hold onto summer. That does not mean you cannot enjoy all the fun, cozy, pumpkin-filled traditions that make fall so special.
At Nelson University, we have our own lineup of fall favorites, including the Homecoming celebration on October 30-31, 2026. From reconnecting with friends to cheering on the Lions, Homecoming is one of the best parts of this season.
But when you’re ready to explore beyond campus, Waxahachie, TX, and the greater DFW area offer plenty of ways to embrace the season, even if you’re still wearing short sleeves.
Here are some of the best ways to enjoy the season around Waxahachie and DFW:
Nothing says fall quite like a pumpkin farm. Located in Grapevine, TX, less than an hour from Nelson University’s campus, Hall’s has been a North Texas fall tradition for generations. Established in 1929, the family-owned farm welcomes visitors each autumn with plenty of seasonal activities and fall charm.
Spend the afternoon winding through the corn maze, picking out the perfect pumpkin, and snapping photos among the colorful fall displays. Whether you’re planning a weekend outing with friends or simply looking for an excuse to embrace the season, Hall’s offers the kind of classic fall experience that makes you forget it’s still 85 degrees outside.
- Experience Autumn at the Dallas Arboretum
The Dallas Arboretum’s famous Autumn at the Arboretum festival runs throughout the fall season and remains one of the most popular attractions in North Texas.
Thousands of pumpkins, gourds, and colorful fall displays transform the gardens into a picture-perfect autumn destination. It is the ideal place to take pumpkin photos, enjoy seasonal treats, and pretend it is cold enough to justify ordering a hot drink.
- Spend a Day at the State Fair of Texas
While not technically a fall-only activity everywhere else in the country, in Texas the State Fair practically marks the arrival of autumn.
Running annually in the fall, the fair brings together everything Texans love: Big Tex, deep-fried creations that probably should not exist, livestock shows, concerts, rides, and enough food options to keep you debating your next snack for hours.
Even if you only go once during your college years, it is a Texas experience worth checking off your bucket list.
Between Homecoming, downtown Waxahachie adventures, pumpkin patches, football games, and easy access to everything DFW has to offer, there are plenty of ways to make the season memorable.
So grab your favorite fall drink, find a friend, and start checking some of these activities off your bucket list.
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