Autumn is a great time of year for a quick getaway to explore nature and enjoy some of the unique experiences that the fall season has to offer. Here are four activities to do in Ireland as the seasons change.

Pumpkin Picking  

Pumpkins are the trademark of the fall season, so pack the car full of your favourite people and take a trip to the closest pumpkin patch where you can choose your very own to cook, carve or create with. Think warm cider, toasty hot chocolate, crisp autumn air, woolly hats and the stunning orange and gold leaves falling around you as you pick your pumpkins. Pumpkins are a wonderfully versatile food, you could whip up your very own pumpkin spice latte, or carve out the innards of your pumpkin and bake it into a warm, seasonal pie. Not only is pumpkin picking a fun activity, but it is also a beautiful day out with all those lovely colours and crisp autumn air. There are lots to choose from.

Forest Foraging 

Foraging is an engaging and immersive experience. When anything grows in the wild without being artificially fertilized, irrigated, or weeded, it has to fight for its place in the ecosystem and is worth the effort of searching and foraging. Flowers, berries, nuts, mushrooms, and roots are all part of the forager's treasure trove with the right guide. And back home you can add them to pesto, soups and seasonings (and brag about picking them yourself). Ireland is home to some magnificent forests brimming with natural ingredients. Embrace the open air and spend a day in the woods. Visit gallowaywildfoods.com

Ghost Hunting at Crumlin Road Gaol  

A great way to inject some frightening fun into your fall season while also learning a bit of Irish history is the ghost hunting tour at Crumlin Road's Gaol in Belfast. From 1845 to 1996, Crumlin Road Gaol housed some of Ireland's most dangerous criminals. The chilling Paranormal Ghost Hunt allows visitors to interact with the spirits and get hands-on experience with real-life experiments using paranormal investigating equipment. The ghost hunt features a visit to various hotspots of the jail where Paranormal Activity has been reported and sighted, including – the Tunnel, Gaol Circle, C-Wing, Hangman’s Cell and many more. The Paranormal Tour runs at night in low light during the second half of October.

Visit crumlinroadgaol.com

The Fall Harvest Festival 

In mid-September, the Waterford Harvest Festival celebrates food with cooking demos by renowned chefs, workshops, food displays, grow-it-yourself lectures, and culinary films. Sample oysters, craft beer, artisanal food and buy directly from farmers at the market. Live music, farm animals on show, and art installations set the tone with seven days of special menus, dining-out experiences, seasonal delicacies, sampling trails, local producer partnerships, and a plethora of other culinary pleasures, all honouring the city of Waterford and the sunny South East's vibrant food scene. Visit waterfordharvestfestival.ie