With the pandemic continuing full steam ahead, I have been trying to find fun activities to do with my friends that allow us to be safe and social distanced, but also let us see each other in person. It has definitely been a bit challenging now that the weather is getting cooler, but also a fun chance to try some new things that I normally wouldn’t have time to do! So, here are four either super cheap or free outdoor activities that allow for social distancing, but are still fun this fall/winter.

1. Walking around your local arboretum or a local garden

I am spoiled here in DC with the fabulous arboretum that is relatively large. It is so fun to take walks here and they have some very cool features. Even if you aren’t in a big city, your city probably has some kind of park or arboretum. If you can’t find one, look for wedding venues because a lot of them use public arboretums etc because they are so beautiful!

2. An outdoor brewery, winery, or distillery

A few weeks ago, a few friends and I took a road trip to a brewery. This one was about two hours away so we had a fund adventure on the road plus got to hang out at this beautiful outdoor brewery! There are tons of local breweries and wineries around here and all over so they are normally pretty easy to find. This is a great activity as it doesn’t cost any money to hang out there and then everyone in your group can choose how much they want to spend on alcohol, food, etc.

3. Camping/ Camp Fire

Camping is such a fun thing to do in the fall and a great socially distanced approved activity. If you aren’t a fan of the actual sleeping outside though, finding someplace to have a camp fire still gives you a lot of those camping vibes and is way less of a commitment. Plus, s’mores!

4. Walks

As you guys know, I am a big walker and that is my preferred form of exercise. Normally I just walk around the neighborhood or even on the treadmill if the weather is bad. Lately though, I’ve been going a little further out and walking around this beautiful lake. It is still the same amount of exercise, but instead of being in the city, I’m in the middle of this secluded nature. This has been so great for both my physical and mental health lately.

Covid-19 and 2020 as a whole had made life crazy, but finding some sense of normalcy whether that is making a schedule everyday or finding activities to do with friends has been so helpful for me. Especially now in the fall weather, being outside has been so lovely and definitely made dealing with life a little easier. What have you been doing to stay sane?

XO, Tay