While there’s a nip in the air, fall is a cherished time in Nebraska and Kansas. Enjoy the sights, sounds and tastes of October as you celebrate the season.

 

This is the peak time for leaf gazing, and the area offers some of the most vibrant color anywhere. In Nebraska, the Lewis and Clark Fall Foliage Tour offers the perfect backdrop for an afternoon drive or a weekend getaway. The 110-mile route begins and ends in the town of Bellevue. Other scenic stops include the towns of Valley, Gretna, Blair, Fort Calhoun and Omaha. For more information, visit http://lewisandclarktrail.com/section1/necities/Omaha/fallfoliage.htm and get set for a beautiful ride.

 

In the Kansas countryside, there's beautiful nature to take in at every turn. In Baldwin City, the third weekend in October brings an annual celebration of the changing leaves. The Maple Leaf Festival, a two-day event, draws growing crowds each year. The trees and historic downtown architecture offer a feast for the eyes, and attractions – including arts and crafts, a parade, a quilt show, live music and more – ensure something for everyone. For more information, visit the festival site at www.mapleleaffestival.com.

 

While fall is a time to appreciate nature’s beauty, it’s also a time to relish the bounty, and there's no better place to do just that than the KC Pumpkin Patch & Corn Maze. Located seven miles south of Olathe in Gardner, Kansas, the patch is the perfect place to pick your own pumpkin. Roam the fields and find the makings of your perfect jack o’ lantern, then enjoy a variety of autumn activities including duck races, a barrel train, petting zoo, a haunted barn and farmer's truck rides. Visit www.kcpumpkinpatch.com for more information.

 

If your day in the fresh air works up an appetite, head to Bittersweet Bakery & Cakery in Ogallala, Nebraska. Here, the smells of fresh baked pies and pastries sweeten the air and fill your senses. Favorites including apple pie, cheesecake, cookies and muffins are baked fresh from scratch. The nostalgia of this retro-inspired kitchen is an added bonus. Visit www.bittersweetbakeryandcakery.com for more information.

 

With the perfect balance of food, foliage and fun, you have the makings of a memorable autumn getaway. Throughout Nebraska and Kansas, there's much to fall for, so plan your celebration soon.