Break out the sweaters, St. Louis! Autumn has officially arrived and that means beautiful fall foliage, perfectly crisp apples, and an abundance of outdoor activities happening in the Lou!

Oktoberfest Cruise: On Sunday, October 11, take a ride with The Riverboats at the Gateway Arch and celebrate everyone’s favorite German holiday on this special afternoon cruise. Feast on a full buffet of authentic German dishes, indulge in a beer or two from the cash bar and dance to the sounds of a German folk band. With socially distanced tables for dining, reduced cruise capacity and mask requirements for those over the age of nine, it’s a safe floating celebration the whole family will love. Purchase tickets online or call 877-982-1410. Prost!

Eckert’s Family Farms: An apple a day keeps the doctor away! Visit Eckert’s Country Store & Farms for Apple Fest, pick out a pumpkin in the patch, or take a fun-filled hayride! Celebrate fall with some of your favorite activities and of course, hot apple cider! Parking at the farm is free.

(Did you know? The Riverboats at the Gateway Arch have partnered with Eckert’s to provide a tasty, fall dessert on the Skyline Dinner Cruise. You can indulge in the Riverboat’s Apple Sweet Potato Crumble, made with Eckert’s homegrown golden crisp apples. Delish!)

Brookdale Farms: Get lost this fall in Brookdale Farm’s 17-acre corn maze – the largest in St. Louis! The corn maze is open Wednesdays through Sundays 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. through November 7. You can also enjoy the farm’s petting zoo, pumpkin patch, and family hayrides! Brookdale Farms is cash only. To plan your visit, visit their website.

St. Charles County Heritage Museum: Take a walk on the spooky side October 18 from 7 to 10 p.m. at the museum’s Jack-O-Glow Walk. The event will feature 100 citizen-carved pumpkins that will illuminate the outside of the museum and line one mile of the adjoining Centennial Greenway of Great Rivers Greenway. After the walk, families are invited to stay and watch the kid friendly Halloween movie The Book of Life outside on the big screen. The event is free and open to all ages. For more information, call 636-949-7535 or visit the St. Charles County website.

The St. Louis Zoo: Animals love the fall weather, too! Enjoy the cooler temps at the St. Louis Zoo by visiting the exhibits and attractions during Autumn with the Animals, all while enjoying your favorite apple spiced specialty food and drinks! Saturday, October 10 and Sunday, October 11, zookeepers will provide apples and apple-themed enrichment for the animals, so keep your eyes “peeled!”

Rock the Dock concert series: The Riverboats at the Gateway Arch host St. Louis’ only floating concert series, Rock the Dock presented by 4 Hands Brewing Company and 1220 Spirits. Sundays through November 1, rock out at reserved, socially distanced tables and enjoy a curated barbeque menu and a selection of drinks from 4 Hands Brewing Company and 1220 Spirits. The curated BBQ menu features our in-house apple cider barbeque sauce, made with Eckert’s apple cider from our friends at Eckert’s Country Store & Farms. Reserve your table ahead of time here.

The Gateway Arch: One great way to take in the sights is to take a tram ride to the top of the Gateway Arch any day this month in celebration of the Arch’s 55th birthday on October 28! Now THAT’s an awesome way to see the fall colors across the Bi-State.

Stay safe, stay warm and enjoy fall, y’all!

Photo Credit: Gateway Arch Park Foundation