You won't need a ton of time - maybe around an hour - to wander along the Ryan Park Loop Trail, an easy trail that tallies 2.1 miles.

One of the first things you'll likely notice as you meander along this picturesque path, if you're hiking during the warmer months, is the wildflowers that add a pop of color to the landscape.

Take some time to stop and smell the flowers (leave them where you've found them though), and maybe even snap a few photos.

Since it's so popular, the trail can get quite busy, so be prepared to run into other hikers as well as bikers.

The trail promises some fairy tale moments as you travel over footbridges and...

Cross paths with local wildlife.

While the trail scores an easy rating, take a few precautions. It can get incredibly buggy, so wear and bring bug spray. Be prepared for muddy conditions after it rains.

The wildflowers are a highlight of the trail. However, it's just as pretty after it snows, so plan to return during the winter.

After you've finished your hike, explore more of Ryan Park. The sprawling park features a full menu of amenities, including basketball hoops, picnic tables, portable toilets, and boating/kayaking/canoeing.

Tree Trails Adventures is such a magical spot! If you've never been before, this family-friendly place is one of our favorite things to do in Mystic, CT.

Each trail has a minimum age requirement based on difficulty, but there are activities at the park available for kids as young as 4.

The Haunted TreeTrails experience is offered throughout October for adults and kids ages 7 and up, and it's a particularly fun time.

There's spooky decor everywhere, plus lights and music that make it a great seasonal experience.

Nighttime climbs offer cooler temperatures, and you can enjoy five trails while decked out in festive glowing wearables.

The trails here are a blast no matter what time of year you visit, but this is certainly one way to kick start your autumn mood with an adrenaline rush.

The haunts at Demon Acres are truly first rate. Let’s go through all four.

There is the haunted house, which they describe as a “horrifying shack where everything and everyone is possessed by demons.” Visitors go behind doors and through hallways and are met with a scary surprise upon every turn!

Updated for 2023 is the haunt known as Jail Break. In it, visitors are thrown onto a bus by manic guards, then handcuffed and taken to what Demon Acres calls “the most notorious jail in the state.” From there, guests are released into the general population—if that’s not bad enough, there is a prison riot going on! This is not one for the faint of heart.

Then there is the Depths of the Dark Forest, an extreme hayride that is simply unforgettable. You board a wagon and head into a forest where you will find demons, witches and all sorts of deadly creatures that want to see you squirm.

The fourth and final amazing haunt at Demon Acres is what they call the Insane Asylum. Guests get locked into the empty cell of a killer, where they have to solve clues and puzzles before the killer gets back to, as the folks at Demon Acres say, “finish you off.”

Demons Acres keeps their tickets very affordable, and even have an ATM on-site. Depths of the Dark Forest is $17, while Jail Break is $14. Demon’s Den runs $15, and a combo goes for only $40. You can call for a special group rate, and there are even private wagons available.

First opened in 1992 and part of New Jersey's fabric ever since, Jose Tejas is a Tex-Mex experience like no other.

Between the bright lights and the expansive menu, this place feels like a party in an old saloon - and it's no surprise there's usually an event or two visiting.

The meal begins with chips and salsa, as any Tex-Mex place worth its salt does - and many people kick the party off with a massive margarita, frozen or not.

The meal draws on Mexican classics, and the massive empanadas are a great starter to share among a group.

If you're in the mood for a classic Tex-Mex meal, you'll find all the favorites like burritos and chimichangas here.

The headliner, though, is probably the massive plates of meat. This place is a carnivore's delight, and the fajitas make their presence known when they come to the table.

Jose Tejas does have a few specialties you won't find at your everyday Tex-Mex joint, though - like Chicken Bandera, a grilled chicken breast jazzed up with mesquite and lime.

When the weather permits, Jose Tejas' outdoor seating area is one of the best in the state. You can almost imagine the tumbleweeds rolling by - but it's really just cars on Route One.

Opened on September 23, 2023, Harwood Park is the last of four urban parks built by Parks for Downtown Dallas in partnership with the Dallas Park & Recreation Department.

The park is breathing new life into a section of the historic district that was falling into disrepair.

Kids are sure to love the massive playground and interactive splash pad...

...and the open-air pavilion will be the whole family's new destination for movie nights, fitness classes, and live performances.

There is also plenty of seating, so you can pack a little picnic to enjoy amid the lush, peaceful surroundings.

Another exciting element of Harwood Park is the pedestrian promenade and rain garden. Walk along a paved path and admire intentionally-selected plants that attract pollinators like bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.

Other park attractions include a pickleball and basketball court, dog parks, and more.

You’ll find Bluff Rapids Trail in Irvine Park. The park was established in 1906 when William Irvine, a lumber baron and philanthropist, donated the land to the city of Chippewa Falls.

The park was created as a gift to the community, and today, it’s a popular destination for residents, as well as visitors. It covers more than 300 acres.

The park has a number of attractions, including Irvine Park Zoo, which is the second oldest municipal zoo in the United States that is still in operation.

The park features several picturesque pedestrian bridges that span Duncan Creek, which flows through the heart of the park. Benches offer a place to rest.

The park has some well-maintained walking trails that provide opportunities for leisurely strolls and enjoying nature. The paths wind through wooded areas, open spaces, and alongside the creek.

People used to hike an unofficial path through the woods here, but the new trail is marked and easier to follow.

An old-school joint inside and out, Tumea & Sons is still doing the things that put it on the map when it opened.

There's a reason for that - the original owners are still in charge, and the "sons" of the title all play a key role in the business now.

This is a humble joint that's usually crowded with locals eating their fill of hearty Italian classics.

Lunch is a popular time here, with smaller portions and traditional sandwiches being on offer.

At dinner, the focus shifts to heaping plates of pasta, chicken parm, and other classics.

The menu here does have a few authentic Iowa touches, though - the Steak De Burgo is an affordable take on the local classic.

For dessert, the house special is the tiramisu - every bit as strongly flavored and indulgent as you'd expect.

A full bar provides the perfect nightcap to a meal at one of Iowa's best family-owned and family-run Italian restaurants.

Finland is an unincorporated community of around 200 people in Lake County.

This tiny village boasts a post office, a gas station, a handful of other businesses, and a really nice town park.

There’s even a local history museum where you can learn more about the community and its roots.

It’s an awesome place to visit during any season, but given it’s location, it’s particularly stunning when the leaves begin to change over to their fall colors.

George Crosby Manitou State Park, which is just east of Finland, is an excellent place for a little autumn tree bathing. Crosby Manitou is a designated wilderness park, so it’s mostly undeveloped: no gift shop, no plumbing, and no crowds.

Another nearby option, just west of Finland, is Tettegouche State Park. One of the jewels of the state park system, Tettegouche has all the amenities that Crosby Manitou lacks, as well as spectacular, rugged scenery.

Don’t limit yourself to the state parks, though. Stretch your legs out and enjoy a moderate hike on a section of the Superior Hiking Trail.

Be sure to eat at one of the eateries in Finland.

This 10-mile loop is not for the faint-hearted. Renowned by those in the know for its breathtaking views of the Bay of Fundy, it's equally infamous for testing experienced hikers.

While the elevation gain isn't particularly strenuous, the sinuous path follows rough terrain that may require some clambering. Also, before reaching the bluffs, the boggy soils and serene lakes provide ideal habitat for droves of mosquitos. Remember your insect repellant if you attempt this route in May and June!

For those who persevere, the rewards are unrivaled. The epic meeting of the wind-swept forest, black cliffs, and growling ocean is difficult to capture in words or pictures.

With its dramatic colors, its scent of ocean spray, and its sprawling sheets of waves, it's easy to see why this stretch of Maine is called the Bold Coast.

However overwhelmed your senses may be, remember to spare some appreciation for the trail's more humble touches of beauty. At Fairy Loop, mindful hikers will notice wildflowers and birds. Closer to the waterfront, glittering water collects in small pockets of rock.

And if you time your trek correctly, you may even catch a magnificent sunset as you return to the trailhead.

Hedgehog Ridge in Deering is a low ridge about five miles long that is traversed by Hedgehog Ridge Trail.

A full traverse along the entire ridgeline provides opportunities to take in the views to the west from scattered open ledges.

As this ridge is comprised of mixed forest, there is sure to be a wide assortment of colors due to the various tree types.

The easiest walk along this ridge is from Skye Farm Road to the summit of Wilson Hill, reached in just 0.3 miles. The grassy summit affords panoramic views.

On the northern edge of the ridge, an 0.8-mile ascent reaches a ledgy knob with excellent views to the west.

Before you even reach a viewpoint, you'll be surrounded by nature's brief but bright autumnal display.

That said, don't forget to look down (and watch your step) for color on the ground as well!