It’s October and we all know what that means: fall colors, sweater weather, apple cider and most of all, pumpkins. 

The best way to feel at home during fall is to continue on with family traditions, which for many people includes going to a pumpkin patch. 

Yearly visits to a pumpkin patch in my home town is just one of the many traditions I hold with my family. It was only a matter of time before I celebrated the tradition with my new family here in Lexington.

What better place to do just that than taking a trip with your friends out to Boyd Orchards in Versailles, Kentucky? 

With its close proximity to UK’s campus, Boyd’s is a prime destination for students to get their dose of everything fall. 

The short trip out to Versailles is worth the gas money because as soon as you walk into the orchard, the aroma of apples, cinnamon, pumpkin spice and nature will be sure to overwhelm your senses and make you feel at home. 

From apple and pumpkin picking to taste testing all the different varieties of foods that Boyd’s has to offer, nothing beats the taste of its famous apple cider donuts that explode with a burst of flavor and give you a warm tingling feeling like your grandma’s homemade apple pie.

If you have a sweet tooth, Boyd’s has the best selection of sweets to hit the spot. Other than its famous apple cider donuts, the orchard also offers an array of fried pies and a decadent apple pie.

Boyd’s will be hosting several festivals this fall which are a great way to get out with your friends and enjoy the crisp weather. 

The orchard will host its Harvest Festival from Oct. 22-23 and its Last Fest from Oct. 29-30. These festivals consist of hay rides, pumpkin carving, corn hole, face painting and numerous other activities for families and friends to enjoy and take part in. 

If you decide to make your way over to Boyd Orchards, you definitely won’t be disappointed and you will be sure to get your fair share of all of the wonderful fall smells and tastes that we all know and love.

Although not everywhere can be your home away from home, a trip to a local pumpkin patch like Boyd’s will make you feel right where you belong.

Belle Kendrick is a contributing columnist of the Kentucky Kernel. 

Email [email protected].