Ultimate guide to fall in Arizona: Best things to do in Phoenix plus favorite road trips

How do we know when summer is over and fall has begun in Phoenix? When we step outside and it doesn't feel like stepping into an oven. When we can get pumpkin spice anything. And when the wall-to-wall Christmas music starts on KEZ-FM.

It's patio season, or any kind of outdoor activity season for that matter. It's also a great time for cozy weekend getaways and comfort food and autumn-themed beverages from your favorite local coffee shop.

So, in the spirit of celebrating the fact that 100-degree temps are (likely) behind us for a good while, here's your guide to our favorite things to see, do, eat and drink in autumn.

More: Sky dome, Japanese pop art, butterfly wings: 5 must-see art shows in Phoenix this fall

Halloween scares, Day of the Dead remembrances

Haunted houses: If you're ready to scream, you've got options. Perennial favorites Fear Farm in Glendale and 13th Floor in Phoenix are open, as are Sanctum of Horror in Mesa and Terror Nights Haunted House in Tempe. Scare yourself silly with our guide to haunted houses throughout metro Phoenix.

Fall family fun: If you have youngsters in your crew or you just don't like the gory stuff, a visit to a pumpkin patch or corn maze might be more your style. Here's a roundup to the best corn mazes and pumpkin patches in Phoenix as well as a couple that are worth a fun fall road trip.

Celebrate Dia de los Muertos: This Mexican holiday, observed Nov. 1-2, is a joyful celebration of the lives of family and friends who have passed away. Its roots go back some some 3,000 years. If you want to learn more about this holiday or celebrate with others there are plenty of Day of the Dead gatherings throughout metro Phoenix.

Make a Day of the Dead altar: The ofrenda — an altar to loved ones who have passed — is the iconic symbol of Dia de los Muertos. It's easy to make your own, and it's a sweet way to reflect on deceased family members, friends or even pets. Here's how to build an ofrenda and what traditionally goes on one.

More: Phoenix's Mikiztli festival honors the Indigenous origins of Día de los Muertos

The best fall festivals in metro Phoenix

Savor a food festival: Here in the Valley, we have dozens of food festivals to choose from, celebrating everything from tacos to chocolate. Here's your guide to all the fall food festivals happening in metro Phoenix and beyond.

Don't miss the Wine and Food Experience: If you're only going to one festival, make it the Wine and Food Experience, which is returning to Salt River Fields at Talking Stick on Nov. 5. You've probably read restaurant reviews, first bites, features and profiles of many of the chefs and restaurants participating in year, from celebrity chef Angelo Sosa of Tia Carmen to Nik Fields of Chic Chef, all of whom will be serving samples of the food and drink that made them famous. Here's who else will be there.

Smell the roses: This flower shop tells a story of family resilience and a bygone era

Check out a cultural fest: Metro Phoenix is welcoming back countless festivals that celebrate the many cultures of Arizona. The best part? Most of them are free. Check out our guide to the best of the bunch.

Just don't miss Canal Convergence: If you're only going to one art festival this fall, make it Canal Convergence, a spectacular free public show on the Scottsdale Waterfront from Nov. 4-13. This year's theme is "Celebrating 10 Years of Water + Art + Light." The event will feature creative workshops, education activities, food trucks and a beer and wine garden along with daily dance, music and poetry performances. Here's your guide.

The best fall weekend getaways in Arizona

Arizona's most haunted hotels: Not all hotel guests in Arizona are the kind with vital signs. Spirits have been known to check in and never check out. Living transparently is not just a great way to avoid resort fees. A few haunts here and there can add to a hotel's bottom line, attracting those seeking stranger things. At these reportedly haunted Arizona hotels, ghosts are reportedly the afterlife of the party.

More: Why those TV ghost-hunting shows are transparently fake

Go leaf peeping: For many, autumn is when nature does its finest work. So if you’re a leaf peeper, it’s time to start making plans to experience it — the crisp air, a crackling fire, hearty comfort food and, of course, a dazzling display of colorful leaves. Here are some of the best autumn road trips in Arizona.

Have tea in Sedona: On the second story of the Tlaquepaque Arts & Shopping Village, people from around the world gather for cups of creamy South Asian spiced tea. To make the Chai Spot's traditional cardamom chai, milk is boiled and added to black tea with cane sugar, cardamom and fennel. The cozy cafe is on a mission to do more than share a taste of Pakistan, they're on a mission to help women. Read the story behind The Chai Spot and plan your visit.

Route 66 road trip: The roadside attractions of historic Route 66 can reawaken the emotional bond people have with the past, and now people can track down the highlights of Arizona's stretch of the Mother Road with a new mobile guide. Here's how to get the guide, plus five top Route 66 stops in Arizona.

More: Ultimate guide to trails, archery, camping at Usery Mountain Regional Park in Mesa

Get outside and play

Best fall hikes in Phoenix: Reclaim your favorite trails that have been just too hot to use since May. If you need some inspiration for your next walk or bike ride, Arizona hiking expert and Republic contributor Roger Naylor wrote a guide to the best Valley of the Sun trails to try this winter.

Hit a farmers market: To get your farm fresh produce and all-things-local fix, head to farmers markets around metro Phoenix to shop, eat at food trucks and enjoy family-friendly activities and even yoga. Most of the markets are open weekly or monthly from fall through spring. Here's a guide to all of them.

Have a drink on the roof: Make the most of Arizona's cool, but sunny days with a stiff drink and the kind of views you'll only find at rooftop bars. From draft beer bars to creative cocktail lounges, there's a rooftop for every vibe in the Valley. Here are a dozen of our favorites.

Find your comfort food

Visit the best new restaurants: Halfway through the year, our dining critic Andi Berlin decided to share her favorite new spots of 2022, so far. From casual counter service hot chicken to a fancy French bistro that serve snails in a historic building, 'tis the season to time to try something new. These five new spots are a good place to start.

Cozy up with Ethiopian food: What could be cozier than whiling away the hours over warming African stews and jebenas of Ethiopian coffee? This gem on McDowell Road is the place to do it. Read our guide to what to order at Authentic EthioAfrican.

Cook up comfort: As the temperatures plummet and the days get shorter, the kitchen begins to beckon us back. Make a batch of beef chili for a cookoff, simmer a pot of bolognese sauce or start perfecting your holiday cookie repertoire.

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Best things to do this fall in Arizona: An insider's guide