September in Boise has a little bit of everything we love about the changing seasons. The afternoons can still feel like summer, but cooler mornings and crisp evenings hint that fall is on its way. It's the perfect time to slow down, get outside and enjoy some of the simple things that make this time of year—and this place—so special.

Here are five ways to make the most of the start of fall in Boise.

1. Give Yourself a Slow Saturday Morning

There's something about a cool September morning that makes it easier to slow down. Pick up your favorite coffee, linger over breakfast, browse a local shop or bookstore, or simply take a walk before the day gets busy. Boise has no shortage of places to spend an unhurried morning, from downtown to Hyde Park and beyond.

Leave the schedule open and see where the morning takes you. Sometimes the best weekends are the ones without much of a plan.

2. Head for the Foothills

After the heat of summer, September is a welcome invitation to get back outside. Cooler mornings and evenings make it a great time to return to Boise's foothills for a hike, trail run or bike ride.

Choose an old favorite or explore somewhere new, pack plenty of water and give yourself time to enjoy the view. As the season begins to change, even a familiar trail can feel a little different.

3. Spend an Afternoon in Idaho Wine Country

Fall and wine country just seem to belong together. Head west of Boise toward the Sunnyslope Wine Trail and spend a leisurely afternoon discovering some of the wineries tucked among the orchards and farmland of the Snake River Valley.

September offers that lovely transition between seasons when you can still enjoy a patio on a sunny afternoon while beginning to notice the sights and flavors of fall. Whether you visit one tasting room or make a day of it, it's an easy way to enjoy a change of scenery without traveling far from home.

4. Visit an Orchard or Local Farm

Apples, pumpkins, farm stands and harvest season—this is when some of our favorite fall traditions begin.

Make an afternoon of visiting a local orchard or farm, pick up something grown close to home and bring a little of the harvest back to your kitchen. If apples happen to make their way into your basket, even better. A homemade apple crisp, pie or other fall treat is a pretty good way to welcome the season.

5. Enjoy Dinner Outside While You Still Can

Boise patio season doesn't end when summer does. In fact, September evenings might be some of the best of the year for dining outdoors.

Meet friends at a favorite local restaurant, try somewhere new or keep things simple with dinner on your own patio. Add a sweater once the sun goes down and enjoy those last lingering evenings outside before cooler weather settles in for good.

Bring a Little Fall Home

And when you're ready to call it a day, bring some of that early-fall feeling home with you. It doesn't take a complete seasonal makeover. A few branches or fresh flowers, a cozy throw, a candle, seasonal produce on the kitchen counter or a pot of mums by the front door can subtly shift your home into the new season.

September in Boise doesn't ask us to rush into fall. It gives us a few weeks to enjoy the transition—the cooler mornings, golden evenings and simple pleasures that come with a new season.

So pour another cup of coffee, head outside and savor it while it lasts.