What’s on your fall Bucket List this year? Check out our picks for the top 20 things to do this fall.
(FYI – The above is one of my current favorite children’s books. I linked it on Amazon, and if you happen to buy it, I may get a few cents.)
My advice? Get out as much as you can and are comfortable doing right now. Shop in-person (if you’re into that kind of thing), visit local businesses, explore the outdoors (even a walk somewhere new to you).
Winter is coming, and I have a hunch we may be hibernating like bears.
Check out our top 20 picks to make the most of fall:
1 | Apple Everything
Go apple-picking, make homemade applesauce, visit Big Hill Ciderworks new location, order Ploughshares from Ploughman Cider.
2 | Make a Batch of Mulled Wine
A sip of something spiced to warm us sounds perfect right now. Find mulled wine kits at local wineries, or make your own. You also enjoy wine tasting (on-site or at home) with Allegro’s custom tasting flights. Or, go take a sneak peek of SpringGate Arcona.
3 | Pack a Fall Picnic
Head over to the Broad Street Market, and fill your reusable shopping bags with cheese and dried meats from Revittle and delicious breads and pastries from Raising the Bar.
4 | Make the Ultimate Fall Cocktail
York-based spirits company, HOLLA Vodka, has delicious fall flavors — try pumpkin, cinnamon, even peanut butter! Try the new Fuji Buji apple vodka for this perfect-for-the-firepit fall cocktail.
5 | Fall Day on the Farm
One of our favorite spots to visit is Paulus Farm Market in Mechanicsburg. Year-round you can visit and feed the animals and buy market goods. A visit in fall also means pumpkin picking, hayrides, corn mazes, and more — all October long.
6 | Take a Bike Ride
These days were made for this. Rent an eBike from Pedego and cruise the Greenbelt; explore the Hershey Harrisburg Adventure Trail; cycle Pennsylvania’s rolling hills with Adventure Explorations.
7 | Do the Q
Cooler evenings beg for stick-to-your-ribs foods. If I’m doing BBQ, you better believe it’s coming from MoMo BBQ Co. Pick up to-go, cater your next get-together, or even book them for your neighborhood!
8 | Rake some Leaves
And put them on top of your garden — nature’s compost! (Obviously do a photoshoot and have fun jumping in them first — a fall bucket list must.)
9 | Indulge in Some Sweets
Visit Cocoa Creek Chocolates’ new shop in downtown Camp Hill. Their gorgeous truffles and other delicious chocolate treats are a perfect treat anytime. Their creative Collections make great holiday gifts — and they ship!
10 | Sip on Something New
Haymaker Meadery delivers a one-two punch of flavor and creativity. Through thoughtful collaborations and experimentation, Haymaker’s expansive line of meads will have you rethinking what you know (or don’t!) about this honey-based beverage.
11 | Buy Some Houseplants
It’s the perfect time to adopt a houseplant (or two, or three!). Pencil in The Vintage Vine’s Pop-Up Sale on Oct. 24 and scoop up some new fronds from local plant babes, Amie and Hannah. Local garden shops, Highland Gardens and Ashcombe, are also great places to purchase plants and accessories. Here are some of my favorite plant-related purchases.
(The above contains an Amazon storefront link; if you happen to buy anything from it, I may earn a small commission.)
12 | Make a Big Pot of Chili
Football. Jeans and a sweatshirt. Scarf season. Hearty chili and a crisp Oktoberfest. What is a fall bucket list without these combos? I like a beef and venison chili that builds with layers of flavor (and some hidden tricks like crushed tortilla chips) and the smoky heat of chipotles in adobo. But last month, I totally made chili with leftover pot roast, beef stock, pink beans, and some fresh peppers, and it was amazing. Or, try this recipe that Tröegs culinary team designed for PA Eats.
13 | Stock Up on Books to Hunker Down With
Save the date for The Midtown Scholar Bookstore’s 8th annual Book Festival, including a special outdoor book sale Oct. 16-19. Need to have your choices narrowed down? I’ve also been enjoying this new Book of the Month club.
14 | Build-Your-Own Fall Lineup
While I’m oddly nostalgic for the prime time TV days of yore (but not enough to rewatch anything), it’s time to craft your own streaming lineup. Did you know you can purchase virtual tickets to Midtown Cinema films? Open Stage will be streaming its 35th season FREE on YouTube and Facebook, and you can still catch Poured in PA: The Series on YouTube (and the original feature-length doc is on Amazon Prime!)
15 | Drink the Perfect Fall Beer
Oktoberfest, Pumpkin Beers, Stouts, oh my! Local breweries are loaded with options to try, no matter your favorite style. Here are 12 best fall beers to try this year.
16 | Grab some New-to-You Clothes
You’ve decluttered that closet, now it’s time to update it with some sustainable choices. Shop autumn-ready denim and flannel at Stash Vintage x Midtown Dandy. Shop in-store, and be sure to follow Stash & Dandy on Instagram for their latest finds, fashion inspo, and more.
17 | Make Pot Roast
Nothing is cozier than a big hunk of meat braising in the oven while football is on the TV. Grab quality meats from RG Hummer Meats in the Broad Street Market — and soon to open in the West Shore Farmers Market!
18 | Get a Start on Holiday Gifting
The holidays are certain to look different this year, and it’s more important than ever to help support local businesses. We’ll be putting together a full Gift Guide (or two!) to help you, and stay tuned for some exciting collaborations we have in the works that will make perfect holiday gifts this year. In the meantime, start your own holiday wish list here.
19 | Make Soup for Lunch
For those of us still working from home, it’s time to ramp up lunches to something warm and hearty. I’m a big fan of this Tuscan Bean Soup with Lemon and Kale. I also recently made a terrific (and easy) Sausage + Lentil Soup. Message me for the recipe!
20 | Make Time for Self Care
Get your flu shot, stock up on pantry must-haves, stock up on cold/flu essentials, wine … check out my 9 tips for prioritizing your self-care for the rest of 2020. ⠀
What’s on your fall bucket list this year?
