15+ (More) Fall Bucket List Things To Do in Richmond
Image Source: The Richmond Experience
We put out a Reel here of some of the best of the best, but when it comes to fall, there’s a lot more where that came from — and we’ve got the ideas to prove it.
Go on a scenic drive. Richmond is about to get gorgy with all its changing colors, but if you want to mix things up and get out of dodge, Skyline Drive is only about two hours from us and runs through Shenandoah National Park. It’s something else.
Get a pumpkin spice something. Sources say consumer interest in pumpkin spice is declining with the uptick in matcha, chai, and banana orderers. We don’t care. We love pumpkin spice. We love straight-up pumpkin, even. Get something like a Salty Pumpkin Shaken Espresso from Riverbend Roastery, and tell your matcha you’ll call her on March 20.
Take a hike through the changing leaves. If you want to really get in there with the season’s reds, oranges, and yellows, Richmond’s many nearby and beautiful hikes go from summer to fall, just like that classic white t you’ve got in your drawer for layering.
Visit a farmers market and make a homemade stew. Some veggies were getting a little dicey (lol) this summer, but a great way to generally avoid widespread cyclosporiasis is to shop from your local veggie stands. This Dilly Bean Stew is calling you and your locally grown cabbage and onions, honey.
Head to a local college or high school football game. We love a Taylor Swift sighting when our partner or pal has the game on and just we’re breaking into a fresh bag of chips to go with our dip, but nothing beats a crisp day or night on the sidelines at, say, U of R, VUU, or Varina High School. Bring a chip clip; put that dip in a tiny storage container; and go, fight, win.
Go cider tasting. Blue Bee Cider and Buskey Cider have you covered here when you’re looking to stay in Richmond City, but if you want to make a li’l trip of it, visit Providence Farms Cidery about 15 minutes southwest and smack your lips over something like the Providence Pippin — a bright and exceptionally crisp single-varietal cider that highlights the sharp acidity and complex, tart depth of the Albemarle Pippin apple.
Drink a(nother) pumpkin beer. Back to the pumpkin. We like it in our coffee and our beer, okay? Hardywood Farmhouse Pumpkin and Ardent Pumpkin Beer are a couple of our faves, but for these purposes, we consider Williamsburg local, too — stock up on Alewerks Pumpkin while you’re stocking up on things.
Explore a nearby small town. Richmond really has everything — its own charm plus proximity to the ocean and the mountains. But don’t forget about all the little pockets of Hallmark-y goodness in between. Travel to somewhere like Petersburg for brick-lined streets, tons of local shops and restaurants, and — wait *rubs eyes* — is that Lorelai over there?? May as well be.
Roast marshmallows over a fire and make s’mores. But skip the Kraft Jet-Puffed, Hershey’s, and Honey Maid this time. (No shade, girls, we do love you.) Spots like Karmalita's Marshmallows & Confections, For The Love of Chocolate, and Linda Grams have just what you need for a local twist on this sweet treat that, tbh, doesn’t get enough play.
Go to an Oktoberfest. There’s quite literally no shortage of opportunities for German beer and brats when it comes to Richmond fall. Here’s our guide to them all, ICYMI.
Order a chili or soup. Bamboo Cafe is supposed to have a stellar chili option on its menu, and then there are things like Chicken Fiesta’s Chicken Soup or Can Can Brasserie’s Onion Soup Gratinée that are really making us wish we didn’t write this list on an empty stomach.
Make a Halloween costume. The last time we went into a Spirit Halloween, an employee Michael Myers’d us — like, slowly followed us around to be spooky?? — and we got too spooked. You know where they don’t do that (as far as we know)? Diversity Thrift, Ashby, and any of the other dozens of thrift shops in town that’ll really make your one-of-a-kind Rumi costume K-Pop (or, you know, whatever your crew is dressing as).
Watch a football game at a bar. We know what we said before about the crisp day or night at the football stadium — and we stand by it — but if it’s just getting too crispy out there for your liking, snag a table at one of Richmond’s many sports bars that have the game(s) on *and* have some eats-and-drinks deals to go with it.
Go camping. It’s the most wonderful time of the year (to set up a tent in the woods). Here are some of the best spots for you to do just that — or to rent a cabin or yurt if that’s your pref.
Watch a scary flick at home. This time of year, there are plenty of creepy films to watch through your fingers out at a theater — like, literally what the actual hell, Jessica?? — but insteeead, why don’t you snag an old-school somethin’ at Monster Video… and yes, if you’re anything like us, stop watching when it gets too scary. But on the comfort of your couch!
Attend the Richmond Vampire Ball. This showed up in our comments, and tbh, it’s a great little to-do. It’s on Friday, November 13 (ooOoOOoo!), so you can keep the spooky szn going just a touch longer and enjoy live music and DJ spins, themed cocktails, casket photos, and more.
Host a Friendsgiving. Before the holiday season really takes over, order festive catering from The Smoky Mug (or your local delish spot of choice), tell your buds to bring wine from Second Bottle (or your local bottle shop of choice), and have yourselves a time.
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