Our It *Finally* Feels Like Fall in DC Bucket List

Mother Nature hasn't been very cooperative lately, but temperatures have started to drop and it's finally starting to feel like fall here in DC. With a PSL in hand and a chill in the air, we were inspired to put together our fall bucket list. 

Forest bathing, corn mazes, the Reach, and s'mores oh my!

What's on your fall bucket list? Let us know in the comments what if there's anything we should add to our list!

1. Go horse back riding in Rock Creek Park
How many people know that there is a hidden horse park in DC? Not many! Tucked away deep in Rock Creek Park, there is a horse stable that’s open to the public for trail rides and lessons!

2. Sip locally pressed cider ​
​Cider is practically synonymous with fall. DC now has not one, not two, but three cideries! The first arrival, Anxo, has two locations where you can taste their cider paired with Spanish pinxtos. Supreme Core is distributing across the city, so stop by one of the restaurants or bars serving their stuff. And Capitol Cider House is the newest in the set, having opened in a casual space in Petworth.

3. Experience the REACH, the Kennedy Center's new arts expansion
If you missed the two-week opening festival, now's your chance to take in the REACH, the new expansion at the John F. Kennedy Center. The new three soaring pavilions provide a unique way to get closer to the arts, from performances to screenings and workshops to classes and rehearsals. 

4. Devour warm and gooey s'mores (camp fire optional)
Nothing says fall like melty, delicious s'mores! Visit these DC spots and enjoy your favorite s'mores flavors (without the bug spray and mosquitos!):

• Buttercream bakery:  ​S'mores cake - Chocolate cake layered with ganache, graham crumble and marshmallow fluff buttercream
• Cheesecake Factory: Toasted Marshmallow S'mores Galore cheesecake - Chocolate cheesecake topped with chocolate ganache, finished with toasted housemade marshmallow and graham crackers.
• Fare Well: Veggie-centric s'mores cake and shakes
• Georgetown Ritz Carlton: Complimentary fire-side artisanal s'more treats
• Wild Days: Get fired up at hotel Eaton's rooftop terrace with fire pits and “s’mores service 
• The Wharf: Make your own s'mores at Camp Wharf at the District Square. The fall menu includes the classic s'more, a peanut butter cup s'more and a cookies and cream s'more.
• Ted's Bulletin: S'more pop tarts and shakes

5. Pick the perfect pumpkin
Visit one of the 200+ farmers markets in the DMV and pick up the perfect pumpkin for Halloween decorating or seasonal recipes.

6. Go to a corn maze 
My only experience with corn up to now is eating it, but I don't want to miss out on a fall classic. Luckly, DC is the perfect location to visit corn mazes in ether VA or MD, like these. It's going to be ah-maze-ing!

7. Try forest  bathing
What better time to soak in the beauty of nature than in fall? Shinrin-yoku, or forest bathing, began in Japan in the 1980s as a response to the overly stressed and over-worked status of citizens of Tokyo and other urban areas. The practice, which is rooted in the ancient Japanese reverence for nature, has caught on all around the world as people everywhere are discovering the joys—and proven mental and physical health benefits—of time spent in nature.

8. Strike a yoga pose in the U.S. Botanic Gardens
Go with the flow at the autumnal Garden with free yoga through October. The classes aim to create an accessible space for all people to tune into their breath while enjoying the natural beauty in the Garden.  First-come, first-served with limited space available. Visitors are encouraged to bring their own mats. 

9. Enjoy a brew at a beer garden
Somehow, beer tastes better when you drink it outside. Raise a frosty mug at some of the best beer gardens in the city! Curious Caravan tip: Be sure to try out some of the seasonal beer specials.

10. Get cozy with at an outdoor fire pit
When the temperatures dip, warm up at a restaurant with an outdoor fire pit:

• Ana at District Winery:  Pair your vino selection with fire pits and riverfront views on the restaurant’s 80-plus person patio for the coziest of evenings.
• Dirty Habit: This restaurant and bar is home to an open-air courtyard with fire pits, as well as a fully enclosed patio for when even a fire doesn't do the trick. During winter, the outdoor patio is transformed into the Dirty Habit Firescape, complete with warm libations.
• Officina: Eat your way through this Italian "workshop" at the Wharf and cap off your night with views of the Potomac River and a cocktail by the cozy fire pits at Terrazza. 
• Tavern at Ivy Smokehouse: At the center of the rooftop patio is a large, gas-powered fireplace – perfect for pre- or post-dinner drinks.
• Top of the Gate: One of the District’s most popular rooftop bars at The Watergate Hotel, blends fireside vibes with Instagram-worthy views of the city skyline and nearby Arlington, Va. 

​Curious Caravan tip: On particularly cool nights, many spots will provide complimentary blankets to help fight the chill.​

You might also be interested in:

• City Guide: Fabulous Off-the-Beaten Path Spots to Enjoy Fall Foliage in DC

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