The ’ber months — the last four months of the year — are upon us. There’ll be an unmistakable chill in the air, flavors will start turning pumpkin-y, and festive lights will twinkle. Here are some ways to celebrate the ’ber months in NoVA.
September
Nothing says September more than biting into a sweet yet tart juicy apple. Luckily, Northern Virginia has lots of great options, including Marker-Miller Orchards Farm Market in Winchester. The market typically offers multiple varieties of apples for pick-your-own. Also, Hollin Farms has opened their orchard for honey crisp apples. 3035 Cedar Creek Grade, Winchester; 1524 Snowden Rd., Delaplane
Try a Corn Maze
Corn mazes are a perfect way to spend a fall afternoon. Now through September 18, Great Country Farms will be celebrating autumn with a corn maze and the Oinkintucky Derby Pig Races. Wayside Farm in Berryville has a new maze this year with an Ovechkin them that will thrill Caps fans. 34345 Snickersville Turnpike, Bluemont; 5273 Harry Byrd Hwy., Berryville
October
Grab a Ubiquitous Fall Latte
Come October, coffee shops rev up their fall flavor lattes. Whether you’re a pumpkin, apple, or more of a maple person, plenty of local stores offer autumnal lattes. Last year Commonwealth Joe in Arlington served a pumpkin cookie butter latte that earned rave reviews. Caboose Tavern offers a pumpkin pie latte, cinnamon toast latte, a pumpkin pie chai latte, and candied apple chai for those who want to get a head start on Halloween. 520 12th St. S, Arlington; 520 Mill St. NE, Vienna
Check Out Something Spooky
Haunted Nightmares at Hill High Farm is a spooky season lover’s paradise. It features an escape room, a haunted house, corn maze, moonlit hayrides, and “The Last Ride,” a buried alive simulator. If you prefer something a bit less scary, Mount Vernon has a trick-or-treating experience October 25 where guests can collect candy on the historic grounds and celebrate Halloween doing 18th-century activities. 933 Barley Ln., Winchester; 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Hwy., Mount Vernon
November
Have a Cozy Feast
Thanksgiving is November 27 this year, and it’s a wonderful time of the year to feast. Founding Farmers usually offers a Thanksgiving dinner three different ways: eating in the restaurant, a heat and eat Thanksgiving weekend at home (in addition to the main meal, this includes brunch, snacks and treats), and a prix-fixe Thanksgiving dinner to go. American Prime in McLean typically provides slow smoked whole turkeys or prime rib dinners with all the sides. Hungry yet? Reston, Tysons, and Alexandria; 1420 Spring Hill Rd., McLean
Try a New Fall Hobby
With the weather getting colder in November, it’s a great time of year to try your hand at a new indoor hobby. The Quilters Studio offers block-of-the-month classes, series classes, or quilting and sewing projects classes. Or you could make like Taylor Swift and take up bread baking at Knead & Know, which offers classes in the fundamentals of bread, holiday breads, sourdough rye, and more. 9600 Main St., Unit L, Fairfax; 6322 Hopewell Rd., The Plains
December
See Holiday Lights
The last of the ‘ber months is the festive December, which is the perfect time of year to get out and see local holiday light displays. The Meadowlark Botanical Gardens Winter Walk of Lights is a half-mile paved trail decorated with lighted trees and sparkling lights. If you prefer to stay warm and see displays by car, there’s the Bull Run Festival of Lights. The two-and-a-half-mile route is lit up with holiday displays from November through just after New Year’s Day. 9750 Meadowlark Gardens Ct., Vienna; 7700 Bull Run Dr., Centreville
Shop Local
Northern Virginia offers plenty of shops and boutiques perfect for snagging local gifts for everyone on your list. The Old Town Shop offers locally inspired finds like keepsake ornaments and regionally made foods like Virginia peanuts and wildflower honey. Two the Moon in Arlington sells whimsical seasonal gifts, jewelry, and food. 104 S. Union St., Alexandria; 6501 29th St. N, Arlington
Feature image by Connor Hawke/stock.adobe.com
