I’m currently fighting a case of the post-Halloweekend blues. Three late nights and several costume changes are taking their toll on me, but I’d still do it all over again. It doesn’t help that my hypersensitive senior-year emotions are in full swing as I mourn my last-ever college Halloweekend…
I doubt I’m alone in my feelings, so I’m here to remind us the fun is far from over. Fall is still here!!! It’s sweater weather and cider season. There are leaves on the ground, not snow. But we all know these days are dwindling, so we need to take advantage of the season while we can! Need some guidance? Look no further. I’ve listed four things that you can do both on and off campus to relish the remaining weeks of this lovely Hudson Valley fall.
Visit Twin Star Orchards
Located only 45 minutes from Vassar in New Paltz, NY, Twin Star Orchards is the ultimate fall excursion. I visited Twin Star on a Saturday in mid-October, and it was an absolute treat. The orchard offers a variety of activities for people of all ages. The property’s own Brooklyn Cider House hosts a variety of unique hard ciders. They also have an upscale tasting room and an open-air restaurant serving all sorts of ciders, wood-fired pizzas, and more. If you’re 21+, I’d definitely recommend trying one of their specialty hard cider flights! Also note their variety of apple cider donut stands scattered around…arguably the most important part.
The property itself is absolutely beautiful, with acres of pumpkin patches and apple orchards to pick and explore. Trees are everywhere, and the restaurant overlooks a pond that lies in the heart of the space. One of my favorite parts of visiting Twin Star was seeing all the guests hanging out throughout the orchard. Some people brought blankets to picnic by the pond, while others sat at one of their many picnic tables. It was such a serene, beautiful place that you couldn’t waste your time. Kids, dogs, couples, and families were everywhere—Twin Star is truly a place that anyone can enjoy!
P.S. Twin Star Orchards will also feature a holiday market on Saturdays from November 21 to December 19!
Arlington Fall Crawl
Now in my fourth year at Vassar, I’ve watched Arlington transform into an ideal college town. We have so many great restaurants and coffee shops, but we also forget about the slew of shops and boutiques. A few gems are scattered on Collegeview and Raymond and channel all the fall energy. Pop in with a gift list or just to browse; you can’t go wrong!
MEADOW HVNY is on Collegeview, closer to the entrance to North Lot. It’s an adorable boutique and gift shop with the best vibes. Even their window shopping is to die for; it literally beckons you in to explore all their decor and clothing options! As they head into the winter months, I expect them to have a bunch of holiday goodies!
ABODE & BEYOND is right next to the Three Arts Book Store at the start of Raymond. I popped in here one day just to poke around, and I was instantly obsessed. It’s more of a knick-knack gift shop, with so much fall decor, candles, and Vassar-themed items. Especially worth noting is their adorable line of “Upstate” hats, sweatshirts, and various apparel. Truthfully, I wanted to leave with half the store.
A hidden gem also on Raymond is Dreaming Goddess. Forget that Halloween is behind us—this store channels witchy energy all year long. They market themselves as a specialty and “metaphysical” wellness store. They have crystals, incense, candles, and so much more. Also important to note that they are WOMEN-OWNED! I’ve visited this store a few times, and it is truly magical. In my opinion, this is a must-visit on Raymond Avenue!
VRDT Fall Concert
November is full of awesome on-campus events, one most notable being the Vassar Repertory Dance Theatre (VRDT) Fall Concert. From November 19-21, VRDT will perform a collection of new dances by an impressive array of guest, faculty, and student choreographers. Each show starts at 7 p.m. and takes place in the Frances Daly Fergusson Dance Theater at Kenyon Hall. VRDT is renowned at Vassar for its incredible productions and student talent, so you will not want to miss out. Tickets are free, but required for reservation purposes; check out the link to reserve here.
Relish Vassar’s Beautiful Surroundings
As much as it pains me to say it, winter is closer than we think. Luckily for us, the weather has prevailed so far, and the leaves, though falling fast, are everywhere. Now is the perfect time to take full advantage of these last couple of weeks! Take a walk on the preserve, sit by Sunset Lake, or enjoy the Shakespeare Garden. Even take the longer walk to class if it means enjoying the outdoors for just a little longer. We are so lucky to have such a rich natural environment on our campus, but sometimes we can take it for granted. There’s no time like the present to enjoy it all.
These last couple of weeks of fall are a beautiful time to enjoy some iconic Hudson Valley scenery and specialties. I hope you feel inspired to seize the opportunity and get outside and do something new, on or off campus!