Sarah Brannigan (B’28) is a first-year in the McDonough School of Business studying finance. She is a New York City native and Georgetown Storyteller who loves golfing, traveling, writing and Dunkin’ Donuts.
Georgetown’s red brick sidewalks are slowly turning orange with a sprinkling of fallen leaves, and I can’t help but smile! I can already see (and smell) signs of my very first fall on the Hilltop through the Corp’s Apple Pie Chai and the influx of flannel shirts across campus. You might be wondering what you can do to celebrate the season at Georgetown, so I outlined my fall bucket list to serve as a source of inspiration.
On Campus
Fall Is For Football
You might be missing the sights and sounds of your favorite NFL team’s stadium this fall. If that is true, I have the perfect activity for you! Grab some friends, put on some Georgetown merch, and go cheer on our Hoyas on Cooper Field. With power players on both defense and offense, a Georgetown Football game is sure to excite. The Hoyas have already made this a monumental season by beating the Columbia Lions for the first time in four years. I hope to see you and your friends in the stands!
GU Farmers’ Market
Who doesn’t love a seasonal sweet treat? The Georgetown University Farmers’ Market is the perfect place to find locally grown seasonal produce, fresh baked goods and so much more. I love stopping by the wide array of vendors every Wednesday in Red Square from 12-5 p.m. This is the perfect place to enjoy DC’s beautiful weather, spend time with friends and support local businesses. I recommend trying a Thai milk bubble tea from Georgetown Bubble, a student-owned and operated company.
Halloween Movie Nights
The Georgetown Program Board is a student group that plans exciting events for all to enjoy. When the weather gets chillier, there is nothing more fun than grabbing a sweatshirt and heading to Copley Lawn for an outdoor movie with friends. Some past spooky shows have included Hocus Pocus and The Exorcist. You can even join in on the Georgetown tradition of howling into Halloween as the clock strikes midnight —if you dare!
Off-campus
Boo at the Zoo!
If you have been looking for an excuse to explore DC, there is no better time. You can enjoy all of the fall foliage as you take a Georgetown University Transportation Shuttle to the Smithsonian National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute. I find it super convenient that students can take a free shuttle from campus and have the nation’s capital at their fingertips. The zoo hosts an annual after-hours event with special jack-o’-lanterns, spooky animals and sweet treats. I recommend securing your ticket to Boo at the Zoo soon because tickets for this highly anticipated event sell out fast!
Fall Favorites at the United States Botanical Gardens
What is fall without some pumpkins? The United States Botanical Gardens is the oldest public garden in the country and is open every day from 10 am-5 pm. The Conservatory’s educational team has crafted an exciting calendar of fall events that are sure to excite. The Pumpkin Tour and Fall Foliage Walk are on my bucket list! I have heard that you can even spot some monarch butterflies if you visit earlier in the season before it gets too cold. Another reason why you should visit The Botanical Gardens is because admission is free!
If you couldn’t tell, fall is my favorite season! I hope you try out some of my recommendations to be extra festive this season on the Hilltop. Fall aboard!
