10 Reasons We Are So Stinkin’ Excited for Fall in Philly

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Summer is great for many things: ditching work early on a Friday, backyard barbecues, day drinking on the beach without shame. But fall is a whole different ballgame that comes with equally great (though I’m sure Be Well editor Emily would say greater) offerings: Apple picking! The changing leaves! A generally less-sweaty life!

In anticipation of the first day of fall, coming up in just a week (can you believe it?!), 10 things we are so looking forward to, below.

1. Biking without sweating buckets

When at the gym or a hot yoga class, buckets of sweat are welcome. When trying to get from point A to point B without looking like Sideshow Bob by the time you arrive, not so much. Fall biking breezes, oh how we’re looking forward to you.

2. Hiking through crunching leaves

Nothing beats staring at the falling leaves. Well, besides hiking through the falling leaves, that is. And lucky for you, we put together a handy list of the best fall hikes around Philly for you to pick from, each one complete with all kinds of breathtaking fall foliage.

3. Picking ALL the apples

And eating all the apple cider donuts and homemade apple pie. Because apple picking totally burns enough calories to justify seconds and thirds, right? Don’t answer that question. (Be on the lookout for our annual apple-picking guide, coming to the blog later this week!)

4. Bug-free picnics

Mosquitoes: Dooming summer picnics ‘round the world since the dawn of time. Which is why, over here in Be Well Philly Land, we can’t wait for the mugginess to completely subside and the bugs to go wherever they go come cooler temps. Bug-free (breeze-filled!) picnics, here we come. Pssst: If you’re looking for fall picnic spots to frequent, we’ve got you covered.

5. Layering up

Puffy-coat season we could do without, but there’s just something about light fall layering — Cozy sweater! Vests! Jackets! — that feels so good. And so pumpkin brew-friendly.

6. Pumpkin EVERYTHING

And speaking of pumpkin brews, we can’t wait to stuff our faces with all the pumpkin-filled creations fall has to offer. Pumpkin bread. Pumpkin pie. Pumpkin smoothies. Pumpkin-spice granola. Pumpkin margaritas (for real). Pumpkin mac and cheese. Pumpkin everything, people.

7. Gorgeous fall foliage on trails runs

Scenery can make or break a run, and the changing leaves during fall totally make it. Just ask Instagram.

8. Cooler camping conditions

Of course summer is when we all have summer Fridays and the free time to camp, but fall is when the real camping beauty happens. First off, there’s the aforementioned leaves. Then, there’s the fact that all the summertime campers have cleared out (hellooo, space to spread out!). Plus, it’s cool enough to sleep in a tent without fear that you’ll drown in your own sweat. And there’s nothing like gathering around a campfire on a chilly fall night. Ready to pack your bags?  We’ve got a few ideas for where you should head to here.

9. Saying goodbye to sweaty subway rides

A rush hour subway commute can get a little close for comfort, and when you add 95-degree temperatures to the mix, you’re bound to get the sweat of a few strangers on your body. So yeah, we’re pretty pumped about not having to worry about that for awhile.

10. Expanding our health-obsessed horizons

As we told you guys last Sunday, there are so, so, SO many great health and wellness-related spots opening up around town this season. Think: New Sweetgreen and Sip-N-Glo locations, a new fitness studio that’s covered in pick-your-own-herbs (for real!) and many more. Yup, fall is going to be pretty darn great, you guys.

Now, your turn: What are you looking forward to this season? Shout it out in the comments!

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