Don’t go into hibernation just yet, because fall in Lexington is all about fun adventures, crunchy leaf piles and plenty of excuses to procrastinate studying for your midterms!

Want to get some ideas for your next trip downtown? Look no further.

1. Tea pairing at Thistleberrys

On Friday, Oct. 10 from 6–8 p.m., Thistleberrys will be closing early to host a special tea pairing.

Guests can help themselves to multiple servings of blue ambrosia tea, fruit and cheese before finishing off with Earl Grey tea and dessert.

Jannie Linn, owner of Thistleberrys, started hosting events like tea pairings this past Spring and has had a lot of repeat guests. Linn said one typical visitor is a professor from Washington and Lee, who has signed up for numerous events and has even come in during her lunch hours.

Linn finds that strangers often talk to each other and make unexpected connections at her cozy tea pairings.

2. Just Games: LoL trading cards event

On Friday, Oct. 31, the League of Legends themed trading card game, Riftbound, comes out. Just Games, a tabletop game store in Lexington, will host a release event the next day on Saturday, Nov. 1.

“I’ve played with the demo decks they’ve sent to our store and it’s very fun with a unique gameplay,” said Paige Gance, an owner of Just Games. “If you’ve seen the show Arcane or have played League of Legends, chances are you’d be interested.”

She said she loves working at a place where folks play games together because it gets them off their screen and together in-person to bond over a shared hobby.

“Regulars who’ve come here often have built friendships that cross all sorts of boundaries,” Gance said.

3. Run the Chessie!

The 10th annual Run the Chessie will be held on Saturday, Oct. 25, bringing together hundreds of runners and walkers for a scenic race along the Maury River and former rail lines. 

All levels are welcome: you can register for the marathon, half marathon, 10K, 5K or 26.2-mile relay.

“It takes an army of volunteers to make this work,” said Louise Uffelman, an employee at the Lex Running Shop and volunteer at Run the Chessie. Uffelman said everything from putting together the race packets and swag bags to working the water and first-aid stations requires all hands on deck.

However, the hard work that goes into this event is worth it, Uffelman said. She said it’s “one of those community events that everyone looks forward to.”

4. Ghost tour in Lexington

Do you triple-dog dare to brave the Lexington Ghost Tour? If you’re an avid “Mythbusters” reader or a daredevil who loves the spooky thrill, the haunted ghost tour is right up your alley.

Don’t believe the supernatural? On this ghost tour, you get to see for yourself what exactly is in front of the Stonewall Jackson Memorial Cemetery. Led by professional entertainers, you’ll also walk the exact path traveled by Robert E. Lee and his horse, Traveller.

Underneath the moonlit alley ways and dark cover of the night, you might find yourself questioning what’s real and what’s not.

5. The Workshop at Timber Ridge

You don’t have to go to Japan this fall to experience raku firing. On Oct. 25 from 3–6 p.m., The Workshop at Timber Ridge is offering a class in raku firing, a traditional Japanese ceramic method known for creating distinctive, unexpected outcomes. 

Participants create two unique pieces to take home and give a fall feeling to your room or apartment. 

6. Downtown Trick-or-Treat

Go grab your Kit-Kats, Starbursts and Skittles. You can’t miss that mandatory candy-spread photo! You know what they say: you can never be too old to go trick-or-treating!

On Oct. 31, dress up with your friends and go trick-or-treating in downtown Lexington from 3:30–5 p.m. While the event is running, downtown streets will be closed for public safety.

7. Root 11 Native Plant Nursery

From Goatsbeard to Whorled Tickseed, Root 11 offers a wide variety of native plants unique and special to Virginia.

Spice up your room with some greenery at Root 11’s fall finale sale on Saturday, Oct. 18 from 11 a.m.–1 p.m. at Woods Creek Windup!

8. Shenandoah Valley Conservatory: raptor migration hawk watch

Want to take your bird-watching to the next level? Bring your binoculars and join the Rockfish Gap Hawk Watch on Afton Mountain on Oct. 11 at 10 a.m.

As you spot migrating raptors soar along the Blue Ridge Parkway, you’ll also learn about the Shenandoah Valley Conservatory’s efforts to protect nature’s pathways. What are you waiting for? Let’s go bird-watching!