Our Fave Picks for Fall
/Some of us are Team Pumpkin Latte and many of us are not, but there is one thing we all agree on at Unique HQ — we love Fall! We thought we would share some of our favorite things in Los Angeles, Portland and Washington DC, to help you get out and explore…
LOS ANGELES
Sonja’s Fall Pick: Cafe Nido
Why I Love It: This Silverlake area cafe is hands-down the new cool kid on the block. Just 4 months old, this is a great place to enjoy coffee and read a book (seriously, they even have books you can borrow or rent) or work. It feels like a tucked-away oasis in the city, boasting major outdoor patio vibes with beautiful tile and trees, which is why it's become so popular on TikTok... Which at times brings an annoying 'influencer at work' vibe, as they film their coffees from across the patio and take selfies, but also makes for great people watching.
Pro Tip: The weekends are insane, go Monday - Thursday. Cute first-date place and a cool place for meetings.
Spencer’s Pick: Yonder Coffee’s Ube Cold Foam
Why I Love It: First of all, as a small business themselves, Yonder does an incredible job of creating opportunities to support other small businesses as well as local artists. They are constantly hosting small business markets on their outdoor patio, open mics for music artists, paint and sip nights, etc. As a Filipino-owned coffee shop they tie in a piece of their culture with their Ube Cold Foam, which you can add on top of any drink you'd like. My personal fave being an iced vanilla latte with oat milk, and it's SO delicious. Anyone who loves ube or has yet to try the magic of ube, I immediately recommend them to Yonder.
Pro Tip: Don't be lame by NOT trying it.
Lauren’s Fall Pick: Hammer Museum’s Made in LA Exhibit
Why I Love It: LA is my hometown, and I loved seeing the way it has inspired these 39 artists and collectives in their work. LA is having such a wonderful moment in the art world, and it’s partially due to institutions like Hammer, holding space for local talent (this is their 6th Made in LA Exhibit!).
Pro Tip: Make sure to hit the gift shop on the way out, where they featured even more local artisans and small businesses.
PORTLAND
Bethany’s Fall Pick: Pittock Mansion
Why I Love It: The view with the fall leaves is unmatched! When I visit, I always bring a blanket and pack a picnic; then I walk down NW 23rd to enjoy the festive lights and cute shops.
Pro Tip: Go at sunset to see a beautiful overview of Portland!
Canary’s Fall Pick: Hoyt Arboretum in Washington Park
Why I Love It: It's a beautiful, peaceful break from city hubbub and you get to see all the beautiful colors of fall! It's open every day from 5am-10pm and the trails are very accessible, plus admission is free!
Pro Tip: Plan a whole day event and check out the Zoo, Japanese garden, and Rose Garden as well. Psst: There's also a secret garden! If you stay for the whole day, parking maxes out at $8 so it's definitely worth it.
Carmie’s Fall Pick: Portland Japanese Garden
Why I Love It: In the fall with the leaves changing colors, the garden is so beautiful and has a wonderful overlook of the city (plus Mt. Hood if you are lucky!)
Pro Tip: If you love matcha, be sure to make a reservation for their Umami cafe! Such a fun experience before or after taking a walk around the gardens. Also you can check their website, your local library, or your bank to see if they offer discounted/free tickets.
Church’s Fall Pick: Raven’s Manor
Why I Love It: This haunted manor bar is spooky any day of the year; but they really dress the place up for fall! They have unique cocktails with delightful presentations, and the staff is theatrical and engaging!
Pro Tip: Avoid the giant line and book a reservation to secure a spot. During busy times, your visit will be limited to a maximum of two hours, so get inside and get ordering!
Heidi’s Fall Pick: Mt. View Orchards
Why I love it: The drive itself - 15 miles of gorgeous scenic highways south of Hood River - is amazing! The views are breathtaking and the orchards are vast and full of endless apple varieties. You can cut dahlias, pick pumpkins, sample cider, and enjoy the breathtaking view of Mt. Hood.
Pro tip: Leashed dogs are welcome here, so bring the whole family!
Katie’s Fall Pick: The autumn spice latte from Kind Coffee
Why I Love It: One of my favorite things to do in Portland in the fall is hit up Kind Coffee in the morning for a delicious autumn spice latte and bagel breakfast sandwich (bacon, egg, and cheese on a sesame bagel is my favorite). After I'm done at Kind, I wander through the Tabor neighborhood and up into Mt. Tabor Park for some of the best city views and leaf-peeping in town. If I'm still feeling energized after my walk, I like to end my time in the neighborhood by stopping by the Portland Nursery on Stark to pick up all the seasonal goodies I need, like locally grown apples and mums. What better way to start your day than with good coffee and a pretty walk?
Pro Tip: They have the best bagel breakfast sandwiches in town - get there early before they sell out of bagels!
WASHINGTON DC
Sonja’s Fall Pick: Somewhere, Navy Yard
Why I Love It: I’m a sneakerhead and streetwear lover, so I love checking out what new stuff Somewhere has. But the reason I love the Navy Yard location in the Fall is because they have a cafe inside the shop, perfect for the colder weather. Get a proper hot coffee and chill before you browse the merch!
Pro Tip: If you see something you like, get it. Their cult-like following means items don’t stay on the shelves for long!
Sonja’s Fall Pick: Hirshhorn Museum’s new Simone Leigh Exhibit
Why I Love it: This is one of my favorite museums, because they curate the artists soooo well and the circular architecture of the building makes for a very natural flow when walking around. Literally. And this new exhibit is exciting:“For over two decades, Leigh has embraced a polyphonic artistic vocabulary that elaborates on Black feminist thought, an intellectual tradition which values and centers the experiences of Black women. Informed by a rigorous attention to a wide swath of historical periods, geographies, and artistic traditions of Africa and the African diaspora, Leigh often combines the female body with domestic vessels or architectural elements to point to unacknowledged acts of labor and care, particularly among and for Black women.”
Pro Tip: This is a small museum, so very easy to visit after or before going to a larger institution like the nearby Smithsonian Air and Space Museum or the National Gallery of Art.