The first day of fall has come and gone, which means it is time for the return of the fast-talking, coffee drinking, mother-daughter team: the Gilmore Girls. Nothing screams fall quite like the idyllic fictional town of Stars Hollow. If only life were as simple as boy drama, concerning amounts of coffee and junk food, and walking around a downtown while being serenaded by whatever “La la” fit your mood. While life may never be that simple, you can still enjoy a cozy Gilmore Girls fall in NWA’s own Siloam Springs. Here’s how you can do it:
"I need coffee in an IV:"
One thing Rory and Lorelai cannot live without is coffee, and honestly, who doesn’t feel the same way? Siloam Springs does not fall short on that front. For an option that feels like stepping into Luke’s Diner, check out Café on Broadway. They have what comes closest to that Luke’s Diner feel, with coffee, breakfast, lunch and great places to sit and people watch. If you want to study like Rory, Pour Jons is the place to go, and if you’re saving money for Chilton check out Perisseia for a student discount.
The “Rory Sweater:”
To truly have a Stars Hollow fall, you have to dress the part. The Gilmore Girls' iconic style is one part of the nostalgic fall feeling the show captures. This means lots of knits, turtlenecks, miniskirts, low-rise jeans and the occasional early 2000s graphic T-shirt. After grabbing a coffee from Pour Jons, head next door to Beautiful Lives to find those perfect 2000s fall pieces. The upscale women’s resale shop just hosted its seasonal thrift flip on Sept. 19, which means fall attire is out!
The Perfect Study Tree:
Whether it was Chilton or Yale, the academic world is one that Rory goes in and out of (cue Jess, “Why did you drop out of Yale?”). To get a piece of this, take a walk down John Brown University’s quad and find yourself a study tree to sit under. As the leaves change, it creates the perfect place to watch them fall as students walk by. The community also has the same “everyone-knows-everyone” quality that Stars Hollow has in its own downtown.
Downtown is a Must:
What is Stars Hollow without its downtown? Well, downtown Siloam Springs has plenty of its own NWA Stars Hollow sights. One of the most “Stars Hollow” aspects of sweet downtown is the gazebo. One look at the fallen leaves and hay around the white wood and you can practically hear Carole King singing about “winter, spring, summer or fall.” It is also home to mirrors of other iconic Stars Hollow businesses. Miss Patty’s School of Ballet is Downtown Dance Studio, Kim’s Antiques is Milling Around Marketplace or 2 Gals’ Junk and for Al’s Pancake World, look no further than AM Eats & Tea Treats. For that classic Stars Hollow fall festival feeling, make sure to check out Siloam Springs' Homegrown Festival, happening on Oct. 3.
“Where You Lead, I Will Follow:”
To add that final Gilmore Girls touch to your fall day out and about, add a little Carole King or Sam Phillips to your walk about downtown. With the smell of coffee, feel of the fall breeze, colorful autumn colors and the perfect Stars Hollow playlist, all senses will be engaged and fully immersed in the Gilmore Girls feels. If you want to experience a live show, JBU will be hosting indie folk-rock band Dawson Hollow for the second consecutive year on Oct. 30. Lane Kim would be proud!
End It Right:
At the end of the day, what is a more Gilmore way to close it out than to eat a concerning amount of junk food and enjoy classics like “Casablanca”? Pop Tarts, Red Vines and Twinkies are a must, but don't forget the takeout! For the Gilmore Girls takeout experience, try So Chill Eat or Fratelli's Wood-Fired Pizzeria.
Now you have the perfect recipe for a Stars Hollow Day in Siloam Springs. Just find the Lane to your Rory, or the Sookie to your Lorelai, and you’re ready to go!
Photo by Adeline Gruen
