7 Ways To Live Like The Gilmore Girls This Fall

For me, Gilmore Girls is a comfort show all year long. However, I can see where it feels especially romantic in the fall. I lived in New England for a few years, so when those leaves start to change and the temperatures begin to drop, I become my own version of a Gilmore girl. New Englander or not – you too can be a Gilmore girl. 

Become a Diner Devotee

When I think of diners, I think of round backless barstools, the smell of freshly brewed coffee, desserts on display, and locals abound. Diners have a certain ambiance that is difficult to recreate beyond their walls. Now, what makes a diner distinct from just any other restaurant? Entrepreneur Walter Scott is to thank for this phenomenon. A Rhode Islander in the 19th century, Scott sold food and coffee to night shift workers out of a “lunch wagon.” The concept became popular and eventually stationary in the first brick-and-mortar diners. Today, diners are known for their “come as you are” dress code, inexpensive comfort food, and large portions. Often serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner, they are a good spot all day long. 

During my time in Maine, there was a diner I regularly frequented called Becky’s. While their tasty food and short walking distance from my house made me a regular customer, what really kept me coming back was the sense of home I felt there. I didn’t necessarily have any friends there, but the feeling of home-cooked food, kind eyes, and local Mainers gave me that sense of belonging. 

I encourage you to far surpass my level of diner devotion and to reach for Gilmore-level diner devotion. For Rory and Loreai, Luke’s Diner was not only the destination for a significant number of their meals, but it was also a place to see their friends. Whether it was having an awkwardly entertaining conversation with Kirk or catching a grumpy greeting from Luke Danes himself, diner time gave the girls community. 

Coffee Coffee Coffee 

“Coffee, please, with a shot of cynicism,” said Lorelai Gilmore. Not only is coffee a staple of the Gilmore diet, but it’s also a pillar of the Gilmore life. I don’t have a memory of the Gilmore girls drinking anything other than coffee (aside from their Friday night cocktails). They consume their coffee for the caffeine, taste, and romantic feelings attached to it. For the Gilmore girls, coffee means a meal at Luke’s, craziness at the inn, studying for finals, a chilly stroll through Stars Hollow, or a nightcap at the end of a long day. 

Maybe your coffee inclination is to order a fall themed drink like a pumpkin spiced latte, but let the girls inspire you to opt for the more old-school version – hot black coffee. 

Visit a Charming Small Town 

There aren’t many places more charming than Stars Hollow. A town square, staple restaurants, festivals, town meetings, an inn, and a short walk to everything – it’s a New England All-American dream. While there are certainly small towns across the U.S., a trip to New England would make the experience more Gilmore-esque. Pack your sweater, bring your book, find a cozy inn, and let your adventure begin. Maybe you’ll even meet your very own Taylor Doose.

Build a Reading List 

“I live in two worlds, and one is a world of books,” said Rory Gilmore. A major trope throughout Gilmore Girls is Rory’s intelligence. Not only does she excel at an elite private high school and attend Yale, but she is an enthusiastic reader. When not working or adventuring with her mother, she can be found in a variety of spots, nestled up with a book. Historical fiction, textbooks, romantic fiction, non-fiction – you name it, she has read it. Moreover, she can often quote from these books too. 

If you’re not a reader already, reading may seem like a chore. But really, it’s an abundant opportunity. Reading doesn’t have to be an academic to-do, but rather a path toward growth and an outlet of escape. Developing a love for reading will enhance your vocabulary and expand your mind. If you’re already a reader, let Rory and this new season inspire you to branch into a different genre or up your reading quantity as you spend a little more time indoors. Pick a variety of books and shoot to read a certain number of them each month, and set aside time each day to read. Whether it’s 20 minutes or two hours, it will enrich your life. 

Begin a Friday Night Dinner Ritual 

Not much time passes by in season 1 of Gilmore Girls before Friday night dinners at Emily and Richard’s become a ritual. Initially begun as a part of the agreement for Emily and Richard to pay Rory’s Chilton tuition, these dinners become a staple of the Gilmore girls’ lives and the show itself. Each Friday evening, Lorelai and Rory arrive at the Gilmore mansion dressed in their best. They’re usually greeted at the door by a maid before the whole family gathers in the living room where Richard makes cocktails at the decadent bar cart. They sip on their aperitifs while unpacking the goings-on of the week. After some minutes of light, witty chatter, the maid notifies Mrs. Gilmore that dinner is ready to be served. They migrate to the dining room, and each sits perfectly spaced apart at the formally set table. Here they are served a tasty, three-course meal. Some of the greatest one-liners, fights, and bonding moments of the show take place at this very table. 

While you may not have a mansion, staff, or a bar cart, you can recreate the feeling of the Gilmore Friday night dinner. All you need is family or friends, a dining table, food and drinks, dedication to routine, and a witty spirit. In a culture that is ever fast paced, it might sound impossible to create a weekly event such as this. Maybe you differently prioritize your schedule or maybe you opt for a monthly dinner instead. However you do it, there is value in ritual. Rituals build memories, comfort, and relationships. So as you wind down from summer vacation and get back into the swing of life this fall, maybe consider adding “Friday night dinners” to your routine.

Tailgate in Emily Gilmore Style

You must remember the infamous episode where Rory and Lorelai rise earlier than desired on a chilly Saturday morning for the Yale vs. Harvard football game. Richard and Emily host an annual tailgate to celebrate this rivalrous occasion. At first, you probably couldn’t picture Richard and Emily attending, much less hosting, something so common as a tailgate in a parking lot. That is, until you see the tailgate set-up. White tablecloths, a full bar, and staff on call – this is a tailgate for the refined. 

As football season ramps up for professionals and collegiates, now is the time to host your own knockout tailgate. Maybe you leave the tailgate out of it all together. Ditch the red solo cups for some cuter faux glass cups. Bring some white tablecloths. Have a signature cocktail on display. Provide cute chairs for your guests. Just a little of the Gilmore sparkle goes a long way. 

Stock Up on Your Favorite Movie Night Snacks 

Movie nights were glorious occasions in the Gilmore house. It usually meant a movie marathon of the girls’ favorite classics that they could already quote from memory. The especially fun part of these movie nights? The food. The Gilmore girls were doing Mukbang dinners before they were a trend on TikTok. A pizza from Antonioli’s, Chinese food from Al’s Pancake World, and a laundry list of junk food from Doose’s Market. Stomachs as bottomless pits and senses of humor with never-ending wits were the foundations of movie nights. 

Don’t feel like hitting the town after a long week of work or school? Not to worry, follow the Gilmore lead. Order your comfort takeout foods, stock up on your favorite snacks, and start the marathon of plot twists, movie stars, and laughs.