Best things to do this Fall in Washington DC
As the temperature drops and the leaves start to change, Washington, D.C. transforms into a breathtaking display of vibrant colors, creating a truly spectacular sight.
With the crisp, comfortable weather, it’s the perfect time for leisurely sightseeing to explore all that Washington, D.C. has to offer.
When you plan a fall trip to Washington, D.C., you can look forward to some of the most beautiful fall displays found in the city. In addition, the season brings a plethora of fun fall festivals and events that celebrate the harvest and showcase the local culture.
On the blog, I share some of the best things to do in Washington, D.C., ensuring that you make the most of the long autumn days.
READ NEXT: Best Fall Festivals in the Washington DC area
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READ NEXT: Guide to visiting Washington DC with kids
Take in the Fall scenery this Fall in Washington DC
One of the best activities to enjoy this fall in Washington, D.C. is to enjoy the beautiful scenery. You can experience the vibrant colors of fall around the National Mall and enjoy the stunning DC Monuments and Memorials as you go on a leaf-peeping adventure. Check out some of our favorite fall spots in Washington, D.C.
- Tidal Basin: One of the best places to admire the fall foliage is along the Tidal Basin. The Tidal Basin is mostly known for the Cherry Blossoms, but during the fall, the cherry blossom trees transform into a beautiful fall scene!
- The Reflecting Pool: Take in the beautiful fall foliage along the Reflecting Pool. The various hues of fall along the Lincoln Memorial and Washington National Monument are just so beautiful! Find a spot along the steps of the Lincoln Memorial and take in the fall scenery.
- The Korean War Memorial: One of our favorite places to take fall photos is the Korean War Memorial. The fall leaves here are some of the most beautiful, especially the Linden trees encircling the Pool of Remembrance. It’s one of the best places for a fall photo shoot.
- The U.S. Capitol: Take a stroll along the grounds of the U.S. Capitol and admire the fall foliage. The trees in the area are just so gorgeous with the various fall hues.
- Fall at the US National Arboretum: One place not to miss in the Fall in DC is the US National Arboretum. Take in the various hues of oranges, reds, and yellows in this amazing park in Washington DC. Pack some lunch and enjoy a fall picnic enjoying all the beautiful foliage. Entrance is FREE and is open from 8am-5pm daily. Don’t miss the Fall Bonsai show from Oct. 9-11 (10am-4pm daily).
- Take a scenic fall drive: One of the best ways to take in the fall season in Washington DC is a scenic drive along the Historic Georgetown Pike or the George Washington Memorial Parkway. There are so many historic spots to visit, including many scenic hikes along the way.
- Take a stroll along the C&O Canal: Another one of our favorite spots to admire the fall scenery this fall in Washington DC is along the C&O Canal Towpath. The C&O Canal runs for 184.5 miles from Georgetown DC to Cumberland, MD.
- There are so many beautiful beautiful parks and trails along the way, and it’s the perfect way to admire the beautiful fall views along the Potomac River.
- One of our favorite areas along the canal is at the Great Falls Park in the Maryland side. The views here are amazing, and it’s the best place to spend a fall family day out!
More places to enjoy fall scenery near Washington DC
- Theodore Roosevelt Island
- Rock Creek Park
- Seneca Creek State Park
- Brookside Gardens
- Meadowlark Botanical Gardens
- Bull Run Park
- Lake Accotink Park
- Huntley Meadows Park
- Mason Neck State Park
- READ MORE: Kid Friendly Trails in the DC area
Enjoy the Fall Festivals in Washington DC
When you think of fall in Washington DC, all the fun fall festivals and events come to mind and nothing says fall like a visit to your local farm for all the fun fall festivities!
Whether you’re wandering through pumpkin patches or hand-picking fresh apples, the abundance of fall festivals promises an array of delightful experiences to savor.
Here are just some of our favorite Fall Festivals in the DC area. You can also read our Guide to all the Best Fall Festivals in the DC area for more info.
- Mosaic Fall Fest: FREE Fall Festival at the Mosaic District. A vibrant outdoor festival with over 90 handmade and vintage vendors, special performances, and lots of fun activities for the entire family.
- When: September 28 & 29 from 11am-6pm
- Location: MosaicDistrict AvenueFairfax, Va 22031
- Nalls Produce: Best FREE pumpkin playground for kids in Northern VA with lots of fun activities for them to enjoy and a variety of pumpkins and gourds to purchase.
- When: Sept. 28, 2024 (Pumpkin wall is now open ) from 9am-7pm
- Location: 7310 Beulah St, Kingstowne, VA 22315 (Parking is limited so try to visit on weekdays)
- PERCHFEST FALL: A (SHREKTASTIC!) MUSIC & MINI GOLF FESTIVAL: Fun weekend festival featuring putt putt, live music, craft beer, fitness classes, Made in Fairfax’s pop-up shop, and Shrek-themed activities.
- When: Sept. 20-21, 2024
- Tickets: FREE to attend but must register here
- Location: The Perch @ Capital One Center 1805 Capital One Drive Tysons, VA 22102
- Cox Farms Fall Festival : When: September 14-Nov. 5, 2024
- Hours: September and October 10am-6pm, November 10am-5pm. Festival Market 10am-6pm Sept 14 – Oct 31, Nov 1 – 5 10am-5pm.
- Fields of Fear Hours: Friday and Saturday nights Sept. 20 – Nov. 2 (plus Sunday, Oct. 13), 2024, 7:30-11 p.m. (last entry 10 p.m.)
- Ticket prices: Pricing varies by date and range from($10-$25), and must be purchased online.
- Reserve your tickets here
- Location: 15621 Braddock Rd. Centreville, VA 20120
- Butlers Orchards Fall Festival: When: Sept. 21-Nov. 3, 2024
- Wed-Fri: 1pm-6pm / Sat-Sun, and Columbus Day: 9am-6pm.
- Ticket prices: $11 weekday tickets / $16-18 weekends per person ($2 more at the gate). Pumpkins cost $.75 per pound.
- Reserve tickets online here.
- Location: 22222 Davis Mill Road Germantown, MD 20876
- Gaver Farms Fall Fest
- When: from Aug. 30-Nov. 5, 2024 (10am-6pm daily)
- Ticket prices: $20 on Sept. weekends / $23 on Oct. weekends / $14.50 on weekdays (2 and under FREE)
- Purchase tickets online here.
- Season Passes are available for $50.50 with admission all season long. *Tickets are not required for hayrides or pick your own crops.
- Location: 5501 Detrick Rd. Mount Airy, MD 21771.
Enjoy a hike this Fall in Washington DC
This fall in Washington, DC, consider going on a hike at one of the local parks to enjoy the beautiful fall scenery. There are many state parks where you can see the colorful fall leaves. Below are some favorite spots for hiking and leaf peeping this fall.
- Take in a Fall hike at Theodore Roosevelt Island: One of our favorite spots to take in the fall foliage is at Theodore Roosevelt Island. Go on a short hike along the Swamp Trail and take in the amazing fall views. This trail is an easy 1.5-mile trail that is a perfect fall family hike. Free parking is available near the footbridge to the island, and there are restrooms, or Porta Potties available.
- Hike Great Falls Park and admire the fall leaves: Another one of the best things to do this fall in the Washington DC area is a visit to Great Falls Park. The waterfalls against the fall backdrop are just so amazing.
- Entrance to Great Falls Park costs $20 per vehicle, $10 on foot or bike, and $15 on a motorcycle.
- Pack a picnic lunch or purchase food at the cafe. For more information on Great Falls Park, make sure to visit the Visitors Center, and have the kiddos join in on the Junior Ranger program, it’s so much fun.
READ NEXT: Guide to Great Falls Park with kids
- Hike Burke Lake Park and admire the fall scenery: One of our favorite places to take in the fall foliage is along Burke Lake Park. Burke Lake is located about a 30-minute drive from Washington DC and has some of the most stunning fall scenery.
- Go on a leaf-peeping adventure on the 4.7-mile trail that wraps around the lake’s entire length. You can walk or bike your way around the trail.
- The kids will also love the Burke Lake train and Carousel which runs through the end of October, and the fun playgrounds around the park.
READ NEXT: Guide on the best hiking trails and parks in the Washington DC area.
Enjoy an Oktoberfest celebration
Another fall activity to look forward to in the Fall in Washington DC are the fun Oktoberfest events. There are so many Oktoberfest events in the area. Here are some events to look forward to in 2024!
- Oktoberfest at the Wharf: On Saturday, October 5, 2024 from 2-7pm featuring Wiener 500 Dachshund Dash, Polka on the Pier, and a Stein Hoisting Championship.
- Oktoberfest at John Carlyle Square: On September 28, 2024 from 11AM – 6 PM. Festive Oktoberfest celebration in the heart of Old Town Alexandria! Get ready for a day filled with traditional music, lively entertainment, a beer garden, shopping, and more!
- Poppy and Branch Hosts Kids and Family Oktoberfest: On Sunday, September 29 from 12 – 6pm. Fun-filled Kids and Family Oktoberfest celebration at Shipgarten, hosted by your favorite Trolls characters, Poppy and Branch!
- The Great Oktoberfest 2024: On Saturday, October 5th, 2024 from 11am-5pm. Access to unlimited beer & seltzer tastings, game areas, live entertainment, a full pour station, raffles, and much more!
Go on a Fall Day Trip from Washington DC
Fall at Shenandoah National Park
One of the most popular places to experience the Fall vibes near DC is at Shenandoah National Park.
- Take a drive along Skyline Drive and take in the amazing Blue Ridge Mountain views in the Fall.
- Make sure to plan your visit on a weekday, as the weekends can get pretty crowded. Fall is the most popular time to visit Shenandoah NP, and gets pretty busy! The Front Royal and Thornton Gap entrances are usually the busiest entrances.
- Also, If you plan on staying in any of the lodges at Shenandoah, plan ahead and book rooms in advance as they are usually sold out on weekends!
- Some of the best trails to take in the views are at the Hawksbill Summit, which is the highest peak at Shenandoah. The upper Hawksbill trail is one of the most kid-friendly that goes for an easy 2.1-mile roundtrip.
- Another place to take in the views is along the Stony Man Summit. Take the Stony Man Trail which goes for 1.6 miles with the most amazing vistas!
READ MORE: Guide to Shenandoah National Park with kids
Harpers Ferry National Park in the Fall
Just a short drive from Washington DC is Harpers Ferry National Historical Park. A visit here is amazing at any season, but in the fall the views are even more amazing!
- One of our favorite spots to take in the Fall views is Jefferson Rock, with the most beautiful Shenandoah River views. This is a short kid-friendly hike that continues for more along the Appalachian Trail.
- The best views though are from the Maryland Heights Trail. The 4.5-mile trail is a moderate hike that goes uphill, but doable with older kids!
READ MORE: Guide to visiting Harpers Ferry National Park with kids
Visit Old Town Alexandria in the Fall
One of the prettiest places to visit in the Fall is Old Town Alexandria. The Fall leaves against the historic houses and cobblestone streets are just so beautiful! Plus you can even go on a Historic Alexandria Homes Tour.
Take a stroll along the Alexandria Waterfront, and admire the Fall foliage along the parks. The peak foliage here looks so amazing against the Potomac River views!
During the Halloween season, the town gets all decked out in spooky decor, and there are many fun Halloween events to look forward to. Go on a lantern-led ghost tour, A doggie trick or treat, and a Halloween parade.
READ MORE: Top things to do in Old Town Alexandria
Visit Mount Vernon in the fall
When planning a fall visit to Washington DC, make sure to pay a visit to George Washington’s estate at Mount Vernon.
During the fall, the estate hosts various fall festivals, including a Fall Plant & Garden Sale, A Fall Wine Festival, and a fun Halloween event for the whole family.
Plus the fall foliage at Mount Vernon is just so beautiful, especially along the forest trail.
READ MORE: Guide to visiting Mount Vernon with kids
Visit Colonial Williamsburg in the Fall
A visit to Colonial Williamsburg in the fall is just stunning. The fall leaves against the backdrop of the Colonial Town are so beautiful!
Some fall events you can look forward to at Colonial Williamsburg are the Haunted ghost tours, spooky carriage rides, a spooky Halloween tea at the Williamsburg Inn, and more.
READ MORE: Top things to do in Williamsburg Virginia
Visit a Theme Park this Fall in Washington DC
Fall is a fantastic time to plan a day trip to a theme park in Washington, DC. With the cooler weather and an array of exciting Halloween events, visiting a theme park during this season offers a fun-filled experience for all.
Here are some of our favorite theme parks to visit this fall. Read more about our favorite theme parks near DC sharing all the info for your visit.
- Kings Dominion Halloween Great Pumpkin Fest and Halloween Haunt Sept. 20 – Nov. 3, 2024
- Hershey Park Halloween & Dark Nights Sept. 13 – Nov. 3, 2025
- Busch Gardens Halloween Sept. 6 – Nov. 3, 2024
