Best places for Fall foliage in the Washington DC area
Washington DC comes alive in the Fall with the various hues of yellows, oranges and reds, and it’s such a spectacular sight!
When you plan a fall trip to Washington DC, you can look forward to some of the most beautiful fall displays, lots of fun fall festivals, and the best weather for sightseeing in Washington DC.
On the blog, I will share some of the best places for fall foliage in the Washington DC area.
There are so many beautiful places for fall foliage in the city, but I also share some fun fall day trips from DC.
READ NEXT: Best Fall Festivals in the Washington DC area
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When is the Peak for fall foliage in Washington DC
Peak Foliage in Northern Virginia and the Washington DC area usually peaks around mid to late October, but there are so many factors that go into predicting exactly when the fall foliage will be.
The weather plays an important role on when peak season is, and this website is the perfect place to check out the fall predictions in the US.
READ NEXT: Cherry Blossom Festival Guide
What to pack for a fall trip to Washington DC
When planning a trip to Washington DC in the fall, make sure to pack lots of layers. The weather in Washington DC during the fall varies from very cold, to sometimes hot and sunny.
I suggest packing a light jacket, and rain gear as well. Comfortable shoes are a must as there will be lots of walking, and bring a stroller for the little ones.
Don’t forget to pack some snacks, especially for the little ones. There aren’t many places to buy snacks in the area, except for a few food trucks and refreshments stands along the National Mall.
Best places for Fall foliage in Washington DC
Take a stroll along the National Mall
One of the best ways to see Washington DC in the fall is a stroll along the National Mall.
Take in all the DC Monuments and Memorials while you go on a leaf-peeping adventure. Here is a list of some of our favorite Fall spots in Washington DC.
READ NEXT: Guide to visiting Washington DC with kids
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 hues of fall.
Enid A. Haupt Garden
Another one of our favorite spots for fall foliage in Washington DC is the Enid A. Haupt Garden. The Gingko trees in the fall are just so spectacular with their bright yellow hues.
You can expect the leaves to turn yellow sometime in mid to late November, but of course, it’s all dependent on the weather! You can also find Gingko trees along Swann Street NW in DC.
Take a Fall stroll around Georgetown
In the Fall, take in the fall foliage on a stroll along the historic streets of Georgetown.
The historic rowhouses and fall leaves make for a beautiful backdrop to your fall photos.
Make sure to visit during the Halloween season and find some of the best-decorated doorsteps. Some really go all out with some spooky decor.
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 in a Fall hike at Theodore Roosevelt Island
Another fun spot 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.
Fall Ideas near Washington DC
Admire the Fall Foliage at Great Falls Park
Another one of the best places for fall foliage 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 $10 per vehicle, and I suggest getting here early to avoid the crowds.
Take a fall hike along the park and admire all the fall colors, it’s just absolutely beautiful. You can even have a picnic here, 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
Take in the Fall foliage at Burke Lake Park
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 entire length of the lake. You can walk or bike your way around the trail and is totally doable with kids.
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.
Fall at Shenandoah National Park
One of the most popular places to experience the Fall vibes in Virginia is at Shenandoah National Park.
- Take a drive along Skyline Drive and take in the amazing Blue Ridge Mountain views in the Fall. Remember the speed limit along Skyline Drive is 35 mph, you are sharing the road with hikers, bikers, and wildlife!
- 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 miles 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!
- Follow Shenandoah NPS on Instagram for fall foliage updates
READ MORE: Guide to Shenandoah National Park with kids
Take a scenic fall drive
One of the best ways to take in the fall season 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. Some of our favorite stops are Great Falls Park, Gravelly Park, and Theodore Roosevelt Island.
Take a stroll along the C&O Canal
Another one of our favorite spots to take in the fall views is along the C&O Canal Towpath. The C&O Canal runs for 184.5 miles from Georgetown 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!
READ MORE: Guide to Great Falls 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 on 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 is just so beautiful!
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 canine Halloween boat cruise, and a Halloween parade.
READ NEXT:
Top things to do in Old Town Alexandria
Guide to Christmas 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 fun Halloween event for the whole family.
Plus the fall foliage at Mount Vernon is just so beautiful, especially along the forest trail.
READ NEXT: Guide to visiting Mount Vernon with kids
Visit Colonial Williamsburg in the Fall
A visit to Colonial Williamsburg in the fall is just absolutely stunning. The fall leaves against the backdrop of the Colonial Town is so beautiful!
Some fall events you can look forward to at Colonial Williamsburg is the Haunting on DoG Street Halloween event, Haunted ghost tours, spooky carriage rides, and more.
READ NEXT:
Read our Guide to visiting Colonial Williamsburg with kids here. You can also read about the Top things to do in Williamsburg Virginia here. I share the best things to do, including where to stay and eat.
More places to take in the Fall Views in the DC area
- 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
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