By: Marlene Orantes
Photo courtesy of Washington.org
Growing up in the DMV, I have learned that there is always something to do in the fall. Most every place you go, you will see some fall foliage in full bloom. You can go into the city and enjoy a stroll in a historic neighborhood, or you can drive 30 minutes or more into Virginia or Maryland and find a farm to go pumpkin and apple picking! There’s something for everyone to enjoy this season, especially if you take some time out of your day to enjoy the countryside.
Free Fall Fun in D.C.
Photo courtesy of The National Park Service
Washington has a bounty of adorable spots to walk around, take pictures, and enjoy the fall weather. For those who enjoy walking and/or hiking, you might want to check out Rock Creek Park. Spanning 1,754 acres across the city, Rock Creek Park is an incredible place to take a brisk stroll while enjoying the scenic fall views. For the ultimate nature lover, there’s also a Nature Center and Planetarium.
Another place some might overlook, however, is the Tidal Basin! You might only associate the gorgeous trails and monuments surrounding the Tidal Basin with cherry blossom season, but the basin is still a beautiful place to take a nice stroll with your friends, take photos, and see the color-changing leaves in the fall. It might just be a good idea to take that short, 25-minute walk past the Washington Monument to enjoy the autumn leaves and feel those fall vibes.
Maryland
Photo courtesy of WLJA
Maryland offers the best of both worlds: a quick trip from the city and access to more rural areas. If you’re in the market for some farm-fresh pumpkins and apples, be sure to visit Butler’s Orchard in Germantown, Maryland. The orchard hosts an annual Pumpkin Festival with admission tickets including Pick Your Own pumpkins, hayrides, a corn maze, and so much more. If you have some free time during the week, Pumpkin Festival pricing costs $11. Per the orchard’s website, however, apple picking is only available in conjunction with Pumpkin Festival admission on the weekends, costing $16-18 if purchased in advance.
If a quiet fall outing is more your scene, Lake Needwood might just be the spot for you. The lake is a rather popular location for people to take pictures, as it is surrounded by trees with striking color-changing leaves. Additionally, Lake Needwood also has many walking, biking, and hiking trails. This lake is part of a broader park called Rock Creek Regional Park, which has even more trails and picnic areas to choose from.
Virginia
Photo courtesy of Visit Alexandria
Autumnal offerings in Virginia are a bit farther out from the city, but they are still worthwhile. First up is the Mount Vernon Fall Harvest Festival, which takes place October 19-20. Geared toward history buffs, the festival allows visitors to explore George and Martha Washington’s farm and residence, shop for farm-fresh products, and see live demonstrations of how people lived in 18th-century America. Though tickets are required, discounted student group tickets make it cheap and convenient to explore the festival with friends and family!
Last but not least, GW students can put their Smartrip cards to good use exploring Alexandria’s historic Old Town neighborhood. Just a Blue or Yellow Line Metro trip away, Old Town is a marvelous place to explore year-round but it is an especially perfect place to find those small-town fall vibes! You can explore the restaurants with friends, stroll past the storefronts lining King Street, have a miniature fall photoshoot by the waterfront, and maybe even take a water taxi back to the District. Old Town’s versatility allows for a perfectly personalized fall outing appealing to even the most reluctant excursionists.
As the peak of fall foliage approaches in October, I hope you take the time to explore these wonderful offerings in the DMV area! I’ve certainly enjoyed these spots in the past, and I can’t wait to go back and soak in the autumn vibes this year before winter sets in!