Autumn is all about the crunch of the leaves under your foot and vibrant yellows, oranges, and reds everywhere. Now imagine a cityscape swathed in a carpet of fall foliage; that’s autumn in Washington, DC, for you. Come September and October, the nation’s capital transforms into a breathtaking tapestry of vibrant autumnal hues and the city buzzes with a vibe that’s very different from its winter or even summer atmospheres. Imagine this: we were walking around all of the nation’s most patriotic monuments with red-hued foliage as the backdrop. However, Washington DC in fall is more than just its picturesque landscape. We indulged in fabulous shopping, waterfront dining, sports events, family-friendly festivals, interactive museums, and, of course, Halloween events. So, are you also gearing up for a trip to the nation’s capital this autumn? Here’s a useful guide.
Table of contents
Weather
We loved Washington DC in autumn for its vibrant foliage, fewer crowds, and cooler weather, making it the ideal time to explore. While Washington, D.C. in September was still largely warmer, average high temperatures fluctuated between the upper 50 degrees Fahrenheit and upper 70 degrees Fahrenheit during October. During November, the lows could slide to as low as in the 30s, so make sure that you bring layers. Think fall travel leggings from Walmart, lightweight travel base layers, and even hiking mid-layers if you’re adventurous kind. Usually, peak fall foliage in the D.C. region is around the end of October.
Museums
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As culture vultures, one of our favorite things is visiting museums everywhere, and Washington, D.C. is full of them. We loved visiting the iconic Smithsonian Museums, which had fewer visitors than the peak summer months. While most National Mall museums, including this one, had free entry, we needed to reserve free timed entry passes for access, which was worth it. Besides special exhibits all over, we also explored black history and African American culture at the National Museum of African American History and Culture. and how overcoming obstacles like slavery and oppression have shaped Black lives today.
Since we are art connoisseurs, we also marveled at the original works at the National Portrait Gallery, the National Gallery of Art, and the Smithsonian American Art Museum. Rounding it off was the visit to the National Zoo, which the kiddos loved!
However, that’s not all. Did you know that Washington D.C. has an international spy museum, which has been revamped recently? Yes! We were thrilled exploring the interactive installations and exhibitions, which featured everything from imaginative methods to stealing secrets and spy history to code cracking and spy artifacts from around the world. Finally, we ended our museum peeking with a visit to the Museum of the Bible. Spanning 4,000 years of history, the museum had a VR tour of biblical lands, more than 1,000 artifacts, and interactive exhibits.
Old Town Alexandria
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As the air begins to chill, the autumn leaves make for a breathtaking canopy above the redbrick sidewalks of Old Town Alexandria in Virginia. Located just 20 minutes south of Washington, D.C., along the Providence River, this gorgeous destination goes all out for the fall, as we saw. We’d decided to head here on a Saturday, spending the morning at Old Town Farmers’ Market. Held every Saturday morning throughout the year, it’s the country’s oldest farmers’ market to have been held continuously at the same place, Market Square Plaza, for more than two and a half centuries!
After that, we sipped local cider, strolled King Street for Halloween treats and the season’s finds, and even explored a pop-up art festival. However, what we loved the most was strolling the cobblestoned streets and staring at the gorgeous historic homes. If you want to check out the best fall decor, head straight to Captain’s Row. Also, if you don’t want to walk the red-brick sidewalks, there’s even a free trolley! Local museums, a boatload of indie shops and eateries, and vintage stores, all topped with autumnal foliage – Old Town Alexandria is magical.
The National Arboretum
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Spending a quiet day strolling the quietly lush 446-acre National Arboretum was the perfect way to spend an autumnal day in Washington. This leaf-peeping oasis is full of exhibits and gardens that were the fruit of long-term botanical research. A diverse selection of verdure, mini Japanese bonsai trees, daffodils, stunning ornamental plant displays, and more await you at this free-of-charge attraction. One of the most famous and mandatory photos is standing next to the iconic National Capitol Columns. These 22 Corinthian columns were originally located at the U.S. Capitol Building between 1828 and 1958. With groves of yellow, orange, and fiery red trees in the background, vibrant purple flowerbeds in the foreground, and the lush grass beneath, they made for some gorgeous and memorable pictures.
Farms and Farmers Markets
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If you thought DC was all about people in power suits flitting about everywhere, think again! There are many farms and farmers’ markets in and around DC that are very popular with travelers, us included. What’s more, they offer more than just pumpkin and apple picking.
While there are tons of places to do that, Hollin Farms is our favorite. Why’s that? Because they not only have pumpkin and apple picking, but they’re also a working farm! So, when we were here, we even got to pick peanuts, kale, potatoes, and more, followed by a round of delicious ice cream, donuts, and even cider. When we visited Cox Farms, the experience was entirely different: it was the perfect spot to take the kiddos, especially. It’s not surprising, considering they had live entertainment, a tractor museum, food, games, a corn maze, farm animals, hayrides, and even giant slides. Moreover, they even have a pumpkin patch that turns into a haunted forest and maze at night!
Where there are farms, there will be farmers’ markets too. The D.C. area had many, and we mean many farmers’ markets that allowed us to enjoy a local taste of the region. There were shops selling everything from fresh-cut flowers, baked goodies, and fresh foods to cheese and scratch-made dog treats. Some popular markets we visited included the Falls Church Market, the White House Farmers Market, and the Dupont Circle Fresh Farm Market.
Hiking Trails
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We were thrilled to find that the D.C. region was full of hiking trails that were within a Metro ride, a quick drive, or even a walk away. What’s more, they were all different kinds of trails, making even our hiking activities well-rounded. One of the first hikes we tried was Harpers Ferry, which was more than 60 mi away from the city in West Virginia. Set around the historic town, the 20 mi of hiking trails included the C&O Canal Trail, which we hiked.
Another very popular hike is Sugarloaf Mountain, which sits less than an hour northwest of D.C. in Maryland. While we hiked from the base of the mountain, there was also the option of driving up a few miles and parking closer to the scenic views. Starting from the East View Parking Area, the hiking route looped around Sugarloaf Mountain. It was mostly wooded, with the major chunk of the elevation gain being along the first half of the route. However, do note that it’s very rocky in spots, so don’t forget the best men’s waterproof hiking shoes and the best women’s waterproof hiking shoes.
One of the best hikes for fall foliage is the 1,800-acre-huge Rock Creek Park. With rocky trails, wildlife, a babbling brook, hardwood trees, and stunning fall foliage views, the park made for a unique hiking experience.
Parks
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Do you know how many parks are in and around Washington, D.C.? These include not just regular parks and verdant spaces but even national parks! One lies right in the middle of the city in the neighborhood of Georgetown, an iconic dining and shopping destination. It’s home to the lovely Waterfront Park, which offers not just boat tours along the waterfront but also stunning Potomac River views and stunning autumnal sunsets. Next, there’s the National Park Service site in Arlington, which is perfect for cyclists, boaters, and even aviation enthusiasts. If you want to enjoy a picnic by the river with planes soaring overhead, Gravelly Point Park is the place to be.
Since we were in the mood for an adventure, we visited two boathouses, the Thompson and Key Bridge Boathouses. There, we rented kayaks and paddleboards and cruised along the serene waters under the bridge. while watching the fall foliage change colors. Finally, there’s also Shenandoah National Park, which is just over an hour’s drive away from Washington, D.C. It’s one of the best places near the city to experience fall and its changing leaves. Pro tip: If you don’t want to sit in traffic, especially on the weekends, leave before 8 am as we did.
Tidal Basin
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The manmade reservoir that is the Tidal Basin is one of the most visited places in Washington, D.C. It’s where gorgeous cherry blossoms fringing the entire basin steal the show every spring. However, fall in Washington, D.C. brings about an entirely different set of colors to the Tidal Basin. Think reds, oranges, and yellows in their most vibrant form. We took a lovely walk around the basin and enjoyed stunning views of the trees changing colors, with the stately Jefferson Memorial in the background.
One of the most unique ways to experience the Tidal Basin is to take this Monuments and Memorials Bike Tour. This guided, leisurely bike tour takes you around the National Mall, and one of the most thrilling moments is when you’re biking along the Potomac Tidal Basin. What’s more, it even takes you around all major war and presidential memorials, where you can take a wonderful break to explore the monuments.
Historical Tours
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Washington, D.C. has some of the most patriotic places in the United States — the White House, U.S. Capitol, and the Washington Monument, among others. Since we’re culture vultures, we wanted to explore the magnificent buildings and historical structures around the city. What better way to do that than the Washington DC Capitol Hill Guided Tour? The guided tour, helmed by a knowledgeable local guide, allowed us to soak in the grandeur of Capitol Hill and explore the U.S. Capitol, the Library of Congress, and the Supreme Court. What’s more, this tour even included entry tickets, which allowed us to see Marple Palace, the Main Hall of the Library of Congress, and the Reading Room where we even saw an original Gutenberg Bible.
As ardent history lovers, we were thrilled to be able to admire precious items like an Abe Lincoln-handwritten draft of the Gettysburg Address, original artwork by the legendary Stan Lee, and even the original handwritten lyrics for “The Sound of Music”! Our final stop was the Capital Visitor Center, which had a separate docent and an interesting tour.
Festivals
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Fall in Washington, D.C. only ups the ante on all the fun, no matter where you are. The Washington, DC, fall festivals calendar is packed with events revolving around history, culture, music, food, and whatnot, and many of them are even free to attend.
Of all the fairs, we loved the DC State Fair the most. This daylong celebration of all things homegrown was a free showcase of the District neighborhood’s creative, culinary, and agricultural talents. It draws inspiration from time-honored state fair traditions, delicious foods, and gardening and growing, with past activities including competitions for kids, those with green thumbs, and the best photographers. One of the District’s longest-running neighborhoods is Adams Morgan Day, which has been around for nearly half a century. Held along the lively 18th Street, the festival is all about family-friendly activities, artwork, food vendors, music, and more. Another popular annual festival is the H Street Festival, which features lots of food vendors, contests, family-friendly activities, dance performances, and live music.
Finally, there’s also the Mount Vernon Fall Wine Festival and Sunset Tour, which takes place at George Washington’s Mount Vernon. The place is at its scenic best during autumn, so the wine and sunset are fitting complements at this historic estate. We brought along a blanket, packed a picnic, and chilled out on the lawns, sipping Virginia wines with stunning Potomac River views.
Place to visit
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Did you know that the nation’s capital is also the national capital for cider? The Greater D.C. region has a wide variety of ciders, including dry, gluten-free, and sweet, among others. Plus, there are an array of outdoor patios, rooftop bars, and beer gardens to check out too. Since we were with kids, we headed to Lost Boy Cider in Alexandria, Virginia. It offered a wide range of fermented refreshments made from all-natural ingredients including spices, pineapples, cranberries, and hops. Plus, there was even non-alcoholic cider for kids, and cider slushies for everyone!
Moreover, even the local craft beer scene was bubbling up, which we experienced at Bluejacket, a huge 5,600-sq-ft-huge space for beer lovers. Boasting an expansive range of ales and lagers, the brewery had an impressive list of 5 cask brews and more than 20 beers on full display.
Of course, how can we leave wine lovers behind? Oenophiles will have a ball in D.C. during autumn, which is the harvest season for the vineyards in the region. We rented a car and headed to Loudon County, D.C.’s “Wine Country,” but there are many urban wineries right in the city as well.
“If you’re a cider, beer, or wine connosieur, this is one of the most exciting Washington DC fall activities for you!”
WOW Travel
Where to Stay in Washington, DC?
- The Hay Adams: Since history was important to us, we stayed at the Hay Adams, one of DC’s oldest hotels. Radiating timeless charm, this hotel was all about goose-down duvets and Frette linens, colonial decor, fireplaces, and luxurious bathrooms. Even the amenities are no less special: there’s a swanky fitness center, a famed restaurant with White House views, a wonderful bar serving tipples, and concierges taking care of just about everything we needed. That’s why it’s one of the best luxury hotels in Washington DC.
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- Swann House B&B: Washington can be pretty romantic in autumn, so we thought, why not indulge with a stay at one of the most romantic hotels in Washington DC? Many rooms, including ours, had whirlpool tubs, but they all had plush beds, seating areas next to windows, and flatscreen TVs — basically everything we needed for a weekend indoors. The rest of this gorgeous Queen Anne Victorian inn is amazing too, especially the outdoor swimming pool, which is rare in a B&B. There are even loungers to the side to relax with drinks after a swim. Did we mention breakfast spreads here? Yep.
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Places To Eat
- District Doughnut: DC through-and-through, this locally-founded doughnut shop is home to some of the tastiest fall flavors in the city. We got our fall feels on with their numerous pumpkin-glazed creations, like caramel apple streusel and sweet potato pie, which had a pecan topping and a marshmallow glaze. We rounded out our meal with the staff’s favorite maple butter pecan, where a vanilla bean doughnut is dipped in a butter glaze and maple syrup, before being garnished with candied pecans. Yum!
- Café du Parc: Sitting inside the Willard InterContinental Washington, D.C., this is the place to come for harvest-inspired menus. Since it was fall, we enjoyed everything from the wild boar entrée and duck pâté to desserts like the house favorite caramel vanilla tart.
