The scorching heat is gone and so are the summer crowds. Here are the top 10 things to do this fall in D.C. before the freeze sets in.
WASHINGTON — The scorching heat is gone and so are the summer crowds. Here are the top 10 things to do this fall in D.C., before the frost and freeze set in.
Picnic at Gravelly Point
The sun is bright and the air is cool, and fall is the best time of year for a picnic. Any green space will do, but Gravelly Point is a favorite spot among Washingtonians.
Nestled between the Potomac River and the George Washington Parkway, the park is an ideal place to watch the planes take off and land at Reagan National Airport.
Gravelly Point is accessible by the Mount Vernon Trail for those who prefer to bike. There are picnic tables, and there’s usually a pick-up soccer game on the lawn.
(AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)
AP Photo/Andrew Harnik
Visit the home of the first president
With the beautiful fall foliage around the estate, autumn is a great time of year to visit George Washington’s Mount Vernon. Tour the four separate gardens or the forest trail while taking in the breezy fall weather or explore the Donald W. Reynolds Museum and Education Center.
(AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin
Take advantage of the area’s trails for hiking and biking
D.C. is one of the “greenest” cities in the U.S. — so take advantage of its trails and paths before they’re covered in frost and snow. The C&O Canal is a great place to walk or bike — it winds more than 180 miles from Georgetown to Cumberland, Maryland.
The Billy Goat Trail is a popular hiking trail off the C&O Trail; Rock Creek Park also has plenty of paths perfect for strolling.
(Thinkstock)
Thinkstock
Visit a local vineyard
Fall is harvest time at the Virginia and Maryland vineyards. Throughout the season, many of the local wineries host festivals, food events and live music — along with tastings. Not sure where to start? Virginia Wine has a map of the closest Virginia-based vineyards; Maryland Wine contains similar information.
(AP Photo/Michael Felberbaum)
AP Photo/Michael Felberbaum
Tour D.C. by foot
Learn more about your favorite D.C. neighborhoods with free and name-your-own-price tours provided by DC by Foot. Walk around Georgetown, the National Mall or Capitol Hill and take in the fall feel as you tour around with a group or on your own GPS-enabled audio tour.
(Getty Images/iStockphoto/peterspiro)
Getty Images/iStockphoto/peterspiro
Get in the spirit: Tour a historic cemetery
The leaves are crunchy and the air is crisp — and there’s no better time of year to tour a local cemetery. Through Nov. 24, Congressional Cemetery offers Introductory Tours of the grounds. Alexandria Colonial Tours hosts Ghost and Graveyard tours.
(AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
AP Photo/Charles Dharapak
Soak up the sun with a saison
Beer gardens are most enjoyable when the humidity is low and there’s a breeze in the air — and there’s no shortage of destinations to visit in D.C.
In Northwest D.C., there’s Dacha, Garden District and Sauf Haus Bier Hall; in Northeast there’s Biergarten Haus.
(Photo by Johannes Simon/Getty Images)
Photo by Johannes Simon/Getty Images
Pick your own seasonal produce
D.C. is surrounded by a number of orchards and pumpkin patches that offer pick-your-own options throughout fall. For the best pumpkin and apple destinations, browse our fall fun guide.
(Getty Images)
Getty Images
Farmers market
Can’t make it out to a pick-your-own orchard? Visit your local farmers market for an abundance of fresh greens, apples, cheeses and more.
FRESHFARM is one of the largest organizations of farmers markets in the D.C. area — visit its website for locations, dates and times.
(Courtesy Rachel Hayden/Inn at Little Washington)
Courtesy Rachel Hayden/Inn at Little Washington
Breeze through the museums
Summer is long-gone and school is back in session, meaning the crowds at the city’s Smithsonian museums and the city’s landmarks have scaled back.
You’ll likely run into a field trip here and there, but for the most part, the coast is clear — except for the new National Museum of African American History and Culture. You still need a pass to get into that one.
The usuals along the National Mall are all wonderful, but don’t forget about The Renwick, The Botanic Gardens and even the National Arboretum.
(AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)
