Experience the charm of Washington DC in the fall! Discover 8 top attractions that showcase the city’s vibrant autumn beauty and cultural richness.
Fall is one of the most enchanting times to visit Washington DC, as the city comes alive with vibrant colours and a crisp, invigorating atmosphere. Beyond the stunning foliage, DC offers a rich array of seasonal activities, including art exhibitions that capture the essence of autumn, and a highly anticipated theatre week that showcases the best of local and national talent.
With an abundance of events and cultural experiences, Washington DC presents an exciting fall itinerary that promises to delight visitors of all interests and ages, making it the perfect destination for your autumn getaway
U.S. National Arboretum
Tucked away in Northeast DC, just two miles from the U.S. Capitol, the National Arboretum is an oasis in the city, no matter the time of year. But the stark contrast of the sandstone Corinthian Columns that once supported the U.S. Capitol and the vibrant leaves on surrounding trees make fall one of the most beautiful times to visit the Living Tree and Plant Museum.
Marvel at fall foliage at a local park
Check out the array of free-to-visit parks, gardens and outdoor spaces all over the DC area and plan for a scenic stroll or bike ride. There are the 2,000-plus acres of Rock Creek Park, the Capitol Columns at the scenic U.S. National Arboretum and so much more.
The National Museum of Women in the Arts (NWMA)- September 20, 2024, through January 12, 2025
The National Museum of Women in the Arts (NMWA) presents a solo exhibition of work by acclaimed multidisciplinary artist Suchitra Mattai: Myth from Matter will feature approximately 40 mixed-media works and large-scale textile installations that explore how memory, myth and visual culture can counter colonial and patriarchal narratives.
Blending techniques of collage, painting, textile, and sculpture, Mattai combines vintage and contemporary materials, such as found tapestries and photographs, jewellery, thread, paint, and fabrics, into three- and two-dimensional works about identity and belonging. She highlights the hidden histories of people like her forebears, who came to Guyana while it was still a British colony as indentured labourers from India.
Theatre Week Extravaganza– Sept. 26 – Oct. 13
Celebrate the theatre season in the Washington, DC region with a weeks-long promotion from Theatre Washington which includes $20, $40 and $60 tickets to highly anticipated productions at venues all over the DMV area. There are musicals, dramas, comedies, theatre for young audiences and much more. In addition to discounted tickets, Theatre Week also includes special events (most of which are free) designed to entertain, educate and inspire, including the free Kickoff Fest. Plan your stay: Book a hotel today.
Mount Vernon Fall Wine Festival and Sunset Tour – Oct. 4-6
George Washington’s Mount Vernon is at its scenic best when fall rolls around, so the historic estate hosts this special celebration of wine should follow by a sunset tour of the property. Bring along a blanket, chill out on the east lawn, and sample Virginia wines with views of the Potomac River. Fruit and cheese boxes to accompany your wine are available for purchase in advance.
Off-the-Mall Tours
With DC’s Jazz festival coming up in November, explore the deep, rich history and culture of the nation’s capital. Ellington to Langston: The Jazz Era in DC – A winding journey through an era in which the U Street neighbourhood of Washington, DC was giving rise to a vibrant jazz scene and establishing the roots of a new movement in black intellectualism.
Also known as “Black Broadway”, the U Street corridor was where the big names in jazz came to play at one of the dozens of clubs and theatres, and hobnob with writers and thinkers such as Langston Hughes, Zora Neale Hurston, and Alain Locke.
Look skyward at the National Air and Space Museum’s Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center
Round up the family for an outstanding museum experience this fall. The National Air & Space Museum’s Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center is an expansive museum that consists of two hangars—the Boeing Aviation Hangar and the James S. McDonnell Space Hangar—which house dozens of aircraft and spacecraft. Some of the most notable include the Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird, a Concorde and the space shuttle Discovery.
Explore the Charming Neighbourhood of Georgetown
Walk iconic cobblestone streets and take in the charm of Georgetown. Bask in the autumn air at the gardens of Tudor Place, the historic estate with close ties to America’s first First Family. For lunch, choose from the French offerings at Brasserie Liberté, the authentic Italian dishes at Filomena or the waterfront seafood at Tony & Joe’s. Wrap up the afternoon with craft cocktails and scenic views from the Graham Rooftop Bar.
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