While it may not feel like it with the heat waves we’ve been seeing recently, fall is quickly descending upon us. Fall is consistently ranked one of the best times to visit Washington, D.C., as the summer heat is gone, many high season tourists leave, and the area displays its awe-inspiring changing leaves.
Even as peak summer activities begin to wrap up, Washington, D.C. has a very extensive variety of attractions and events to enjoy in the autumn. Individuals and families looking to travel to the city this fall often wonder where they should go to enjoy some of the best things that D.C. has to offer.
To help those who are beginning to plan their fall trips, below are a list of activities to enjoy and places to stay while visiting the Washington, D.C., and Baltimore metro areas.
Grab Gorgeous Photos of America’s Front Lawn at the National Mall
The National Mall is a must see for individuals and families traveling to DC as it features breath taking views of national landmarks including the Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument, U.S. Capitol, and White House. The area is also home to Smithsonian museums, art galleries, and cultural institutions, meaning that there is no shortage of activities nearby. All the National Mall’s attractions are made even more beautiful against the backdrop of bright, vibrant fall foliage, and the location is a popular destination for visitors that want to secure memorable pictures of the best sights DC has to offer.
Whether it’s the Lincoln Memorial, a shot of the Reflecting Pool with fallen leaves, or the Washington Monument against the trees, you simply cannot go wrong. The National Mall is also a great place to catch events in the fall such as the National Book Festival. This year, Ford’s Theatre is hosting a free, one-night concert of Come from Away on September 10th!
Enjoy Seasonal Produce or Specialty Foods from Dupont Circle FRESHFARM Market
Dupont Circle FRESHFARM Market is open every Sunday year-round. Located in Dupont Circle, one of the most vibrant towns in DC filled with bars, bistros, boutiques, museums, and local businesses, the farmer’s market is an excellent place to visit during fall months due to its expansive offerings.
Over 50 local and regional farmers contribute to Dupont Circle FRESHFARM Market, each providing a diverse range of vegetables, fruits, meat, fish, breads, plants, herbs- you name it. You would be hard pressed to find a location with better access to seasonal fruits, vegetables, and specialty foods than this farmers’ market, and fall is one of the best times to check it out.
Observe Fall Foliage at the U.S. National Arboretum
The grounds of the U.S. National Arboretum are open to the public every day of the year except for Christmas and is beautiful year-round. In the autumn the location really comes to life as the region’s foliage transforms into a vibrant palette of yellows, reds, and oranges.
At 446 acres and with 8.5 miles of winding roadways, the National Arboretum almost never feels crowded and is a great place to feel connected to nature without leaving the city limits. The area is also located only two miles from the U.S. Capitol, meaning that visitors can stop there to catch their breath while visiting some of DC’s most prolific attractions.
Catch a Raven’s Game at M&T Stadium
The 2021 NFL regular season will begin on September 9th, making this fall an excellent time to catch a game at M&T Bank Stadium- home of the Baltimore Ravens. The Ravens will play their first home game of the season against the Kansas City Chiefs on September 19th, and fans are excited for a great season for the team.
Fall is also a great time to visit M&T Bank Stadium for a tour that provides a behind-the-scenes access to the venue. Guests on tours will get to visit the seating bowl, press level, locker room, club level, suite level, and will even have partial access to the field! These tours are incredible experiences for football fans who want to get an exclusive glimpse of the multiple areas that make up the M&T Bank Stadium while the venue is not filled for game day.
Enjoy a Special Event at the Maryland Zoo
The Maryland Zoo is a great place to see animals such as rhinos, lions, elephants, reptiles, and more year-round. In the fall, the Maryland Zoo is both a place to take the kids to enjoy the animals and a venue for adults that want to enjoy special events.
For example, OktoBEARfest 2021 will take place Saturday, October 23rd to Sunday October 24th, featuring an unlimited sampling of over 50 seasonal brews. OktoBEARfest will also provide access to live music, German-inspired food, and fare from local vendors and artisans.
The Maryland Zoo is also scheduling its popular Sip & Stroll adults-only happy hours for September and October. Tickets include 3 drinks, a meal from one of the Maryland Zoo’s food trucks, a guided tour, and an after-hours visit to zoo habitats. Themes will vary week to week and will include topics such as saving species, mating habits, zoo history, and predators.
Explore Maryland Wineries
The Maryland Wineries Association (MWA) is a non-profit trade association that represents Maryland’s 80+ local wineries. Throughout the fall, the MWA hosts many different fun events at its participating locations. Events range from weekly farmers’ markets, live music, entertainment, and more!
September 18th will mark the 37th annual Maryland Wine Festival, here guests can enjoy local wines, contributions from local artisans, food, and live music. Fall is a wonderful time to enjoy outdoor events, and Maryland’s wineries are hosting plenty for locals and tourists to enjoy this year.
Where to Stay?
There are many different hotels in the Washington metropolitan area that are fit for individuals and families that want to visit and see its many attractions. People looking to save a few bucks, however, may find that places offering discounted rates and affordable stays can be few and far between during travel surges.
Baywood Hotels hope to help families looking to save with deals that will allow them to secure safe, modern, and affordable accommodations. The below list of hotels that are each offering 20% off for guests when they stay 3+ nights.
Holiday Inn Express in Hyattsville, MD
The Holiday Inn Express in Hyattsville, MD is a popular choice for those travelling to DC because it is only 4 miles from Washington, DC, minutes away from attractions such as the U.S. Capitol, the White House, the Lincoln Memorial, and the Washington Monument. The hotel is incredibly accessible, situated about a six-minute walk from the Capital Plaza Mall and close to the College Park Airport as well.
The Holiday Inn Express in Hyattsville, MD has amenities that include free breakfast, wireless internet, a business center, kitchenette, free access to laundry facilities, and a health/fitness center on the premises.
The Comfort Inn Washington, DC
The Comfort Inn Washington, DC is a contemporary hotel that is right in the heart of our nation’s capital. The hotel is only a ten-minute walk to the convention center, a mile from National Mall, and centrally located walking distance to attractions such as the White House, Capitol, and Washington Monument.
The Comfort Inn Washington, DC is accessible and located near Metro subway stations. The hotel features amenities such as free Wi-Fi, hot breakfast, a gym, and a 24/7 business center. The Comfort Inn Washington, DC’s central location means that it is also close to a wide variety of restaurants. Washington DC is known for its progressive food and dining scene and whether you are looking to grab a bite from China Town or check out one of the city’s cafes or gastro pubs, The Comfort Inn Washington, DC is just steps away.
Home2 Suites Owings Mills, MD
Home2 Suites in Owings Mills, MD is located only one mile from Metro Centre at Owings Mills. This places it minutes away from a variety of locations such as bars, local businesses, and Maryland’s bustling food scene. The hotel is pet friendly and provides access to amenities such as free Wi-Fi, in-suite kitchens, free hot breakfast, Spin2 Cycle fitness, an indoor heated pool, and access to a business center.
Home2 Suites in Owings Mills, MD is just a short drive to Baltimore, MD, and its many attractions, be it Camden Yards, M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore Museum of Art, etc.
About an hour away from Washington, DC, Home Suites in Owings Mills, MD is a great location for individuals or families travelling to our nation’s capital who want to see more of what the Washington metropolitan area has to offer.
