Fall Weekend Trips in the DMV Area

The season of pumpkin spice, vibrant leaves, and cozy sweaters is here! Autumn is a welcome reprieve from the hot and humid days of summer, and the perfect time to make the most of your weekends before the bitter cold sets in. With the beautiful scenery and lovely weather, there is so much worth seeing during this transitory season. Here are some of the best fall weekend trips in the Washington D.C., Maryland, and Virginia (DMV) area.

1) Pumpkin patches, orchards, and wineries

These outdoorsy spots are a staple of the fall experience. Dressing up, picking pumpkins or other fruits, spending time with friends, taking pictures, and sipping on warm cider are a must during this lovely season. There are countless spots such as these around the DMV area that make for the perfect weekend day trip.

2) Shenandoah National Park

One of the most popular destinations during fall time due to the rolling mountains coming alight with vibrant fall colors, this park is about an hour and a half from the DMV area. The drive is well worth it for all the hiking, biking, and sightseeing the park offers. Drive through the trees along Skyline Drive and stop at overlooks to peer down into the beautiful valley below. Park and hike through the woods on one of the hundreds of trails winding along the mountains. Spend a day out in the woods or make it a full weekend trip by camping or renting a cabin!

3) State parks

There are also parks available on a smaller scale that are run by the state. These parks offer the same perks of hiking, biking, camping, and beautiful fall colors without all the hustle and bustle of national parks. State parks are a great day trip destination or perfect for an overnight stay if you want more time out in the beautiful weather.

4) Visit another city

Sometimes you don’t even have to go out into nature to see beautiful fall colors and enjoy the weather. Simply taking a trip to another city can change up the scenery, the pace, and be a very fun day or weekend trip. Cities in the DMV area include Annapolis, Baltimore, Richmond, and Washington D.C, and there are also lots of smaller towns that are charming and wonderful to visit during this season. Any change of scenery can be fantastic!

5) Go the beach

Although you may have been sitting on a sandy beach just a few months ago soaking in the hot rays of the sun, there’s nothing wrong with going back to enjoy the sand in a new season! Though the scenery won’t be awash with fall colors, there will still be lovely weather and the space probably won’t be as crowded as during the summertime.

There really is no wrong place to visit during autumn, since the nice weather can make any location fantastic. Depending on if you’re craving a new cityscape, the fresh smell of the woods, a lowkey nature trip, or a fun day with friends, there are lots of destinations for a fall weekend trip in the DMV area.