Fall is almost here, and that means it’s almost time to switch out your Summer closet and shift into the vibe of the new season!
So, without further ado, to get yourself into the full spirit of the season, here is your official Secret DC Fall bucket list for things to do around the D.C. Area before the season comes to an end!
1. Go apple picking at one of the apple orchards around D.C.
An absolute no-brainer for this list, it doesn’t get more seasonal than going out with friends or family and picking yourselves a bag or two of fresh, crisp apples!
Once you wash them, they’ll be perfect to snack on or make some iconic dishes like apple pie.
As a bonus, most places around D.C. where you can go to pick apples will also have fresh apple cider and cider donuts for you to enjoy, which is another can’t-miss activity during the Fall season!
2. This new immersive museum will unleash your inner child
Bubble Planet is headed to DC so if you love museums that double as photo opps, you’re going to love it! This interactive exhibit has 10 different rooms, all with different themes, colors, and sights. Bubbles ranging from soapy baths to smoke-filled orbs to balloons will allow you to float through a magical story that you likely haven’t experienced before.
Get your tickets here!.
Where: Rhode Island Center
524 Rhode Island Ave NE, 20002
3. Attend one of the Halloween-themed Candlelight Concerts happening around the district
One of the most simple yet elegant plans you can make for this Fall around D.C. is heading to one of the Candlelight Concert events happening around the capital.
There are tribute performances to the songs of your favorite artists and even themed events that transform iconic Halloween tunes into classical music masterpieces!
4. Grab your passes to the Metropolitan Beer Trail
D.C.’s Metropolitan Beer Trail is officially back for the 2025 season!
Spanning from NoMa to Brookland, the pedestrian and bike-friendly adventure is home to 12 participating locations along the Metropolitan Branch Trail.
This year’s pass includes new prizes, a new location this upcoming summer, and plenty of beer to enjoy!
5. Celebrate Oktoberfest by visiting one of D.C.’s best beer gardens
Oktoberfest celebrations are perhaps one of the first and most fun events to remind us every year that the new season is upon us!
Celebrating at a long table at one of the many fantastic beer gardens around D.C. with your friends and potentially even strangers is a great way to usher in the new season on a high note.
6. Book your spot and attend one of the National Gallery Night events this Fall
With only three National Gallery Night events slated for this Fall, you do not want to miss your chance to attend one of the most talked-about and anticipated events in D.C. nightlife!
The themes for this fall’s events have not yet been announced, but they will be shared by the National Gallery of Art soon.
7. Get in the Halloween spirit with a ghost tour of D.C.
Even if you’ve lived in D.C. your whole life, getting to see another side of the district and learn something new might just be one of the best things you can do with your time this fall!
This is exactly why we highly recommend you and your friends take one of these incredibly unique haunted Halloween-themed tours of the district:
- Haunted Washington D.C. Booze and Boos Ghost Walking Tour
- Walking Night-Time Ghost Tour of Washington DC
- Ghosts of Georgetown Night-Time Walking Tour
- Washington DC: Guided Ghost Walking Tour
- Murders, Mysteries, and Hauntings of DC Night-Time Walking Tour
8. Treat your tastebuds to the Fall edition of D.C. Wine Fest
Returning on October 18th, you’ll want to book your tickets to attend the Fall edition of the D.C. Wine Fest as soon as possible!
Aside from the obvious refreshments, the event will have live entertainment, quality food options, and a whole lot of fun to be had.
9. Learn about the cultural history behind Día de los Muertos
Head to the Mexican Cultural Insitute for the Celebración del Día de los Muertos this Fall, and if this isn’t your direct culture and you want to witness the celebration, that’s okay too!
The exact dates of the celebration will be posted on the official site of the Mexican Cultural Institute as they have not yet been published.
10. Head to Luray Caverns to tour the biggest cavern system in the eastern United States
This Fall is the perfect time to venture out west toward Luray Cavern, the largest cavern system in the eastern United States!
The incredible natural sight is well worth the 1.5-hour drive from D.C. to Luray, Virginia, to see the incredible underground formations.
As a bonus, just a short drive away from the Caverns is also Shenandoah National Park, which is another great spot to see the full spectrum of colors that the Fall foliage has to offer!
11. Watch the Wiener 500 Dachshund Dash at The Wharf’s Oktoberfest celebration
One of the most spectacular events of the year takes place at The Wharf during its Oktoberfest Celebration, and that’s the annual Weiner 500 Dachshund Dash on October 4th!
To raise funds for charity, local dachshund owners can register to have their furry friends partake in a four-legged race in front of a full crowd of fans.
Funds from the event will be donated to Rural Dog Rescue!
12. Take the whole family to the Smithsonian’s National Zoo for the ‘Boo at the Zoo’ event
This October on the 17th, 18th, and 19th, will be one of the most exciting events that the National Zoo puts on all year – Boo at the Zoo!
Tickets are selling out very fast, so you’ll want to get yours ASAP or risk being unable to go. You get your tickets for $35 per person on the National Zoo’s website, but members may be able to get a better deal on tickets while space is available.
13. Take a hike at one of the incredible trails in the D.C. area before it gets too cold
Whether you want to get an incredible view of the Fall foliage when it’s at its peak or take advantage of the weather before the chill sets in, the D.C. area has a long list of incredible hikes that won’t disappoint!
While it might be a little chilly to dip into one of the natural pools in the DMV area, fortunately, many of them happen to be attached to incredible trails that will take you to some mesmerizing views.
14. Get tickets to D.C.’s 2024 Theatre Week
The district’s 2024 Theatre Week will be taking place from September 18th to October 5th, which is an event that every local should want to support.
Tickets are available at a range of prices in an effort to minimize the economic barriers that tend to exist in the world of theatre.
15. Take a trip to some of the most beautiful spots in the DMV to see the Fall foliage at its peak
You don’t have to drive hours away from the district to get some incredible views of the leaves changing color this Fall, so we’ve taken the opportunity to list a few of our favorite spots to see the Fall foliage – some close, and some a little further away from the district.
16. Treat someone to the most intimate dining experience in the district – Dining in the Dark
Dining in the Dark is one of the most exciting and unique culinary experiences that you can have in the capital city!
The secret menu is made taking your culinary preferences in mind when you purchase your spot, but the food and drinks seem to always be fantastic.
As a result, this experience ultimately ends up being one of the most fun, hilarious, and memorable dining experiences you can have with someone you care about.
17. Visit Dopamine Land for a dose of fun before it closes at the end of September
One of the most incredible interactive exhibits that we can’t recommend enough for a fun evening plan for all audiences, Dopamine Land is set to close and move to another city after September!
With only a few weeks for Washingtonians to check it out before it leaves for good, this event is not one you want to miss this Fall!