Fall is finally here and that means it’s 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. Check out the Harry Potter Forbidden Forest Experience
It goes without saying that Harry Potter is a comfort series for many of us, and the Fall vibes of each movie are undeniable!
If you are looking for a unique plan for this Fall that you should definitely not skip, take the time to binge all the movies and then head to this incredible Forbidden Forest Experience just outside the district.
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. Take a trip to NYC to partake in the real-life Squid Game event happening in Manhattan this Fall
Admittedly this may have less to do with the season and more with the fact that this is truly a can’t-miss event that will be a blast for everyone who partakes in it.
The real-life Squid Game event starts in early October in NYC, but tickets are selling out incredibly fast, so if you think this might be something you and your friends might enjoy – don’t wait – get your tickets ASAP.
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 of the three events are:
- A Night In Paris – September 12th
- Día de los Muertos – October 10th
- To the District, with Love – November 14th
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 19th, 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. Go to the Atlantic Festival at The Wharf
On the 19th and 20th of September, the annual Atlantic Festival will draw some of the brightest minds and most reputable thought leaders to The Wharf for one weekend only.
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 5th!
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 18th, 19th, and 20th, 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 26th to October 13th, 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. Tune in to season 7 of Love is Blind to see D.C.’s ridiculous dating scene in action
If you haven’t already heard, the upcoming season of the hit Netflix show Love is Blind is set in Washington, D.C., and will feature local singles from the DMV area.
The hit reality TV dating show always tends to provide us with incredible viral moments, and given the bizarre nature of D.C.’s dating scene, season 7 of Love is Blind is set to be one of the best yet.
16. Check out the Tutankhamun ‘Tomb and Treasures’ exhibit before it leaves town
This incredible exhibit arrived in D.C. not long ago and quickly became one of our hottest new recommendations.
The informational exhibit is perfect for all audiences ranging from educational family outings to culturally enriching date nights!
Unfortunately, though, the Tutankhamun ‘Tomb and Treasures’ exhibit will be leaving D.C. after the end of October and be moving elsewhere.
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 on September 29th.
With only a few weeks left for Washingtonians to check it out before it leaves for good, this event is not one you want to miss this Fall!
18. 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.
19. 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.
20. Head to Luray Cavern to tour the biggest caverns 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!