🍂 DMV Fall Guide 2025 (September)
From pumpkin patches and cider tastings cozy fall activities, scenic hikes, and festive day trips, this guide rounds up the best things to do in DC, Maryland, and Virginia all season.
Table of Contents
🍁 Fall Events
September
Movies on the Potomac (National Harbor)— Every Thursday and Sunday through Sept 28
Alexandria Art Festival (Alexandria, VA) – (Sept 13–14), outdoor art in Carlyle Square.
Frankenstein’s Mad Scientist Cocktail Lab (DC) - Sept 18-Nov 7, 2025
State Fair of Virginia (Doswell, VA) – Sept 27–Oct 6
Manassas International Food Festival (Manassas, VA)— Sept 28, 2025
Candlelight Concerts (Various DC Venues)- Fall 2025 (on going series)
🍂 Fall Festivals (Ongoing)
Graves Mountain Apple Harvest Festival (Syria, VA) – October weekends, apples, cider, music & hayrides.
Jumbo’s Pumpkin Patch (Middletown, MD) – Popular pumpkin patch with hayrides, corn maze, and fall fun (Sept 20- October 31).
Maryland Renaissance Festival (Crownsville, MD) – Step into the 16th-century with jousting, artisans, and live entertainment (Aug 23–Oct 19).
Montpelier Farms (Upper Marlboro, MD) – Family-friendly fall festival with hayrides, pumpkin picking, and farm animals (September 13 - November 2).
Temple Hall Fall Festival (Leesburg, VA) – (Sept 27–Nov 2), pumpkin patch, sunflowers & hayrides.
Summers Farm (Middletown, MD) – Huge fall festival with corn maze, pumpkins, and live entertainment (Sept 13 - Oct 31).
Wayside Farm Fun (Berryville, VA) – Fall festival with pumpkin patch, sunflower fields, and corn maze (Sept 20 - Oct 31).
🎃 Farms & Pumpkin Patches
Brandywine Cow Cuddles (Brandywine, MD) — A family-run mini-Highland cow ranch where you can book private cow cuddling sessions in a cozy.
Butler’s Orchard (Germantown, MD) – Pumpkin picking, hayrides, and cider donuts.
Carter Mountain Orchard (Charlottesville, VA) – Apple picking with stunning mountain views.
Charming Hill Farm (Amissville, VA) — Family farm about an hour from DC offering goat cuddling and farm tours.
Clark's Elioak Farm (Howard County, MD) - Family-friendly pumpkin patch with a whimsical Enchanted Forest.
Cox Farms (Centreville, VA) – Famous Fall Festival with giant slides & pumpkin patch.
Dark Spring Stables (Berryville, VA) – Family-owned farm offering horseback riding and farm experiences.
Gaver Farm (Mount Airy, MD) – Pumpkin patch, corn maze, and petting zoo.
Great Country Farms (Bluemont, VA) – Pumpkin picking, apple cider, and barnyard fun.
Green Meadows Petting Farm (Frederick County, MD)— Farm with over 150 animals to interact with. FREE Pumpkin the Pumpkin Patch in October during daytime hours.
Hollins Farm (Delaplane, VA) – Pick-your-own apples, pumpkins, and seasonal vegetables.
Homestead Farm (Poolesville, MD) - Popular pick-your-own farm for apples and pumpkins, with fall hayrides and a family-friendly atmosphere.
Liberty Mills Farm (Somerset, VA) – Virginia’s largest corn maze and pumpkin patch.
Magnolia Meadow Farms (Frederick, MD) – Pumpkin picking, corn maze, and fall fun.
Mackintosh Fruit Farm (Berryville, VA) – Small farm with pumpkins and seasonal treats.
South Mountain Creamery (Middletown, MD) — Family-owned creamery making fresh glass-bottled milk, dairy products, and hosting seasonal farm events.
Wegmeyer Farms (Hamilton, VA) — Pumpkin picking from Sept 20-Oct 31.
🌿 Nature
C&O Canal National Historical Park (MD/DC/VA) – Scenic towpath for hiking, biking, and foliage.
Dumbarton Oaks (Georgetown, DC) – Estate with historic gardens and art museum.
Glenstone (Potomac, MD) - Contemporary art museum with architecture and landscaped grounds.
Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens (DC) – Historic mansion with formal gardens and art collections.
Kenilworth Park & Aquatic Gardens (DC) – Water gardens with lilies and wildlife viewing.
Malcolm X Park (Meridian Hill Park, DC) – Historic park with tree-lined paths, fountains, and autumn colors.
Rock Creek Park (DC) – Enjoy fall foliage with over 32 miles of hiking trails.
Tudor Place Historic House & Garden (Georgetown, DC) – Federal-period estate with gardens.
U.S. National Arboretum (DC) – Expansive gardens with fall foliage, bonsai, and seasonal blooms.
U.S. Botanic Garden (DC) – Conservatory and outdoor gardens featuring seasonal plants.
🥾 Hikes & Scenic Fall Drives
Virginia
Great Falls Park – Dramatic waterfalls and overlooks.
McAfee Knob – Iconic Appalachian Trail cliff overlook.
Raven Rocks – Rugged Appalachian Trail section with sweeping views.
Shenandoah National Park – Skyline Drive, Old Rag, Dark Hollow Falls.
Maryland
Billy Goat Trail (C&O Canal) – Rock scramble with Potomac views.
Black Hill Regional Park – Lakeside trails with foliage views.
Calvert Cliffs State Park – Fossil beach and dramatic cliffs.
Cascade Falls Trail (Patapsco) – Easy waterfall hike.
Cunningham Falls State Park – Maryland’s tallest waterfall.
Patapsco Valley State Park – Trails, waterfalls & swinging bridges.
Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail (VA/MD/DC) – Expansive network of trails linking historic and natural sites.
Seneca Creek State Park – Bluebell meadows, colorful in fall.
Sugarloaf Mountain – Summit views near Frederick.
Scenic Drives
George Washington Memorial Parkway – Potomac River views.
Skyline Drive (VA) – 105 miles through Shenandoah.
🍷 Wineries (VA & MD)
Virginia
Barrel Oak Winery & Brewery (Delaplane, VA) — Award-winning winery & brewery about 1 hour west of DC offering wine, craft beer, food, and live events.
Bluemont Vineyard (Bluemont, VA) – Sweeping Blue Ridge views. Check out their grape stomping every weekend in September.
Breaux Vineyards (Purcellville, VA) — Large Loudoun estate with terrace views, a spacious tasting room, and frequent live-music events.
Paradise Springs Winery (Clifton, VA) – Winery closest to DC.
Stone Tower Winery (Leesburg, VA) – Hilltop views & premium wines.
Veramar Vineyard (Berryville, VA) — Family-run Shenandoah Valley winery with mountain views, food pairings, and an intimate tasting room.
The Winery at Bull Run (Centreville, VA) – Historic winery near Manassas Battlefield.
Maryland
61 Vineyard (Damascus, MD) — Small farm winery in upper Montgomery County offering relaxed tastings and picnic-friendly grounds.
Boyd Cru Wines (Savage, MD) — Maryland wine label focused on creative, community-centric tasting experiences and limited-release blends.
Crow Vineyard & Winery (Kennedyville, MD) - Check out their grape stomping event on Sept 21.
Linganore Winecellars (Mt. Airy, MD) — Longstanding family winery on 230 acres, known for tastings, events, and wine-and-music weekends.
Old Westminster Winery (Westminster, MD) — Quaint farm winery with cozy tastings, wood-fired food, and a focus on community.
Rocklands Farms Winery (Poolesville, MD) - Family-run farm and winery offering natural wines, fresh produce, and scenic grounds.
Two Lions Vineyards (Upper Marlboro, MD) — Boutique, family-run vineyard just south of DC — great for intimate fall tastings and live music.
Windridge Vineyards (Darnestown, MD) — Estate-grown Maryland wines with a modern tasting room and seasonal events.
🍺 Cideries
Anxo Cidery & Tasting Room (DC) – DC’s original cider tasting room offering draft ciders and delicious pizzas, perfect for a dry, flavorful sip in the city.
Cider Lab (Sumerduck & Spotsylvania, VA) — Small-batch craft cidery with seasonal ciders, perrys, and “jerk’ms” (stone fruit ciders); tasting rooms in Sumerduck and Spotsylvania.
Cobbler Mountain Cider (Delaplane, VA) – Rustic mountain cidery offering adventurous flavors like mango, sangria, and snickerdoodle in a cozy cabin setting.
Corcoran Vineyards & Cidery (Loudoun County, VA) – Family-run and gluten-free cider blends with complementary wines.
Doc Waters Cidery (Germantown, MD) – Ciders made from on-site apples, plus orchard pick-your-own, fire pits, food trucks, and live music.
Henway Hard Cider (Bluemont, VA) – Family-run and farm-based; seasonal ciders, fall events like corn maze nights, and cozy cider tastings.
Lark Brewing Co. (Aldie, VA) — While primarily a brewery, Lark also offers wine and cider options, plus food and a fun taproom experience in a rustic, family-friendly space.
Lost Boy Cider (Alexandria, VA) – Creative craft ciders with ingredients like hops, cranberry, pineapple, and cider slushies in warmer months.
Mt. Defiance Cidery & Distillery (Middleburg, VA) – A charming barn setting offering both handcrafted ciders and house-distilled spirits.
Two Story Chimney Ciderworks (Gaithersburg, MD) – Grows seven apple varieties on site; try seasonal blends and enjoy campfire seating and views of their scenic farmland.
Willow Oaks Craft Cider (Middletown, MD) – Small-batch, barrel-fermented organic cider on a lovely 35-acre farm.
🚗 Day Trips & Unique Experiences
Blue Ridge Flyer – Virginia Scenic Railway (Staunton, VA) — Scenic 3-hour train ride through the Blue Ridge Mountains and the historic Blue Ridge Tunnel, Thursdays–Sundays.
Busch Gardens Howl-O-Scream (Williamsburg, VA) – Haunted thrills, shows, and rides. (~2.5 hours from DC)
Crystal Grottoes Caverns (Boonsboro, MD) – The only public cavern in Maryland, smaller but filled with unique formations. (~1.5 hours from DC)
Endless Caverns (New Market, VA) – A six-mile cavern system with dramatic rooms and camping options above ground. (~2 hours from DC)
Grand Caverns (Grottoes, VA) – America’s oldest show cave, with Civil War-era graffiti carved into the walls. (~2.5 hours from DC)
Harpers Ferry, WV – Historic town with hikes and fall foliage. (~1 hour 15 min from DC)
Kings Dominion Haunt (Doswell, VA) – Haunted houses and roller coasters for spooky season. (~1.5 hours from DC)
Luray Caverns (VA) – The largest caverns in the eastern U.S., featuring towering stalactites, mirror-like pools, and the unique “Great Stalacpipe Organ.” (~1.5–2 hours from DC)
Massanutten Resort (VA) – Scenic chairlift rides over Shenandoah Valley foliage. (~2.5 hours from DC)
Shenandoah Caverns (VA) – Known for its “bacon formations” and colorful mineral deposits. Also has an Americana museum next door. (~1.5 hours from DC)
Skyline Caverns (Front Royal, VA) – Famous for rare crystal formations, located right at the entrance of Skyline Drive. (~1.5 hours from DC)
Tracks and Yaks (Frostburg, MD) – Rail biking adventure through the Allegheny Mountains. (~2.5 hours from DC)
Virginia Bison Company (Culpeper, VA) – Rent a cabin at this unique farm with bison tours and specialty meats.
Western Maryland Scenic Railroad – Vintage train offering scenic fall foliage rides through the mountains. (~2.5 hours from DC)
Wintergreen Resort (VA) – Blue Ridge chairlift rides with sweeping mountain views. (~3 hours from DC)
🏡 Cozy Fall Activities
Apple Cider Donuts 🍩 – A must-try fall treat at farms, fairs, or at home. Check out some local places to snag an apple cider donut here.
Baking Seasonal Pies & Breads 🥧 – Fill your home with the smell of fall spices.
Board Games & Puzzle Nights 🎲🧩 – Invite friends over for low-key fun indoors.
Bonfires & S’mores Nights 🔥 – Gather friends for a cozy night under the stars.
Bouquet-Making Class 💐🍂 – Arrange seasonal flowers and foliage into your own autumn masterpiece.
Candle-Making Class 🕯️ – Create your own cozy glow for fall nights.
Coffee Dates ☕️ – Warm drinks and conversation at your favorite café.
Cozy Bookstore Afternoons 📚☕ – Browse, read, and unwind in a quiet corner.
Crochet/Knitting 🧶 – A relaxing, hands-on way to embrace slower moments.
DIY Fall Potpourri 🍊🍂 – Simmer orange peels, cinnamon sticks, and cloves for a natural scent.
Fall Movie Marathon 🎬🍿 – Snuggle up with classics like Hocus Pocus or Edward Scissorhands, and Iron Giant.
Fall Picnic in the Park 🧺🍂 – Pack soup in thermoses and a blanket for crisp air dining.
Hot Chocolate Night 🍫☕ – Try gourmet flavors or DIY a toppings bar at home.
Journaling with Tea 🍵✍🏽 – Reflect and reset with cozy vibes and a warm cup.
Leaf-Peeping Walks 🍁🚶🏽♀️ – Take in the changing colors on a local trail or neighborhood stroll.
Library Browsing 📖🍁 – Wander stacks and leave with a pile of cozy reads.
Making Hearty Soups or Chili 🍲 – Comfort food perfect for crisp autumn days.
Pumpkin Painting 🎨 – A creative way to celebrate fall without the mess of carving.
Recipe Swap with Friends 📖🍲 – Share and cook each other’s favorite fall comfort foods.
Seasonal Decor DIY 🍂🕯️ – Make wreaths, centerpieces, or pumpkin tablescapes.
Stargazing from the Porch ✨🌙 – Bundle up with blankets and a warm drink
Trying a New Soup Recipe 🍜 – Switch it up with a fresh, cozy dish. I recomend the Zuppa Toscana DUPE!