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As the leaves change color this fall, it’s time to explore some of DC’s best free attractions, events and things to do.
Tucked away in Northeast DC, just two miles from the U.S. Capitol, the National Arboretum is an oasis in the city, no matter the time of year. But the stark contrast of the sandstone Corinthian Columns that once supported the U.S. Capitol and the vibrant leaves on surrounding trees make fall one of the most beautiful times to visit the living tree and plant museum.
From Sept. 19 to 26, Events DC showcases the incredible walkability of the nation’s capital during this free, week-long public tour program. In total, dozens of guided walking tours will be held throughout the District, including neighborhood showcases, themed excursions, historical journeys and many more. Historians, licensed tour guides, community leaders and business owners, among others, host these adventures that will take you to both well-known and hidden gems across DC.
The National Gallery of Art, including its East and West Buildings, is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day. Journey through decades of art across the museum's two incredible buildings. The Sculpture Garden is also open, ideal for an afternoon stroll during the fall season.
DC’s neighborhoods come alive with free festivals and celebrations throughout the season. Discover live music, food, cultural traditions and more at events like Fiesta DC (Sept. 26-27), Oktoberfest at The Wharf (Oct. 3), Turkish Festival (Oct. 18) and Adams Morgan Fall PorchFest (Nov. 7).
The National Mall is particularly scenic during the fall season. The Washington Monument rises majestically to the sky, surrounded by the stately U.S. Capitol Building at one end and the dignified Lincoln Memorial at the other. It’s hard not to think of America’s history, especially as it recently marked its 250th anniversary. Explore the swath of land nicknamed “America’s front yard” and you’ll find inspiration and some of the most beautiful architecture in the world.
Winding from DC into Virginia, the George Washington Memorial Parkway is designed for recreational driving, with numerous scenic overlooks lining the way. Each one is clearly marked, so you and yours can pull over to take in jaw-dropping fall scenery, from foliage along the Potomac River to DC’s incredible skyline. Other free activities on the parkway include biking or running along the 18-mile Mount Vernon Trail or setting up a socially distanced picnic complete with a crisp autumn breeze.
Many of DC’s monuments and memorials honor servicemen and women. Pay a visit to the majestic National World War II Memorial, which honors the 16 million men and women who served overseas. There's also the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, which features the well-known Memorial Wall, and the Korean War Veterans Memorial.
Smithsonian museums make for fantastic fall excursions. Your options in DC include the National Museum of African American History and Culture (which celebrates its 10th anniversary this year), the National Portrait Gallery, the Smithsonian American Art Museum and the Renwick Gallery, the National Museum of the American Indian and the National Museum of American History.
A draw for fitness buffs and movie nerds alike, the 75 super-steep stone stairs at the corner of 36th and Prospect Streets in historic Georgetown gained their big moment of fame as the spot where Father Karras tumbled to his demise in the 1973 horror film The Exorcist. The staircase even snagged a historical designation in 2015.
Round up the family for an outstanding museum experience this fall. The National Air & Space Museum’s Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center is an expansive museum that consists of two hangars – the Boeing Aviation Hangar and the James S. McDonnell Space Hangar – which house dozens of aircraft and spacecraft. Some of the most notable include the Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird, a Concorde and the Space Shuttle Discovery.
Explore the array of free-to-visit parks, gardens and outdoor spaces across the DC area and plan for a scenic stroll or bike ride. There’s the vast expanse of Rock Creek Park, the scenic grounds and cascading fountain at Meridian Hill Park and so much more.
Adding to DC's incredible lineup of monuments and memorials, the Frank Gehry-designed site was erected in honor of the nation’s 34th president and Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces in Europe during World War II. Located in a new four-acre park adjacent to the National Mall, the memorial takes you through the life of Eisenhower via three bronze sculptures and bas relief images and inscription panels that offer lines from some of his most famous addresses. The site also features a stainless steel woven tapestry that depicts Pointe du Hoc cliffs on the Normandy coastline in peacetime.
