by Denise Calaman

Created on: September 19, 2010   Last Updated: September 28, 2010

Fall is fast approaching and for Washington DC residents looking for something to do this fall, the area surrounding the nation’s capital won’t disappoint.  From leaf peeping to fall festivals there are many ways for people of all ages to enjoy fall’s splendor in the Washington DC metro area.  Here are just a few activities that you may enjoy during your visit to Washington DC this fall.

 National Apple Harvest Festival, Arendtsville, PA

The National Apple Harvest Festival in Arendtsville, PA, located just a few miles north of Gettsyburg, is held annually the first two weekends in October. The festival celebrates the apple harvest.  At the festival visitors can find anything apple, but there is also live entertainment, foods, crafts, and children can celebrate the harvest by making their own scarecrow. 

Arendtsville is approximately 90 miles from Washington DC.  For more information on the National Apple Harvest Festival please visit http://www.appleharvest.com.   

 Gunpowder Falls State Park, Northern Maryland

 A great escape from big city activity, Gunpowder Falls State Park, located in northern Maryland, is a great nature area to observe fall’s brilliant foliage.  Naturalists can enjoy 18,000 acres of fall foliage.  There are over 100 hiking and biking trails at the Falls.

 Gunpowder Falls is located in northern Maryland less than a one hour drive from Washington DC. 

 Mount Vernon Estate, Northern Virginia

 The 500 acre estate of George Washington, located in Mt. Vernon, Virginia is one of the most scenic tourist attractions in the Washington DC area.  During the fall the landscape around the estate really pops with color.  For wine lovers there is an annual wine tasting festival held on the estate grounds every fall.  This year the wine festival will be held on October 1-3, 2010.

 Mount Vernon Estate is located 16 miles south of Washington DC.  The entrance fee to tour the grounds is $15.  For more information about the estate and its fall activities visit http://www.mountvernon.org.

 Harper’s Ferry National Park, West Virginia

Harper’s Ferry National Park, located in Harper’s Ferry West Virginia, is located at the confluence of the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers.  The Blue Ridge Mountain range adds spectacular color to the backdrop of this little town during the fall months.  Visitors who really want to take in some fall foliage can hike part of the Appalachian Trail when visiting the park.  There is also a walking bridge that is part of the Trail that spans across the confluence of the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers. 

 The little town of Harper’s Ferry is a quaint town that was made famous by abolitionist, John Brown and his tiny band of troops that were overtaken by a group of US Marines in the downtown.  His fort still stands today and is a historical landmark. 

 Harper’s Ferry is approximately 70 miles from Washington DC. It takes about one hour by car to get there from the city.

If you find yourself in the Washington DC metro area this fall there are many more ways that Washington celebrates the harvest season.  There are activities for people of all ages to enjoy.  Many of these activities have a historical or an educational flare.  For more information on how the DC area is celebrating this harvest season please visit the city’s website at http://washington.org. 

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