10 Fall Activities in Northern Virginia

There’s no shortage of fun fall activities in Northern Virginia whether you’re looking to enjoy some great food, take in beautiful scenery, or celebrate spooky fall holidays. With changing leaves and cooling temperatures, fall is a beautiful time of year in Old Dominion.  Here are 10 of our favorite fall activities in Northern Virginia, as well as some of our favorite fall festivals in Northern Virginia. 

The Best Fall Activities in Northern Virginia

See fall colors at Great Falls Park

There are plenty of amazing places to see fall foliage in northern Virginia, but if you’re looking for dramatic, sweeping views, it’s hard to beat Great Falls Park in McLean. The park is run by the National Park Service and is located directly on the Potomac River. It has an extensive trail network with hiking options for both beginners and experienced hikers. 

Go apple picking at Great Country Farms 

Apple picking is another classic fall activity, and Great Country Farms is a fun and cozy spot to enjoy it. In addition to apple picking, visitors can explore the farm’s corn maze and family-friendly play area, sip on fresh-pressed apple cider and enjoy some apple cider donuts. On the weekends, Great Country Farms hosts live music, pig races and even more fun fall activities. 

Take the Middleburg Ghost Tour 

If you’re looking to try something spooky this fall, check out the Middleburg Ghost Tour. Although Middleburg is a town of less than 1,000 people, it’s full of rich history and has some seriously spooky sites worth checking out. This family-friendly ghost tour lasts 90 minutes and will take you through some of the area’s most well-known ghost sightings. 

Explore the LoCo Ale Trail 

If you love craft beer, you won’t want to miss the LoCo Ale Trail. Loudon County is home to over 30 craft breweries, all of which are featured in this brewery collective. While you can visit the breweries any time of year, this is a particularly fun fall activity thanks to the cozy, warm vibes at many of the breweries. Plus, you’ll enjoy newly released seasonal ales on beautiful patios where you can take in the fall scenery. 

Catch a show at Wolf Trap 

The Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts hosts shows all year round, and fall is an excellent time to take in a performance. While Wolf Trap is best known for its outdoor amphitheater, they also have a smaller indoor venue for hosting performances during the colder months. There’s something on the lineup for everyone, whether you’re interested in pop music, comedy, dance or opera. 

Take in the views from Skyline Drive 

If you want to take in dramatic fall views without going on a hike, Skyline Drive is the perfect fall activity for you. This scenic road runs through the mountains of Shenandoah National Park and it’s one of the best places to see fall color in the area. Plan to pay an entrance fee and give yourself several hours to complete the drive. 

Fall Festivals in Northern Virginia

Cox Farms Fall Festival

The Cox Farms Fall Festival is the biggest fall festival in Northern Virginia. Located in Centreville, this festival offers a wide variety of attractions for the entire family. They have live music, food tastings, a corn maze, slides, live animals and more. There’s also a huge market that sells pumpkins, fresh produce, fall decor and other seasonal items. In fact, this festival is so large that it can be difficult to see everything in just one visit!

Mt. Vernon Fall Wine Festival & Sunset Tour

This classy festival is perfect for a date night or a night out with friends. During the festival, you can explore the grounds of George Washington’s Mount Vernon estate while sampling wines from local Virginia wineries. Attendees can also watch the sunset over the Potomac River on the estate’s sprawling East Lawn. 

Reston Multicultural Festival

Northern Virginia is an incredibly diverse area, and the Reston Multicultural Festival celebrates all of the beautiful cultures that are represented in the Reston area. The festival is free to attend and is located in the Reston Town Center. During the festival, visitors are treated to music and dance performances from all over the world. 

Pumpkin Village Fall Fest

This charming festival happens at the Leesburg Animal Park, a popular local petting zoo. This is another excellent option if you want to take the kids to a fall festival in Northern Virginia. Kids can play with the animals, explore a hay maze and check out fun fall-themed rides. There’s also live music and fresh apple cider. 

Be Close to Fall Fun with Southern Management

With so many fun fall activities in Northern Virginia, Autumn is always a fantastic time of year for the locals. Looking to move to northern Virginia and become one of those locals? Southern Management has several apartment communities to choose from in the area. Contact us today to learn more. We can’t wait to welcome you home!