Year-round, people from around the country and even the world visit the Nation’s Capital of Washington, D.C, to look at monuments, explore the city, or visit the cherry blossoms during their short bloom.
Just a short distance from D.C is Fairfax County which has that big city feel of D.C. but also that vibrant landscape and experience of a small rural town. As a change of pace to the norm here at Adeler Jewelry, we wanted to share more than just activities to do in DC. So, without further ado, here is the list of the Top ten best things to do this fall in Fairfax.
Bull Run Winery Haunted Wine Tour
October 3rd – November 6th
Instead of doing the regular old wine tour, you can always do it; why not mix it up with the Bull Runs Haunted Wine Tour? Follow them on a 1-hour lantern-led time with stories about these historical grounds, as it’s almost like the spirits have come to life and are there to tell you stories about them.
This tour is a great chance to get into that spooky mindset for Halloween and taste some great Virginia wine! However, they are also still doing regular wine tours, which is an option for a great experience.
Buy Tickets Here: Tours – The Winery at Bull Run
George Washington’s Mount Vernon Fall Festival
October 22 – 23rd
Mount Vernon is one of Virginia’s many great historical locations to tour and learn about our nation’s history. But as fall comes around, Mount Vernon becomes a beautiful place for a fall celebration. Learn about 18th-century crafts and foods in all authentic fashion in their beautiful 12-acre space. They also host a beer tasting with local Virginia beers, so check it out!
Buy tickets here: Fall Harvest Festival · George Washington’s Mount Vernon
Tyson’s Fall Pumpkin Festival
October 15th- October 16th
The Tyson’s fall festival is a close location and the perfect celebration to go out and experience with the family on your day off! They will be hosting a live pumpkin carvings demonstration with Mania Pumpkin Carvings, live music, a photo booth, and lots more. This festival is all free for the community and perfect for a lovely day with the family.
More Information: Tysons Corner Center | Events | Tysons Fall Festival
Cox Farms
September 24th – November 8th
Cox Farms is one of the area’s longest-standing fall attractions. With slides, hayrides, animals, swings, and pumpkins lots of pumpkins, Cox Farms have become a staple in a family’s fall adventures. As one of the area’s most popular locations, buying your tickets early is very important as they sell out fast. Check out Cox Farms Fields of fear if you are looking for something a little more intense. Their famous hayride will surely put you right into the Halloween spirit.
Purchase Tickets Here: Tickets | Cox Farms
Fall Pumpkin Harvest Festival by Great Country Farms
Through Oct 31st
Great Country Farms provides a fantastic fall festival experience running through October 31st. This extraordinary experience includes pumpkin picking, a corn maze, pig races, and lots more. Great Country Farms also offers something unique: their pumpkin cannons! So if shooting pumpkins is something you think sounds fun, make sure to check them out on the weekend, as they only do it on the weekends. Still, everything else Is open throughout the week.
Purchase Tickets Here: Fall Pumpkin Harvest Festival (greatcountryfarms.com)
Go Ape Frights at Heights
Until Halloween
Are you looking for some real thrills right before Halloween? Look no further than the Go Ape Frights at Heights experience. Running only on Fridays and Saturdays up until Halloween, this experience combines all the thrills of an obstacle course and zip lines with the frights of Halloween! Zombies, ghouls, and ghosts could be hiding around any corner waiting for you. With an option for a light fright experience before night entirely takes over, this activity is suitable for most ages; choose the time you visit carefully.
Purchase Tickets Here: Frights at Height – Go Ape Zip Line & Treetop Adventure
National Air and Space Museum Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center
As the weather gets colder, there are also plenty of indoor attractions to visit as well, such as the National air and space museum out by Dulles airport. Boasting over 200 aircraft on display, you can find anything from the space shuttle discovery to the last remaining World War 1 Sopwith Camel. If you get tired of walking around, stop and check out their IMAX theatre with Northern Virginia’s giant movie screen, or test your skills in one of their top-notch flight simulators.
More Information Here: Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center | National Air and Space Museum (si.edu)
Great Falls Park
Great Falls Park is one of the premier hiking trails, only 15 miles outside the nation’s capital. Here you can hike the many miles of unpaved trails or sit back and relax as you watch the waters of the Potomac crash upon rocks and flow downstream. These great falls are one of the breathtaking locations on this list, an excellent spot for any nature lover to take in the beautiful colors of autumn.
More Information Here: Great Falls Park (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov)
Meadowlark Gardens Winter Walk of Lights
November 11th – December 8th
A meadowlark garden is an experience if you are seeking to explore nature at one of its most beautiful times as the leaves change color. Ninety-five acres of land are separated into 30 different gardens. If you aren’t much of a garden person, come and check out their winter walk of lights from November 11th to December 8th. During this time, they transform about a half-mile trail for a self-guided tour of a brilliant light landscape. Running for its 11th year in a row, this experience you can’t miss out on these lights.
Purchase Tickets Here: Winter Walk of Lights | Nova Parks
Bull Run Festival of Lights and Holiday Village
November 11th – January 8th
Forget getting dressed and leave your pajamas on! Open from November 11th through January 8th, this 2.5-mile-long stretch of Christmas joy is something you can’t miss. Driving instead of walking makes for a relaxing family fun event as all you have to do is follow the beautiful lights until you reach the end.
In the end, if you still need more to do, you also have a chance to experience the holiday village! The village includes a bonfire, smores, merchandise, and a carnival! The Bullrun festival of lights and holiday village is a must-see combined attraction great for a couple of hours of fun!
Purchase Tickets Here: Bull Run Festival of Lights | Nova Parks