Fall is almost upon us, and there are lots of great things to do in the area. Here are 10 completely free things to do in DC as the weather finally cools off. Happy exploring!
- Check out the National Cathedral’s Bishop’s Garden – While the Cathedral is closed to visitors, the Bishop’s Garden is open to visitors. With gorgeous, lush flowers, trees and bushes, the surroundings change beautifully with each season. Of course, don’t forget to wear your mask and practice social distancing! More information on the Bishop’s Garden here.
2. Visit the new panda cub at the National Zoo – Giant panda Mei Xang gave birth to an adorable cub on August 21st. Its iconic black eye marks are starting to appear, which is exciting! Check out the pandas and other animals at the zoo, which is currently open. Face coverings and passes are required, and there are new hours too. More information on the National Zoo here.
3. Watch planes land at Gravelly Point – Gravelly Point is a park in Arlington, VA located north of Reagan Airport. It’s a popular spot for plane watching, as they go right over park-goers heads. More information on Gravelly Point here.
4. Walk the C&O Canal near Georgetown – There’s nothing like exploring the C&O Canal trail near Georgetown on a cool fall afternoon. There’s even a new app out too called “C&O Canal Explorer” that helps guests explore the nearly 200 miles of the C&O Canal National Historic Park. More information on the C&O Canal here.
5. Enjoy the peace of Rock Creek Park – Rock Creek Park is an oasis in the middle of the city. The park is a nearly 2,000 acre city park officially authorized in 1890 (making it the third national park to be designated by the federal government). More information on Rock Creek Park here.
6. Stroll through CityCenterDC – The upscale shopping district is back with social distancing precautions. There is a seasonal overhead display in Palmer Alley that offers glittering views. There’s nothing better than window shopping too at places with gorgeous window displays and luxe items. More information on CityCenterDC here.
7. Have a photo op at the Albert Einstein Memorial – The giant Albert Einstein memorial outside the National Academy of Sciences is a great option for a photo. The bronze figure weighs four tons and is 12 feet tall. More information on the Albert Einstein Memorial here.
8. Relax on the Spanish steps – Did you know DC has a set of Spanish steps? The Kalorama location is in a peaceful corner of the city. It was finshed in 1911 at the height of the City Beautiful movement. The steps were originally meant to be a pedestrian connection between S St. and Decatur Place. More information on the Spanish steps here.
9. Visit the Titanic Memorial – DC also is home to a Titanic memorial (that looks eerily like the Kate Winslet pose in the iconic scene with Leo). The memorial is at the northern tip of Ft. McNair and is dedicated to “the brave men who perished in the wreck of the Titanic on April 15th, 1912.” The plaque also goes on to say: “They gave their lives that women and children might be saved.” More information on the Titanic Memorial here.
10. See the DC Alley Museum – The DC Alley Museum is an open-air site with colorful murals painted on garage doors in Blagden Alley. It’s the perfect place for some fun Instagram photo ops. More information on the DC Alley Museum here.
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