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You are here: Home / beer / Fun and active fall things to in the DC area

Fun and active fall things to in the DC area

August 29, 2014 by MCM Mama 39 Comments

Fall is my favorite season.  It’s the time of year when I actually love to live in the DC metro area.  In fact, if I had my way, it would always be fall.  I love the cool (to sometimes cold) mornings.  I love the perfect running temps at mid-day.  I love opening every window in the house and clearing out the summer humidity. I love long sleeves and hot soups.  And the beer. OMG. The good beer comes back…

stewarts-oyster-stout

Sorry, got a little distracted thinking about the beer.

Anyways,  when Courtney, Cynthia, and Mar suggested the topic “Fall preview” for the Friday Five, the first thing that came to mind was sharing with you five fun ways to be active this fall in the DC area.

fun-active-washington-dc

1. Run a race – Fall has some of the best races in the DC area.  There are, of course, the big name races: Army Ten Miler, Marine Corps Marathon (and 10K), Navy Army Half Marathon, etc.  But there are also tons of smaller races and family friendly races.  My favorite 5K, the Clarendon Days 5k, is coming up soon.  (And if you want more of a challenge, you can run the 10k or run both.)  There’s also a  smaller, but still enjoyable fall half marathon, the Heritage Half, out in Gainesville, VA in October as well.  Seriously, races abound, both for you and for your family.  (I’m only running Ragnar and a non-local half at this point, but it’s likely I’ll end up doing a last minute sign up for a race or two…)

heritage_half_dad

2. Pumpkin patches and apple picking – There are so many options for this in the greater DC area.  We go to Cox Farms nearly every year for their huge festival (and by huge, I mean you can walk a miles over the course of the day).  We also have a few orchards we like to hit to get apples to last us most of the fall.  It’s a great family activity and I can guarantee you that everyone will be worn out when you are done.

Cox-Farms-slide

3. Hiking – I love hiking in this area in the fall.  The leaves around here are just gorgeous.  My personal favorite is Great Falls.  The trails are well marked and easily traversed, even with young children.  It’s an awesome place to do a morning hike and then finish with a picnic lunch.  I’d also recommend Rock Creek Park, Huntley Meadows, and the National Arboretum.

great_falls

4. Sight seeing – Fall weekends are a great time for a walk around the National Mall to see all of the monuments.  You could seriously spend the entire day walking and viewing a huge variety of monuments. A walk from the Lincoln Memorial to the Capitol Building is about 2 miles, and that’s without wandering off to the sides to see any of the other monuments or wandering into any of the museums.  And, unlike many things in the area, all the monuments and museums are free to visit.

Screen Shot 2014-08-22 at 8.56.45 AM

5. Biking – I’m not gonna lie. I don’t really enjoy biking much.  However, there so many awesome bike trails in the area, so I put on my big girl panties a couple of times each fall and go for a ride with my family.  One of our favorite options is to park at Gravelly Point and bike to Roosevelt Island.  Once there, we park our bikes and go for a walk around the island and have a picnic lunch, before biking back to our cars.  Totally worth the sore parts that result from only riding a bike a handful of times a year…

bike_mad_fox

Yeah, I’m ready for fall!  It’s going to be so much fun.  And if you want to read more about how I’m getting ready for fall, check out my post over on Carla Birnberg’s blog about getting back on schedule.

What’s your favorite thing about the fall season?  If you are from the DC area, what other things should I add to my list for the fall?

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Comments

  1. Jennifer says

    August 29, 2014 at 4:30 am

    I am excited for all things pumpkin (minus PSL – I do not drink those). Hmmmm things for Erika… ooh doesn’t DC have alot of fall festivals? Those are always fun. Thanks for reminding me about the National Arboretum, def on my list to visit.
    Jennifer recently posted…Friday Five – Fall PreviewMy Profile

    Reply
    • MCM Mama says

      August 29, 2014 at 10:06 pm

      Pumpkin beer is much better than PSL. Just sayin’

      Reply
  2. Angela @ Happy Fit Mama says

    August 29, 2014 at 5:38 am

    I’m sooooooo not ready for fall even though I love it! It doesn’t even seem like we’ve had a summer yet. BUT I do love all the pumpkins, hiking, crisp blue sky days…it really is pretty!
    Angela @ Happy Fit Mama recently posted…High Five FridayMy Profile

    Reply
    • MCM Mama says

      August 29, 2014 at 10:05 pm

      I could live without summer, but I know I’m weird…

      Reply
  3. M @readeatwriterun says

    August 29, 2014 at 5:55 am

    Add walking through Old Town Alexandria near Halloween – the fancy townhouses decorate!
    M @readeatwriterun recently posted…Friday Five – Fall PreviewMy Profile

    Reply
    • MCM Mama says

      August 29, 2014 at 10:05 pm

      Ooh, I’ve never done that. Might have to check it out this year…

      Reply
  4. Glenneth says

    August 29, 2014 at 5:57 am

    i love the cooler temps and the beautiful leaves of fall. i love buying pumpkins and decorating my front porch.
    Glenneth recently posted…Do #1ThingDaily Sept ChallengeMy Profile

    Reply
    • MCM Mama says

      August 29, 2014 at 10:04 pm

      Yes. All of those are awesome.

      Reply
  5. Andrea says

    August 29, 2014 at 6:52 am

    Vermont rocks in the fall. I have races coming up, LOTS of bike riding, just enjoying the cool weather.
    Andrea recently posted…Zoe’s RaceMy Profile

    Reply
    • MCM Mama says

      August 29, 2014 at 10:04 pm

      I loved the one year we got to Vermont in the fall. I wouldn’t mind living there in the summer and fall.

      Reply
  6. Coco says

    August 29, 2014 at 7:10 am

    I think you covered the main things – may hiking in the Shenandoah Valley when the leaves are turning? I’m looking forward to my fall races and a few trips.
    Coco recently posted…Blog HomeworkMy Profile

    Reply
    • MCM Mama says

      August 29, 2014 at 10:04 pm

      We drove Skyline Drive one year at Thansgiving. So beautiful!

      Reply
  7. Jennifer Fisher says

    August 29, 2014 at 8:23 am

    I would love to come to DC in the fall and do some of these things — we were there doing all the sightseeing, museum and monumnet stuff this summer with kids
    Jennifer Fisher recently posted…8 Healthier Herbed Snacks + Instantly Fresh Herb #GiveawayMy Profile

    Reply
    • MCM Mama says

      August 29, 2014 at 10:03 pm

      It’s much better in the fall: it’s more comfortable and the crowds are smaller.

      Reply
  8. April @ RunTheGreatWideSomewhere says

    August 29, 2014 at 8:56 am

    I’ll sign up for the it’s always fall fan club. It’s always been my favorite time of year too! Halloween, cool weather, mid-day running without passing out from the heat, crisp air, crunching leaves underfoot… Sigh… No apple picking in Florida, but it’s one of those things I really want to do one day. Guess I need to plan a road trip to the Northeast!

    Reply
    • MCM Mama says

      August 29, 2014 at 10:02 pm

      You should come north. It’s beautiful up here. At least until winter arrives…

      Reply
  9. Meranda@fairytalesandfitness says

    August 29, 2014 at 9:28 am

    Sight seeing is so much better in the fall due to all the colors!
    Meranda@fairytalesandfitness recently posted…5 Fall Races You Can Still Get IntoMy Profile

    Reply
    • MCM Mama says

      August 29, 2014 at 10:02 pm

      Yes! It’s beautiful around here then.

      Reply
  10. Deborah Brooks says

    August 29, 2014 at 9:45 am

    If you ever want to go biking let me know! I like how you are “only” doing Ragnar. I’m getting nervous
    Deborah Brooks recently posted…Friday Five-Fall Running PreviewMy Profile

    Reply
    • MCM Mama says

      August 29, 2014 at 10:02 pm

      It’s only in that it’s one of few activities this fall. Not that it’s a minor thing, especially with 20+ miles.

      I need to get my bike adjusted before I can ride anywhere. My gears were slipping the last time I biked.

      Reply
  11. Mar @ Mar on the Run says

    August 29, 2014 at 10:45 am

    yay, hiking!!! I love doing that in the area 🙂
    Mar @ Mar on the Run recently posted…Friday Five: Fall PreviewMy Profile

    Reply
    • MCM Mama says

      August 29, 2014 at 10:00 pm

      I love hiking and the boys are finally big enough to go on decent length hikes…

      Reply
  12. Erin @ Her Heartland Soul says

    August 29, 2014 at 11:16 am

    I’m so excited for apple picking! This is the year I am doing it. I’ve never done it before!

    Reply
    • MCM Mama says

      August 29, 2014 at 10:00 pm

      It’s fun and apples fresh from the tree taste so much better! It’s the only time I like yellow delicious apples. They are so much crisper when super fresh.

      Reply
  13. Cynthia @ You Signed Up For WHAT?! says

    August 29, 2014 at 11:59 am

    I want to do some apple picking with the kids – that sounds so fun! Fall is my favorite, I need to make sure we do some awesome activities with the kids now that they are getting a little bigger.
    Cynthia @ You Signed Up For WHAT?! recently posted…Friday Five: Fall Fitness FunMy Profile

    Reply
    • MCM Mama says

      August 29, 2014 at 9:57 pm

      There are a ton of orchards an hour or so from DC. Totally worth the drive.

      Reply
      • Cynthia @ You Signed Up For What?! says

        August 30, 2014 at 11:12 am

        Yeah there is one right down the road from us! One great thing about living a ways out of DC and suffering the commute!

        Reply
  14. Tara @ Running 'N' Reading says

    August 29, 2014 at 1:19 pm

    Everyone has got me thinking about pumpkin and I forgot about the apples – yum! Thanks for the reminder! Apples do not taste great during the summer, to me; those crisp, fresh, fall apples are the best and they are usually cheaper, too! I hope you have a wonderful holiday weekend and thanks for a great list!
    Tara @ Running ‘N’ Reading recently posted…Fall PreviewMy Profile

    Reply
    • MCM Mama says

      August 29, 2014 at 9:56 pm

      Yes, fresh crisp apples are the best and they last well when you pick them yourselves. It’s harder now that both kids are in school (we used to go on a weekday). I might just have to go by myself LOL.

      Reply
  15. Pavement Runner says

    August 29, 2014 at 1:47 pm

    I love the changing of the leaves… we dont get it as significant as the East Coast, but it’s a nice time of year here.
    Pavement Runner recently posted…Sale on RUN ALL DAY tanks and shirtsMy Profile

    Reply
    • MCM Mama says

      August 29, 2014 at 9:55 pm

      Love the leaf changes. I don’t think I’ve ever been on the West Coast in the fall…

      Reply
  16. Amanda@Runninghood says

    August 29, 2014 at 2:59 pm

    oops, that last comment had an error. Let’s try again: I love fall! And I love the east coast! The summers and humidity…not so much but so nice to get the change up now. First off, your beer picture looks delicious! Almost makes me want to have a beer now and it’s only noon west coast time. Living in Bend, OR now, I imagine my fall activities will be very similar to my spring and summer activities: trail running, hiking, biking, walks, etc. Oh, and LOTS and LOTS of good beer around here
    Amanda@Runninghood recently posted…Running and Racing With Our Kids: Lasting Benefits and Things to ConsiderMy Profile

    Reply
    • MCM Mama says

      August 29, 2014 at 9:54 pm

      So, you guys are back in Bend now? I’d move there in a heartbeat. Never gonna happen, but a girl can dream…

      Reply
  17. Courtney @ Eat Pray Run DC says

    August 29, 2014 at 9:57 pm

    you should SO run clarendon day. i’m doing the double — would love to see you there 🙂 i mean, you mentioned it… lol 🙂
    Courtney @ Eat Pray Run DC recently posted…Friday Five: Fall Preview!My Profile

    Reply
    • MCM Mama says

      August 29, 2014 at 10:09 pm

      Two soccer games and a beer festival at Mad Fox are already on the schedule… It’s so hard to juggle everything now that the kids are older.

      Reply
  18. Kathryn @ Dancing to Running says

    August 30, 2014 at 8:38 am

    After the busy spring you had, I don’t blame you for sticking to only a couple of races this fall. Its hard to say no sometimes, but at the same time, its sometimes what our body and mind (and wallet) need!
    Kathryn @ Dancing to Running recently posted…Friday Five – August 29th – Fall Race PreviewMy Profile

    Reply
  19. Astrid says

    August 30, 2014 at 8:40 am

    These suggestions are great. I am not from the DC area or the U.S. for that matter, but our fall weather is about the same as that in the DC area I believe. I love hiking and apple picking and am looking forward to a nice festival in my parents’ province. #SITSblogging
    Astrid recently posted…Life After High SchoolMy Profile

    Reply
  20. Sue @ This Mama Runs for Cupcakes says

    August 31, 2014 at 2:46 am

    All great ideas. And you totally just inspired me to get my family out for a hike at Great Falls! We need to do that!!

    Reply
  21. Christine says

    September 3, 2014 at 8:36 am

    Agree, fall is beautiful in the DC area, but I have to say summer this year wasn’t too bad.
    Christine recently posted…Wordless Wednesday #FirstFamilyVacationMy Profile

    Reply
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Who is MCM Mama?
A slightly obnoxious mom and wife who loves good beer and running, who struggles a bit with depression especially in the winter and when running isn’t allowed, who’d rather go on a fun vacation than upgrade the kitchen or add a master bath, and has a minor addiction to the Marine Corps Marathon.

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