Enjoy the best of fall!

Fall is here! 

“And all at once, summer collapsed into fall.” ― Oscar Wilde.

The season of fall can be short-lived, depending on the weather. I take advantage of any sunny day to get out and enjoy this beautiful season. There are so many fall events in the local area. Here is a shortlist of some October - November events in local Maryland and VA areas. Many of these links are posts that share lots of ideas. I hope it is helpful. 

Click here for a list of fall outings and fun things to do in Virginia and Maryland. 

 These are a  few of my favorite out of the ordinary places to photograph the season of fall in the DC/VA/MD area:

Bishops Garden and Olmsted Woods & Amphitheater, Washington DC at the Washington National Cathedral 

The Olmsted Woods is the last vestige of an extensive oak and beech forest on Mount St. Alban. The woods include a stone footpath, a contemplative circle, native wildflowers, and shrubs and are home to a host of migratory birds. Walking the cathedral provides excellent photo opportunities as well as the wooded area. 

Tregaron Conservancy, Washington DC 

The 20-acre Tregaron Estate (originally known as “The Causeway”) represents the most important surviving landscape collaboration by noted architect Charles Adams Platt and renowned landscape architect Ellen Biddle Shipman. At the height of her career, Shipman was known as the “dean of women landscape architects” in America. Tregaron is the only country estate designed by Platt in Washington and one of only a handful of his surviving estates nationwide.  Shipman’s garden at Tregaron was the largest of her woodland landscapes and is one of only two known examples of this type of “wild garden” design in the country.  In 1979, the entire estate, including the landscape, was designated a Landmark of the District of Columbia. Tregaron was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1989 and is a contributing feature of the Cleveland Park Historic District (1986).

Prince William Forest, beautiful creeks, and hiking paths - fall foliage is perfect! 

Prince William Forest Park is an oasis, a respite of quiet and calm. In 1936, Chopawamsic Recreation Area opened its gates to house children’s ‘relief’ camps during the Great Depression. Renamed Prince William Forest Park in 1948, these fragrant woods and trickling streams have welcomed generations of campers, hikers, bikers, and nature lovers. Discover Northern Virginia’s best-kept secret!

Bluemont Vineyards and the Old Lucketts Store in Loudoun County is a great day trip.  

Drive out to Loudoun county and take a hike near Bluemont vineyards, stop for lunch at Roots Barbecue, and then explore the Old Lucketts Store. The store is a 138-year-old restored general store and family home.  Built in 1879 by the Luckett family, it was restored and brought back to life in 1996 by owner Suzanne Eblen, her husband Pat, and countless friends and workers.  The shop is now home to 35+ dealers specializing in antiques, vintage finds, and just plain cool stuff! You could also save Bluemont for the afternoon and enjoy a glass of wine out on their large deck overlooking the valley.

Seneca State Park in Gaithersburg is a stunning place to visit any time of year, but the colors will be best in the fall. 

The park, comprised of 6,300 acres, extends along 14 scenic miles of Seneca Creek as it winds its way to the Potomac River. The Clopper Day-Use Area contains many scenic areas, including the 90-acre Clopper Lake, surrounded by forests and fields. Picnicking, boat rentals, trails, and a tire playground are just some of its recreational opportunities. A restored 19th-century cabin and a self-guided path interpret the history of the area. Over 50 miles of trails are open for hiking, horseback riding, and bicycling, which wind through various habitats.  After a nice long hike, stop in Gaithersburg at the Dutch Amish Market for fresh breakfast, produce, and yummy sweets.