Fall is in the air, and the colors of the region are shifting from green to orange, red and yellow. Here’s where to spot the changing leaves.
If you want to hike
Bear’s Den Overlook, located along the Appalachian Trail offers sweeping, uninterrupted views of the region, with plenty of trees to be awed by. Plus, the easy 1.8-mile down-and-back hike makes this a good spot for a family day out too. // 18393 Blue Ridge Mountain Road, Bluemont
If you want to drive
Skyline Drive, which runs through Shenandoah National Park, is the quintessential place to go leaf-peeping, with multiple overlooks of the Shenandoah Valley. Take your time winding up and down the roads as you look for the perfect photo op.
If you want to stay inside the Beltway
Take a walk or ride your bike on the Alexandria Heritage Trail to get 23 miles of a paved and well-designated trail. The sound of crunchy leaves beneath your feet awaits!
If you want a side of history
A little over 18 miles long, the Mount Vernon Trail runs alongside the Potomac River from Mount Vernon to Theodore Roosevelt Island. On your walk, you’ll see changing leaves with views of the Navy Marine Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery.
If you want to see them virtually
We understand if you want to stay close to home this fall instead of venturing out into public. Luckily, there are virtual leaf-peeping options too, including from The Foliage Network, which has live webcams filming across the East Coast.
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