clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile
A rotund memorial across a basin is framed by autumnal leaves. Shutterstock

18 great spots for admiring fall foliage in D.C.

Change is in the air

View as Map

Fall is coming. That means fall foliage is on the way, and the District’s tree canopy is about to turn orange, yellow, red, and brown. For autumn appreciators, here are 18 places in the city where you can enjoy such arboreal transformations this season.

Read More
Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process.

Politics & Prose Bookstore

Copy Link

Step 1: Buy a book at Politics & Prose. Step 2: Find a bench on Nebraska or Connecticut avenues NW where you can read it under changing leaves.

American University

Copy Link

A canopy of gold and red converges in the areas surrounding the university, including Tenleytown, American University Park, and Spring Valley. Lucky students!

Rock Creek Park

Copy Link

Walking through Rock Creek Park in the fall can feel magical. Try a picnic here on Columbus Day or Veterans Day.

Trees in full fall foliage along a brook. Shutterstock

Sherman Circle Park

Copy Link

This Petworth spot is beautiful not only within the circle itself but also on the streets going out from it in every direction.

Duke Ellington Bridge

Copy Link

From either side of this bridge connecting Woodley Park and Adams Morgan, you can look down at Rock Creek Park and get an awesome aerial view of all its colorful trees.

Montrose Park

Copy Link

Montrose Park is a lovely spot in Georgetown to take in the fall sights. In fact, most of Georgetown north of O Street NW is a good bet for leafy goodness.

Meridian Hill Park

Copy Link

Meridian Hill Park in Columbia Heights is a no-brainer for seeing fall foliage. You might even be able to jump into a pile of leaves.

A statue of a woman riding on a horse and holding a sword in the middle of a park with trees in yellow and green. Shutterstock

Langdon Park

Copy Link

Northeast’s Langdon Park is filled with tall, leafy trees. Bonus points: It’s also home to D.C.’s Chuck Brown Memorial.

U.S. National Arboretum

Copy Link

Here’s another no-brainer on this list. The most tree-filled location in Northeast becomes a paradise of red and orange during the fall. Pack some cider for when you visit.

Greek-like columns in the middle of an open-air park filled with orange trees. Shutterstock

Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool

Copy Link

Generally, the entire National Mall is a reliable area for viewing fall foliage. Find a sitting spot on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial and admire the Reflecting Pool as well as the Washington Monument amid colorful trees.

Three ducks in a reflecting pool surrounded by trees in the fall. A tall obelisk is in the background. Shutterstock

Tidal Basin

Copy Link

In addition to being the heart of D.C.’s annual Cherry Blossom Festival each spring, the Tidal Basin is also a wonderful place for checking out some fall foliage. Expect all manner of oranges, yellows, and reds on the trees.

Trees along a basin showing fall foliage. A bunch and a trash can are surrounded by fallen leaves. Shutterstock

Georgetown University Law Center

Copy Link

For those who work near Judiciary Square, the area around Georgetown’s law school (particularly on 1st Street NW between G and H streets NW) is a tableau for autumnal change.

U.S. Capitol

Copy Link

If you’re in the vicinity, take a moment to sit below one of the many trees surrounding the iconic U.S. Capitol this fall.

Yellow leaves hang over plateau near a U.S. government building, which has a rotunda. Shutterstock

Eastern Market

Copy Link

While you’re shopping at the Eastern Market building, saunter around the neighborhood and take in peak fall.

Two men wait to vote beneath multicolor trees during the fall. Getty Images

Congressional Cemetery

Copy Link

In Southeast, there are gorgeous red maple trees within the Congressional Cemetery.

Men in red band uniforms holding instruments walk through a cemetery during the fall. The Washington Post/Getty Images

Anacostia Park

Copy Link

Along the Anacostia River, the expansive Anacostia Park turns into a sea of orange and yellow during the fall.

Fort Dupont Park

Copy Link

You could easily spend a day observing fall foliage at the 376-acre Fort Dupont Park. Better yet, you can hike while doing it.

Kenilworth Park & Aquatic Gardens

Copy Link

In Northeast, near D.C.’s border with Maryland, Kenilworth Gardens offers lily ponds below and changing leaves above. It’s easy to get lost in it all.

Lily ponds in a park during the fall, with colorful trees in the background. Shutterstock

Politics & Prose Bookstore

Step 1: Buy a book at Politics & Prose. Step 2: Find a bench on Nebraska or Connecticut avenues NW where you can read it under changing leaves.

American University

A canopy of gold and red converges in the areas surrounding the university, including Tenleytown, American University Park, and Spring Valley. Lucky students!

Rock Creek Park

Walking through Rock Creek Park in the fall can feel magical. Try a picnic here on Columbus Day or Veterans Day.

Trees in full fall foliage along a brook. Shutterstock

Sherman Circle Park

This Petworth spot is beautiful not only within the circle itself but also on the streets going out from it in every direction.

Duke Ellington Bridge

From either side of this bridge connecting Woodley Park and Adams Morgan, you can look down at Rock Creek Park and get an awesome aerial view of all its colorful trees.

Montrose Park

Montrose Park is a lovely spot in Georgetown to take in the fall sights. In fact, most of Georgetown north of O Street NW is a good bet for leafy goodness.

Meridian Hill Park

Meridian Hill Park in Columbia Heights is a no-brainer for seeing fall foliage. You might even be able to jump into a pile of leaves.

A statue of a woman riding on a horse and holding a sword in the middle of a park with trees in yellow and green. Shutterstock

Langdon Park

Northeast’s Langdon Park is filled with tall, leafy trees. Bonus points: It’s also home to D.C.’s Chuck Brown Memorial.

U.S. National Arboretum

Here’s another no-brainer on this list. The most tree-filled location in Northeast becomes a paradise of red and orange during the fall. Pack some cider for when you visit.

Greek-like columns in the middle of an open-air park filled with orange trees. Shutterstock

Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool

Generally, the entire National Mall is a reliable area for viewing fall foliage. Find a sitting spot on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial and admire the Reflecting Pool as well as the Washington Monument amid colorful trees.

Three ducks in a reflecting pool surrounded by trees in the fall. A tall obelisk is in the background. Shutterstock

Tidal Basin

In addition to being the heart of D.C.’s annual Cherry Blossom Festival each spring, the Tidal Basin is also a wonderful place for checking out some fall foliage. Expect all manner of oranges, yellows, and reds on the trees.

Trees along a basin showing fall foliage. A bunch and a trash can are surrounded by fallen leaves. Shutterstock

Georgetown University Law Center

For those who work near Judiciary Square, the area around Georgetown’s law school (particularly on 1st Street NW between G and H streets NW) is a tableau for autumnal change.

U.S. Capitol

If you’re in the vicinity, take a moment to sit below one of the many trees surrounding the iconic U.S. Capitol this fall.

Yellow leaves hang over plateau near a U.S. government building, which has a rotunda. Shutterstock

Eastern Market

While you’re shopping at the Eastern Market building, saunter around the neighborhood and take in peak fall.

Two men wait to vote beneath multicolor trees during the fall. Getty Images

Congressional Cemetery

In Southeast, there are gorgeous red maple trees within the Congressional Cemetery.

Men in red band uniforms holding instruments walk through a cemetery during the fall. The Washington Post/Getty Images

Anacostia Park

Along the Anacostia River, the expansive Anacostia Park turns into a sea of orange and yellow during the fall.

Fort Dupont Park

You could easily spend a day observing fall foliage at the 376-acre Fort Dupont Park. Better yet, you can hike while doing it.

Kenilworth Park & Aquatic Gardens

In Northeast, near D.C.’s border with Maryland, Kenilworth Gardens offers lily ponds below and changing leaves above. It’s easy to get lost in it all.

Lily ponds in a park during the fall, with colorful trees in the background. Shutterstock