Fall is such an incredible time to be outdoors and have fun. There is so much to see and so much to do that a layman can easily get flustered at the range of options. To prevent you from falling into such a situation we have lined up amazing activities and outings for the entire family in the coming months. For those of you who cringe at the mention of Fall events, you can still enjoy yourself at home by having a candlelight dinner on your deck, or unwind by the fireplace on a cozy recliner with a glass of warm cider, watching a timeless classic or reading a whodunit!

What is Fall without Fall colors? Try and peep as many leaves as possible…

The Skyline Drive in Shenandoah is one of the best places in the area to watch the leaves turn into a multitude of colors. The drive takes you through the Fall foliage giving you the opportunity to stop and snap pictures at various overlooks that offer spectacular scenery. But, it is not the only place to catch colors. The Catoctin Mountain Park in Maryland and the Mount Vernon Trail in Virginia offer hikers and bikers a chance to leaf peep! Within the DC Metro area the George Washington Parkway offers beautiful views along the Potomac River.

Picking a pretty pumpkin on a pleasant pumpkin patch to make my own pulpy pumpkin pie, my my…I luv it…

Picking a pumpkin, riding a farm cart, petting farm animals, picking apples, attempting a corn maze, participating in festivals, and face painting are some of the fun activities for kids that can be done in a multitude of farms that dot the Metro area. At Cox Farms in Centreville, VA; and Burke Garden Centre, VA; there are so many fun things to do that you will not know where to begin. Homestead Farms, Poolesville, MD; Summers Farm, Frederick, MD and Butlers Orchard, Germantown, MD also offer fun activities for the entire family. For more farms check out, www.washingtondckids.com

Tasting Wine and Toasting Oktoberfest? Haul out those wine casks and beer barrels…let’s drink to a happy season!

At the Old Town Alexandria Food and Wine Festival, which runs from October 9 to 11, 2009, you can sample the best artisan wines from Virginia wineries. Two grand tasting rooms at the Crowne Plaza and Holiday Inn hotels let you sample the best wines and offer you a chance to meet the winemakers; you also sip local wines and sample bon vivant dishes all over the town during this time! For more events such as this in DC and Maryland check www.localwineevents.com Oktoberfest is a German Fall festival that is celebrated around the globe, and focuses on food, fun and family. The Das Best Oktoberfest at the National Harbor, Frederick Oktoberfest, Reston Oktoberfest and the Fort Belvoir Fest are some of the places where you can catch unique beers and live entertainment.

Unique Fall Events—each is distinctive, but all mean lots of fear and lots of fun!

The Maryland Renaissance Festival runs from August to October and as the name aptly suggests, recreates the renaissance period English life. There are fire-eaters, jousting tournaments, live performances, games, crafts and food fairs etc. If you are not a fan of the16th century, you are welcome to go to the National Museum for Crime and Punishment on 7th St, NW, to be part of Fright at the Museum, where you can see ghosts and be terrified! This event runs from Oct 21 to 31. Want more? Then be a part of Life & Death on the C&O Canal, Oct 17, 2009. This event takes place at the Great Falls Tavern Visitor Center, Great Falls, MD. The event takes you through various scenes that reveal the struggle to survive on the C&O Canal during its construction and operation.

If candy is dandy and chocolate is luscious...if the spooky, creepy and ghoulish are thrilling, then hands down Halloween is the best day in October!

A simple and fun thing to do on Halloween (October 31st) is to wear a costume and go trick-or-treating in your community. For those of you who do not want to stop with the mere community round-up, there are some spooky activities that you can be part of in the DC Metro area. You can Boo at the Zoo, this event offers you a chance to visit nocturnal animals and trick-or-treat at the Zoo. A guided walking ghost tour at Lafayette Park, Alexandria or at Annapolis will put you in contact with spooky ghosts, mysterious stories and great spirits that wander the neighborhood. A don’t miss event is the Fright Fest at Six Flags, that offers you thrills by day and chills by night, from October 3 to November 1, Six Flags America will be a Halloween playground, offering non-stop ghoulish good time. For more information on Fright Fest go to www.sixflags.com

Compiled by Vidya Rangan

Note: Some events mentioned in this article might not be suitable for children. Please check out the events on the web before you decide to take your kids!