There’s no way around it: 2020 has been anything but normal. But if there’s a silver lining to be found this month, it’s this: fall in the DMV is practically made for safe and seasonal fun. So, from pumpkins and apples to insta-worthy moments, here are the best ways to make the most of the brightest season around.

Pick Your Own: Apples and pumpkins? Yes, please. And since nothing is quite as festive as actually picking your own, I’ve rounded up the best places in our area to do just that.

Homestead Farm: Set just outside of DC, Homestead goes beyond the classics to offer cider, seasonal vegetables, and autumn blooms.

Butler’s Orchard: Known for its penchant for harvesting fun, Butler’s does hayrides and bonfires just as well as it does pumpkins.

Larriland Farm: Autumn at Larriland means hayrides, a straw maze, food trucks, and even a Boo Barn -- in addition to apples and pumpkins, of course.

Leaf Peeping: The DMV’s best photo-op moments arrive with the colorful canvas of leaves that takes center stage come fall. And although the entire city practically transforms overnight, there are some spots that warrant a special trip in their own right.

Seneca Creek State Park: Spanning more than 6,300 acres along 14 miles, this park has trails for hiking, cycling, and horseback riding, as well as captivating tree-lined vantages that get even more magical with the changing leaves.

National Arboretum: Home to 44 acres of trees, shrubs, and plants in the heart of the city, DC’s botanical garden is the ultimate fall backdrop.

Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park: Starting in Georgetown and ending in Cumberland, Maryland, this park is easily accessible to everyone in the DMV. And even better? There’s no shortage of things to do within its expansive 185-mile land area, not to mention the stunning fall views you’ll find at every turn.

Meridian Hill Park: A quintessential park nestled in the heart of the DC, Meridian Hill’s seasonal appeal is proof that you don’t have to leave the city to experience the best of fall’s magic.