Top Things to Do in the Capital Region Each Season

The Virginia, Maryland and Washington, DC area is brimming with activities and events every season of the year.

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Trees burst with pink cherry blossoms in front of the Jefferson Memorial in Washington, DC.

Plan your Washington, DC trip to coincide with the annual cherry blossom bloom, and watch the city turn pink.

Cycle down the Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia for stunning views of the changing autumn leaves.

Ice skating in Sculpture Garden, DC

Skate around the Ice Rink at the National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden, and marvel at the surrounding monuments and art installations.

Trees burst with pink cherry blossoms in front of the Jefferson Memorial in Washington, DC.

Plan your Washington, DC trip to coincide with the annual cherry blossom bloom, and watch the city turn pink.

Cycle down the Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia for stunning views of the changing autumn leaves.

Ice skating in Sculpture Garden, DC

Skate around the Ice Rink at the National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden, and marvel at the surrounding monuments and art installations.

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Here are some of the Capital Region’s best seasonal activities.

Cherry Blossoms in Spring

Visitors and locals flock to the Washington, DC area in the spring to marvel at cherry trees in bloom. It’s a sublime experience to see nearly 4,000 pink and white trees bursting with flowers. The annual National Cherry Blossom Festival occurs in late March and early April and commemorates the 1912 gift of 3,000 cherry trees from Japan to the city of Washington, DC. Time your visit to coincide with the dozens of events and performances that take place during the festival. Don’t miss a walking or cycling tour of the blossoms.

Surf, Sand and Sun in Summer

If your US holiday plans include summer fun on the beach, take a trip to Virginia Beach, Virginia, or Ocean City, Maryland. Virginia Beach attracts visitors with an exciting boardwalk and three beautiful beaches, each with its own ambiance. Ocean City is loaded with activities for all ages, and its award-winning boardwalk is an iconic attraction. Both destinations offer great restaurants, shopping and water sports.

View Colourful Foliage in Autumn

As the days turn crisp and cool, the Capital Region takes on the honey-coloured hues of fall foliage. Enjoy a leisurely hike at Rock Creek Park in DC, an urban national park with 52 kilometres of hiking trails. Skyline Drive in Virginia’s Shenandoah National Park and, further south, the Blue Ridge Parkway are two quintessential autumn drives. With an endless tree-lined road winding ahead of you and colourful leaves swirling all around, it’s a scene straight out of a film. In Maryland, bike or hike the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal towpath as autumn's warm tones are reflected on the waters of the Potomac River. 

Ski, Snowboard & Ice Skate in Winter

Within a few hours’ drive of Washington, DC are many destinations for winter sports. At the mountain resorts of Virginia, you’ll find some of the best snow tubing, skiing, snowboarding and snowmobiling in the region. Wisp Resort in Maryland has all of these activities, along with ice fishing, sleigh rides, snowshoeing and the thrilling Mountain Coaster — a self-navigated "roller coaster meets sled ride" that zips you down the mountain. Experience the magic of ice-skating while surrounded by historic monuments and modern outdoor sculptures at the National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden, located on the National Mall in the heart of Washington, DC.

For more winter activities indoors and out, read Winter Wonderland: Enjoy the Season in the Capital Region.

GETTING HERE: Just 26 miles west of Washington, DC, Washington Dulles International Airport is centrally located in the Capital Region USA and convenient to all destinations and activities across Washington, DC, Virginia and Maryland. Non-stop flights to Washington Dulles International Airport from major destinations worldwide make getting here easy.

For more fun-filled festivals and events no matter what time of year you visit, check out this guide to four-season fun in the Capital Region!