Things to Do Features 13 Great Mini Golf Courses in NoVA Things to Do Features 17 Activities to Add to Your NoVA Summer Bucket List Best of NoVA View Directory Restaurants NoVa, as the region is referred to by residents, includes the cities of Alexandria, Fairfax, Falls Church, Manassas, and Manassas Park as well as Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, Stafford, and Prince William counties, providing plenty of places to check out on your next trip to this exciting part of Virginia, whether youre day tripping from nearby Washington, D.C. or plan to spend more time in the area. And, if you want to try unique novelty treats, like butterfly chips or sangria snoballs, this is the place to do it. Advanced reservations are required. View a map of the parks best hiking trails, here. Plan your visit to the Wonderful Wetlands at Huntley Meadows Park. Combine your visit with a stopat nearby Purcellville for tasty dining, shopping, and craft beverages. Posted on Friday, May 31, 2019 Don't let bad weather "rain on your parade" - there are plenty of fun activities to enjoy inside. This super-photogenic springtime wonderland opens in late April every year, and theres usually a mad dash for weekend tickets, so plan to buy them early or go during the week. have the opportunity to visit with farm animals and bask in the cool Fall weather. More ideas: Day Trips from DC, 3949 Pender Drive, Suite 120B, Fairfax, VA, Phone: 703-648-3130. Chantilly Virginia, United States Reston Virginia, United States Ways to tour Fairfax County Book these experiences for a close-up look at Fairfax County. The Best Indoor Activities and Things to Do in Northern Virginia Local Reston restaurants at Lake Anne include a brewery and a coffee shop/wine bar. More popular segments pass through Great Falls Parkand Riverbend Park. Take mind that traffic will inevitably make this journey longer. This Northern Virginia outpost of the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum near Dulles International Airport displays the massive space shuttle Discovery, a Lockheed SR-71, and several other impressive aircraft and spacecraft as well as other aviation-related artifacts. FWIW, we like the view of the Falls from scenic overlook #3 the best. From bustling city centers to small towns with plenty of things to do, these places have something for everyone. Glass bottles line the shelves, filled with the same exotically named medicines and herbs they contained when the business abruptly closed. THE 15 BEST Things to Do in Northern Virginia - 2023 (with Photos However, many of these destinations include both nature and history. Or, purchase a $5 grounds pass to hike the trails and see the gardens at Gunston Hall. Plan your hikes with our guide to Potomac Heritage Trail Hikes in Northern Virginia. (Theres also an indoor venue for the winter months, as well.). Bears Den Overlook Hike in Bluemont Virginia: Alternate Routes and Tips, best places to watch the sunset in Northern VA, Neabsco Creek Boardwalk Trail Hike in Northern Virginia, 6 Beautiful Boardwalk Hikes in Northern Virginia, Difficult Run Hike to the Potomac River on the Fairfax Cross County Trail, Hiking and Eagles on the Mason Neck Peninsula in Northern Virginia, Elizabeth Hartwell Mason Neck National Wildlife Refuge, 15 Best Nature Trails in Northern Virginia for Wildflowers and Wildlife, Wonderful Wetlands at Huntley Meadows Park, 25 Fun Unique Things to Do in Alexandria VA, Visit Meadowlark Botanical Gardens in Northern Virginia, Potomac Heritage Trail Hikes in Northern Virginia, Explore Prince William Forest Park in Northern Virginia, Prince William County Virginia Sites for History and Hiking, Hike Seneca Park and the Potomac Heritage Trail in Northern VA, Great Falls Scenic Drive on Pretty Country Roads in Northern Virginia, Balls Bluff Battlefield Park: Hiking and History in Leesburg Virginia, 21+ Fantastic Fun Things to Do in Leesburg Virginia, Visit George Washingtons Distillery and Gristmill in Mount Vernon Virginia, Fun Things to do at George Washingtons Mount Vernon, Clifton Virginia Day Trip: A Charming Small Town Near Washington DC, Bull Run Occoquan Trail Hike and Paradise Springs Winery in Clifton Virginia, Locals Guide: 10 Best Things to Do in Reston Virginia, US Army Museum a Must-Visit in Northern Virginia, Pope-Leighey House Tour: Frank Lloyd Wrights Usonian Gem, Scenic Drive: Georgetown Pike and George Washington Memorial Parkway, A Scenic Drive on the Snickersville Turnpike In Loudoun County Virginia, Fantastic Northern Virginia Scenic Drives, Visit Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum in Old Town Alexandria VA, Fun and Unique Things to Do in Alexandria VA, Occoquan Regional Park Hike and History in Northern Virginia, Workhouse Arts Center History and Art in Northern Virginia, Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail, 15+ Fantastic Things to Do in Historic Occoquan Virginia, Searching for Patsy Cline in Beautiful Winchester Virginia, 10 Outstanding Weekend Getaways Near Washington DC. The hour-long guided tour covers a mile and a half of this massive office building and includes a visit to a memorial for the victims of the 9/11 attack on the Pentagon, the September 11th Memorial Chapel, and the Hall of Heroes, where the recipients of the Medal of Honor are listed. Your typical adult league offerings are available through Loudoun County's Parks & Recreation officebasketball, soccer, flag football, softball, volleyball, and kickballbut, for those looking for something a little different, the county also has a cricket league. This strategic Frisbee (and Frisbee-style discs) game ranks among the top things to do outside in Northern Virginia. 9265 13 It's no secret why the state motto is "Virginia is for Lovers." Whatever you love to do, you'll find Virginia family vacations to suit your style. Top 25 Things to Do in Northern Virginia | HuffPost Life Guests are welcomed all year round at the Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge, where grasslands, wetlands, and woodlands host a wide variety of migratory birds and other animal species. The area is part of theCaptain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail, explored by Smith in 1608. The "Duke Street Black History Tour" highlights Alexandrias role as a major center of the domestic slave tradeDuke Street was formerly known as the Slave Trail of Tears since so many people were forced to march through here on their journey south to work on plantations as far as Louisiana. The boardwalk is part of the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail, a network of trails that highlight historic and natural areas along the Potomac River. Burnside Farms in Nokesville is a gorgeous place to get out with friends or family for a day of frolicking in the flowers. The rolling hills and wild meadowland of hidden area gem reminisce in places of upstate New York art parks like Storm King, and the cactus-filled greenhouse has beautiful views across the propertys lush 95 acres. Bull Run Regional Park, 7700 Bull Run Drive, Centerville, VA 20121, 703 631 0550. Free. The Pope-Leighey House was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, recognized by the American Institute of Architects as the greatest American architect of all time. Wright designed homes to encourage living in connection to, and harmony with, nature. Enjoy! Its part of the Marine Corps Heritage Center, a complex of facilities that also includes a memorial park, parade grounds, artifact restoration facilities, an on-site conference center, and a hotel. Free. People who live in the area (my extended family included!) 3 Beautiful View Points to See Cherry Blossoms in Washington, D.C. Virginia Things To Do - Deals & Coupons in Virginia | Groupon You'll enjoy nice views of the marina, Woodrow Wilson Bridge, and National Harbor in the distance. Much more history can be found in Northern Virginia. The air is crisp and its a great place to watch white water kayakers out in full force or to do it, yourself. Each walking tour is about 90 minutes long and there are several themes to choose from depending on your interests. If you can tack it on to your tulip adventure, you can make a whole day of it! Spend a few hours hiking, kayaking, rock climbing, cycling, or picnicking as you admire the view and enjoy some time in the fresh air. Looking for fun activities in Northern Virginia? document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright 2023 Grace & Lightness Magazine. Free ($2 donation for parking requested). Go beyond the standard tourist spots and discover funthings to do in Virginia, the Washington DC region, and beyond. The path is a favorite of area cyclists and runners and offers terrific views of D.C.s famous landmarks along the way. Or, if you go during the day, stop at nearby Flower Child for an excellent healthy lunch on your way home. In February, Woodlawn hosts a fantastic Woodlawn Needlework Exhibition. They also offer various Geek Tours themed around pop culture touchstones like the TV series Outlander and the concept of a mad scientist. Plan your visit: Neabsco Creek Boardwalk Trail Hike in Northern Virginia. For a unique experience, visitors can go on a paranormal tour of the mansion and grounds or conduct their own investigation into some of the unexplained events that are said to have occurred at Oatlands! Northern Virginia offers travelers a bevy of must-do activities that include historical, cultural, and natural attractions. Coincidentally, Fall is also the best time of year to visit Luray Caverns as thats when the combination of nice weather + only moderate crowds makes the experience most pleasant. Other trails include sometimes steep, wooded hikes to the river and a segment of the Potomac Heritage Trail. The aptly-named Torpedo Factory Art Center is one of Old Town Alexandrias top attractions, located along the docks of the Potomac River. Guests should stop by the Henry Hill Visitor Center on the south side of the park for a look at the exhibits and displays that tell the story of the first battle of the Civil War and the Confederate victory that took place on the same grounds just over a year later. Ultimately, this is a super unique experience thats worth booking ahead of time, as these events are limited and can fill up. "Stills Underground Railroad Walking Tour" takes a closer look at abolitionist William Stills 1872 book, The Underground Railroad, and what the experience was like for the fugitive slaves who used it to escape to freedom. It's also a great spot for bird-watching. The Henry Hill Visitor Center features a 45-minute orientation film, while a museum displays Civil War-era uniforms, weapons, and artifacts. Downtown Clifton is a National Historic District. Many of the red bricks produced here were used in public buildings throughout Washington DC. The 26 Best Washington, D.C. Monuments and Memorials, How to Get From Washington, D.C., to Mount Vernon, 10 Best Things to Do in Prince William County, Virginia, Get to Know Washington, D.C. Here, in no particular order, are 20 Northern Virginia hidden gems to explore. General admission tickets can be purchased online for guests who want to skip the (sometimes) long entry line. (The specific hours of operation change seasonally; check the website for hours.) as well as a novelty candy shop, featuring everything from giant whimsical lollipops to cotton candy, and chocolate truffles sold by the each. The non-profit Workhouse Arts Center was repurposed from a correctional facility to a cultural arts center in 2004. The U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial, also known as the Iwo Jima Memorial, honors the many Marines who have died defending the country since 1775. Your guided walk begins outside the Visitor Center on King Streetyoull know where when you see the costumed tour guides waiting with their lanternsand takes you on a six-block walk through the cobblestone streets of Old Town Alexandria. Old Town Alexandria is a bustling tourist destination rich with history and nostalgic charm as well as distinctive dining and shopping options. They also do excellent brunch, which is something of an art form in these parts. Luray Caverns is also an ideal location for observing Fall foliage, especially if you drive there via Skyline Drive, the scenic local highway that takes you through Shenandoah National Park.
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