2022-12-06 06:30:03
When it comes to one-of-a-kind attractions and unique experiences, Fairfax County is blessed with some of the best. Much more than a “wish list,” check out this “must list” of hot spots you simply can’t miss! Walk in the footsteps of the Father of our Country. And we mean “in” his footsteps. At George Washington’s Mount Vernon, you can peer into his bedroom, run your hands along the handrails leading to his library and stroll the same beautiful grounds that he did, plus enjoy more than 20 dynamic galleries and theaters. Marvel at more than 300 historic air and spacecraft. How historic? Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly houses the Space Shuttle Discovery, a Concorde and the Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird, among many others, in a jaw-dropping museum adjacent to Dulles International Airport. Shop the largest retail area on the East Coast outside of Manhattan. Tysons is a retail epicenter of luxury brands, big-name department stores, unique boutiques and hundreds of shops, restaurants and entertainment venues. Catch a show at the only National Park dedicated to the performing arts. That would be Wolf Trap in Vienna, a sprawling outdoor venue offering a dazzling lineup of theatre, dance and music performances in the majestic Filene Center, the intimate Barns and the charming Children’s Theatre-in-the-Woods. Explore an 800-acre rocky oasis anchored by thundering falls. Situated along one of the Potomac River’s most dramatic stretches, Great Falls Park lives up to its name with epic scenic views and recreation options. Managed by the National Park Service, this gem offers hiking, kayaking, rock climbing and more. Soak up history, beauty and creativity … in a former prison. The world-class Workhouse Arts Center in Lorton provides an interactive cultural arts experience inside the former DC Workhouse Prison. Visit more than 65 local artists in their studios, make your own creations, tour the grounds and on-site museum, and catch a show or festival. Tour iconic monuments, museums and more in our nation’s capital. Just a few miles and minutes from Fairfax County, Washington, DC offers an immersive “American” experience steeped in history, art and culture. See the sights, hear the stories, feel the pride, get the selfie. Explore a place where few tread. Designed as a technological marvel and featuring interactive educational elements, the National Museum of the United States Army tells the military branch’s comprehensive history through the eyes of the American soldier and is the only official museum of the Army. Tour the only public Korean Bell Garden in the Western Hemisphere. Meadowlark Botanical Gardens is the place, and its 95 beautiful acres in Vienna are filled with ornamental gardens, unique native plants, peaceful woodlands and meandering trails in Vienna. See the fascinating architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright. Located on the grounds of Woodlawn, the early 19th century estate notable for its connections to the Washington family, Frank Lloyd Wright’s Pope-Leighey House is the famed architect’s Usonian masterpiece, designed for the middle-class. Discover More Things to Do! FXVA.com Offbeat NOVA Think you know Fairfax County? Think again! Check out these quirky spots you won’t want to miss! FOAMHENGE This full-size replica of the original Stonehenge at Cox Farms Fall Festival is made entirely from Styrofoam. And it’s awesome. WASHINGTON & OLD DOMINION TRAIL This 45-mile-long trail spans three counties along a former railroad bed. It’s also the “skinniest park in Virginia.” MATILDAVILLE RUINS AT GREAT FALLS PARK Walk amongst the stone ruins of this ghost town established to build the Patowmack Canal. BEEHIVE KILN This circa-1800s brick kiln at Occoquan Park was used by prisoners to make bricks for the Workhouse reformatory (now the Workhouse Arts Center). Rad Road Trips Fairfax County is the perfect place for a variety of fun, exciting and relaxing road trips. Chart a course for history hotspots or enjoy a family day at waterparks, adventure centers and fun attractions. Make us your home base for exploring the monuments, museums and history of our nation’s capital in Washington, DC. Explore charming small towns and the scenic parkways that connect them. Plan a day visiting local craft breweries before heading out to taste and tour Northern Virginia wineries. Just set your GPS and prepare for FUN!
©Fairfax. View All Articles.