Category Archives: Uncategorized

Bring the family to Northern Virginia for a trip that is packed with activities that both children and adults alike will enjoy. From museums and monuments to parks and farms, this vacation will sneak in some great history lessons along with recreation opportunities and culinary treats your whole family will love. Day 1: Prince William County Morning Begin your adventure at the Neabsco Creek Boardwalk exploring the ¾-mile boardwalk that traverses Neabsco Creek, allowing you access to wetlands where the tall grasses and marsh filter pollution from the river and provide a rich habitat for great blue herons, wood ducks, mallards, sparrow and red-winged blackbirds, just to name a few of the winged wildlife known to populate the area. The walkway is part of the Potomac Heritage Scenic Trail, which was established by Congress in 1983 designating an 800-mile trail network stretching from the Allegheny Mountains in Pennsylvania to the […]

Day 1: Loudoun County Afternoon: Explore Virginia’s Wine Country – Try a chocolate and wine pairing at 8 Chains North, indulge in the sparkling wine that was provided to select Oscar nominees in 2016 at Greenhill Winery & Vineyards or enjoy breathtaking views of the countryside at Stone Tower Winery’s adults-only tasting room. Evening: Visit The Wine Kitchen – Continue your trip through wine country at this restaurant, which features wine flights and tapas-style meals created from fresh ingredients provided by local farms. Overnight Day 2: Prince William County and Fairfax County Morning: Visit The Little Goat Farm at the Lake – Start your morning off right with goat yoga on the lake or sign up for a lesson on how to make goat milk soap, lotion or cheese! This farm offers visitors a relaxing and engaging experience with a variety of baby goats, llamas, chickens and more. Afternoon: Kick […]

This insider’s guide to Northern Virginia will shed new light on a few of the unforgettable experiences you can find just outside of Washington, D.C. during your next visit to the Capital Region. Discover a variety of attractions and historic hotspots that won’t break the bank and are sure to spice up your next visit to Washington D.C. 1. Catch a Show at Wolf Trap Wolf Trap is America’s only National Park dedicated solely to the performing arts. The park features three music venues: the Filene Center, an outdoor amphitheater which hosts nationally-renowned artists and culturally-driven performances throughout the summer, The Barns at Wolf Trap, an intimate concert space made from reconstructed 18th-century barns hosting spring and fall performances; and the Children’s Theatre-in-the-Woods, an oasis nestled in the forest highlighting kid-friendly summer performances. 2. Discover Historic Sites in Alexandria With a nationally designated historic district founded in 1749, visitors to […]

Planning a trip to the Capital Region to see the famous cherry blossoms this year? Extend your stay and explore Northern Virginia for a trip that is packed with outdoor activities, unique events, craft beverages, historic homes and expansive gardens. 1. Check out the View from the Marine Corps War Memorial Often called Iwo Jima, the memorial affords panoramic views of the Washington, D.C. skyline and sights, including the Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument, and Capitol Building. 2. Discover Virginia Craft Beer, Wine & Spirits Featuring more than 40 breweries, 45 wineries and a variety of unique distilleries, Northern Virginia offers visitors an array of opportunities to sip and savor delicious craft beverages made throughout the region. The Steins, Vines & Moonshine Trail and The LoCo Ale Trail are just two of the boozy-themed trails visitors can choose to explore while visiting the Capital Region. Stop by Old Ox Brewery on […]

Carlyle House, Alexandria, VA Photo Credit: Daisey Saulls Photography Completed in 1753 by Scottish merchant John Carlyle for his bride, Sarah Fairfax of Belvoir, a member of one of the most prestigious families in colonial Virginia. One of the grandest mansions in the new town of Alexandria, their home quickly became a center of social and political life in Alexandria and gained a foothold in history when British General Braddock made the mansion his headquarters in 1755. Braddock summoned five colonial governors to meet there to plan the early campaigns of the French and Indian War. On the National Register of Historic Places, Carlyle House is architecturally unique in Alexandria as the only stone, 18th-century mansion. The site may be rented in the evenings for private functions and weddings. Today, you can recapture the timeless elegance of this rich history in an evening reception at Carlyle House. Conveniently located in […]

Virginia is definitely for Outdoor Lovers, and there is no better way to experience the great outdoors than in Northern Virginia, where visitors can explore the largest green spaces in the D.C. Metro area. From hiking, biking, fishing and camping to sailing and zip lining, there truly is an outdoor adventure for everyone in Virginia’s Cultural Region. 1. Take a Bike Tour from Alexandria Explore Alexandria, Virginia and the D.C. region on bike with new tours this spring by Pedego Alexandria Electric Bikes in Old Town Alexandria. The new e-Bike tours will include a tour of Old Town Alexandria, a tour to George Washington’s Mount Vernon, which includes admission to the estate, a monuments tour of D.C., a seasonal tour to the cherry blossoms in D.C., and an Old Town at Night tour—a 90-minute ride that will take cyclists across the Woodrow Wilson Bridge, offering extraordinary nighttime views of Old […]

While visiting your favorite brewery can be a relaxing solo experience, Virginia’s Cultural Region invites you and your crew to share some high-quality beer and high-quality company. Here are a few of the Region’s latest local craft-brew experiences that are just too good to keep to yourself: Prince William County: Farm Brew Live With warm weather on the rise, Virginia’s Cultural Region is rapidly approaching the summer unveiling of the latest colossus in the craft beer community. In addition to an overwhelmingly enthusiastic local response, the Farm Brew Live campus is quickly generating international excitement, becoming one of the region’s most exciting beer destinations. As an all-in-one craft beer destination, Farm Brew Live features 5 massive venues, each expressing a unique celebration of craft-culture. 2 Silos Brewing Co. With an estimated production rate of over 3.5 million farm-to-fist, quality-crafted pints per year, 2 Silos Brewing Company is essentially the beating […]

LOUDOUN: THE TALLY HO 19 West Market Street is home to Leesburg’s most visually arresting concert venue. The Tally Ho Theater, a 1932 Art Deco concert hall is a downtown Leesburg landmark. The Tally Ho has operated continuously through generations as a first-run movie house and performing arts venue. Now, the Tally Ho will open primarily for live performances. The incredible, 9000 square-foot building boasts a collection of new renovations and amenities, including a 2000 square-foot dance floor, two-level seating, multiple cocktail bars, a full service restaurant: Tally Ho Taco, a variety of exclusive VIP areas, and a 600 square-foot stage— just to name a few. Whether it’s comedy, theater, or rock and roll, the Tally Ho promises entertainment for all audiences, and offers a timeless venue for guests to explore. OPEN AIR CONCERTS AT TARARA Dance the night away under the stars, or just lay back and take in […]

FAIRFAX COUNTY: THE SMITHSONIAN’S NATIONAL AIR AND SPACE MUSEUM STEVEN F. UDVAR-HAZY CENTER Explore the history of flight in Fairfax County. The Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center is the companion facility to Washington, DC’s National Air and Space Museum, and the perfect addition to a family visit to Virginia’s Cultural Region. Explore the enormous Boeing Aviation Hangar and James S. McDonnell Space Hangar, and experience an impressive collection featuring thousands of aviation and space artifacts — including a Lockheed SR-71 “Blackbird,” a Concorde, and the Space Shuttle Discovery. Climb to the top of the Donald D. Engen Observation Tower for an incredible 360-degree view of the surrounding area, or head to the glass-contained mezzanine at the Mary Baker Engen Restoration Hangar and experience the Center’s current restoration projects. Enjoy a selection of daily tours, educational activities perfect for any age, and a variety of lectures and events scheduled throughout the year. […]

FAIRFAX COUNTY: GREAT FALLS PARK Take a walk on the wild side of Virginia’s Cultural Region, and discover an incredible destination for recreation within the great outdoors of Fairfax County. Aptly named, Great Falls Park features a stunning collection of cascading rapids and several sparkling waterfalls, marking the Potomac River’s 76-foot drop into the narrow Mather Gorge. With over 800 acres of scenic forests, rocky terrain, and abundant native wildlife, Great Falls Park boasts incredible natural beauty and unlimited outdoor adventure. The park’s winding trails stretch across 15 miles of forested landscape and preserved historic structures, offering hikers, bikers, and horseback riders access to some of the most unique and breathtaking views in the area. For families seeking kid-friendly adventure, the park’s Junior Ranger Program offers an exciting, self-guided scavenger hunt throughout the park with a booklet of activities and attractions to discover along the way. Children who complete the […]