10 Fun Summer Activities in Northern Virginia
Scroll down to view the exciting adventures waiting for you and your family in North Virginia!
1. Visit one of the premier Civil War graffiti sites in the nation at the Civil War Interpretive Center at Historic Blenheim
Location: 3610 Old Lee Highway Fairfax, VA 22030
Come visit, and learn more about The “diary on the walls” provides insight into typical soldier life during the Civil War. And to add to the spectacular back story of this Historic Blenheim is also famous for its graffiti! Blenheim is an attractive 1859 brick farmhouse perched on top of a grassy hill and is nationally significant for the more than 120 Union solder signatures, drawings, and poetry inscribed on the interior walls. A perfect place to add to your Bucket List to visit with the whole family.
2. Experience a living-history farm at Frying Pan Farm Park
Location: Farm and Equestrian: 2709 West Ox Road; Visitor Center: 2739 West Ox Road Herndon, Virginia
his park is a wonderful place to enjoy the animals and so many fun activities to choose from for kids and adults both. For anyone who didn’t grow up on a farm, it is a really fun place to learn new things. For those of us that did grow up in the country or on a farm, it can be like a little taste of your hometown! It is a true neighborhood gem. The charming store always has delightful trinkets. Don’t miss the amazing seasonal concerts, lots of picnic tables, and of course, parking!
3. Visit George Washington’s Distillery & Gristmill
Location: 5514 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway, Alexandria, VA
George Washington’s Distillery & Gristmill is back in business – producing grain products powered by a 16-foot waterwheel and the same rye whiskey that made the Founding Father the nation’s most successful whiskey producer in the years after his presidency. Located at the original site, George Washington’s Gristmill highlights his vision for America’s future as “granary of the world;” while his Distillery is the only site in North America that demonstrates 18th-century distilling from seed to barrel. A must-visit place for people who love whiskey with an amazing taste for both histories! Truly a gem for an adventure!
4. National Air and Space Museum
Location: 14390 Air and Space Museum Parkway
Chantilly, VA 20151
A must-visit Museum in North Virginia! Bring your family, and friends, and be prepared to be overwhelmed with the attractions. The Spirit of St Lewis, The Wright Brother original plane, and John Glenn’s Space capsule greet you when you enter. One can walk through a 1974 Space Station, see a DC-3, and so on. No one, who has any interest in planes, balloons, and rockets, will be bored by coming here. This is definitely one of the most exciting museums that is perfect for kids, and the whole family, enjoy 2-3 hours of the tour with detailed information, actual planes, and balloons displayed that are from another time! Get ready to be a time traveler in this area!
5. Experience Amazing Performances in Wolf Trap
Location: 1551 Trap Road Vienna, VA 22182
Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts is a majestic natural setting for over 100 performances across all genres every summer. And also the Home to the architecturally stunning Filene Center and the charmingly intimate Children’s Theatre-in-the-Woods, the 117-acre Park offers dining and hospitality amenities throughout the summer season, and year-round recreational opportunities, including hiking trails, picnic areas, and sledding that all of the family can enjoy.
6. Camp with the Family in Lake Fairfax Park
Location: 1400 Lake Fairfax Dr.Reston, VA 20190
Lake Fairfax Park’s 476 acres include an 18-acre lake, and the Water Mine – an outdoor swimming pool surrounded by a lazy river, seasonal fishing, campgrounds, picnic areas, trails, party areas, a carousel, and playground are some of the best activities that the whole family can enjoy, bring your own camping gears and head to Lake Fairfax for an amazing adventure that will be enjoyed by all ages!
7. Enjoy a Divine Wine in Paradise Spring Winery
Location: 13219 Yates Ford Road Clifton, VA
The perfect adventure for people that loves fine wine, Come and be welcomed by Fairfax County, a place that serves as the gateway to Virginia’s amazing wine country. Relish in some fine wine in Virginia’s First Winery, Paradise Springs that has a rich and inspiring history. Grab a spot on one of the winery’s signature tours, cozy up to the tasting bar to try the award-winning wines, or listen to live music on the back porch as you overlook the scenic vista.
8. Have an Amazing Family Picnic in Riverbend
Location: 8700-8814 Jeffery Rd, Great Falls, VA 22066
Looking for a fun hike for a perfect sunny day in Great Falls? This is the place you are looking for! Enjoy a beautiful walk along the Virginia side of the Potomac River, and the area known as Great Falls. Most of the trails are easy to moderate, but with a fast pace, you can still get a good workout. Lots of scenic overlooks of the river, and the falls. You will definitely come back for a more amazing nature experience!
9. Dine, and Shop in Fair Oaks Mall
Location: 11750 Fair Oaks Mall Fairfax, VA
Enjoy, and have Retail Therapy with your Family when you visit Fairfax, Virginia is one of the region’s largest premier shopping destinations in Fairfax, Virginia, Fair Oaks features more than 160 stores, so many different services, and dining options. The amazing two-level enclosed center features Macy’s, Lord & Taylor, JCPenney, and Sears along with a great tenant mix of Apple, Children’s Science Center Lab, Coach, J. Crew, MAC, Pottery Barn, Pottery Barn Kids, Sephora, and Williams-Sonoma, and also have a great dine-in experience in restaurants like the Brio Tuscan Grille, Cheesecake Factory, Kona Grill, Mezeh Mediterranean Grill, On the Border, Sushi On, and Texas de Brazil Steakhouse.
10. Relish in an amazing up close classical performance from Amadeus Concert
One of many locations: L’ Auberge Chez Francois 332 Springvale Rd, Great Falls, VA, 22066
Every performance in Amadeus Concerts inspires a community of classical music lovers through up-close performances by professional musicians, educational outreach, and mentoring for young musicians. Enjoy every collaboration with artistic partners and spotlight performers of the highest caliber, including their own Amadeus Orchestra. A must to include in your list of things to do when visiting North Virginia!