Clustered around Mt. Vernon estate, housing developments in this area feature mostly single-family homes and a few condos. Easy access to Potomac River is a key attraction in this area.
River Farm is on Virginia's side of the Potomac River in Fairfax County just south of Alexandria. Originally together with nearby Collingwood, River Farm was a sprawling farm that was one of five farms that compromised George Washington's Mount Vernon Estate. Today, River Farm is twenty five acres of meadows, woods and landscaped gardens.
The gardens bloom all year from the daffodils and lilacs in early spring to the cherries and dogwoods of late spring. Magnolias in the early summer give way to the Crepe Myrtles in later summer. The asters of fall herald the brilliant fall foliage that promises a winter of holly and persimmon. The woods and river banks of River Farm provide habitat for many birds, including bald eagles and ospreys, as well as animals as small as lizards and as big as deer.
These and many other plantings make River Farm an excellent destination for a one day outing but also a lovely place to host an event. River Farm is open to the public from 9 am to 5 pm Monday through Friday, excluding national holidays. In addition, from early April through September 25 River Farm is open on Saturdays from 9 am to 1pm. River Farm organizes special events and children's programs throughout the year. River Farm's ballroom, patios and gardens are a great place for a spring wedding or corporate get-away.
River Farm
River Farm is on the Potomac River
7931 East Boulevard,
Alexandria, VA 22308
Toll-free: (800) 777-7931
The headquarters of the American Horticultural Society is also at River Farm. The American Horticultural Society strives to inspire Americans to appreciate the vital connection between people and plants so that we might become become better caretakers of the Earth. Both experienced and novice gardeners may find the many publications of The American Horticultural Society very useful. Here are a few of their resources:
Just off the George Washington Parkway there is a trail that runs from Old TownAlexandria to Mount Vernon. The trail goes all the way to DC and has several parks along the way. The trail has a detour to the Woodrow Wilson Bridge and goes all the way to National Harbor. The trail is in use year round, however people really start to come out in the warmer seasons like Spring and Summer.
Nearby neighborhoods include Belle View, Fort Hunt, Mount Vernon, and Old Town. The Potomac River has plenty of great fishing spots - in the past I would go with friends on a small paddle boat through the Potomac and catch a variety of fish including bass. Just off the parkway there is the Belle Haven Marina which is a great place to store boats at. Just across the Potomac is National Harbor.
The parks off the George Washington parkway are a great place to get some outdoor recreation. There is plenty of room for activities like ultimate frisbee, throwing a football, or playing soccer. Also the parks have grills that are great for outdoor BBQs. This area has tables that are great for having a picnic.
Ducks walk on the land off the George Washington Parkway next to the Potomac RIver
Ducks in the Potomac River in the evening
Ducks walk stand next to the Potomac river on a sunny day in April
About the Author --- Aubrey Nesbitt is a native of Northern Virginia who attended Virginia Commonwealth University. He is a veteran of the US Army and helps his family business by providing informational articles like this one. In addition to photography and blogging, Aubrey provides administrative support for the office.
Creative Commons License photo credit: CrimsonMage
The Potomac River is located on the east coast of the United States, and runs through Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, and Washington, D.C. before it empties into the Chesapeake Bay. It is over 380 miles long and wider than 11 miles at its widest point.
As it passes through Washington DC, the nation's capital, the Potomac passes the Washington Monument and the memorials of Jefferson, and Lincoln. Many consider the Potomac to be one of the most beautiful and bountiful rivers on the East Coast. The river is also widely regard its historic, scenic and recreational significance. Among the many who loved the Potomac was George Washington, who worked as a surveyor at many points along the banks of the river. George Washington's mansion
at Mount Vernon is on the Potomac.
Mount Vernon, George Washington's estate on the Potomac
The Potomac's source is a small spring at the Fairfax Stone in West Virginia. From there, the river gathers many tributaries, winding through the mountains and valleys of Appalachia. One of its most
dramatic turns occurs at Harper's Ferry where the Shenandoah meets the
Potomac.
At Great Falls, the Potomac tumbles down from the Appalachian Highlands to the sandy soils of the Atlantic Coastal Plain. Visitors from the colonial era to the modern era relish the views here. Today visitors at Great Falls
will not only marvel at the cataracts, but also the engineering efforts of those who sought to fulfill George Washington's dream of connecting the Chesapeake Bay to the Ohio River. The C & O Canal was only operational for a few short years, but remnants of the system are still functional at Great Falls Park.
Finally, the river flows almost 400 miles widening to over 11 miles as it reaches the Chesapeake Bay on the long, low, and barren peninsula named Point Lookout, Maryland. Before the US Civil War, Point Lookout was home to a few hotels and boarding houses, but during the war it was converted into one of the largest and worst of the Union
prisoner-of-war camps.
Fishers, anglers, boaters, sailors and kayakers all enjoy the Potomac.
The Potomac River has a watershed of 14,670 square miles including tributaries in Maryland (the Monocacy, Savage, and St. Mary's Rivers); in Virginia (the Shenandoah and Occoquan Rivers); in West Virginia (the South Branch and Cacapon Rivers); in Pennsylvania (Conococheague and Antietam Creeks); and in Washington DC (the Anacostia River). The Potomac cradles forests, battlefields, farmlands, mountains, parks, and cities. It is known to many as our Nation's River.
If you're searching for a home or condo in Northern Virginia with a view of the Potomac, contact Will Nesbitt with Condo Alexandria.
The feeling of space is the first thing that hits you when you visit Mount Vernon Grove. The large homes in this area have lots of green space, which makes for wonderful gardens and plenty of room for the kids. The houses were built in the 1970's, in a classic colonial style, but over the years have been upgraded. Many include features such as garages, attractive flooring and some appliances.
Mount Vernon Grove is situated a short distance from the Old Mount Vernon road, nestled in a beautiful part of Fairfax County.
Established in 1974 with a mission to reduce homelessness, increase community support and promote self sufficiency, the Good Shepherd Housing and Family Services is operated by a multi-denominational board of directors and staff managing over 70 housing units. Good Shepherd Housing and Family Services is located in the Mount Zephyr Business Center at 8305 Richmond…
Established in 1974 with a mission to reduce homelessness, increase community support and promote self sufficiency, the Good Shepherd Housing and Family Services is operated by a multi-denominational board of directors and staff managing over 70 housing units. Good Shepherd Housing and Family Services is located in the Mount Zephyr Business Center at 8305 Richmond…
Mount Vernon, George Washington's estate on the Potomac
Much of the Mount Vernon District of Fairfax County was developed by the middle of the last century, but if you know where to look builders continue to build new homes.
Petitts Landing is a community of large newer homes in Mount Vernon. These homes were built in the 1990's and generally boast more than 4000 sqft of living space plus an ample basement. Two-car garages and large lots are the norm in this community. Buyers here should expect hardwood floors, multiple fireplaces and modern amenities not found in some of Mount Vernon's older homes. Those considering a purchase at Petitts Landing may also want to take a look to see what's available near Grist Mill.
This chart shows the average number of homes sales in Woodlawn, Virginia(zip code 23309), a community within Alexandria, as compared to those of the city of Alexandria as a whole. As you can see, the average listing price for homes in Woodlawn has remained stead over the last two months.
Julie Nesbitt
Julie Nesbitt knows the back trails and by-ways of Northern Virginia real estate.
Established in 1974 with a mission to reduce homelessness, increase community support and promote self sufficiency, the Good Shepherd Housing and Family Services is operated by a multi-denominational board of directors and staff managing over 70 housing units. Good Shepherd Housing and Family Services is located in the Mount Zephyr Business Center at 8305 Richmond…
This chart shows the average number of homes sales in Oakwood, Virginia(zip code 23309), a community within Alexandria, as compared to those of the city of Alexandria as a whole. As you can see, the average number of homes sales in Oakwood has decreased in the last two months.
This chart shows the median sales price per square foot for a home in Fort Hunt, Virginia(zip code 22306), a community within Alexandria, as compared to those of the city of Alexandria as a whole. As you can see, the median sales price of homes in Fort Hunt is slightly below that of Alexandria, but is increasing.
This chart shows the average number of homes sales in 