Fun things to do and see in Northern Virginia near Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax County and Falls Church. Includes parks, shopping, sightseeing, recreation and events.
Jones Point Park transitions into Old Town
As a 52 plus acres of haven for wildlife, Jones Point Park is also the ideal place to take a stroll or have a picnic by the Potomac River, go bird watching and let your dog have fun. It is found near the Woodrow Wilson Bridge, southeast of Alexandria on the Potomac River.
80 Foot trees can be found at Jones Point Park where fall and spring birds nest during the migration season. A walk down the trail to the Potomac offers sights of water birds, bald eagles and waterfowl.
Jones Point Park offers:
Picnic sites with picnic tables
2 Soccer fields
Trails for walking and biking
2 Fishing piers structured over 2 ship ramps
Ship dock north of the bridge by the river
Garden plots for rent
Jones Point Park at the Woodrow Wilson Bridge
Aubrey Nesbitt takes a break from riding his bicycle below the Woodrow Wilson Bridge
Jones Point Park is owned by the National Park Service and managed by the Alexandria Department of Recreation, Parks ad Cultural Activities that preserves the 9000 years of human history.
Important Facts about Jones Point Park:
Remains of the Jones Point Lighthouse from the 19th century and artifacts from the Native Americans and colonist from the early European settlers have been discovered here.
Jones Point Park was an important shipbuilding site where remains of the shipbuilding site had been unearthed for visitors.
Survey stones mark the original boundaries of District of Columbia as overseen by George Washington after 1790.
Alexandria City Hall was built on a site designated for the market and city hall when Alexandria was founded in 1749. The original City Hall burned in 1871 the current structure was erected in 1874. This City Hall wraps around a central courtyard known as Market Square. When first constructed Alexandria City Hall also housed a Masonic Lodge, court facility, and police and fire stations. Today, the site only has municipal offices. Over the years the building has undergone several renovations and additions. Among the most recent and was the 1960-61 addition that filled the old courtyard. At that time, the building was reoriented toward the south with the new entrance facing King Street and Market Square, an open, landscape plaza with central fountain in the current Market Square. In1981, further renovations linked the 1871 building and the 1961 addition with new elevators, stairs and corridors.
The plaque reads
Alexandria Washington Lodge
No. 22 AF & AM
Chartered AD 1788
Destroyed by Fire May 19, AD 1871
Rebuilt AD 1874
Adolf Cluss Architect
“Playground of Presidents” is what Golfer’s Magazine referred to the Washington Golf and Country Club, as membership of presidents such as Theodore Roosevelt, William Howard Taft and Woodrow Wilson as well as Member s of the House and Senate, Supreme Justices and other high ranking government officials rolls on.
Washington Golf and Country Club is located at 3017 N. Glebe Road in Arlington VA 22207. WGCC was established in 1894 over 120 acres of land near Washington D.C in Northern Virginia. A traditional Donald Ross golf course is enjoyed by membership as well as full country club facilities. The Georgian style clubhouse that was renovate din 2004 – 2006 is situated on one of the highest points in Arlington Virginia offering a wide breath taking view over the challenging 18 hole golf courses in the region as well as views across the Potomac River all the way to the skyline of Washington.
located in Arlington County VACountry Club facilities:
Golf Driving Range
Putting and Practice Greens
A Swimming Pool
10 Outdoor Tennis Courts
5 Court Indoor Tennis Facility
Fully Equipped Fitness Center
Formal and Informal Dining Rooms
Tap Room
Men’s Grill
Ladies Lounge
Outdoor Dining Areas
Cocktail Lounge
Meeting and Party Rooms for 18 – 60 persons
Spacious and Grand Ballroom for a capacity of 300 – 400 persons
Only highly experienced tenure staffs of WGCC are allowed to manage programs for golf, tennis swim / dive programs.
WGCC prides itself with its banquet and catering facilities.
Presidents Hall – Largest space on the main floor that is classically proportioned ballroom with exquisite detailed painted millwork, carpeted floors, handsome windows, crystal chandeliers and sconces and 40” ceiling colonial lattice work. A commemorative plaque on the wall outside the hall honors the Presidents of the United States who have been members of WGCC.
The Virginia Room – A dining room opening into a covered Upper Terrace offering an exceptional view of the golf course. Regency chandeliers, sconces, fireplace, intricate millwork, carved pilasters and a coffered ceiling grace the interior providing sophistication suitable for wedding receptions, cocktails and the like.
The Dominion Room – Opens directly from the Presidents Hall and the Dining Room overlooking The Conservatory and the golf course. It is designed with painted panel mill work, mahogany furniture, crystal chandeliers and sconces as well as custom classic motif woven carpet.
The Upper Terrace – Covered outdoor terrace overlooking the golf course and the pool suitable for receptions and buffets. It leads to one of the building’s more impressive new additions _ a Conservatory running the length of the building
The Woodrow Wilson – Showcasing WGCC proudest possessions, a restored and reframed golf print donated by President Wilson. The quiet elegant room is graced with leather chairs, a large mahogany table, a fireplace, antique brass chandeliers and sconces as well as an oil portrait of President Woodrow Wilson. 4 windows in the room provide view of the first tee and the National Cathedral where the former President is buried.
As WGCC is a private club, one has to be sponsored by an active member of the club to become a part of it. The current initiation fee is $70,000 of which a $12,000 is deposit is expected at the time one applies.
Washington Golf and Country Club currently has a multi-year waiting list.
Homes for sale near Washington Golf and Country Club
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.
Private and member owned Chantilly National Golf and Country Club was established in 1959 in 214 green acres in Centreville Virginia. 2009 brought about renovations to the clubhouse, Golf Course, Locker Rooms and Pool Facility.
Chantilly National Golf and Country Club is located at 14901 Braddock Road Centreville VA 20120. (703 – 631 – 9560) The Country Club is staffed with friendly well experienced professionals in all amenities of Golf, Tennis, Swimming and First Class Dining.
It features 18 holes of handsome fairways, short rough, subtle greens, bunkers and 5 sets of tees to challenge both young and old. Class A Golf Professionals conducts golf lessons and Junior Golf Programs.
3 newly re built hard courts and 3 underground watered clay courts offers enjoyable tennis programs and games managed by USPTA Director of Tennis Bill Stahr.
An Olympic size pool is also offered with a small wading pool suitable for kids and locker rooms as well as poolside food service.
The plaque reads
The Playground of Presidents
