Fun things to do and see in Northern Virginia near Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax County and Falls Church. Includes parks, shopping, sightseeing, recreation and events.
On 19May2014 the GI Film Festival kicked off at Old Town Theater. The event was visited by David Arquette, who you might know from the 1996 feature film Scream. The first movie of the 2014 GI Film Festival was the Field of Lost Shoes. The event sold out quickly.
As a volunteer, I got there early to help with set up. After moving a table to the second floor, I was waiting for the next task when I over heard someone asking about coffee shops in Old Town. I couldn't help but offer my two cents on a subject I was familiar with. I recommended Bittersweet, which was right next door from Old Town Theater, and Misha's, which was about 3 blocks away. Later on I was surprised to find out that the person asking about coffee was one of the GI Film Festivals directors!
As the event got closer to starting time, a line of audience members began to form. I took a spot as a door opener and handed out programs to incoming ticket holders. Meanwhile on the red carpet, there were professional photographers staffed who took pictures of celebrities and guests a like. It was interesting to see the crowd of cocktail attired visitors pass through to the evenings entertainment, which started seating at 6:15pm. After the beginning of the event had settled in, I took my leave, and said goodbye to Kim Palmese who had been my POC throughout the GI Film Festival. I remember her shuffling through the crowd, placing volunteers with excellent timing, and overseeing the logistics of this nonprofit hosted event.
Aubrey Nesbitt gets a photo on the red carpet
The GI Film Festival had a red carpet area where people got professional photos taken at
A gentleman gets a photo with one of the film directors
The GI Film Festival as seen from the second floor balcony
David Arquette is on the red carpet
David Arquette gets a his photo taken
Getting ready before the premier
The second floor of the theater was RSVP’d for celebrity guests
Visiting the Artisphere in Rosslyn was very enjoyable. I was there to see Kaki King, a critically acclaimed female guitarist. Taking the some what spiral stairs past the lounge, and up to the second floor was neat. There were a few art related quotes to read from the walls display, as well as a series of artistic photographs streaming from a projector onto a wall.
Entering the Dome Theatre, there were steep seats which created an immediate intimate closeness with the stage. Looking up, the spherical shape of the Dome Theatre reminded me of a planetarium. During the performance everything was very professional, there were perfectly timed lights and video that corresponded with the acoustic-electric guitar's rhythms & progressions & physical movements which were a part of King's kickstarter. During a pausing moment, Kaki King told the audience that this was her third performance of the nights entertainment, entitled 'the Neck is a Bridge to the Body.' Overall, I found the music and video to be soothing and cerebral. Afterwards, I left for the Orange line metro station two blocks away, still thinking about the sounds and pictures that I had seen earlier that evening.
The Artisphere is close to the Rosslyn Metro
Rosslyn is home to the Artisphere
Outside an office at the Artisphere
Welcome to the Artisphere
The Artisphere has a lounge
An audio visual performance at the Artisphere by Kaki King
On the second floor of the Artisphere there is the Dome Theatre
Nesbitt Realty can help you buy and sell real estate in Rosslyn
Awaiting a performance by Kaki King
The Artisphere is the result of 40 years of community desire culminating with a public & private partnership with Arlington County & Rosslyn Business Improvement District and Monday Properties. Amenities here include:
4,000 sq. ft. Terrace Gallery, plus two additional gallery spaces for visual arts
4,000 sq. ft. Ballroom (3,000 sq. ft. dance floor) for events, performances and live music
220-seat Dome Theatre for concerts, films and presentations
125-seat Black Box Theatre—the new home of WSC Avant Bard
387-seat Spectrum Theatre for concerts and events located just next door
Free WiFi
Two-story Video Wall screening experimental film and video installations
For real estate at Rosslyn in Arlington VA contact Nesbitt Realty
Rosslyn is located in the northeastern corner of Arlington County, north of Arlington National Cemetery and directly across the Potomac River from Georgetown in Washington, D.C. The numerous high-rise buildings of Rosslyn appears (in some ways) more urban than nearby Washington.
Added to the mix are new condominiums, lively restaurants and exciting shops, all with easy access to Washington and close-in proximity to Interstate-395, the Pentagon and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.
I have found through my own personal experience that volunteering to help shelter dogs at the Petco on Rt1 is very rewarding. To see the joy of dogs (old & young) leaving their store (where they wait for adoption), to go outside for fresh air, is very uplifting. Feeling a slight tug on the other end of the leash, while seeing four legs scrambling on the tile as we approach the automatic sliding glass door. Once outside, the dogs are happy to follow me in any direction, whether it be towards Target, Beacon Mall, or elsewhere. And for me, I'm happy just to see them around their little world.
“This smells good!”
A puppy looks forward
Taking a dog out for a walk
A happy dog enjoying playtime.
Last Chance has dogs up for adoption at the Petco on Rt1
Luckett Field is a 5.6 acre baseball/softball field near the intersection of Duke St. and Wheeler. Part of the grounds is dedicated to the Luckett Field Skate Park.
The skate park is frequented by children and adults of all ages and is considered a safe-family friendly park. The park is styled as a street course with lots of different rails. There are several quarter pipes, a 6-7 foot halfpipe. In addition to several different sized banks, there is a pyramid, kicker ramp, grind box, manual pad, and ledges. The park also has a big 3 stair set. There is no bowl.
There is no admission to the park. This park doesn't require pads, but I recommend them.
The skatepark is open seven days a week beginning at 9 am. The hours are seasonal, so the park will close at 5 pm through March. Skaters must be 6 years old to use the skatepark, and those under age 10 must be accompanied by an adult.
The park lies in the shadow of the George Washington National Masonic Memorial (aka the Alexandria Lighthouse, the Masonic Temple) in Alexandria. The skyline of Carlyle is visible from the park. There are many upscale (and a few downscale) neighborhoods very close by.
As a hobbyist, I researched record stores in Northern Virginia and came
Record and Tape Exchange was established in 1976
across Record and Tape Exchange (RTX). After a short drive past the Annandale campus of Nova Community College (NVCC), I found RTX located at 9448 Main St, Fairfax, VA 22031, in the Pickett Shopping Center. With students, collectors, and music enthusiasts in mind, RTX buys, sells, and trades a variety of items including college text books, records, CDs, cassettes, and DVDs. Inside RTX, I found that there shelves were filled with enough options for me to pour an hour or so into looking for that special record, while enjoying the stores PA sound system, which was playing a hissing and crackling blues album.
Some people prefer the nostalgia and sound quality of vinyl, to that of digital recordings
Jones Point Park is owned by the National Park Service and its 52-plus acres comprise the largest open space in Old Town Alexandria VA. Jones Point is located on the Potomac River near the Woodrow Wilson Bridge in the southeast corner of Alexandria, Virginia. Jones Point is a nice place for a walk or picnic by the Potomac and is popular with Alexandria's bird watchers, dog owners and history buffs. In addition to open green space and river banks, Jones Point offers
two large soccer fields,
picnic areas with picnic tables,
walking and biking trails,
garden plots for rent,
two fishing piers built over two old ship ramps,
and a large ship dock north of the bridge along the river.
Although the National Park Service owns Jones Point Park, the Alexandria Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities manages the park. The parks custodians strive to preserve and showcase the 9,000 years of human history evidenced at Jones Point. Recognizable touch-points like Jones Point Lighthouse from the middle of the 19th Century are found here along with artifacts from Native Americans and colonists from the early days of European settlement. During the first World War, Jones Point was an important shipbuilding site and remnants of that abandoned heritage are unearthed for visitors to see.
The survey stones placed here under the direction and guidance of George Washington after 1790 mark the original boundaries of the District of Columbia. The land which George Washington surveyed for the Federal City was within the capital boundaries for 45 years, from February 27, 1801, until September 7, 1846, when Alexandria was ceded back into Northern Virginia by Congress.
Jones Point Park is very accessible for residents of Old Town Alexandria, Ford's Landing, Porto Vecchio and Bearings South.
From comic books to used books and everything in between, below are 5 distinguished bookstores located throughout Northern Virginia that every local should know about!
Hole in the Wall Books – Falls ChurchNesbitt Realty can help you buy and sell real estate in Falls Church.
905 W Broad St
Falls Church, VA 22046
Hole in the Wall Books is indeed just as it sounds - a bookstore the size of a closet chock full of books of every size, shape and color. There are books on shelves, books on the floor, books in boxes, even books piled up to the ceiling rafters. Hole in the Wall Books is especially strong on science fiction, fantasy and comic books, but they have a large selection of almost every other genre as well. As if finding a decent comic book store isn't already a thing of the past, Hole in the Wall stands apart from the rest and sets a new standard in teenage-boyhood envy. They also have boxes of older, back issue comics for avid collectors.
Nesbitt Realty can help you buy and sell real estate in Alexandria.Book Bank – Alexandria
1510 King Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
For those who are drawn to old and used bookstores like moths to a flame, the Book Bank has a reliable and steady selection/collection of used books. Some pulp fiction, some expository, some historical, and some nobody ever heard of… until now. Stop in and find a used book that's new to you in one of the best little ol' bookstores in Northern Virginia. They have a great credit exchange program and a highly knowledgeable staff.
Nesbitt Realty can help you buy and sell real estate in Mclean.Tree Top Kids – McLean
Langley Shopping Center
1382 Chain Bridge Road
McLean, VA 22101
A modest if not somewhat sparse collection of children's books, Tree Top Kids truly embraces the notion of quality over quantity and has a perfect range of age appropriate books and gifts for every child in your life…including your inner child! Tree Top carries an excellent selection of labor intensive, craft-oriented toys as well as an array of educational, innovative, and classic children's books. Both the toys and the books are organized by age group and activity throughout the store, making it easy and comfortable to find just what you’re looking for. Tree Tops' selection of books also includes a few autographed tomes for those who are looking for "collection" items.
Nesbitt Realty can help you buy and sell real estate in Arlington.Busboys & Poets – Arlington
4251 S Campbell Ave
Arlington, VA 22206
Although Busboys & Poets is more of a restaurant than an actual bookstore, this cute amalgamation of eatery/readery is a major highlight of the Shirlington area in Arlington, Virginia. With several additional locations throughout greater Washington, this laid-back, hipster café has quickly become an Arlington favorite and is most well known for its fantastic breakfast and brunch menu. Like its sister locations, B&P has a fun vibe with stimulating books and artwork every where the eye can see, which is great to browse while you wait for your food or for a table. B&P features free wi-fi and they serve breakfast every day until 11a.m.
Aladdin's Lamp Children's Bookstore & Other Treasures – Arlington
2499 N Harrison St
Lee Harrison Shopping Center
Arlington, VA 22207
This truly exceptional, independently run children's bookstore frequently features 'in-house' events designed for children of many age groups. The high-level of service, quality and selection of children's books has helped to make Aladdin's Lamp one of Arlington's best kept secrets. The convenient location and unique retail selection combine to make Aladdin's Lamp a bookstore both you and your children will remember.
Masonic Temple
As a tribute to our first president, George Washington, the Masonic Memorial was created. The memorial looks like the ancient Lighthouse of Alexandria. With 9 floors in the edifice, it has something for everyone.
The first floor is dedicated to the Shriner's, with the George Washington Memorial Theater joining along side. The second floor features the Alexandria-Washington Lodge No. 22. On the third floor is the Grotto Exhibit, an organization featuring the Master Masons. The fourth and fifth floors are covered with paintings, and historical documents. The sixth contains the Memorial Library. Once on the seventh floor you will experience murals of Masonic lessons. On the eighth floor is The Knights Templar Chapel. Finally, as you make your way to the ninth floor you will see a replica of King Solomon's throne.
George Washington Masonic Temple
Carlyle’s lion looks at the Masonic Temple
Masonic Memorial as seen from Alexandria House
George Washington Masonic Memorial
This is from “Snowmaggedon” of 2009.
The King Street Metro is near the Amtrak station
George Washington Masonic Temple at sunset
View of Carlyle District of Old Town Alexandria
This historical site is a must see. It contains many reflections of one of our founding fathers and a glimpse inside the mysterious. The Masonic Memorial is easily accessible near the King Street Metro. The Masonic Memorial has a spectacular view of King St and is right in front of the Alexandria Amtrak station.
For more information please contact:
George Washington Masonic Memorial
101 Callahan Drive
Alexandria, VA. 22301
703-683-2007
Although the National Park Service owns Jones Point Park, the Alexandria Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities manages the park. The parks custodians strive to preserve and showcase the 9,000 years of human history evidenced at Jones Point. Recognizable touch-points like Jones Point Lighthouse from the middle of the 19th Century are found here along with artifacts from Native Americans and colonists from the early days of European settlement. During the first World War, Jones Point was an important shipbuilding site and remnants of that abandoned heritage are unearthed for visitors to see.
The survey stones placed here under the direction and guidance of George Washington after 1790 mark the original boundaries of the District of Columbia. The land which George Washington surveyed for the Federal City was within the capital boundaries for 45 years, from February 27, 1801, until September 7, 1846, when Alexandria was ceded back into Northern Virginia by Congress.
Jones Point Park is very accessible for residents of 
