Fun things to do and see in Northern Virginia near Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax County and Falls Church. Includes parks, shopping, sightseeing, recreation and events.
Boasting its Victorian architectural beauty, the Lee- Fendall House interprets the life and living of the Lee family from 1850 to 1870 with the well restored house and cared for garden. The Lee-Fendall House is situated in the Historic District of Old Town Alexandria on Lee Corner, at the junction of North Washington and Oronoco Streets within the neighborhood where other Lee Homes were located in the 18th and 19th centuries.
General Robert E. Lee’s father, Henry “Light Horse Harry” Lee who was a revolutionary war hero, sold the piece of land situated at the corner of Oronoco Street to his cousin Philip Richard Fendall who later on built his family home on this land in 1785. The Lee family resided on this land from 1785 to 1903 even when the Union Army had taken over the property to establish a hospital for its soldiers in 1863. After the departure of the last Lee member from the property, Robert Downham resided in the house till 1937 when he conveyed the property to John L. Lewin, who in turn lived there till his death in 1969.
The half acre garden of the Lee-Fendall House is a well managed garden overseen by the Alexandria Council of Garden Clubs consisting of 24 garden clubs ever since 1974. A variety of heritage roses, collection of herbs, English boxwoods, Black Walnut Trees, Gingko, Magnolia Grandiflora and scampering squirrels along with the tombstone of Philip R. Fendall’s mother, Eleanor Fendall can be found in this cared for garden.
The Lee- Fendall House Museum and Garden is located at 614 Oronoco Street in Alexandria VA 22314. For more information about tours, events, rentals and the like, please call 703 548 1789 or visit www.leefendallhouse.org.
The National Christmas Tree and the Washington Monument
The first national Christmas celebrations began in 1913 when President Woodrow Wilson and over 20,000 visitors gathered together at the Capitol with a lighted community Christmas tree that began the national event.
In 1923, Vermont’s Middlebury College had presented the first official National Christmas Tree as a gift. It was decorated with 2,500 red, white and green lights and was lit by President Calvin Coolidge on the Eve of Christmas at President’s Park situated to the south of the White House also known as the Ellipse. Through the years, the National Christmas Tree had been relocated to several areas such as in 1923 when it was relocated to Sherman Plaza and to Lafayette Park years after, and was returned to the Ellipse in 1939.
On December 17, 1954, President Dwight Eisenhower started the lighting of the National Christmas Tree for the Pageant of Peace, permitting more visitors to view the lighting and celebrating Christmas Eve at home with family.
From a single Christmas tree, the National Christmas Tree now is accompanied by 56 smaller Christmas trees representing each state, territory and the District of Columbia. The National Christmas Tree is lit with reflection of the current events such as when the lights were turned off for a moment in support of the American hostages in Lebanon and their families on Christmas Eve in 1985 as instructed by President George H. W. Bush, and the lighting in 2001, when the children of the September 11 attack victims of the Pentagon had assisted in the lighting.
An array of trees, such as the Balsam Fir, Fraser Fir, Engelmann Spruce and Red Cedar were constantly donated for the event till 1973, when the National Arborist Association then donated a 42 foot blue spruce intended as a permanent National Christmas Tree till it began to die and thus a 40 foot tall living Colorado blue spruce was donated from Maryland and served as the National Christmas Tree. Standard filament burning bulbs had long ago decorated the National Christmas, then Solar energy was then used in 1995 to light the tree, in 2007 energy efficient LED lights are now used as a reminder to everyone that energy can be saved to decrease carbon footprint.
Every year, the tree lighting ceremony begins the festivities of the National Christmas Tree program or “Pageant of Peace”, with re-known performers and a military band and a message of peace by the President dedicated to everyone worldwide. Entertainment and musical performances provided by volunteer choirs, bands and dancers are for free.
For the “Christmas Pathway of Peace”, the National Christmas Tree and its accompanying 56 smaller trees shall be lit every night at dusk till 11pm all through the 1st of January. While model trains surrounding the base of the National Christmas Tree are provided by the National Christmas Tree Railroad.
Lake Ridge Park features a golf course, mini golf course and a marina to the public including arts and crafts, nature, science and scout programs for everyone. Other activities offered at Lake Ridge Park are fishing, boating and hiking while picnics can be held in rented tents and picnic tables.
Boating is launched into the Occoquan Reservoir where fishing is permitted at the deepest end. Boats and canoes can be rented at Lake Ridge Park with bait being sold on site.
Golfing is enjoyed at the 9 hole course and miniature course with membership and training offered.
Lake Ridge Park
12350 Cotton Mill Drive,
Woodbridge, VA 22192
Julie J. Metz Wetland Bank
15875 Neabsco Road
Woodbridge VA 22191
Contact Number: 703 792 6666
Julie J. Metz Wetlands Bank offers 227 acres of preserved forested, shrub scrub and emergent wetlands of adventure with an array of wildlife with homes in the marshy areas, situated on the borders of Neabsco Road and Neabsco Creek, just 24 miles south of Washington D.C. A variety of bird species can be seen at Julie J. Metz Wetlands Bank throughout the summer till winter.
During the time when John Smith had mapped out Neabsco Creek in 1608 , the surrounding land was of tobacco farming and lumbering. Being the first wetlands bank approved by the U.S Army Corps of Engineers in Northern Virginia, Julie J.
Metz Wetlands Bank was named after an environmental scientist, Julie J. Metz.
Sightings of great blue herons, wood ducks, mallards, sparrow, red winged blackbirds, gulls, woodpeckers and hawks in Julie J. Metz Wetlands Bank are sought after by visitors along with the views of the river banks. Summer features a large number of songbirds and winter sends an array of grass birds to the grassy and dry area of the wetland. A wood chip and boardwalk nature trail with looping paths provide visitors convenient bird watching at Julie J. Metz Wetlands Bank.
Ben Lomond Regional Park
7500 Ben Lomond Drive
Manassas, VA 20109
Contact Number: 703 361 4451
Ben Lomond Regional Park offers excitement and an array of activities for everyone including their 11 acre Splash Down Water Park situated between Old Town Manassas and Manassas National Battlefield including other expansions and upgrades.
The Splash Down Water Park features 5 water areas with 2 4 story water slides, children water slides, lazy river, boat slide, lap pool and zero entry depth beach area including water raindrops and bubblers and pavilions. The trail found at Ben Lomond Regional Park offer suitable hiking – walking path along Bull Run.
Ben Lomond Regional Park provides a variety of facilities to enjoy :
Updated Soccer Fields
Softball Field
Tennis Courts
Sand Volleyball
Horseshoes
Playground
Picnic Areas
Hiking Trails
While Ben Lomond Regional Park provides fun filled activities, the nearby restaurants can provide nourishment after a long day of fun.
Great American Buffet at 8365 Sudley Road, Manassas 20109 that serves homemade dishes and baked goods.
Red Lobster at 7505 Broken Branch Lane in Manassas 20109 that serves their seafood specialty.
Taste Buds at 10421 Balls Ford Road in Manassas 20109 that serves traditional breakfast and lunch meals.
Whole Foods offering natural organic produce
The world’s leader of natural and organic foods, Whole Foods began in 1980 as a small shop with 19 employees in Austin Texas, with now over 270 stores throughout North America and the U.K. Whole Foods offers quality, least processed natural foods without sweeteners, preservatives and colorings, while paying forward with contributions from each store to food banks, local non profit organizations and events.
Whole Foods began their journey to success by John Mackey and Renee Lawson Hardy of Safer Way Natural Foods and Craig Weller and Mark Silers of Clarksville Natural Grocery. Expansion of Whole Foods commenced in 1984 with stores opening in the West Coast in 1989. In 2002, Whole Foods reached Canada and the U.K in 2004.
Whole Foods in Northern Virginia provides utmost convenience for many residents who wish to shop for natural organic food.
Whole Foods stores in Northern Virginia:
Whole Food Market in Old Town -
Monday to Sunday: 8am to 10pm
1700 Duke Street
Alexandria VA 22314
Whole Foods Market –
Lunch is enjoyed at Whole Foods in the Carlyle District with many USPTO employees patronizing the store
Monday to Friday: 8am to 10:30pm
2700 Wilson Blvd
Arlington VA 22201
Whole Foods Market – Fair Lakes
Monday to Friday: 8am to 9pm
4501 Market Commons Drive
Fairfax VA 22033
Whole Foods Market – Tysons
Monday to Friday: 8am to 9:30pm
7511 Leesburg Pike
Falls Church, VA 22043
Whole Food Market –
Monday to Friday: 8am to 9pm
11660 Plaza America Drive
Reston, VA 20191
Whole Foods Market-
Monday to Friday: 8am to 9pm
8402 Old Keene Mill Road
Springfield VA 22152
Whole Foods Market-
Monday to Friday: 8am to 9pm
143 Maple Avenue East
Vienna VA 22180
Whole Foods Market-
Monday to Saturday: 8am to 10pm
Sunday: 8am to 9pm
300 Shoppers World Court
Charlottesville, VA 22902
The Barcroft Sports and Fitness Center offers membership programs as well as drop in programs.
The Barcroft Sports and Fitness Center Playgroup (Children of ages 5 and below)
Tuesdays and Thursdays: 10am to 12noon
Fee: $3.00/day for adults (Free for members)
Open Gym for Teens
Monday to Friday: 3pm to 6pm
Monday and Friday: Soccer
Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday: Basketball
The Barcroft Sports and Fitness Center hours:
Monday to Thursday: 8am to 10:30pm
Friday: 8am to 9pm
Saturday: 8am to 8pm
Sunday: 11am to 9pm
Barcroft Sports and Fitness Center
4200 S. Four Mile Run
Arlington VA 22206
Contact Number: 703 228 0701
Located north of Manassas in Prince William County, the Manassas National Battlefield Park sites the area where the American Civil War battles took place in July 21, 1861 ( First Battle of Bull Run) and in August 28 and 30, 1862 ( Second Battle of Bull Run – First Battle of Manassas).
The National Battlefield Park was established in 1940 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places in October 15, 1966, that now offers everyone the chance to discover the site where the battles took place years ago along with the Henry Visitor Center located at the south entrance to the park that showcases the civil war era uniforms, weapons, gear, exhibits and more to highlight the First Battle of Bull Run.
Featured at Manassas National Battlefield Park:
Stone House – Found at the intersection of Sudley Road and Lee Highway that was occupied as a hospital during the battles.
Stone Bridge – Located on Lee Highway and within proximity of Bull Run where the Union retreated after the battles.
Brawner’s Farm – Location where the second battle began and renovated as a museum exhibiting the Second Battle of Bull Run.
Battery Heights – The Confederate batteries were deployed at the Union troops.
Matthews Hill – Site where the first battle begun.
The Unfinished Railroad Grade – Site where Jackson deployed his men for the second battle.
The Deep Cut – Area where Pope fired his attacks against the Grade.
Groveton – A Civil War era neighborhood with remains of a small house that was occupied by Lucinda Dogan with a Confederate Cemetry nearby.
New York Monuments – Site where 123 5th New York Zouaves men lost in 5 minutes.
Hazel Plain – Chinn family plantation now in ruins located across the Henry Hill Visitors Center.
Chinn Ridge – Counterattack of General James Longstreet of the second battle took place.
Portici – Francis Lewis plantation used as the Confederate Headquarters in the second battle now in ruins.
The Robinsons House – The home of James Robinson.
Manassas National Battlefield
12521 Lee Highway
Manassas, VA 20109
Scott's Run
Scott's Run Nature Preserve is one of Fairfax County's most rugged parks and public areas. Scott's Run Nature Preserve is located at 7400 Georgetown Pike in McLean, just outside the Beltway near Tysons Corner and Dunn Loring. The nature preserve is named for Scott's Run, a tributary of the Potomac River. The creek springs from a very large ancient gravel deposit that is the highest altitude in Fairfax County. The point of origin is just below the parking lots of the shopping centers of Tysons Corner. Flowing east, through many business parks and condominium complexes, Scott's Run empties into the Potomac at the waterfall.
Hikers will find two entrances into the valley park. One path trails along the stream and the other path leads to the bluffs above the river. Hiking the trails of Scott's Run can be challenging and rewarding. Some trails are gentle and wind quietly through the forest. Other trails require hiking up and down very steep hills and cliffs. Be aware that the trails down the bluffs to the Potomac River are sheer in many places, and visitors must very carefully pick their way down the rocky cliffs.
Renovations are complete at Ossian Hall Park, a 22-acre community park in the Braddock District. Ossian Hall Park is located on the corner of Heritage Drive and Four Year Run next to Annandale High School at 7900 Heritage Drive in Annandale, VA. The park was the site of the 18th century Ossian Hall plantation owned by the Fitzhugh family as part of the Ravensworth Land Grant. It was burned in 1959 by the Annandale Fire Department as a training exercise.
Renovations at the park have added new recreational amenities:
a new community plaza area,
attractive natural stone retaining walls,
new landscaping,
two new playgrounds,
two multi-use courts, and
a 180-ft x 360-ft synthetic turf field were installed.
Overhanging tree limbs were trimmed back to improve visibility and new asphalt trails wind through the wooded park. The parking lot was increased to include 120 spaces.
Renovations and improvements also include Fairfax County Park Authority’s first underground Low Impact Design (LID) Stormwater Facility. The park has also added state-of-the-art LED lighting fixtures throughout the site improve the park’s illumination.
For more information please contact Fairfax County Public Information Office at 703-324-8662.
