You might be craving a trip packed with history, nature, and vibrant city life, and I know Northern Virginia delivers. I’ve spent 25 years as a travel writer, and you can trust my well-worn boots on this tip. You just cross the Potomac from Washington, D.C., and I watch colonial charm mingle with modern glass. You can hop from museums to scenic trails, and I still find fresh boutiques and world-class dining in one afternoon.
Best Time to Visit
I tell you to aim for spring or fall—April to June or September to October—because you’ll feel gentle breezes and see gardens blaze or leaves glow. You avoid summer crowds, and I skip the humid queues then. You might enjoy the hush of winter, although I notice outdoor festivals thin out.
How to Get There
- By Air: I often land at Washington Dulles (IAD) or Reagan National (DCA), and you’ll like their easy regional reach.
- By Car: You can steer in on I-95, I-66, or the George Washington Parkway, and I find the signs forgiving even after a red-eye.
- By Metro: I jump on the Washington Metro Silver or Blue lines, and you can zip into downtown D.C. without parking headaches.
Where to Stay
- The Alexandrian, Old Town Alexandria – I love waking to cobblestone views, and you step straight to waterfront history.
- Lansdowne Resort and Spa (Leesburg) – You can pair wine-country rambles with spa bliss, and I squeeze in a sunrise round of golf.
- Hyatt Regency Tysons Corner Center – I crash here when retail therapy calls, and you stroll to luxury shops then hop the Silver Line.
Best Things to Do in Northern Virginia
Wander the Cobblestone Streets of Old Town Alexandria and Dine Where History Lives - Stroll historic streets lined with boutiques, restaurants, museums, and waterfront views.
Honor Heroes at Arlington National Cemetery and Witness the Power of Remembrance -
Stroll the Elegant Grounds of Oatlands and Step Into a 19th-Century Legacy -
Stand Where the Valley Turned at the Battle of Cedar Creek National Park -
Tour Belle Grove Plantation and Taste the Stories of the Shenandoah -
Let Curiosity Run Wild at the Children’s Science Center Lab -
Explore George Washington’s Distillery and Gristmill and See the General’s Crafty Side -
Hike the Cliffs at Great Falls National Park and Watch the Potomac Roar - See dramatic waterfalls and hike trails along the Potomac River.
Walk the Fields of Manassas and Trace the First Shots of Civil War History -
Find Peace Among Blossoms and Sculpted Trails at Meadowlark Botanical Garden -
In Summary...
(and if you want to revisit my photo journey)- • Wander the Cobblestone Streets of Old Town Alexandria and Dine Where History Lives
- • Honor Heroes at Arlington National Cemetery and Witness the Power of Remembrance
- • Stroll the Elegant Grounds of Oatlands and Step Into a 19th-Century Legacy
- • Stand Where the Valley Turned at the Battle of Cedar Creek National Park
- • Tour Belle Grove Plantation and Taste the Stories of the Shenandoah
- • Let Curiosity Run Wild at the Children’s Science Center Lab
- • Explore George Washington’s Distillery and Gristmill and See the General’s Crafty Side
- • Hike the Cliffs at Great Falls National Park and Watch the Potomac Roar
- • Walk the Fields of Manassas and Trace the First Shots of Civil War History
- • Find Peace Among Blossoms and Sculpted Trails at Meadowlark Botanical Garden