Some places you vacation once and then blow a kiss good-bye, knowing you will likely never return again. Other places, like Fairfax County in Northern Virginia, have more sticking power. In fact, when our family pulled away after a 5-night vacation in Fairfax County, we couldn't help but wish we had at least five MORE nights to spend in the area.
To put it simply, you won't be bored in Fairfax County. On the contrary, you'll be inspired, educated, entertained, and delighted.
Fairfax County is the perfect intersection of rich history and modern amenities. On the one hand, you are walking in the footsteps of some of our country's greatest leaders and, on the other hand, you experience the very best in innovation in architecture, science, technology, and the arts. Fairfax County also offers breathtaking views and over 400 parks, gardens, and reserves so that you can enjoy all that nature offers while also having access to hotels, restaurants, and cultural venues.
In terms of weather, the best months to visit Fairfax County are April, May, September, and October when highs are in the 60s and 70s and lows are in the 40s and 50s. July and August are the warmest months with average highs in the 80s and lows in the 60s. January and February tend to be the coldest with highs in the 40s and lows in the 20s.
Fairfax County is conveniently situated between Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), which means you have flight options. Once inside the county, we found that driving around was a cinch with well-laid out freeways and streets (including options to skip tolls). During our visit, we experienced very little traffic, even during rush hour.
Here's a fun trivia fact! Did you know that there are TWO Smithsonian National Air & Space Museums? You probably are most familiar with the one in Washington DC (as were we prior to this trip), but there is a second Air & Space Museum in Fairfax County. The biggest surprise of all is that it is MASSIVE and, in typical Smithsonian fashion, very well-done. In fact, we would probably argue that we enjoyed it MORE than the one in DC! This gem-of-a-Smithsonian offers interesting exhibits, an impressive number of aircraft on-display (300+), and an observation desk where you can hear LIVE audio from the airport within view. One of the best things about the Steven Udvar-Hazy Center is that it tends to be less crowded than its sister museum, which makes for a more pleasant and personalized experience.
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DO go chasing waterfalls at Great Falls Park! At Great Falls, the Potomac River gradually builds up speed and force, cascading down steep rocks before eventually flowing into Chesapeake Bay.
Our family completed an easy, shady 1.5 mile riverside hike that began at Riverbend Park and linked us directly to the three lookout areas for an impressive view of the thundering waterfalls.
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Located about 7 minutes from Great Falls Park, Great Falls Village Centre is an adorable business/retail area with a romantic gazebo, lush lawns, and quaint buildings. The center includes three restaurants, one coffee shop, one ice cream shop, two dentists, a hair salon, a nail spa, a dance studio, and a number of other offices.
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George Washington, the first President of the United States, lived at Mount Vernon for much of his childhood as well as his adulthood (when he wasn't away due to his presidency or the war). In fact, he even died in his home in December of 1799. Unsurprisingly due to the vast amount of rich history within its doors, Mount Vernon is the most visited historic home in the United States.
The 500-acre property, which is privately owned and operated by the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association, includes the stunning mansion (which is right off the Potomac River), restored gardens, outbuildings, and a working 1700s farm. You'll see the slave quarters, the icebox, the salt house, a massive 16-sided barn, and the tomb of George Washington, among other things. Costumed docents sometimes make an appearance as well, giving you a glimpse of what it may have been like to live in the mid to late 1700s.
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Mosaic District is an outdoor, upscale, picturesque shopping center with plentiful restaurants and adorable shops with appealing window displays. Enjoy this trendy and posh urban neighborhood where polo-clad men meander next to women and small children, who look like they are fresh out of Ralph Lauren catalogs.
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Brand new at Capital One Center in 2022, you can now miniature golf on a rooftop (11 stories up!) at Perch Putt! I'm generally not one to spring at the chance to go miniature golfing, but I can unequivocally say that this is the best miniature golf experience our family has ever had. Imagine playing on a pristine course with the breeze in your hair, a drink in your hand, and sweeping views of the cityscape from atop a modern hotel!
Perch Putt is part of a larger area called The Perch, which is home to an amphitheater for live music, hip food trucks, and trendy seating under twinkling lights for a perfectly instagram-worthy experience. Well-dressed business people congregate here after work, but families are also more than welcome to enjoy the space. Even dogs are welcome at the rooftop dog park!
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When you visit Mount Vernon, we highly recommend that you dine right on-property at the Mount Vernon Inn Restaurant. The experience is beautifully thematic (the interior looks much like the Mount Vernon mansion) and the food is delicious (Kudos to the chef!). Our family ordered Szechuan Salmon, 10 oz Tea Brined Pork Chop, Tavern Cobb Salad, and Triple Decker Club Sandwich - and we all remarked at the tastiness of the dishes. By the end of the meal, our palettes were very satisfied and the meal remains our favorite dining out experience from the Virginia/DC area. Note, too, that the gluten-free desserts are exceptional. I'm still dreaming about the carrot cake with cream cheese frosting!
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We stayed in our RV at Bull Run Regional Park Campground, which is a massive park, steeped in history, with a pristine campground that allows you to be out in nature while also being conveniently located to area attractions in Fairfax County. As an added bonus, If you stay in Fairfax County, you will be within 25-50 minutes of Washington DC. Click on the above link to read our full Campground Spotlight.
It will come as no surprise to you that we are already dreaming up our next trip to Fairfax County! In fact, if I could snap my fingers and go back this very instant, I would!
On our next trip to the area, we hope to:
Watch this page for continued updates and top tips for planning a trip to Fairfax County, VA. For additional resources and sample itineraries, visit the Fairfax County website.