Discover Fairfax County: Waterfalls, Museums, and History

Waterfalls, wetlands, long trails, and museums reveal very different sides of Fairfax County. At Great Falls Park, three overlooks offer different views of the waterfall. The park also has more than 15 miles of hiking trails. Exploring the park lets visitors focus on either the overlooks or the extensive trail network.

Water, Wetlands, and Trails

At Huntley Meadows Park, the wetlands take center stage: the wetland covers 1,500 acres, and more than 200 bird species have been recorded there. A raised wooden boardwalk about half a mile long leads to an observation tower. The area and bird-species figures describe the size and diversity of the habitat, while the boardwalk offers a specific, short route with a destination.

Riverbend Park also combines trails with varied landscapes. It has at least 12 miles of trails and 418 acres of forest and meadows along the Potomac River. The Gerry Connolly Cross County Trail offers a different scale: at 41.5 miles, it connects communities from Great Falls to Lorton. In addition, Fairfax County's trail network includes more than 900 miles of trails, bike routes, and paths for non-motorized travel. These figures refer to different levels—from an individual park to a county trail and the broader network.

At Lake Accotink Park, several miles of multi-use trails offer opportunities for outdoor activity; the main trail provides views of the lake and surrounding forest and marshland. At Burke Lake Park, a 4.7-mile loop trail circles the lake, where boating is also available. The trail descriptions differ in form: Burke Lake Park has a loop around the lake, while Lake Accotink Park has several miles of multi-use trails. Each park description highlights its own landscapes and activities.

History and Cultural Sites

Frying Pan Farm Park preserves and interprets rural life in the early 20th century. On the north side, wooded hiking trails lie near Frying Pan Branch creek. This brings historical interpretation and a named natural area together within the park, though they need not offer the same kind of visitor experience.

Guided tours at Sully Historic Site also include the 1794 Sully House. Self-guided walking tours and audio tours are available as well. Colvin Run Mill dates to the 19th century and is a working, water-powered gristmill. Mount Vernon, George Washington's home, is located in Fairfax County on the Potomac River in the U.S. state of Virginia.

Green Spring Gardens is a 33-acre park with a visitor center, historic house, display gardens, trails, and ponds. A tea experience is also offered in the Historic House; program availability may vary. The combination of gardens and a historic house gives this park a different focus from the trails and wetlands of the other parks described here.

Museums and Performances

The Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center displays more than 3,000 aviation and space objects in two large hangars. Free overview tours led by volunteer docents add to the museum visit; tour times may vary. The Center also offers a 360-degree view of the surrounding area. If you plan to take a tour, it is a good idea to check the specific times before your visit.

Performances are also among the cultural opportunities in the county: Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts is the first and only national park of its kind, and visitors can attend performances at the Filene Center. If you want to plan around a particular program, check the schedule in advance. The National Museum of the United States Army offers free tours daily at two times. These places differ in their focus on aviation and space, performances, and military history.

Planning Your Stay

Fairfax County has several Metrorail stations, served by Metrobus and the Fairfax Connector. When choosing a hotel, you can start by considering what you want to focus on during your stay: parks and trails, historic sites, museums, or performances. The places and activities listed here offer different points of reference, but no single focus is right for every trip.

Discover more destinations: Herndon, Reston, Vienna, Chantilly, Annandale, McLean, Burke, Centreville, Lorton, Springfield

For the broader travel overview: Virginia.