Top Things to do in Fairfax County
Top Hotels in Fairfax County
- 1. The Watermark Hotel
- 2. Hyatt Regency Dulles
- 3. Hyatt Regency Tysons Corner Center
- 4. Embassy Suites by Hilton Springfield
- 5. DoubleTree by Hilton McLean Tysons
- 6. Hampton Inn Washington-Dulles Int'l Airport South
- 7. Best Western Springfield
- 8. Hyatt Regency Reston
- 9. Embassy Suites by Hilton Tysons Corner
- 10. Courtyard by Marriott Dunn Loring Fairfax
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The 10 Best Hidden Gems Things to do in Fairfax County, Fairfax County
Discover the best top things to do in Fairfax County, United States including Steven F Udvar-Hazy Center, artinsights animation and film art gallery, Escape Room Herndon, Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail, Sully Historic Site, Great Falls Park, George Mason's Gunston Hall, Hidden Oaks Nature Center, Meadowlark Botanical Garden, Riverbend Park.
Restaurants in Fairfax County
1. Steven F Udvar-Hazy Center
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 4,389 reviews
The museum is temporarily closed and will reopen on Wednesday, May 5. Free timed entry passes are required. Please see our COVID-19 message and more information for planning you visit.
Reviewed By CourtneyF538 - Chapel Hill, United States
Highlights of this visit: The observation tower!! A MUST!! Space Shuttle Discovery & a whole area dedicated to man in space FREE guided highlight tours MANY staff/volunteers happily able to share information, history, and personal experiences... Extremely organized and very well labeled exhibits Multi-level views of many aircraft thanks to 2nd & 3rd level walkways. Points to note: Museum is free, but parking is not ($15) In-house McDonald's is CLEAN and not as pricey as would be expected inside a venue...it's an option, with views of planes coming into Dulles Lots of well-placed seating for visitors with mobility limitations or rest needs Our family of 5 (kids ages 14, 11, & 8) ALL enjoyed this museum!! For the sake of comparison, we have also recently visited the Wright-Patterson USAF Museum...both are excellent!! WP has more aircraft overall and delves deeper into the history of flight. Udvar-Hazy provides a more open environment with spectacular presentations. We HIGHLY recommend this museum!
2. artinsights animation and film art gallery
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 17 reviews
Representing a wide range of film and contemporary art at their gallery in Reston Town Center since 1994, ArtInsights focuses on proprietary projects and artist representation relating to the history of animation and film, and the celebration and examination of popular culture. With artists like the preeminent movie poster artist John Alvin, whom they represent, and exclusive images by William Silvers, Jim Salvati, and many others, the gallery builds collections of original and limited edition art for their growing worldwide collector base. Whether you love Star Wars, Harry Potter, Blade Runner, Disney, or pop culture in general, the gallery is a must, as it offers original production and interpretive art unavailable anywhere else in the world.
3. Escape Room Herndon
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 312 reviews
Engage your team with a heart pounding and unique offsite adventure, and join in on the new craze sweeping the globe to see if you have what it takes to crack the codes and make it to the end. Artifacts, clues, symbols and unexpected interactive materials placed in each room guide players along a story line, in this immersive adventure.
Reviewed By CindyB71 - McLean, United States
The 8-bit room which was a bit too challenging for 11-12 year olds given it was a lot of 80's references, so my husband and I joined in. The staff were great in giving us a little extra help which made all the difference in the world.The kids had a great time and cheered every time they found a clue. The 8-bit room decor and set up was very authentic.
4. Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 31 reviews
Park composed of three seperate trails, perfect for hiking and biking.
Reviewed By 25wallace79 - McLean, United States
Have loved this place for over 30 years and so happy they never made it a “park”. There’s very little man-made influence here; a few trash cans and benches with some signs near the parking area. Trails are marked by painted color squares in mature trees. It’s a conservatory park meaning no vehicles like motorized bikes, regular bicycles, firearms and camping or campfires. You’ll see horseback riders and hikers and lots of dogs. And that’s nice because it keeps it quiet and safe without speeding bikers taking over the single track paths. I’m an avid cyclist and would love to ride here but it’s not meant for that. My children loved the secluded feel almost like going back in time. There’s part of the canal still in tact from George Washington’s time. I am there at least three times a week with my dog and make an effort to collect trash I see. I hope they never develop this place or make it a formal park. I was reluctant even to write a review that would attract people who will misuse the park but it’s such a great place. If you like natural woods with nothing faster than an occasional jogger, come enjoy this great place.
5. Sully Historic Site
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 97 reviews
Sully Historic Site is a charming and historic place to visit. The feature attractions, of course, are the site's history and historic structures. The grounds are a lovely place for strolling. Sully reflects Fairfax County history. It was the 1794 home of Richard Bland Lee, Northern Virginia's first Representative to Congress and General Robert E. Lee's uncle. Sully is on the National Register for Historic Places, is accredited by the American Association of Museums and is part of the National Park Service’s Underground Railroad Network to Freedom. Holiday Tour Fees for Private / Same Household Groups 12/3/20 - 01/03/21: 1 or 2 people: $25.00 3 to 9 people: $45.00 Walk-through house tours are available Thursdays through Sundays at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Forgotten Road Tours are available on demand at 2 p.m. This is a one-hour, outside walking tour of the original outbuildings and slave quarters. Meet at the Main house 15 min prior for COVID-19 screening. Masks are required.
6. Great Falls Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,335 reviews
An 800 acre park located just off the Potomac river.
Reviewed By workhardplayhard27 - Mantorville, United States
A visit to this wonderful park is the perfect respite from the cityscapes of Washington D.C. Just a short drive from D.C., this park features many great hiking trails, abundant wildlife, historical sites, and of course the waterfalls. The Potomac River narrows and squeezes through the Mather Gorge to create gorgeous falls. There are entrances on both the Virginia and Maryland sides. The Billy Goat Trail is known to be challenging, but provides fantastic river views. It was closed during my visit due to flooding.
7. George Mason's Gunston Hall
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 139 reviews
Explore George Mason’s nation-shaping ideas at The Home of American Rights. Learn what motivated him to craft the 1776 Virginia Declaration of Rights and how his ideas inspired the nation. Tour the historic Mason-family home, hike scenic trails to the Potomac River, and discover George Mason's lasting legacy.
Reviewed By joshbraid
What a relief to get to a plantation that doesn't have crowd control lines and controlled access. We never heard of the place before we went and yet found it well worth the trip. George Mason was another of those founding fathers who was passionate for liberty, especially from the government. The house is unassuming from the outside (relatively) and the inside is well worth the tour. What a contrast to Monticello, as this place was far more liveable! We enjoyed the liberty of strolling the grounds, the quiet beauty of the view. Go, even just to learn about George Mason, a dedicated father, a founding father, the champion of individual liberty.
8. Hidden Oaks Nature Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 42 reviews
Hands-on nature exhbits, live turtles and snakes, dress up, nature programs, hiking trails, butterfly crossing
Reviewed By S5459NCjenniferm
On a nice day there are little paths, a "dinosaur bone dig" and playground. The live animals are truly fun to learn about and the staff are very friendly and able to answer questions.
9. Meadowlark Botanical Garden
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 321 reviews
Reviewed By NOVACALI - Burke, United States
I attended a wedding and reception at this venue. There was plentiful parking. The grounds were magnificent. The building had plenty of space for buffet tables as well as tables, seating and dancing. The magnificent outdoors was "brought in" to the inside by clever design so you felt that you were still in a garden. I do not know about the cost, as I was not part of the planning process.
10. Riverbend Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 82 reviews
Reviewed By theabarrie - Virginia, United States
You can park free here and walk to Great Falls along the Potomac River. It is an easy hike and very pretty.
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