Location: Great Falls
Top Things to do in Great Falls
Countries
What to do and see in Great Falls, United States: The Best Places and Tips
Great Falls is a census-designated place (CDP) in Fairfax County, Virginia, United States. The population as of the 2010 census was 15,427, an increase of 80.5% from the 2000 census.
Restaurants in Great Falls
1. Great Falls Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1 reviews
An 800 acre park located just off the Potomac river.
Reviewed By Bodacious123 - Atlanta, Georgia
This place is a real treat.
Its easy to find- you have two choices, depending on where you are coming from. We were on the Virginia side, so we got the full visitors Center experience.
Start your visit at the visitors center. Learn about what you are about to see. The history of the are is surprising- the use of locks on the river for navigation of the river for trade, life in the area, animal life, etc.
The falls themselves are beautiful. The sheer power that you feel as you watch the water thunder down the rocks is impressive. We were luck y to visit the park after some rain, so the water was in full display.
Families can visit this are in less than an hour- depending on the attention span of everyone. We spent about 2 hours there and didn't see everything. Bring your hiking shoes
2. Billy Goat Trail
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 222 reviews
Reviewed By tikidream - bethesda, md
This is one of our favorite hikes. It is a moderate to strenuous hike with some rock scrambling. In the summer bring water and year round bring a snack and enjoy the scenery.
3. Riverbend Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 71 reviews
Reviewed By DM N
I have lived in the area for years but had never ventured to Riverbend Park until recently. This is a beautiful and tranquil area for kayaking, hiking and enjoying nature. The fall foilage was beautiful and the river was clean and fresh. For the beginner paddler there is some movement and rocks to navigate but that makes it even more fun! Go with someone who understands the currents and paths if you are a beginner, or be sure to ask about the direction to go after launch for an easier paddle.
4. Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 587 reviews
The only national park dedicated to the performing arts, with spaces for indoor and outdoor performances.
Reviewed By Alberta S - Washington DC, District of Columbia
We went with a group of friends and sat upstairs in the balcony are. These were perfect seats, you could see everything with no obstruction. This is not a large building so the performance was intimate. Loved the rustic atmosphere.
This was a great location for a music performance.
The seating was comfortable. Parking was easy.
5. Surf Reston - Stand Up Paddleboarding
Overall Ratings
5 based on 74 reviews
Our stand up paddleboard sessions are guided by certified instructors on calm, flat water - the perfect place to get started and build your skills for more challenging waterways. Discover the beautiful lakes in Reston, Virginia right outside Washington, DC
Reviewed By susanP4777YT
I wanted our family to try out stand up paddle boarding. I searched online and found Surf Reston. The website was well organized and we arrived at the starting point with no trouble. Steve Gurney gave an excellent, articulate, easy-to-follow instructions on how to use the paddle board. My teenaged kids and I had such a good time that we can't wait to go back to Lake Anne or try other lakes with his organization.
6. Algonkian Regional Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 145 reviews
Reviewed By csserious - Chantilly, Virginia
Amid all the hustle and bustle of Tysons Corner area, this park located on the edge of the river offers sheer tranquility and variety of recreational activities, including hiking and boating. The surrounding neighborhoods, including Potomac Falls and Lowes Island, are beautiful all year round.Although the park is not located off any major thoroughfare, it does not take more than 10-15 minutes from Rt. 7, which runs through bustling towns of Reston, Herndon, Sterling and Ashburn. A gem of a park in northern Virginia, although not much talked about.
7. Frying Pan Farm Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 176 reviews
Working farm, live farm animals, playground, Country Store, wagon rides($), antique carousel rides ($), Kidwell farmhouse tours (select days, call), children's concerts (10am, Wednesdays, June - August, Visitor Center Pavilion), family concerts (7pm, Thursdays, June - August, farmyard), bluegrass concerts (select Sundays, September - April, Visitor Center), farm stand (May-Sept, Wednesdays 8am-12:30pm)
Reviewed By Sue L
We used to bring our kids there when they were little. Seeing that Frying Pan Farm Park is still thriving makes me happy. Have great memories going in the past.
8. Great Falls Tavern Visitor Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 70 reviews
Reviewed By MoJoTours - Scotland, United Kingdom
The National Park Service really have done a great job of keeping the history of this old canal alive as well as transforming it into a superb recreational area for walking, hiking and cycling. Entry fee to the parking lot is $5 a person or $10 a car, valid for three days. The visitor centre is very informative, staffed by helpful NP staff and volunteers. We went on a Sunday to try to get a canal boat towed by the mules, but unfortunately the water level was too low for the boats to operate. Instead however, we were able to meet one of the mules, up close and personal, at the back of the visitor centre and listen to a really informative talk on the mules from their NP handler.
A short walk from the visitor centre takes you to Great Falls overlook, which was beautiful but there are many other greater falls than these!!!
Back outside the visitor centre, you could hire a bicycle for FREE for two hours, an ideal way to get along the canal path quicker than walking. Full marks to the volunteers providing this service...especially the kids who were amazingly helpful!
All in all a great place to spend some recreational time ........and if the water level is high enough, spend a few moments in the past!!!
9. Meadowlark Botanical Garden
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 264 reviews
Reviewed By Jeff_and_family - Vienna, VA USA
Meadowlark is a serene park to stroll and appreciate the flora. They have a huge variety of plants and flowers. Most have signage but in some cases you are left scratching your head to figure out what you are looking at. It's a marvelous place for photographers in warm weather with the flowers in bloom, and waterfowl in the pond. There are also koi and turtles in the pond, fun for the younger ones to see. I don't have young children anymore but I would think that a visit of any longer than an hour would bore them; there aren't activities or sites particular geared towards kids. There is a small Korean garden funded by donors.
In the winter they set up what must be hundreds of thousands of lights, some animated, for a stunning after-dark spectacle. I believe it takes them months to set it up. The walk is accessible, on a continuous asphalt walkway, but it's dark so someone who needs really solid footing may have an issue.
With their gorgeous natural backdrops, they host a lot of weddings and photo shoots for proms.
10. Colvin Run Mill Park
Overall Ratings
4 based on 23 reviews
Reviewed By PPSTraveler - Great Falls, Virginia
On a recent summer weekend, we attended a special event that included; wheat grinding, wood carving and a blacksmith demonstration at the Mill. Our two grandchildren ages 3 and 5 enjoyed all the activities and it was a well suited outing for children this age. The hosts were very attentive to any and all questions as well as very thorough in explaining each process. I would recommend the Mill for a nice local outing.
TAGS
