What to do and see in Northern Virginia, Northern Virginia: The Best Historic Sites

Veterans of every American war from the Revolution to the country's most recent conflicts are buried at Arlington, which was officially declared a military cemetery in 1864. Among the more than 260,000 dead are three unidentified service members, buried at the Tomb of the Unknowns, and John F. Kennedy, whose gravesite is marked by an eternal flame.

Ben Lomond and its outbuildings were constructed for Benjamin Tasker Chinn in 1832. Confederate forces used Ben Lomond as a hospital following the 1861 Battle of First Manassas. Signatures of Federal soldiers who occupied the property in 1862 are still visible inside the house. Tour the Civil War hospital, where you can see, smell, touch, hear, and taste history. Then see the restored slave quarter, smokehouse and dairy and enjoy the fragrant Rose Garden. The site is open for tours May-October. Grounds are open year round from dawn-dusk. Tours November-April are available with advanced notice.

A historic garden property administered by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. We are currently closed for our off season, but will reopen to the public on April 18, 2019.

Come share the fascinating moments of America’s first family with yours at George Washington’s Mount Vernon. Explore the beautiful mansion and grounds and get to know the man, the ideas and the values that founded a nation. Dive into history through action-packed theaters, fascinating exhibits and meet characters from Washington’s world. Admire the view of the peaceful Potomac, or hop on board a sightseeing cruise. It’s a place where history truly comes to life.

Tours that show visitors what life was like on a working plantation in the 1700s.

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.

The pre-Civil War residence of legendary Confederate general Robert E. Lee, this Greek revival mansion was taken over by Union troops, and the estate was used to bury the war dead. Overlooking the Potomac and the grounds of what is now Arlington National Cemetery, the home has been restored as a memorial to Lee.

After nearly a 200-year hiatus and a multi-million dollar reconstruction, George Washington's Distillery & Gristmill is back in business - producing grain products powered by a 16-foot waterwheel and the same rye whiskey that made the Founding Father the nation's most successful whiskey producer in the years after his presidency. Located at the original site, George Washington's Gristmill highlights his vision for America's future as "granary of the world;" while his Distillery is the only site in North America that demonstrates 18th-century distilling from seed to barrel.