These 6 fantastic Northern Virginia scenic drives near Washington DC are perfect for a relaxed outing or an active day trip. Our favorite routes are especially inviting when fall foliage and crisp days return to the region. Our scenic drive itineraries suggest several stops and activities along the way for hiking, history, dining, drinks, and more local fun.
6 Fantastic Northern Virginia Scenic Drives Tips
We especially love Northern Virginia scenic drives on a clear, crisp fall day, when fall foliage makes the views even more appealing. But scenic drives are a welcome pastime throughout the year. In the spring, your views and hikes will be colored with Virginia wildflowers and a bright green canopy. In summer, a drive offers a break from the heat, with views of lush fields and forests. During the winter, snow-covered hills are beautiful, and many wineries offer gorgeous views from cozy tasting rooms.
Relax, take it slow, and enjoy the journey. Here are a few tips about our Northern Virginia scenic drives:
- These scenic drives in Northern Virginia range from a historic parkway near Washington DC to dirt roads in the countryside. Some are loop drives and some are one way. Click the map link to see the route and decide on your best starting point.
- Distance and time estimates are from Google Maps assuming normal traffic and no stops.
- Routes range from 16 to 57 miles, but you could combine several for a longer day trip.
- Links within each drive lead to more detailed descriptions of our recommended stops.
- It’s hard to reach all of the scenery without including some major roads, but we’ve tried to avoid congested areas when possible.
- No drive is scenic during rush hour in Northern Virginia. These drives are best enjoyed on the weekend or between 10:00 and 3:00 on weekdays.
1. Great Falls Scenic Drive
Trip planner: Great Falls Scenic Drive on Pretty Country Roads in Northern Virginia
Map: Great Falls Scenic Drive
Distance + Time: 30 mile loop drive; 1 hour
Sights: Farms, forests, grand houses, parks
Activities: Hiking, paddling, history, dining
This scenic drive through Great Falls begins at the town library and ends at one of our favorite Northern Virginia pubs, You could also use the town green as your start and endpoint. The route includes the historic Georgetown Pike (193), named to the National Register of Historic Places, and designated as the first Virginia Byway.
Part of this drive overlaps the route in drive #2 below. You could combine the two drives for a full day outing.
Things to Do on the Great Falls Scenic Drive
- Check out the one-room schoolhouse and visit the playground at the Great Falls Grange.
- Stop at Krop’s Crops to shop for produce and treats. In fall, visit the pumpkin patch.
- Follow Seneca Road to the end for a hike through Seneca Regional Park, then backtrack to Beach Mill Road.
- Drive Beach Mill to the top-rated L’Auberge Chez Francois, one of the most romantic restaurants in Northern VA. Stop in for a meal or a glass of wine.
- Make a short side-trip to Riverbend Park for an easy hike along the Potomac River.
- Hike to the prettiest waterfall near Washington DC at Scott’s Run Nature Preserve.
- Check out the extravagant homes on Swinks Mill Rd and Old Dominion Dr.
- Stop at Great Falls Park for waterfall views and a hike along Mather Gorge on the River Trail.
- Take a stroll along Difficult Run and hike to a less-visited section of Great Falls.
- Stop in the center of Great Falls for a meal or drink at The Old Brogue, Bollywood Bistro, or another Great Falls restaurant.
2. Georgetown Pike + George Washington Memorial Parkway
Trip planner: Georgetown Pike & George Washington Memorial Parkway Scenic Drive.
Map: Georgetown Pike and George Washington Memorial Parkway Scenic Drive
Distance + Time: 50 miles one way; 1.5 hours
Sights: Parks, historic monuments, Potomac River, and Washington DC views
Activities: National monuments and parks, hiking, biking, dining, shopping
This drive combines two historic roads. Georgetown Pike is the first road to be designated a Virginia Scenic Byway. The Pike is only 12 miles long, but it offers access to several parks with great hiking along the Potomac River. The drive passes through the center of Great Falls, a pretty Virginia small town. See drive #1 on our list for an alternate route through Great Falls.
The second of our Northern Virginia scenic drives is a national park and is just across the river from Washington DC. The historic George Washington Memorial Parkway follows the Potomac River from northeastern Fairfax County, through Arlington County and Alexandria, to George Washington’s Mount Vernon.
There are many historic stops along the GW Parkway, along with opportunities for hiking and biking. Allow at least half a day to visit the gem at the end of the parkway, George Washington’s Mount Vernon.
Things to Do on Georgetown Pike
- Visit Krop’s Crops to shop for produce and treats. In fall, visit the pumpkin patch. In December, pick out a Christmas tree.
- Dine in the town of Great Falls at one of several good restaurants.
- Make a short side-trip to Riverbend Park for an easy hike along the Potomac River.
- Stop at Great Falls Park for waterfall views and a hike along Mather Gorge on the River Trail.
- Take a stroll along Difficult Run and hike to a less-visited section of Great Falls.
- Hike to the prettiest waterfall near Washington DC at Scott’s Run Nature Preserve.
Things to Do on the George Washington Memorial Parkway Scenic Drive
- Hike along the Potomac at Turkey Run Park
- Hike the boardwalk and visit the Memorial Plaza at Theodore Roosevelt Island (head northbound to access the parking lot). This is also the starting point for a short, easy hike to a small waterfall at Windy Run.
- Visit the Marine Corps Memorial.
- Honor fallen heroes at Arlington National Cemetery.
- Dine, shop, and visit historic sites in Old Town Alexandria, including a very unique pharmacy
- Visit DC’s southern corner at Jones Point Park.
- Relax by the river at Lady Bird Johnson Park.
- Hike or bike at Dyke Marsh and the Mount Vernon Trail.
- Visit the gem at the end of the parkway, George Washington’s Mount Vernon.
3. Snickersville Turnpike and Northwest Loudoun County
Trip planner: Snickersville Turnpike and Loudoun County scenic drive.
Map: Snickersville Turnpike and Northwest Loudoun County Scenic Drive
Distance + Time: 60 mile loop drive; 1.5 hours
Sights: Farms, small towns, country stores
Activities: Dining, wineries, and breweries, antiquing
The roads of Loudoun County offer a wealth of quaint small towns; beautiful wineries, craft breweries, and distilleries; and historic sites and homes. You’ll find many opportunities to learn, explore, and relax along the way. Our route includes the historic Snickersville Turnpike and a drive through northern Loudoun County.
Things to Do on the Northwest Loudoun County Scenic Drive
- Visit the Massachusetts 1st Calvary Memorial and learn about one of the bloodiest cavalry battles of the Civil War.
- Visit the Philomont General Store and shop for food and souvenirs. Try the Virginia salt and pepper peanuts!
- Hike, sip and enjoy the views in historic Bluemont Virginia.
- Enjoy Virginia craft beer or wine and amazing views at Dirt Farm Brewing and their neighbor
- Bluemont Winery.
- Shop for fresh, local produce at Great Country Farms. If you visit in October, you can enjoy pumpkin patch fun.
- Take a short hike to beautiful views at Bears Den Overlook, or a longer and more challenging hike to Raven Rocks.
- Stop in Purcellville for a meal, a drink, antiquing, hiking, and biking.
- Check out the historic German cemetery in Lovettsville
- Stroll the streets of Waterford and visit the Waterford Corner Store.
- If your car is sturdy, take a side trip on the Unpaved Roads of Loudoun County.
4. Hunt Country Drive in Southern Loudoun and Northern Fauquier County
Trip planner: Beautiful Hunt Country Scenic Drive in Northern Virginia
Map: Southern Loudoun and Northern Fauquier County Scenic Drive
Distance + Time: 60 miles; 2 hours
Sights: Farms, quaint towns, Shenandoah foothills
Activities: Hiking, wineries, dining, apple-picking, parks
A scenic loop drive is extra fun when it includes both beautiful small towns and open parkland. Our route includes the lovely towns of Aldie, Middleburg, Marshall, and The Plains, several wineries and restaurants, plus a visit to Sky Meadows State Park.
Things to Do on the Southern Loudoun + Northern Fauquier County Scenic Drive
- Check out the historic Aldie Mill.
- Stop for a tasting at one of the wineries along the way.
- Dine and shop in Middleburg.
- Enjoy a meal and a pint at Hunter’s Head Tavern in Upperville, one of our favorite NoVA pubs.
- Stop at Sky Meadows State Park for history, hiking, and seasonal pumpkin fun.
- Head to Markham for apple picking at Hartland or Stribling Orchard.
- Stop in Marshall or The Plains for lunch, dinner, a picnic, and local shopping.
- Take in forest and farm views on winding country roads.
5. Scenic Drive on the Virginia / Maryland Border
Trip planner: Leesburg Scenic Drive Along the Virginia Maryland Border.
Map: Northeast Loudoun County and Maryland Scenic Drive
Distance + Time: 66 miles; 2 hours
Sights: Historic parks and towns, wineries and breweries, farms
Activities: Hiking, history, wineries, breweries, dining
This scenic drive begins in historic Leesburg and travels over the Point of Rocks Bridge. Allow time for optional stops at parks along the C&O Canal in Maryland for hiking, biking, and history. This route also includes quaint towns, relaxing wineries and breweries, and a multi-generational farm selling tasty ice cream. One of the winery roads is dirt and crushed stone, but this drive is easy to navigate and offers relaxing views of the Virginia and Maryland countryside.
Update: Our original route included crossing the Potomac on a historic ferry. White’s Ferry closed permanently in December 2020 so you can no longer drive this route as a loop.
Things to do on the Leesburg to Maryland Scenic Drive
- Dine and shop in historic Leesburg and sample one or more of our favorite Leesburg restaurants.
- Pick up a pie or a slice at Mom’s Apple Pie.
- Take a hike through history at Ball’s Bluff Battlefield Park.
- Hike, bike, and get a dose of history at stops along the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historic Park.
- Stop and sip at a Loudoun County Virginia winery or brewery. We like the vibe at Lost Creek and the patio in the trees at Tarara, and there are several others to choose from along this route.
- Shop for hidden gems and antiques at the Old Lucketts Store.
- Explore the gardens and grounds at Morven Park. Tours of the historic mansion are available on weekend afternoons during the fall.
6. Fairfax County Scenic Drive on Beautiful Virginia Byways
Trip planner: Fairfax County Scenic Drive on Virginia Byways.
Map: Fairfax County Virginia Byways Scenic Drive
Distance + Time: 46 miles; 1.5 hours
Sights: Virginia Byways, quaint towns, parks, historic sites
Activities: Hiking, biking, paddling, history
Explore Fairfax County Virginia as you drive 5 designated Virginia Byways to small towns, beautiful parks, and interesting historic sites. This drive makes a great day trip from Washington DC and includes places to hike, bike, and paddle plus great places to eat and the closest winery to DC.
Things to do on the Fairfax County Scenic Drive
- Learn about historic Hunter Mill Road and stop to hike or bike.
- Dine and explore history in Old Town Fairfax.
- Drive a scenic Virginia Byway to one of the most lovely small towns in Northern Virginia.
- Hike a scenic stream-side trail and relax at a beautiful Virginia winery.
- Bike, hike, paddle, and play at three favorite Northern Virginia parks.
- Visit a prison turned art center and a museum devoted to the struggle for women’s right to vote.
Bonus: Scenic Drives Near Northern VA and Worth the Trip
Scenic drives in Northern Virginia are lovely, and there are many beautiful road trip opportunities nearby. In late March and early April, see the Washington DC cherry blossoms from the comfort of your car on a Washington DC Cherry Blossom Scenic Drive
Follow these links to plan a scenic weekend getaway or a longer road trip:
- Eastern Shore of Virginia Road Trip on a Chesapeake Bay Getaway
- Northern Shenandoah Valley Road Trip: Winchester to Harrisonburg Virginia
- Southern Shenandoah Valley Virginia Road Trip: Staunton to Lexington
- Fun Things to Do in Southwest Virginia on an SWVA Road Trip
- Frank Lloyd Wright Road Trip to Laurel Highlands Pennsylvania
We hope you enjoy these Northern Virginia scenic drives throughout the year and have a fun and relaxing time.
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This article was published in 2016 and updated in 2019 and 2020.
