Parks in Northern Virginia offer DC area residents and visitors beautiful places to enjoy nature and fun activities for kids and families. The region boasts a huge collection of national, regional, county, and town parks including waterfront parks at local lakes and along the Potomac River. Nature trails, playgrounds, marinas, and kid-friendly features like miniature trains and carousels offer fun for every age.
The Glade Stream Valley hike follows paved wooded paths along a peaceful stream with a stop at the lovely Walker Nature Center in Reston Virginia. We describe a 3.75-mile easy loop along the stream and … Read more
Soothing Potomac River views, colorful gardens, and family-friendly spaces welcome visitors to peaceful River Farm, a hidden gem in Alexandria Virginia. Once part of George Washington’s original farmland in Alexandria Virginia, … Read more
Visitors can explore Prince William Forest Park in Northern Virginia on 37 miles of beautiful hiking trails and a scenic loop drive with dedicated bike lanes. The 15,000-acre park has an interesting … Read more
Enjoy a beautiful Sky Meadows loop hike through open fields, moderately challenging hills, and pretty woodlands leading to fantastic Virginia Piedmont views. Our hike follows a 4-mile circuit, but you can extend with a … Read more
An entryway of woven branches in our Saturday Postcard welcomes hikers, birders, and equestrians to the beautiful woodland trails of Seneca Regional Park in Northern Virginia, providing access to a historic section of the Potomac River. … Read more
In honor of the 45th anniversary of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park, our Saturday Postcard features a busy day on the towpath, near the canal stop gate, … Read more
There are 36 Virginia State Parks, offering natural beauty; excellent hiking, birding, boating, fishing, camping, and other recreation; plus fun events and festivals throughout the year. Our Saturday Postcard from Leesylvania State Park … Read more
It’s always rewarding to find a short hike that offers soothing nature, a dramatic view, and a little history. Red Rock Wilderness Overlook Regional Park, a 67-acre park located on Edwards … Read more
DC is home to iconic presidential places like the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, the Washington Monument obelisk, and the Jefferson Memorial rotunda. But Northern Virginia has a special relationship with George Washington, … Read more
When the weather forecast shows a run of warm fall days, it’s the perfect time to explore Turkey Run Park in Fairfax County, Virginia. Turkey Run Park is part of the George Washington … Read more
With plentiful free parking and proximity to the beltway, Lake Accotink Park is a pretty spot to spend a day in Northern Virginia. Popular activities at Lake Accotink include hiking, biking, boating, … Read more
Burke Lake boating has a lot going for it—easy access and parking (free for county residents), plenty of room to spread out, and a peaceful, natural environment to enjoy. Burke is … Read more