City Lights and Outdoor Sights
Day One
Start your morning with a ride through Northern Virginia's horse country. Visit the historic estate of Morven Park, which features highlights for equine enthusiasts such as The Museum of Hounds and Hunting and the Winmill Carriage Collection. From there, move on to the Leesburg Corner Premium Outlet Center for some bargain hunting. After all that shopping, enjoy a leisurely drive speckled with English-style stone fences and horse farms to Middleburg in the heart of horse country for lunch and more shopping. The horse culture is reflected in the names of shops and restaurants such as the Finicky Filly, the Red Fox Inn and Tavern and the Hidden Horse.
If you visit in the warmer months, get tickets ahead of time for an evening concert at Nissan Pavilion or Wolf Trap Farm Park for the Performing Arts. Other options for your evening include dinner in Old Town Alexandria, with a great variety of ethnic restaurants and plenty of nightlife. For something different, make reservations on Nina's Dandy Restaurant and Cruise Ship, which departs from Old Town Alexandria for gourmet dining and dancing while viewing the majestic monuments of Washington, DC.
Day Two
Your early morning visit to Arlington National Cemetery promises to be a moving experience. Take a walking tour or board a tourmobile for a somber tour of this national shrine to the thousands of men and women who have died defending the United States and freedom around the world. Visit the Challenger Space Shuttle Memorial and the gravesites of John F. and Robert Kennedy. No tour of Arlington Cemetery is complete without experiencing the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknowns.
Now it's time for some outdoor recreation. Plan for a mid-afternoon arrival at Great Falls National Park for an afternoon of hiking, biking or horseback riding. Catch a breathtaking view of Great Falls as the Potomac River cascades through Mather Gorge. View the remains of George Washington's Patowmack Canal Company's system of canals and locks.
If all that fresh air has given you an appetite, it's time to explore Northern Virginia for a unique dining experience. From Old Town Alexandria to Old Town Fairfax to Old Town Manassas, the area's quaint small towns offer a variety of atmospheres and cuisines, sure to suit your taste and mood.
Day Three
This morning, you have a decision to make. If you're more of a country person, plan to visit the quaint artisan community of Occoquan. Stroll the quiet streets and browse unique shops, boutiques and galleries. Stop in at a café or restaurant for a leisurely lunch before returning home. If you're a city mouse, head to Tysons Corner, home to world class shopping and dining. With everything from Tiffany and Gucci to Banana Republic and The Gap, you'll find all the name brand fashions you know and love. The area also offers a variety of dining options both within and around Tysons Corner Center and Tysons Galleria.
Start your morning with a ride through Northern Virginia's horse country. Visit the historic estate of Morven Park, which features highlights for equine enthusiasts such as The Museum of Hounds and Hunting and the Winmill Carriage Collection. From there, move on to the Leesburg Corner Premium Outlet Center for some bargain hunting. After all that shopping, enjoy a leisurely drive speckled with English-style stone fences and horse farms to Middleburg in the heart of horse country for lunch and more shopping. The horse culture is reflected in the names of shops and restaurants such as the Finicky Filly, the Red Fox Inn and Tavern and the Hidden Horse.
If you visit in the warmer months, get tickets ahead of time for an evening concert at Nissan Pavilion or Wolf Trap Farm Park for the Performing Arts. Other options for your evening include dinner in Old Town Alexandria, with a great variety of ethnic restaurants and plenty of nightlife. For something different, make reservations on Nina's Dandy Restaurant and Cruise Ship, which departs from Old Town Alexandria for gourmet dining and dancing while viewing the majestic monuments of Washington, DC.
Day Two
Your early morning visit to Arlington National Cemetery promises to be a moving experience. Take a walking tour or board a tourmobile for a somber tour of this national shrine to the thousands of men and women who have died defending the United States and freedom around the world. Visit the Challenger Space Shuttle Memorial and the gravesites of John F. and Robert Kennedy. No tour of Arlington Cemetery is complete without experiencing the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknowns.
Now it's time for some outdoor recreation. Plan for a mid-afternoon arrival at Great Falls National Park for an afternoon of hiking, biking or horseback riding. Catch a breathtaking view of Great Falls as the Potomac River cascades through Mather Gorge. View the remains of George Washington's Patowmack Canal Company's system of canals and locks.
If all that fresh air has given you an appetite, it's time to explore Northern Virginia for a unique dining experience. From Old Town Alexandria to Old Town Fairfax to Old Town Manassas, the area's quaint small towns offer a variety of atmospheres and cuisines, sure to suit your taste and mood.
Day Three
This morning, you have a decision to make. If you're more of a country person, plan to visit the quaint artisan community of Occoquan. Stroll the quiet streets and browse unique shops, boutiques and galleries. Stop in at a café or restaurant for a leisurely lunch before returning home. If you're a city mouse, head to Tysons Corner, home to world class shopping and dining. With everything from Tiffany and Gucci to Banana Republic and The Gap, you'll find all the name brand fashions you know and love. The area also offers a variety of dining options both within and around Tysons Corner Center and Tysons Galleria.