ARTS and ENTERTAINMENT
Wolf Trap Farm Park for the Performing Arts
The country’s only national park for the performing arts, Wolf Trap has a superb open-air performance space, the Filene, which hosts musical performances and educational events. The National Symphony Orchestra plays its summer season at Wolf Trap, which is an annual highlight.
George Mason Center for the Arts
This arts center in Fairfax hosts top music, theater and dance from around the country and the world.
Jammin’ Java Coffee House
This Vienna venue hosts a wide range of music, theater and stand up comedy for kids, teens, and adults. From blues to folk to rock, everything that happens at Jammin’ Java has a good vibe.
Jiffy Lube Live
This multi-million dollar outdoor concert facility has a state-of-the-art stage, open area in front of the stage, and festival seating further back. A variety of top musical acts and entertainment is held here.
Verizon Center
Home to Washington DC’s Wizards, Mystics, Capitals and Hoyas, the Verizon Center in downtown Washington DC hosts a wide range of sporting events, concerts and performances.
The National Theater
Top Broadway hits and musicals appear at the National Theater’s Mainstage; the company also brings vaudeville into the community and offers special Monday and Saturday music, dance and theatre shows and events.
The John F Kennedy Center for Performing Arts
The top notch JFK Center has an exciting yearly schedule, packed with classical, chamber, jazz and world music; ballet, jazz, modern and world dance; and innovative theatre. Educational and youth programs reach out to all.
Ford’s Theater
The beautiful and historic Ford’s Theatre, death place of Abraham Lincoln, presents a lively schedule of musicals and plays each year.
The Shakespeare Theatre
Dedicated to the best in classical theater, the Shakespeare is known for its bold and innovative staging.
2nd Flight Productions
Centreville’s own community theatre performs Broadway hits with local talent.
The Corcoran Gallery & School of Art
Washington DC’s oldest art gallery and only professional art school, the Corcoran is currently undergoing expansion, with a stunning new wing by Frank Gehry currently under construction.
Centreville Regional Arts Guild
The Guild runs painting classes for community members and coordinates exhibits of local artists’ work; fun activities like group outings to art shows are also organized.
The Smithsonian
Famous the world over, the Smithsonian Institute has 15 museums in the Washington DC area, dedicated to sharing the nation’s treasures with as many people as possible and presenting them in their cultural and historical context.
Smithsonian Air and Space Museum
Easily one of the nation’s top air and space museums, the Smithsonian celebrates the history of air and space flight and showcases current innovations. The recently opened Stephen Udvar-Hazy Annex at Dulles Airport houses the “Enterprise” space shuttle, the “Enola Gay”, and many other important aircraft and prototypes.
The International Spy Museum
Thrilling to old and young alike, this exciting museum has top-notch exhibits on the history and nature of spying and spy craft, and offers lots of fun workshops and activities like “the Art of Disguise”.
Sully Historic Site
Completed in 1799 by Richard Bland Lee, Northern Virginia’s first Representative to Congress, the Sully Plantation in Centreville has been maintained to give insight into the period. Guided tours bring early 19th century plantation life to life, and include the experiences of Sully’s tenant farmers and enslaved African Americans.
Museums in Fairfax County
There are several excellent museums in this county, including several on the history of African Americans in the region, and several interesting Civil War sites.
SPORTS AND RECREATION
MCI Center
Home to Washington DC’s Wizards, Mystics, Capitals and Hoyas, the MCI Center in Washington DC hosts a wide range of sporting events, and also holds concerts and performances.
Patriot Center
Found on the George Mason University campus in Fairfax, this 10,000-seat arena hosts Mason basketball games, concerts, and events.
Washington Redskins
The official site of this NFL team includes game schedules, football news, player information and photographs, and ticket sales.
DC United
Official site of DC’s own major league soccer team.
Washington Wizards
The official site of the capital’s NBA team.
Washington Capitals
This official NHL site has information on the players and upcoming games, and a good multimedia section.
Virginia Equestrian
Northern Virginia is horse country; this is the website for information on local riding schools, equestrian estates, boarding stables, fox hunts, and more.
Hunters Valley Riding Club
The club has extensive riding trails, jump and dressage rings and cross country courses and hosts equestrian events and competitions, including fun events for kids and families.
Virginia Gold Cup
Virginia’s yearly gold cup equestrian steeplechases are held every May for the nationals and every October for the internationals.
Golf Courses in Fairfax County
From par-three to championship level courses, Fairfax County has a wide range of choice for golfers.
Westfields Golf Club, Clifton
Complete with historical landmarks, wooded areas and rolling hills, this Fred Couples Championship Golf Course is sure to please golfers of all abilities.
The Westfields Marriott
The Westfields Marriot has a world-class conference center and they manage Westfields Golf Club in Clifton.
Twin Lakes Golf Facility
Clifton’s superb Twin Lakes contains two separate championship level golf courses, both with 18-holes; one is wooded and the other parkland.
Penderbrook Golf Club
Rated one of Northern Virginia’s top courses, Penderbrook is an 18-hole course with water in play on seven holes.
IronWood Sports Park
With an 86 station driving range, practice bunker, natural-grass tees, volleyball courts, mini-golf, baseball and softball cages, arcade and pro shop, IronWood is a popular site for parties. There are plenty of picnic facilities and the 57-acre park is high on a hill surrounded by trees. Instructors are PGA golf professionals.
Fairfax County Miniature Golf Courses
Fairfax County cares for four mini-golf parks; all have additional recreational facilities.
Burke Lake Park
This lovely lakeside park just outside Clifton is open for camping, picnicking, boating, fishing and swimming, and also has an excellent 18-hole golf course.
Lake Accotink Park
This beautiful 482-acre park on the outskirts of Springfield has miniature golf, a carousel, snack bar, playgrounds, sports fields and picnic areas; visitors enjoy boating and fishing on the lake, and tour boat rides are available.
Blu Gnu Kayak Company
Blu Gnu’s experienced guides offer sea kayak tours on the Potomac and Occoquan Rivers and the Chesapeake Bay.
Virginia Wine Country
Up to date information on local wineries, Virginia wine festivals and top regional vintages.
Fairfax County Park Authority
Fairfax County has many beautiful parks and historical and recreational areas. Neighborly sporting and cultural clubs abound, and locals get together to celebrate regional festivals and events.
River Farm
Originally part of George Washington’s estate, River Farm is now the headquarters of the American Horticultural Society. 25 acres of lawns, gardens, meadows and woods, on the Potomac River make it a lovely place to picnic.
Huntley Meadows Park
A prime spot for bird watching, Huntly Meadows has almost 1,500 acres of forest, meadows and wetlands. A half-mile boardwalk trail spans the wetlands, and an observation tower grants good views of beavers, frogs, dragonflies, herons and more.
Hidden Pond Nature Center
Diverse bird and wild life may be seen in the forest, streams and pond at the Nature Center, which offers guided walking tours. The center also has lighted tennis courts and a children’s playground.
Ellanor C Lawrence Park
This pretty Centreville park includes ball fields and a picnic area as well as an extensive natural area with historic ruins amidst the trees; the Walney Visitor center has interesting exhibits on the region’s history.
National Parks within a two-hour drive of Fairfax County:
There are several superb National Parks within reach of Clifton and Centerville, including:
The National Mall
Botanical gardens and ornamental pools surround sculptures and memorials that are national icons of remembrance, from statues of past presidents to memorials of war fallen.
Capitol Hill Parks
Visit the many charming parks in and around Capitol Hill.
Manassas National Battlefield Park
The park preserves the historic hickory wood and wetland terrain where men fought in two civil war clashes in 1861 and 1862. The beautiful countryside may be explored on foot or horseback.
Shenandoah National Park
In the lovely Blue Ridge Mountains, Shenandoah has miles of hiking trails, scenic panoramas, cooling waterfalls and pools, and oak and hickory forest. Much wildlife finds protection within the park, including deer, black bears, and wild turkeys.
Beaches within a few hours drive of Fairfax County:
Enjoy swimming, surfing, shopping, eating out, sunbathing, building sandcastles, strolling on the boardwalk and more—all within a day’s drive of Clifton and Centerville!
Virginia Beach, VA
Ocean City, MD
Bethany and Rehoboth Beaches, DE
SHOPPING
Fairfax County locals enjoy world-class outlet centers, elegant galleria-style malls, plenty of regional shopping centers and services, and lovely historic areas with small cafes, antique shops, and local groceries. The Dulles Expo Center hosts large consumer and trade shows each year.
Grocery shoppers will find plenty of choice, from warehouse stores like Costco, Sam’s Club and BJ’s Wholesale Club to fine boutiques like Sutton Place Gourmet. All the tried and true grocery chains are to be found, including Wegman’s, Giant Foods, Safeway, Magruder’s, Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s.
Centerville has a good number of neighborhood shopping centers and Clifton has a charming historic area full of specialty shops.
Potomac Mills
Potomac Mills gathers top retail outlets with an 18-theater AMC center, good restaurants and fast food, and a skate park.
Leesburg Outlet Center
Leesburg offers the convenience and savings of 110 outlet stores in one place; stores include Bebe, Burberry, and Polo Ralph Lauren.
Fair Oaks Mall
At the intersection of I-66 and Route 50, Fair Oaks is easy to get to; over 180 stores, services and restaurants make it one of the county’s biggest retail destinations.
Tyson’s Galleria
Washington Post readers voted Tyson’s Galleria the region’s “Best Shopping Mall” in a recent contest; with its upscale stores and premiere restaurants, it is easy to see why.
Tyson’s Corner Center
Over 250 stores are hosted in this elegant indoor mall, which has a wide range of department stores alongside smaller and specialty shops.
Sutton Place Gourmet
The local Sutton Place chain offers plentiful fresh produce, prime meats, fresh seafood, and dry goods from around the globe.
Fairfax County Farmer’s Markets
Buy local produce, honey, cut flowers, and baked goods.
Paint Your Own Pottery
Bring your kids to this cozy store in Fairfax for a quality afternoon together painting designs on cups, plates, figurines and more.
DINING
Fairfax County Dining Guide
From upscale French cuisine to comfortable American fare, you’ll find a restaurant for every cooking style and price range in Fairfax County.
SPECIAL ATTRACTIONS
Attractions in the Washington D.C. Area
The nation’s capital has some of the best theater, arts, sports, entertainment and dining in the country. While we have mentioned some of the top attractions in this website, there are many more; all are within an easy distance of Clifton, Centreville and Fairfax County.
The National Zoo
The stunning Smithsonian Zoo is a must see, with wild, aquatic and marine life from around the world.