Fairfax is just a stone’s throw away from the capital of the United States making it a unique day trip from the city. In addition to all of the nearby attractions in Washington, DC, Fairfax boasts quite a number of things to do as well. From outdoor activities to museum, the city and surrounding Fairfax County offers a little bit of everything. Anyone with a sweet tooth will love a visit to Fairfax with its sweet shops.
Meadowlark Botanical Gardens
Meadowlark Botanical Gardens, established in 1992, span across ninety-five acres of unique native collections of plants and ornamental display gardens. Visitors can explore the local fauna and flora among the winding walking paths, forests, and lakes. Amazing views of the area’s Piedmont hills can be seen as well. Guests can also explore a restored log cabin from the eighteenth century, the Korean Bell Garden, and the Atrium, containing an interesting indoor tropical garden. The Meadowlark Botanical Gardens also host several events throughout the year, including the yearly Winter Walk of Lights with dozens of different light displays.
9750 Meadowlark Gardens Ct, Vienna, VA 22182, Phone: 703-255-3631
Children's Science Center Lab
The Children's Science Center Lab in Fairfax is an interactive center for exploration, designed for children, school groups, and families. It is a place where kids can learn about mathematics, engineering, technology, and science in a fun and exciting way. The Lab features both dynamic platforms and traditional interactive exhibits for learning that include activities that frequently change. Visitors can sit down at a stool and order from the rotating choices of experiments at the Experiment Bar. These experiments demonstrate the fundamentals of physics, chemistry, biology, and more. Among the many other exhibits and platforms is the Inspiration Hub.
11948 Fair Oaks Mall, Fairfax, VA 22033, Phone: 703-648-3130
Cold War Museum
The Cold War Museum in the city of Fairfax, Virginia is home to several different exhibits on various topics related to the Cold War. The museum also houses a main gallery, a small theater, study areas, a library, a gift store, and a picture gallery. The central hall at the Cold War Museum is full of exhibits. This hall includes various objects from the Berlin Airlift, the Cuban Missile Crisis, the Bay of Pigs, the U-2 Incident, the USS Liberty, the USS Pueblo, and the USMLM. Links to newsletters, photograph galleries, virtual exhibits, and other collections can be seen online as well.
7142 Lineweaver Rd, Vint Hill, VA 20187, Phone: 540-341-2008, (website link)
Community Farmers' Market
The Fairfax Community Farmers' Market is a large outdoor market where farmers and other vendors can showcase and sell their crafts, meats, vegetables, fruits, and other products. The Saturday Community Market is open from eight in the morning until one in the afternoon, typically running from the middle of May to the end of October. The Community Farmer’s Market takes place whether the weather is rain or sunshine. The market on Saturdays includes plants, vegetables, fruits, honey, jams, flowering baskets, and cut flowers. Visitors can also find fresh-squeezed juices, kettle corn, bakery items, teas, coffees, cheeses, dog treats, and much more.
10500 Page Ave, Fairfax, VA 22030, Phone: 703-430-6164
Fairfax Museum and Visitor Center
The Fairfax Museum and Visitor Center, owned and operated by Historic Fairfax City Inc., is dedicated to the promotion of the preservation and appreciation of the artifacts and local history of Fairfax, Virginia. The regional history museum and visitor center for the state of Virginia is housed inside of a school building that dates back to the year 1873. The museum displays information and exhibits about Fairfax during the time of the Civil War. Walking tours are also available of Historic Fairfax during the springs and fall seasons, including sites like the Ford House, the Fairfax County Courthouse, and others.
10209 Main St, Fairfax, VA 22030, Phone: 703-385-8414
Fairfax Station Railroad Museum
The Fairfax Station Railroad Museum offers visitors and locals alike in Fairfax a chance to journey back to the past and explore the role the Fairfax railroad station played throughout the history of northern Virginia. Since its completion in the year 1854, the station played a key role in the development of the economy of the region. It was also a center for the local community and was critical during the Civil War. The events, activities, and displays of the Fairfax Station Railroad Museum help with the preservation of local history, as well as promote the railroad.
11200 Fairfax Station Rd, Fairfax Station, VA 22039, Phone: 703-425-9225
De Clieu Coffee & Sandwiches
De Clieu Coffee and Sandwiches is dedicated to offering its customers delicious tasting coffee made from high quality Arabic beans. The coffee shop and cafe supports local roasters who make high quality coffee while also maintaining a carbon footprint that is small in size. The coffee beans are roasted in small batches, with a focus on naturally processed Indonesian and African coffees. The coffees feature subtle chocolate notes and intense fruit flavors. Coffee beans are freshly roasted to bring out the flavors.
10389 Main St, Fairfax, VA 22030, Phone: 703-591-0309, (website link)
The Auld Shebeen
The Auld Shebeen brings “the spirit of The Shebeen” to Fairfax, Virginia. It is the only authentic Irish restaurant and pub in the city, and offers a menu that combines American cuisine with traditional Irish recipes. Guests can find several traditional Irish dishes, including the restaurant’s signature Guinness Beef Stew, Shepherd’s Pie, Fish and Chips, and many other house specialties. The Main Level of The Auld Shebeen boasts a low-key atmosphere, while The Cellar provides more of a party vibe.
3971 Chain Bridge Rd, Fairfax, VA 22030, Phone: 703-293-9600
Victoria's Cakery
Victoria's Cakery is a family-owned and operated business that first opened its doors to the public in the year 1984. The long-standing bakery produces a large variety of creative cakes, desserts, bread, and more baked goods. Among the offerings at Victoria’s Cakery are gluten-free and healthier options, so customers can get their sweet tooth fix without feeling too guilty or if they follow a gluten-free diet.
10430 Main St, Fairfax, VA 22030, Phone: 703-273-0800
Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts
The Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts is the country’s only national park that is dedicated to the presentation of the performing arts. The park offers something for nearly any taste or age of visitors when it comes to the shows it hosts. From the month of May until the month of September, several amphitheaters throughout Wolf Trap present a variety of performances, such as country music, popular music, jazz, opera, dance, and musicals. Visitors can enjoy an array of experiences, including performances at the Theatre-in-the-Woods or Filene Center, a walk on the trails, and ranger-guided programs.
1551 Trap Rd, Vienna, VA 22182, Phone: 703-255-1800, (website link)
Cameron's Coffee and Chocolates
Cameron's Coffee and Chocolates was established as the Every1 Can Work non-profit foundation’s first business enterprise. The doors of the coffee and chocolate shop first opened in the Fairfax community on October 1st of 2013. Cameron's Coffee and Chocolates provides customers with an early morning variety of tea, coffee drinks, and pastries that are freshly baked every day in the shop’s own kitchen. There is also a friendly and inviting sitting area in the shop where customers can sit, relax, and take advantage of free wireless internet as they taste the delicious creations from the kitchen.
9639 Fairfax Blvd, Fairfax, VA 22031, Phone: 703-278-2627
Chubby Squirrel Brewing Company
The Chubby Squirrel Brewing Company is the city of Fairfax’s very first nanobrewery. The brewery is a down-to-earth business that is run by some very down-to-earth people. The Chubby Squirrel is focused on crafting honest, good beer, as well as honest, good food. They are committed at doing the basics of brewing beer well, along with also producing a handful of more off-the-wall beers. The brewery adds as little as possible in order to craft some of the best “old-style” beers possible in the area. The food menu includes pretzels, poutine fries, and perogies among other options.
10382 Willard Way Fairfax, VA 22030, 571-989-1082
NRA National Firearms Museum
Delving into the amazing history of firearms, the NRA National Firearms Museum in Fairfax is home to an astonishing collection of more than 3,000 firearms, spanning almost 700 years. The collection is spread over 15 galleries, each of which is designed to represent a particular period in American history. There are several life-size dioramas which represent a rifle-makers shop, a WWI trench and a shelled town from Normandy, circa WWII. There is also a special exhibit which features the actual firearms used in various movies and TV shows. As you make your way through this unique museum you will learn about how firearms have historically been used to secure freedom and liberty.
NRA National Firearms Museum, 11250 Waples Mill Rd, Fairfax, VA 22030 703 267 1600
Center for the Arts
The Center for the Arts at George Mason University is one of the most distinguished art destinations in Northern Virginia. Located on the university campus, the center has a large concert hall which can seat almost 2000 visitors, who come to watch the annual season of professional artists performing in the Great Performance at Mason series and the Family Series. All genres of the arts are celebrated at the center including dance, music, opera, jazz and live performance theatre, and each year several artists are invited to join the Artists-in –Residence program. Visitors can check the website to see what’s on and book their tickets online.
Center for the Arts, George Mason University, 4373 Mason Pond Drive, Fairfax, VA 22030, 703 993 2787
Bonds Escape Room
Offering the most escape room fun you will find anywhere on the East Coast, Bonds Escape Room in Fairfax have a remarkable choice of 9 escape room games to choose from. Designed to offer an hour of great fun and lateral thinking for players of all ages, Bonds Escape Room invites you and your team to step up and take on the challenge. Most of the rooms are ideally suited to between 3 and 8 players, while the easiest 2 games are perfect for 2/4 players. The 2 most challenging games are the Evil AI and the Frightful Feast, both of which would suit players who have a little escape room experience.
Bonds Escape Room Fairfax, 3949 University Drive, Fairfax, VA 22030, 703 270 0377
