The Complete Guide to Visiting Fairfax County, Virginia

From well-known historic sites and museums to top-notch shopping and dining, Fairfax County offers a bounty of experiences, under an hour from our nation’s capital. 

Immerse yourself in history at Mount Vernon, look to the stars in Chantilly, or walk the streets of renowned shopping and dining districts in Tysons, Falls Church, and Reston. Here are our recommendations for where to stay, eat, and drink, plus top attractions and nearby fun in Fairfax County, Virginia.

WHERE TO STAY IN FAIRFAX

Archer Hotel 

This boutique hotel collection is known for its industrial elegance and attentiveness to guests. Both Fairfax locations — in Tysons and the Mosaic District — will situate you in the midst of walkable shopping and dining opportunities. 

The Ritz-Carlton, Tysons Corner

For exceptional luxury, book a room or suite at the Ritz-Carlton in Tysons. The hotel is attached to high-end shopping opportunities of Tysons Galleria and features an exclusive 24th floor Club Lounge. 

Watermark Hotel

If you’d like a little more space, check out the all-suite Watermark Hotel, located in Capital One Center. With lavish amenities and artful touches, you’ll feel relaxed and ready to take on the day’s adventures. 

Keep exploring more lodging options. 
 

NEIGHBORHOODS TO KNOW

Tysons

Known for its shopping and entertainment, this commercial district has plenty to explore, including retail destinations like Tysons Corner Center, the luxurious Tysons Galleria, and the outdoor Fairfax Square. 

Mosaic District

Stroll the streets of this urban shopping center in Merrifield and you’ll find dozens of stores to stop into and plenty of options for a quick bite. 

Reston Town Center

This mixed-use development features dozens of shops and restaurants that you can enjoy all year long — but visit from November through March and you can also set out on the Ice Skating Pavilion. 

Falls Church

Known as “The Little City,” Falls Church is ideal for a vibrant and approachable getaway. You’ll find walkable neighborhoods and plenty of tasty restaurants on your journey, plus a treasure trove of Vietnamese eats and shopping and historic attractions. 

Find more neighborhoods to discover. 

WHERE TO EAT & DRINK

Kirby Club

Enjoy a drink at the bar or nosh on dips, kebabs, and shareable plates on the colorful patio at this Middle Eastern restaurant in the Mosaic District. 

L’Auberge Chez François

You’ll be transported to France when dining at this family-run inn in Great Falls, open since 1975.

2941 Restaurant

The French-American flavors at this fine dining restaurant are complemented by the lush surroundings, including waterfalls, koi ponds, and a lake. 

Ellie Bird

Stop into this chef-driven, contemporary restaurant for casual fare you won’t soon forget. 

Eden Center

You’ll find plenty of flavors at this renowned Vietnamese-American shopping center, home to dozens of family-owned restaurants. 

Gyu Shige Japanese BBQ & Bar

The Mosaic District is home to the first Gyu Shige in the United States. The popular Japanese barbecue spot is known for its signature dish, the Miyazaki A5 Wagyu. 

The Winery at Bull Run

Escape to the Virginia countryside and sample award-winning wines, or take a production tour to get a behind-the-scenes look at the vineyard, barn, and barrel room. 

Barcelona Wine Bar

This tapas bar features small plates with a variety of global influences, from Mediterranean to Spanish to South American. 

Hungry for more? Find dozens of local restaurants in Fairfax.  

TOP ATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO

Great Falls Park

You might find it hard to believe that this 800-acre park with cascading waterfalls is in Northern Virginia, but it’s true. The park sees the Potomac River pick up speed and flow through Mather Gorge, resulting in beautiful views and bountiful opportunities for recreation.

Mason Neck State Park

A favorite destination for outdoor enthusiasts, this waterfront state park boasts several hundred acres of hardwood forests, wetlands, and hiking trails. Stop by for a picnic, a canoe trip or top-notch bird watching — the park is known for its American bald eagle sightings.

Washington and Old Dominion Railroad Regional Park

Trace the former Washington & Old Dominion Railbed as you explore this paved trail by foot or on bike. It runs from Shirlington to Purcellville and is often called the “skinniest park in Virginia.” There’s also an adjacent trail for equestrians.

Meadowlark Botanical Gardens

Explore 95 acres of greenery and blooms in Vienna — highlights include the Butterfly Garden, Experimental Meadow, and Virginia Native Tree Trail. Don’t miss art shows at the Visitor Center and the gift shop, which features local art and plants.

Burke Lake Park

Explore 888 acres of outdoor fun at this park. Whether you want to take a ride on the carousel and play some mini golf or take a stroll around the 4.7 mile lake trail and see the sights via tour boat, you’ll probably want to stop at the ice cream parlor to wrap up your afternoon. 

George Washington’s Mount Vernon

Learn more about the life of our nation’s first president and the founding of the United States at his sprawling home. Take a tour and learn about the people, both free and enslaved, who lived on the estate.

George Washington’s Distillery

Located at Mount Vernon, this reconstructed distillery uses the same 18th century techniques and recipes that the nation’s first president utilized. Take a tour and sample the flavors during tastings on Saturdays in May, June, and September. 

Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center

An annex of the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly has an expansive collection of aviation and space artifacts. Visitors can see the space shuttle Discovery, a Blackbird SR-71, and a Concorde, plus thousands of other items from the collection. Admission is free; parking is $15.

Woodlawn & Pope-Leighey House

See two iconic homes on the same 126-acre swath of land. Completed in 1805, Woodlawn was built on land previously owned by George Washington and was a plantation, then a free labor colony, then the first public site of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The Pope-Leighey House has a more recent history, as it was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in the 1940s. Originally built in Falls Church, the home was moved to Woodlawn in the 1960s.

The Perch

Located at Capital One Center in Tysons, this “park in the sky” has mini golf, a brewery, food trucks, and live events. 

LEGO Discovery Center

Take a ride on the Imagination Express, see a film in the 4D cinema, create a custom MiniFigure, and see displays made of millions of LEGO Bricks at the DC Discover Center. 

Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts

Make sure to check the schedule for this performing arts venue before or during your Northern Virginia vacation. From touring artists across genres to music festivals and opera residencies, this indoor and outdoor venue has something for everyone.

JUST DOWN THE ROAD…

Alexandria | Stop into boutique stores and local restaurants on King Street in the iconic Old Town neighborhood, get inspired at the Torpedo Factory Art Center, and feel the breeze down the Mount Vernon Bike Trail.  

Arlington | Explore the bustling hub of Arlington, located just minutes from our nation’s capital. Reflect at Arlington National Cemetery and the U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial, head to Roosevelt Island Park for outdoor fun, and shop at the world-class Fashion Centre at Pentagon City. 

Prince William County | Embark on a riverside boutique shopping spree in Historic Occoquan, find your new favorite artist at NOVA Live, or visit one of several stunning wineries when you visit Prince William County. 

Whether you’re traveling solo, with friends, or with your family, a Virginia vacation’s got all that you love, all in one place. Start planning your trip to Fairfax County.