Planning.

Best of the Region on One Tank of Gas

Here in Fairfax County, we're known for being at the center of all the region has to offer. Amazing natural wonders?  We've got those!  An up close look at our nation's history?  We can give you that!  The country's only National Park for the Performing Arts?  Check!  Then, of course, there are the vineyards, the horse racing, the scenic drives, the battlefields, world-class shopping.  You name it, and you'll find it here.  We say why go anywhere else for a vacation?  And once you've tried Fairfax County and the Washington region, we know you'll be saying the very same thing.  With our "Best of the Region on One Tank of Gas Tour," you'll see what everyone is talking about, and then some!

1 Day "Best of the Region on One Tank of Gas" Tour Summary

For those who demand the very best…may we present the “Best of the Region on One Tank of Gas” tour!

Start your day with a little bit of history—a trip to spectacular George Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate & Gardens. Then, take a break at the Tysons Corner Shopping District—one of the largest in the nation with over 500 stores and a host of stellar dining options. And speaking of stellar, next head on over to the National Air & Space Museum Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, where you can get up close and personal with the Space Shuttle Enterprise, test your skills in a flight simulator, and enjoy an IMAX movie—all in one building! But wait, there’s more! No visit to Fairfax County would be complete without a trip to Wolf Trap, the country’s only National Park for the Performing Arts. And what better way to end your day than with a concert under the stars featuring world-class entertainment?

2 Day "Best of the Region on One Tank of Gas" Tour Summary

 

Day 1

With two days you’ll get to see loads more of the fun things the region has to offer. Sure, we’ll take you to the National Air & Space Museum Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, where you can get up close and personal with the Space Shuttle Enterprise, test your skills in a flight simulator, and enjoy an IMAX movie all in one place, and you’ll spend an evening at Wolf Trap, but you’ll also have the opportunity to walk on the hallowed ground of the First and Second Battles of Manassas, and that’s just day one!

 

Day 2

On your second day, travel down to George Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate & Gardens, to learn about the man who was “first in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen.” A new $110 million recent addition brings history to life through interactive, multi-sensory experiences. Then, it’s a stop firmly routed in the modern age—the Tysons Corner Shopping District. Warm up that credit card—with over 500 stores and fantastic restaurants, you’ll no doubt put it to good use. Then, head into Washington D.C., and the National Mall where some of the country’s most important memorials can be found, as well as the offerings of the legendary Smithsonian Museums. The only challenge will be deciding what to see first!

5 Day "Best of the Region on One Tank of Gas" Tour Summary

 

Get out the checklist, because at the end of five days of touring Fairfax County and the Capital Region there will nary be a sight you haven’t seen!

 

Day 1

We’ll start you off with one of Fairfax County’s Crown Jewels—the National Air and Space Museum Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center. You’ll see the Space Shuttle Enterprise, pilot your own plane (simulated, that is) and get into the IMAX experience at the center’s theater. Then, it’s back down to earth as you visit Virginia Wine Country, the Napa of the East Coast, and end your day at the Charles Town Races in West Virginia, where you can test your luck or just enjoy a great dinner and terrific entertainment and shopping options.

 

Day 2

Why save the best for last? We suggest beginning your second day with a visit to George Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate & Gardens. Feel the cannons rumble at Valley Forge, try out your surveying skills using tools Washington himself might have employed, and see a CSI-style forensic re-creation of Washington’s face during various periods of his life—just a few of the options that are part of a recent $110 million addition at the estate. Then, make a little history yourself—shopping history that is, as you visit the Tysons Corner Shopping District, one of the largest in the nation with over 500 incredible stores and restaurants. Later, continue on into Washington D.C., and visit the National Mall where some of the country’s most important memorials can be found, as well as the offerings of the legendary Smithsonian Museums.

 

Day 3

On day three, head straight to Annapolis, MD. With so many interesting, educational, and just plain fun options, you’ll find a full day’s worth of excitement. Visit the U.S. Naval Academy, enjoy the spectacular scenery on the Chesapeake Bay (and the crab cakes!), take in a show, or make like a swashbuckler on the high seas.

 

Day 4

Day four throws some history your way, with a first stop in the Historic City of Fairfax. See where the first Confederate officer lost his life, the building where George and Martha Washington’s wills are kept, and the spot where the “Gray Ghost” John Mosby captured Gen. William Stoughton. From there, you’ll head in to Arlington National Cemetery, where you’ll stand in awe before row after row of the graves where our fallen soldiers lay. Old Town Alexandria is next on the agenda. It’s an area rich in history, and the city has dedicated impressive resources to documenting and preserving it. After a day of edifying experiences, it’s time to kick back and relax with a fantastic musical performance in the great outdoors at Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts.

 

Day 5 

Last but not least, on day five we’ll take you out to Skyline Drive in Virginia’s Shenandoah National Park. Breathtaking scenery, incredible wildlife, and nature at its finest await, along with interesting exhibits, camp stores, and fun gift shops. Then head down the mountain and wind up your visit with a stop at Luray Caverns. This four-million-year-old geological formation is a sight to behold, with 10-story-high columns, astounding formations, and even a stalacpipe organ that plays actual music!