Who said summer fun has to break the bank? Get ready to soak up the sunshine and embrace the spirit of adventure without spending a dime, because we've got the ultimate guide to free things to do this summer in Fairfax County! From thrilling outdoor escapades to captivating cultural experiences, this list has an abundance of cost-free activities that'll leave the whole family grinning from ear to ear.
Your Free #FXVA Summer Bucket List
🎶 Choose from hundreds of free outdoor concerts at local parks and urban villages
🚀 See the world's fastest jet, among thousands of other space artifacts, at the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum Udvar-Hazy Center (arrive after 4pm for free parking!)
🧺 Bring your own food for a picnic date at one of these prime outdoor spots
🥾 Find a sense of solitude and reconnect with nature on our hiking and walking trails
🌊 Let your kids beat the heat at splash-tastic local spray grounds and splash pads
🖼️ Browse multiple art galleries, visit the studios of more than 60 artists, shop for art, and even take a selfie with a LOVEworks sculpture at the Workhouse Arts Center
Other no-cost arts centers include ArtSpace Herndon; the Emerson, Atrium and Ramp Galleries; and the Tephra Institute of Contemporary Art
🚗 Hit the road and embark on a scenic drive through the picturesque hills of Great Falls
🎨 Take a self-guided tour of the public art in Lake Anne and Reston
🎉 Attend free game nights, outdoor movies, live music, fitness classes, and more all summer long on The Plaza at Tysons Corner Center
🌼 Enjoy the perfectly-manicured gardens and lawns of Green Spring Gardens and River Farm
🛣️ Spend a day in the Town of Vienna strolling the W&OD Trail, spotting public art, taking selfies with the Old Red Caboose, and window shopping (if you can resist shopping at the treasure trove of amazing local stores!)
👯♀️ Visit the only national memorial to the women's suffrage movement in the country at the new Turning Point Suffragist Memorial
🚨Bonus: Low-Cost Options🚨
💐 Spot flowers, lakes, birds, and one of the most unique Korean Bell Gardens in the Western Hemisphere at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens
Cost: $3 for ages 6-17 & ages 55+, $6 for ages 18-54, and free for ages 5 & under
🍻 Enjoy a locally-poured beverage at our local wineries and over a dozen breweries to choose from
🏡 Explore the Potomac Banks via a Savings Pass starting at $25. Attractions include George Washington's Mount Vernon, George Mason's Gunston Hall and Woodlawn & Pope-Leighey House, as well as the Workhouse Arts Center, the National Museum of the U.S. Army, and many other sites.
🌊 Witness the splendor of the roaring Potomac River, a massive waterfall, and Class V+ rapids at Great Falls Park
Admission is $20 per vehicle. Hot tip - park at Riverbend Park and take a 2-mile hike into Great Falls for a low cost of $0!
📚 Pick up a new book or new tunes at an independent bookshop or record store
With this list on hand, you'll have plenty of free activities to keep you entertained and engaged throughout the summer in Fairfax County. Enjoy the countless free adventures that await you and tag us in your adventures using #FXVA or @VisitFairfax!
