The Fairfax County Park Authority is one of the most celebrated park systems in the nation. Their facilities, golf courses, trails, parks, and programs and activities offer visitors and residents alike wonderful opportunities to exercise, or simply get outside and engage with history and nature. One…
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Prior to the Civil War, many of Virginia's communities were a place where Black Americans sought only to survive. However, along the banks of the Potomac River lies a special community that wasn't just for "surviving," but for African Americans to be free, seek refuge, and ultimately build a…
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There is a special place here in Northern Virginia that often flies under the radar. It's a community called Tinner Hill - a neighborhood that shares land in both Fairfax County and the now City of Falls Church. This close-knit community is of national significance for being the location where the…
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When it comes to Civil War history, no other state even comes close to Virginia. Most of the war’s battles were fought here. The capital of the Confederacy was located here. And all around the Fairfax County line, parts of the state never left Union hands. Virginia is utterly unique in its…
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Nestled in the heart of Northern Virginia, close to the nation's capital, Fairfax County, Virginia is an accessibility gem. As locals and wheelchair users, we discover new things about where we live almost daily. We love our extended neighborhood and how it prioritizes the disability community…
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It's almost the time of year when the leaves turn spectacular shades of red, orange, yellow, and purple - and visitors to Northern Virginia yearn to find the perfect fall foliage spot to take it all in. While most seek out remote vistas to be totally surrounded by autumn beauty, I'm here to suggest…
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From the haunted Weems Botts Museum in Dumfries to the City of Alexandria’s tiny Spite House and Georgetown’s renowned Exorcist Stairs, there are plenty of unique places to visit in Virginia, but Northern Virginia is especially filled with fascinating quirk when it comes to things to do, best views…
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I took a peek recently at one of my favorite websites - the Atlas Obscura Guide to Virginia. For those of you who aren't familiar with Atlas Obscura, here's how they describe themselves on their "About" page: "We are a global community of explorers, who have together created a comprehensive database…
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The southern part of Fairfax County, newly designated as Potomac Banks: Explore Fairfax South due to its location along the banks of the Potomac and Occoquan Rivers, is especially blessed with historic homes, one-of-a-kind museums, expansive parks, and other attractions. You could spend days in this…
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There are historic homes you tour and cross off your list. And then there are historic homes you return to time and again because there are so many fascinating things to learn and do. Woodlawn & Pope-Leighey House fits into the latter category. To begin with, it’s not just one historic home. It’s…
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