9 Indoor Winter Activities in Northern Virginia

While winter holds a natural beauty of its own in Northern Virginia, it can get downright cold!  Fortunately, the region's winter indoor activities for adults, kids, and the whole family are just as inspirational as our outdoor winter activities and sites like our holiday light shows and are great whether you’re exploring with the kids or hoping for an adults only night out. And as a bonus, these indoor places are a lot less crowded in winter. So check out our list of some fun indoor winter activities that will make you forget all about winter's chill. Fairfax County puts you right in the heart of all the Washington, DC area has to offer, so if you're looking for a world-class winter getaway that makes your temperature rise, make plans to visit today! 

9 Indoor Activities That Will Keep You WARM While Having Fun

1. A Day at the Museum (Or Two)

Northern Virginia, DC, and the surrounding area is chock full of fun (and heated) museums, including a multitude that are of the famous Smithsonian brand synonymous with DC  but what a lot of people don't know is that one of the hottest Smithsonian museums isn't in DC at all. The National Air and Space Museum Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center is right here in Fairfax County near Dulles International Airport. You should also visit the National Museum of the United States Army which is one of the nation's newest and most popular museum destinations.
 

2. History is Always Hot in Fairfax County

You've come to the right place if you want to brush up on your history. George Washington didn't lead this country to freedom just so we would have to stand outside in the cold to appreciate all his hard work.  Mount Vernon's bevy of historic activities stays nice and warm year-round so you can concentrate on George's fascinating history and not survive the brutal winter like he had to do at Valley Forge.  Nearby you'll find another Founding Father's home - George Mason's Gunston Hall, which also has plenty to do indoors as you learn about the man whose writings inspired America's Bill of Rights.
 

3. Support Our Local Wineries & Breweries

Winter is the perfect time to belly up to the bar at one of Fairfax County's craft breweries and winery tasting rooms. And this winter is especially a good time because of the unveiling of the Fairfax County Locally Poured Field Guide. Once you get the guide saved to your phone's home screen, you can begin your tour of Fairfax County's wineries and breweries - all you have to do is check in, get your savings, and work your way towards visiting all the wineries and breweries to claim your prize. It's really that simple.
 

4. Take Flight & Jump Around

Springfield is hopping all winter long with two indoor trampoline spaces that will keep you moving! Flight Adventure Park is a venue that features over 50 trampolines, the famous angled wall trampolines, and a series of launching decks from different heights. And Sky Zone Trampoline Park will keep you jumping with various obstacle courses, basketball courts, and other fun and challenging elements. More than just a trampoline park, Launch Entertainment Park in Herndon has over 16,000 sq. feet of connected trampolines forming one big jumping playground, with a state-of-the-art ninja course, launch pad, dodgeball, launch n dunk basketball, and large arcade! 

5. Play With Lasers & Stay Warm

Ok, so we all remember Laser Tag...Well, fast forward 20 years and that whole children's game has evolved into another level of competition and fun.  At Shadowland Laser Adventure Center in Springfield  - you can relive your glory days as Laser Tag champion, or conversely be completely humiliated and humbled by your children and their friends.  You will be briefed, equipped with a bodysuit, and given your phaser, and sent into an eerie chaos-filled maze-type arena where you'll find you and your team pitted against your competition. They also have a glow golf course for those of us who might want to avoid the laser arena. Visit their website and see their rules and recommendations for playing and get a heads up on their busy times so you can beat the crowd.
 

6. Act Like a Kid (With or Without Your Kids) at these Attractions

Say hello to Dave & Buster's Springfield Town Center or Dave & Buster's at Fair Oaks Mall!   Aside from an extensive food and drink menu, this place is a perfect outing for sports watching and game playing.  So come ready to play and let the games begin...and remember that games = tickets = prizes! Another option along these same lines is Fun Land of Fairfax - except they have indoor go-karts, a rope-climbing course, more games than you can shake a stick at, and fantastic food and game day treats. You really can't go wrong with any of these choices.
 

7. Discover Artistic Appreciation at Our Galleries

Tired of looking around and seeing all the drab colors of winter? We suggest you plunge into the colorful world of visual arts at one of our local art galleries! Face it, your eyes have been waiting to feast on some vibrant color ever since the summer flowers died and the bright leaves of autumn blew away - so heading to a place like the Workhouse Arts Center, the Emerson Gallery, or ArtSpace Herndon will liven up your retina's cones (look it up) and put you in a more pleasant state of mind. If you want to head across the Potomac there's also the National Gallery of Art or the American Art Museum.
 

8. Plan Your Escape With a Group

You might not be able to escape winter totally, but you can surely get your mind off of the cold weather by visiting one of Fairfax County's fun and thought-provoking escape rooms.  We have four different escape room adventures throughout the County. Cyber Raccoon Escape Room in Falls Church, Escape Room Herndon, Escapology - The Live Escape Game in Fairfax, and Room Escape Fairfax/DC in Fairfax.  All showcase their unique brand of themed escape plots for your group, whether friends or family, to figure out as you race against the clock. Be sure to reserve your space in advance as these popular attractions tend to be particularly busy during the colder months.

9. Catch a Concert for a Date Night

The return of live music is back in full force in Fairfax County! There are hundreds of upcoming shows happening this winter that are perfect for a fun family outing, a date night, or just a nice way to spend time with friends. And while you can still catch big-ticket performances at renowned performing arts venues like The Barns at Wolf Trap, George Mason University’s Center for the Arts, Capital One Hall and others, you can’t beat free or minimally priced shows at local hotspots like Jammin' Java and The State Theatre. 

Fairfax County has no shortage of fun and exciting indoor activities that will keep you entertained and cozy throughout the winter months. Whether you’re a history buff, an adventure seeker, or someone who just wants to warm up with a glass of local wine, there’s something for everyone.

From museums to live concerts, breweries, and laser tag, you’ll find indoor experiences that are just as exciting as the outdoor attractions. Check out one (or more) of these spots on the next cold, snowy or rainy day in Fairfax – you won’t be disappointed! Plan your visit to Fairfax County today and discover how to make the most of winter while staying warm.

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