Top Things to do in Northern Virginia
Top Hotels in Northern Virginia
- 1. Hyatt Regency Dulles
- 2. Hampton Inn & Suites Fort Belvoir Alexandria South
- 3. Hyatt Centric Arlington
- 4. DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Washington DC - Crystal City
- 5. Homewood Suites by Hilton Arlington Rosslyn Key Bridge
- 6. Hampton Inn Alexandria/Pentagon South
- 7. Hampton Inn Dulles-Cascades
- 8. Residence Inn Arlington Capital View
- 9. Hilton Garden Inn Reagan National Airport
- 10. Hampton Inn & Suites Arlington Crystal City DCA
6 Battlefields in Northern Virginia That You Shouldn't Miss
Discover the best top things to do in Northern Virginia, United States including Manassas National Battlefield Park, Ball's Bluff Battlefield Regional Park, Ball's Bluff Battlefield and National Cemetery, Bristoe Station Battlefield Heritage Park, Ox Hill Battlefield Park, Mayfield Civil War Fort.
Restaurants in Northern Virginia
1. Manassas National Battlefield Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,105 reviews
A 5,000-acre park that was the scene of two major Civil War battles.
Reviewed By 977samd - Vero Beach, United States
The Battlefields of Manassas are quite extensive and a visit begins at the Manassas National Battlefield Park, Pet Friendly to pets at all times on leashes, the Visitor’s Center, located at 6511 Sudley Road, Manassas, VA 20109, 793-361-1339, battlefields open daily daylight hours, Visitor’s Center offers information, maps, restrooms, bookstore/gift shop, a introductory film, and exhibits. There were 2 battles referred to as First Manassas (First Bull Run - July 1861) & Second Manassas (Second Bull Run - August 1862). In our view, they First Manassas Battlefield is best understood by taking the walking tour; & the Second Manassas Battlefield is best understood by taking the 12 Station or Locations Driving Tour. First Manassas was the first real Battlefield action between USA/CSA, and it ended with 900 young men dead on the battlefield. It ended any notion the war’s outcome would be decided quickly. Eventually after 4 years of war, the war ended and 600,000+ young men lay dead on the battlefields. We suggest you plan to spend 4 hours or so, minimum, to get an understanding of the meaning of Manassas, and to begin to understand the degree of violence and destruction that occurred at Manassas, and how it set the base for 4 more years of bloody and destructive war.
2. Ball's Bluff Battlefield Regional Park
3. Ball's Bluff Battlefield and National Cemetery
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 92 reviews
A poignant and sobering reminder of a disastrous Union defeat during the Civil War.
Reviewed By RobertP120 - Chesterfield, United States
Ball’s Bluff is a unique civil war battlefield and national cemetery situated in a residential subdivision about 2 miles northeast of Leesburg, Virginia. It is the scene of an 1861 battle where confederate forces defeated Federal troops attempting to cross the Potomac River. The Union forces lost 900 soldiers in the battle and the confederates captured another 700. The battlefield is a Northern Virginia Regional Park. The national cemetery is on the park grounds. The federal government established the cemetery in 1865. Today, the cemetery is a ringed by a red brick wall with a flag pole. There are 54 Unions soldiers buried tin 25 graves each marked with a marble grave marker. All are unidentified except James Allen, a soldier from Massachusetts. It is interesting to note that Ball’s Bluff is the third smallest national cemetery in the country. There is a kiosk with informational pamphlets at the entrance to the park. There are numerous self-guided marked trails that trace the history of the battle. During our visit there were numerous fallen trees from a recent storm. The park and cemetery were very interesting and informative. It was a fantastic way to see history up close. The battlefield offers some very interesting facts about the civil war. There is a marker honoring Colonel Edward D. the only U.S. senator killed in battle. Lt. Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr., of the 20th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, survived a nearly fatal wound at Ball's Bluff to become an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States in 1902. Paul Revere had a large family with a total of 51 grandchildren. Three of his grandchildren, Paul Joseph Revere, Joseph Warren Revere and Edward Hutchinson Revere, served in the Union army. Confederate troops captured both Paul and Edward during the battle of Ball's Bluff. Both were released in a prisoner exchange later but were killed at Gettysburg and the Battle of Antietam respectively. The battlefield and cemetery were designated as a National Historical Landmark in 1984. I thoroughly enjoyed my visit there and encourage anyone in the Leesburg area to stop by.
4. Bristoe Station Battlefield Heritage Park
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 31 reviews
Reviewed By jesses260 - Bristow, United States
We frequently walk this park as a family and love the expansive trail and beautiful views here. Additionally, we have done several guided tours here as provided by the park association and have been so fortunate as to happen in during some reenactments! We met Ulysses Grant’s great great (great?) grandson here a number of years ago. This park is a treasure!
