The 10 Best Museums in Fairfax County, Fairfax County

December 20, 2021 Madelene Haan

Discover the best top things to do in Fairfax County, United States including Reston Art Gallery & Studios, Steven F Udvar-Hazy Center, artinsights animation and film art gallery, ArtSpace Herndon, Ford Orientation Center, Lucy Burns Suffragist Museum, George Washington's Mount Vernon, Sully Historic Site, George Mason's Gunston Hall, Workhouse Arts Center.
Restaurants in Fairfax County

Reston, VA 20190, Reston, VA 20191 +1 703-481-8156 http://RestonArtGallery.com
Excellent
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5.0 based on 2 reviews

Reston Art Gallery & Studios

2. Steven F Udvar-Hazy Center

14390 Air and Space Museum Pkwy, Chantilly, VA 20151-3002 +1 703-572-4118 [email protected] http://airandspace.si.edu/udvar-hazy-center/
Excellent
85%
Good
13%
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5.0 based on 4,389 reviews

Steven F Udvar-Hazy Center

The museum is temporarily closed and will reopen on Wednesday, May 5. Free timed entry passes are required. Please see our COVID-19 message and more information for planning you visit.

Reviewed By CourtneyF538 - Chapel Hill, United States

Highlights of this visit: The observation tower!! A MUST!! Space Shuttle Discovery & a whole area dedicated to man in space FREE guided highlight tours MANY staff/volunteers happily able to share information, history, and personal experiences... Extremely organized and very well labeled exhibits Multi-level views of many aircraft thanks to 2nd & 3rd level walkways. Points to note: Museum is free, but parking is not ($15) In-house McDonald's is CLEAN and not as pricey as would be expected inside a venue...it's an option, with views of planes coming into Dulles Lots of well-placed seating for visitors with mobility limitations or rest needs Our family of 5 (kids ages 14, 11, & 8) ALL enjoyed this museum!! For the sake of comparison, we have also recently visited the Wright-Patterson USAF Museum...both are excellent!! WP has more aircraft overall and delves deeper into the history of flight. Udvar-Hazy provides a more open environment with spectacular presentations. We HIGHLY recommend this museum!

11921 Freedom Dr Reston Town Center, Reston, VA 20190-5667 +1 703-478-0778 [email protected] http://www.artinsights.com/Default.aspx
Excellent
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5.0 based on 17 reviews

artinsights animation and film art gallery

Representing a wide range of film and contemporary art at their gallery in Reston Town Center since 1994, ArtInsights focuses on proprietary projects and artist representation relating to the history of animation and film, and the celebration and examination of popular culture. With artists like the preeminent movie poster artist John Alvin, whom they represent, and exclusive images by William Silvers, Jim Salvati, and many others, the gallery builds collections of original and limited edition art for their growing worldwide collector base. Whether you love Star Wars, Harry Potter, Blade Runner, Disney, or pop culture in general, the gallery is a must, as it offers original production and interpretive art unavailable anywhere else in the world.

4. ArtSpace Herndon

750 Center St, Herndon, VA 20170-3712 +1 703-956-6590 [email protected] http://www.artspaceherndon.org/
Excellent
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5.0 based on 10 reviews

ArtSpace Herndon

ArtSpace Herndon is a community art gallery created and supported by art lovers in the greater Herndon area. ArtSpace Herndon is a gathering place to celebrate the arts,showcasing artwork and events by local, regionally, and nationally known artists.

Reviewed By FFtravels - Vienna, United States

Tucked out of the way (but plenty of parking close by), this is a gem of a small art gallery. The exhibits I've seen so far have been wonderful. It's not very big, but well worth the time to visit.

5. Ford Orientation Center

3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Hwy, Mount Vernon, VA 22309-3237 +1 703-780-2000 http://www.mountvernon.org/the-estate-gardens/ford-orientation-center/
Excellent
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5.0 based on 21 reviews

Ford Orientation Center

Reviewed By SCJJR

I took it as a self-paced tour. I am one of those that likes to try to absorb all the information. There is a lot of information and visuals to absorb. The tour starts by trying to place the area in context of the period and then moves through G. Washington's life. There are a couple of short movies and other active displays.

6. Lucy Burns Suffragist Museum

9518 Workhouse Rd, Lorton, VA 22079-2641 http://www.workhousemuseums.org
Excellent
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5.0 based on 4 reviews

Lucy Burns Suffragist Museum

Reviewed By Joanne_S1983 - Woodbridge, United States

The Lucy Burns Museum is a treasure trove of artifacts, displays and information from a pivotal moment in women's history in America. It is critically important that this generation and future generations know and understand what women endured for the right to vote in America. Docents are extremely knowledgeable.

7. George Washington's Mount Vernon

3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway, Mount Vernon, VA 22121 +1 703-780-2000 [email protected] http://www.mountvernon.org
Excellent
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4.5 based on 4,640 reviews

George Washington's Mount Vernon

Come share the fascinating moments of America’s first family with yours at George Washington’s Mount Vernon. Explore the beautiful mansion and grounds and get to know the man, the ideas and the values that founded a nation. Dive into history through action-packed theaters, fascinating exhibits and meet characters from Washington’s world. Admire the view of the peaceful Potomac, or hop on board a sightseeing cruise. It’s a place where history truly comes to life.

Reviewed By breinhaugen - Fargo, United States

This was the second time we have visited Mount Vernon. While both visits were during the same time of year, both tours were completely different. A few years ago we did the Candle Light tour, but this year we decided to do a day tour which included the extra Dinner with the Washingtons tour. I would highly recommend either tour. Day or night, Mount Vernon is very worth visiting. During the Candle Light tour we were led by a tour guide, obviously by candle light around the property. Actors dressed as the Washington and servants played their parts well at each stop. During the Dinner with the Washingtons tour we were led around by a very knowledgeable tour guide who gave us an in-depth look at how the property sustained itself. Of course no matter which time you choose to go, you need to tour the house itself as well. There is a really nice, new visitor center on the property. There is a food court, shops, and various movie theaters showing short films on various topics around the Washingtons and that time period. We were able to easily get an Uber to and from Mount Vernon from Old Town Alexandria. It was quite inexpensive.

8. Sully Historic Site

Excellent
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4.5 based on 97 reviews

Sully Historic Site

Sully Historic Site is a charming and historic place to visit. The feature attractions, of course, are the site's history and historic structures. The grounds are a lovely place for strolling. Sully reflects Fairfax County history. It was the 1794 home of Richard Bland Lee, Northern Virginia's first Representative to Congress and General Robert E. Lee's uncle. Sully is on the National Register for Historic Places, is accredited by the American Association of Museums and is part of the National Park Service’s Underground Railroad Network to Freedom. Holiday Tour Fees for Private / Same Household Groups 12/3/20 - 01/03/21: 1 or 2 people: $25.00 3 to 9 people: $45.00 Walk-through house tours are available Thursdays through Sundays at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Forgotten Road Tours are available on demand at 2 p.m. This is a one-hour, outside walking tour of the original outbuildings and slave quarters. Meet at the Main house 15 min prior for COVID-19 screening. Masks are required.

9. George Mason's Gunston Hall

10709 Gunston Rd Mason Neck, Lorton, VA 22079-3901 +1 703-550-9220 [email protected] http://gunstonhall.org
Excellent
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4.5 based on 139 reviews

George Mason's Gunston Hall

Explore George Mason’s nation-shaping ideas at The Home of American Rights. Learn what motivated him to craft the 1776 Virginia Declaration of Rights and how his ideas inspired the nation. Tour the historic Mason-family home, hike scenic trails to the Potomac River, and discover George Mason's lasting legacy.

Reviewed By joshbraid

What a relief to get to a plantation that doesn't have crowd control lines and controlled access. We never heard of the place before we went and yet found it well worth the trip. George Mason was another of those founding fathers who was passionate for liberty, especially from the government. The house is unassuming from the outside (relatively) and the inside is well worth the tour. What a contrast to Monticello, as this place was far more liveable! We enjoyed the liberty of strolling the grounds, the quiet beauty of the view. Go, even just to learn about George Mason, a dedicated father, a founding father, the champion of individual liberty.

10. Workhouse Arts Center

9601 Ox Rd, Lorton, VA 22079-3413 +1 703-584-2900 [email protected] http://www.workhousearts.org/
Excellent
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4.5 based on 73 reviews

Workhouse Arts Center

The Workhouse Arts Center, once a former prison, is now a flourishing arts community that is home to over 100 of the finest regional artists, with a rich local and national history. The Workhouse has a beautiful campus open year round to the public, with eight artist studio buildings, two main galleries, a prison museum, cafe, gift shop, art supply store, new Youth Arts Center and W-3 Theatre. New performances at the Workhouse W-3 Theatre include: Comedy Nights, a Cabaret Series, Dinner and a Movie Nights, as well as Children’s Theatre programs. The Workhouse offers over 200 educational opportunities for all age groups and skill levels.

Reviewed By CarolDBrobst - Washington DC, United States

Working artists and gallery spaces showcase all types of art: photography, ceramics, glass, fiber art, painting, sculpture, metalwork, printmaking and woodturning. Leading artists exhibitions and special international exhibitions as well as special events with musical entertainment, drama and comedy.

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