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
Top 10 Outdoor Activities in Northern Virginia, Northern Virginia
Discover the best top things to do in Northern Virginia, United States including Empower Adventures, The Washington & Old Dominion Trail, Surf Reston - Stand Up Paddleboarding, Hybrid Pedals, Gulf Branch Nature Center, Go Ape Zipline & Adventure Park, Inside Ski Training Center, Pedego Electric Bikes, Epic Pilates Studio, Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail.
Restaurants in Northern Virginia
1. Empower Adventures
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 80 reviews
When you take a step off the platform and zip through the tree top canopy, it will be an experience you will truly never forget. Gliding from tree top platform to tree top platform, you’ll go across five different zip lines (from 270 feet to 670 feet long) and two suspension sky bridges (70 feet and 90 feet long). The course spans 20 acres and is over a half mile long.
2. The Washington & Old Dominion Trail
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 33 reviews
Reviewed By guitartraveler60
We love this path for bike riding and the addition of goats to help clear things without chemicals is so nice. It can get crowded but you can definitely get in a great ride and stop for food. magnolias at the Mill makes a great stop!
3. Surf Reston - Stand Up Paddleboarding
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 149 reviews
Our stand up paddleboard sessions are guided by certified instructors on calm, flat water - the perfect place to get started and build your skills for more challenging waterways. Discover the beautiful lakes in Reston, Virginia right outside Washington, DC
4. Hybrid Pedals
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 38 reviews
We provide both guided eBikes tour and eBike rentals, allowing you to see all the wonders of Washington, DC sites with the convenience and comfort of electric bikes. Our bikes offer both pedals assist, providing power as you pedals, and throttle override, allowing you to travel at up to 25mph without pedaling at all. Our rentals include locks, helmets, lights, map, charger and training. Pick up and delivery to your location is available in both Arlington VA or Washington D.C.for an extra fee.
5. Gulf Branch Nature Center
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 6 reviews
Reviewed By SherlockHolmesRun - Falls Church, United States
I haven't been inside the nature center itself (closed due to the pandemic), but had a truly fantastic time outdoors. I live nearby but had never heard of this place until I saw a photo on instagram. Turns out there's a wonderful little hike with amazing views-- and hardly anyone on the trail! The nature center itself is lovely and picturesque with plenty of places to sit and well-tended garden beds. You'll find a pond teeming with life-- at my visit in late February, I saw and heard more frogs in one place than I'd ever witnessed before and must have spent at least 20 minutes watching them. There's also a historic log cabin, a blacksmith shop, a place for outdoor fire pits, and a caged barred owl that can no longer fly. Oh, and the namesake stream, Gulf Branch, flowing through the grounds. There are a few little walking trail loops that lead into neighboring parks and neighborhoods. These are nice for walking a dog or small child, or for entering the park another way if the small parking lot is full, but this is not the reason to visit. The main trail is actually starts across the street, which may be why it was so empty on a beautiful day. It's about a 2 mile loop, so a very manageable length for a hike, but there's some climbing and rock-hopping involved that will require agility! Cross Military Road on foot from the parking lot and you'll see a butterfly garden. There are two paths on either side of the stream-- take either one, as it's a loop trail, and you can come back the opposite way. This peaceful wooded walk follows the stream as it gets increasingly wider and higher. In the winter, you'll be able to see backyards of neighboring houses, but the rugged trail does feel rather wild. There are several little foot bridges to cross, but you'll also have to cross the stream at times, hopping over rocks to get to the other side as part of the trail vanishes, which is a lot of fun. Pay attention and you may see hawks or other birds of prey roosting in the trees! The end of the trail (or, rather, the middle, since as I said, it's a loop) is where things get exciting. Cross underneath the George Washington Parkway and you'll reach cascading waterfalls and a stunning view of the Potomac River! There are two small overlooks (no railings here, so be very careful, especially if you have kids-- it's quite high up) where you can sit on a rock and watch the peaceful view and birds, or glimpse DC across the river. You can also climb down the waterfall if you're careful-- railings are built into the rocks, but no footholds, and one of the railings is a bit loose-- and enjoy part of the Potomac Heritage Trail along the 'beach.' It almost reminded me of a suburban version of a Shenandoah National Park hike. In the winter, there are no leaves to obstruct the view of the water, though it also means the other side of the river looks a bit grim. I'm excited to come back and see it in the other seasons, when the view is less clear but perhaps a bit more colorful! We only ran into 3 other families on the trail and nobody at the overlooks. Although it wasn't a long hike, we spent almost 3 hours there due to enjoying the scenery and the animals at the nature center. I highly recommend this hidden gem in Arlington!
6. Go Ape Zipline & Adventure Park
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 65 reviews
Go Ape is an unparalleled outdoor adventure experience in Springfield, Virginia. Guests tackle dangling obstacles, explore the trees from a new perspective and fly around on multiple ziplines from exciting heights. The Treetop Adventure and Treetop Journey ropes courses blend in with the forest environment, fostering a sense of natural wonder.
7. Inside Ski Training Center
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 107 reviews
Year-round indoor skiing and snowboarding on a large infinite slope. A professional instructor controls the speed and the pitch of the slope as the rider progresses. A mirror at the base and the instructor provide immediate feedback. All equipment provided and reservations are required. Important COVID-19 Update: Please wear a mask at all times and observe 6 feet of social distancing. Group lessons must be from the same household. All other lessons must be booked and billed as a private. Lessons are available every other hour to allow us to sanitize between students. Please limit extra spectators to 2.
Reviewed By bigmamma2021
Awesome lessons for me and my 11 yr old son! Great instructors and nice indoor ski slope! We’ve been going for 4 lessons so far and all were fantastic!
8. Pedego Electric Bikes
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 95 reviews
• Pedego Electric Bikes sales, rentals, and service • Cycling accessories boutique • Small, family-owned, local business • Our shop is huddled in Old Town Alexandria, just off King Street and the Mount Vernon Trail. Pedego e-bikes are the most user-friendly, comfortable, and accessible transportation choice. They also accommodate passengers such as children or small pets. It’s fun for everyone! Call to reserve a rental, or walk-in to our store. We're only a half-hour ride from the heart of D.C. and a 40 minute spin to Mount Vernon. We’ll give you a lock and helmet, help you plan your route, and connect you to local attractions. We make it easy to reach performance venues, sports stadiums, festivals and other events, as well as to scoot between museums, college campuses, historic landmarks and other sites- without the hassles of traffic, parking, or sweat!
9. Epic Pilates Studio
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 3 reviews
Voted "2018 New Business of the Year" by The McLean Chamber of Commerce. Epic Pilates Studio is a fully-equipped, purely Pilates studio offering Contemporary & Classical Pilates instruction to men and women of all ages. Our talented & professional instructors use Reformers, Chairs, Cadillac/Trapeze, Springboards, etc. in a bright & clean environment. Easy parking right outside our studio door.
10. Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 31 reviews
Park composed of three seperate trails, perfect for hiking and biking.
Reviewed By 25wallace79 - McLean, United States
Have loved this place for over 30 years and so happy they never made it a “park”. There’s very little man-made influence here; a few trash cans and benches with some signs near the parking area. Trails are marked by painted color squares in mature trees. It’s a conservatory park meaning no vehicles like motorized bikes, regular bicycles, firearms and camping or campfires. You’ll see horseback riders and hikers and lots of dogs. And that’s nice because it keeps it quiet and safe without speeding bikers taking over the single track paths. I’m an avid cyclist and would love to ride here but it’s not meant for that. My children loved the secluded feel almost like going back in time. There’s part of the canal still in tact from George Washington’s time. I am there at least three times a week with my dog and make an effort to collect trash I see. I hope they never develop this place or make it a formal park. I was reluctant even to write a review that would attract people who will misuse the park but it’s such a great place. If you like natural woods with nothing faster than an occasional jogger, come enjoy this great place.
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