Location: Vienna
Top Things to do in Vienna
- 1. NRA National Firearms Museum
- 2. Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts
- 3. Great Falls Park
- 4. Billy Goat Trail
- 5. 1st Stage
- 6. Surf Reston - Stand Up Paddleboarding
- 7. Arlington National Cemetery
- 8. Tysons Corner Center
- 9. Meadowlark Botanical Garden
- 10. Great Falls Tavern Visitor Center
Top 10 Things to do in Vienna, United States
Vienna (/viˈɛnə/) is a town in Fairfax County, Virginia, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, it had a population of 15,687. Significantly more people live in ZIP codes with the Vienna postal addresses (22180, 22181, and 22182) bordered approximately by Interstate 66 on the south, Interstate 495 on the east, Route 7 to the north, and Hunter Mill road to the west.
Restaurants in Vienna
1. NRA National Firearms Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 336 reviews
Small museum that highlights the long history of firearms.
Reviewed By D2821ITroberts - Heathsville, Virginia
Even if you don’t support the 2nd Amendment the history of firearms is spectacular. Those who enjoy firearms will be amazed at the inventory and match grade guns on display along with write ups and brief history of the weapons on display.
If you have ever just seen in a book guns this museum gives you up close looks of weapons from their inception.
Make sure you a lot three or more hours as you wonder the museum at your own pace and get a history lesson along your tour.
2. Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 587 reviews
The only national park dedicated to the performing arts, with spaces for indoor and outdoor performances.
Reviewed By Alberta S - Washington DC, District of Columbia
We went with a group of friends and sat upstairs in the balcony are. These were perfect seats, you could see everything with no obstruction. This is not a large building so the performance was intimate. Loved the rustic atmosphere.
This was a great location for a music performance.
The seating was comfortable. Parking was easy.
3. Great Falls Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1 reviews
An 800 acre park located just off the Potomac river.
Reviewed By Bodacious123 - Atlanta, Georgia
This place is a real treat.
Its easy to find- you have two choices, depending on where you are coming from. We were on the Virginia side, so we got the full visitors Center experience.
Start your visit at the visitors center. Learn about what you are about to see. The history of the are is surprising- the use of locks on the river for navigation of the river for trade, life in the area, animal life, etc.
The falls themselves are beautiful. The sheer power that you feel as you watch the water thunder down the rocks is impressive. We were luck y to visit the park after some rain, so the water was in full display.
Families can visit this are in less than an hour- depending on the attention span of everyone. We spent about 2 hours there and didn't see everything. Bring your hiking shoes
4. Billy Goat Trail
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 222 reviews
Reviewed By tikidream - bethesda, md
This is one of our favorite hikes. It is a moderate to strenuous hike with some rock scrambling. In the summer bring water and year round bring a snack and enjoy the scenery.
5. 1st Stage
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 7 reviews
Reviewed By mrsagf - washington dc
Literally hidden--in a light industrial pocket, behind an auto body shop in the posh Tysons Corner area. But the hunt is worth it. We have been to two enjoyable productions here in the last year, one an old chestnut, one a more recent play in current circulation. There is something endearing about a tiny theater (100 seats? 200?) and enthusiastic producers. And, heaven knows, this area needs some good entertainment besides shopping and eating.
6. Surf Reston - Stand Up Paddleboarding
Overall Ratings
5 based on 74 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
Reviewed By susanP4777YT
I wanted our family to try out stand up paddle boarding. I searched online and found Surf Reston. The website was well organized and we arrived at the starting point with no trouble. Steve Gurney gave an excellent, articulate, easy-to-follow instructions on how to use the paddle board. My teenaged kids and I had such a good time that we can't wait to go back to Lake Anne or try other lakes with his organization.
7. Arlington National Cemetery
Overall Ratings
5 based on 8 reviews
Veterans of every American war from the Revolution to the country's most recent conflicts are buried at Arlington, which was officially declared a military cemetery in 1864. Among the more than 260,000 dead are three unidentified service members, buried at the Tomb of the Unknowns, and John F. Kennedy, whose gravesite is marked by an eternal flame.
Reviewed By JWWA - Everett, Washington
We took the Metro over to the cemetery and just found our way to the places we wanted to see. Since most people go to the same spots it was easier to navigate since we just followed the crowd.
You will need to bring your patience for being around the school groups. They were a little rowdy and sometimes it was the chaperones being loud too.
Anyone that isn’t in good shape to do all the walking up hills may want to take a tram. It will be a while before I beat the number of floors my iPhone says we did as we walked that day.
8. Tysons Corner Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 331 reviews
As one of the top 10 shopping centers in the country, Tysons Corner Center offers an unbeatable mix of more than 300 department and specialty stores. Tysons' "who's who" of retailers includes Nordstrom, Bloomingdale's, Macy's, Lord & Taylor, American Girl, L.L. Bean, Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Michael Kors, Lacoste, Spanx, Apple, The Disney Store and more. Tysons Corner Center also offers a 16-screen stadium seating and IMAX 3D AMC Theatre, fine and casual dining restaurants, a food court and a National Geographic sponsored children's play area. The new outdoor Plaza at Tysons Corner hosts events throughout the year and provides a number of eateries with cafe seating. The new 310 room luxury Hyatt Regency Hotel at Tysons Corner Center is the perfect respite from a busy day of shopping.
Reviewed By Rita of the River - Severna Park, Maryland
Used to live near Tysons and thought nothing of running there after work to just browse. But with traffic and parking and having moved it had been awhile. So my recent trip was a treat which did not disappoint. My favorite store Nordstrom was first stop because they have the best selection of shoes to fit any foot. And I can always find upscale clothes there. But really any store has great clothes - I found great clothes at Talbots's and Lord and Taylor's. And my husband even wanted to go by Macy's. Instead of going through all the stores we visited (including LL Bean), just go and walk around. Watch the food prep on the upper level looking down on the scene. Fascinating. And don't miss the Tesla store where you can sit in a Tesla. Watch a movie at the theaters and eat at a good restaurant. You can spend a day there.
9. Meadowlark Botanical Garden
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 264 reviews
Reviewed By Jeff_and_family - Vienna, VA USA
Meadowlark is a serene park to stroll and appreciate the flora. They have a huge variety of plants and flowers. Most have signage but in some cases you are left scratching your head to figure out what you are looking at. It's a marvelous place for photographers in warm weather with the flowers in bloom, and waterfowl in the pond. There are also koi and turtles in the pond, fun for the younger ones to see. I don't have young children anymore but I would think that a visit of any longer than an hour would bore them; there aren't activities or sites particular geared towards kids. There is a small Korean garden funded by donors.
In the winter they set up what must be hundreds of thousands of lights, some animated, for a stunning after-dark spectacle. I believe it takes them months to set it up. The walk is accessible, on a continuous asphalt walkway, but it's dark so someone who needs really solid footing may have an issue.
With their gorgeous natural backdrops, they host a lot of weddings and photo shoots for proms.
10. Great Falls Tavern Visitor Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 70 reviews
Reviewed By MoJoTours - Scotland, United Kingdom
The National Park Service really have done a great job of keeping the history of this old canal alive as well as transforming it into a superb recreational area for walking, hiking and cycling. Entry fee to the parking lot is $5 a person or $10 a car, valid for three days. The visitor centre is very informative, staffed by helpful NP staff and volunteers. We went on a Sunday to try to get a canal boat towed by the mules, but unfortunately the water level was too low for the boats to operate. Instead however, we were able to meet one of the mules, up close and personal, at the back of the visitor centre and listen to a really informative talk on the mules from their NP handler.
A short walk from the visitor centre takes you to Great Falls overlook, which was beautiful but there are many other greater falls than these!!!
Back outside the visitor centre, you could hire a bicycle for FREE for two hours, an ideal way to get along the canal path quicker than walking. Full marks to the volunteers providing this service...especially the kids who were amazingly helpful!
All in all a great place to spend some recreational time ........and if the water level is high enough, spend a few moments in the past!!!
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