Attractions and Places To See around Fairfax - Top 19

Fairfax offers several natural attractions. You can visit Kroger Hills, a 217-acre nature preserve featuring old-growth forest, restored prairie, and grassland, with the Miami River flowing through it. Other notable natural features in the broader Fairfax County area include Great Falls Park, Burke Lake Park, Meadowlark Botanical Gardens, and Huntley Meadows Park, all offering diverse outdoor experiences.

Yes, Fairfax is rich in history. The Historic Fairfax (Old Town Fairfax) area features numerous historic buildings like the Marr Monument, Old Town Hall, and the Fairfax Court House. The Fairfax Museum and Visitor Center is a great starting point. Beyond the immediate city, you can explore significant sites such as George Washington's Mount Vernon, Gunston Hall (home of George Mason), Sully Historic Site, and Historic Blenheim, known for its Civil War graffiti.

Fairfax and its surroundings offer many family-friendly options. The Serpentine Wall is a popular spot for picnics along the Ohio River. You can also find the fun Cincinnati Flying Pig Statues scattered across the city, which are wheelchair and family-friendly. The Geologic Timeline at Cincinnati Riverfront offers an educational walk with fossilized remains. For more active fun, Water Mine Family Swimmin' Hole is a Western-themed water park, and Frying Pan Farm Park provides a living-history farm experience.

Absolutely! The Ohio River Trail is a 22-mile path running alongside downtown Cincinnati, perfect for relaxed walks or cycling with picnic opportunities. For more extensive hiking, explore routes like the Armleder Trail or the Ridge, Bur Oak, Cliff and Tree Trail Loop. You can find more details on these and other trails in our guide to Hiking around Fairfax. Cyclists can enjoy routes like the Little Miami Scenic Trail or the Wasson Way, detailed in our guide to Cycling around Fairfax.

Beyond historical buildings, Fairfax features unique man-made attractions. The Serpentine Wall along the Ohio River is a distinctive wavy structure popular for views and picnics. The Cincinnati Flying Pig Statues offer a whimsical cultural touch, celebrating the city's history. The Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly houses an impressive collection of aviation and space artifacts, including a Concorde and the space shuttle Discovery.

Yes, several attractions are designed to be wheelchair-accessible. The Serpentine Wall and the Cincinnati Flying Pig Statues are both noted as wheelchair-friendly. Additionally, many parks in Fairfax County, such as Mason Neck State Park, offer accessible boardwalks and paved paths with water views.

For scenic views, the Serpentine Wall offers great perspectives of the Ohio River and bridges into Kentucky. The Ohio River Trail also provides numerous spots for relaxed picnics with river views. Great Falls Park is renowned for its breathtaking views of the Potomac River's Great Falls, and Lake Accotink Park offers serene lake views.

Fairfax offers attractions year-round, but the best time often depends on your preferred activities. Spring and fall provide pleasant weather for outdoor exploration, hiking, and enjoying botanical gardens like Meadowlark. Summer is ideal for water activities at places like Water Mine Family Swimmin' Hole. Historic sites and museums, such as the Fairfax Museum and Visitor Center or the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, are excellent choices regardless of the season.

Yes, for those traveling with pets, Kroger Hills nature preserve is noted as dog-friendly, offering trails through old-growth forest and grassland. Many of the outdoor parks and trails in Fairfax County, such as Burke Lake Park and the Washington & Old Dominion (W&OD) Trail, also welcome dogs, often requiring them to be on a leash.

Visitors particularly enjoy the blend of natural beauty and unique man-made features. The riverfront areas, like those around the Serpentine Wall and the Ohio River Trail, are popular for their scenic views and picnic opportunities. The educational and historical aspects, such as the Geologic Timeline at Cincinnati Riverfront, also receive positive feedback for providing a fascinating insight into the area's past.

While not entirely hidden, places like Dyke Marsh Wildlife Preserve offer a unique experience as one of the largest mudflats in the DC area, making it a haven for birdwatching and wildlife spotting. Scott's Run Nature Preserve provides wooded trails, sparkling streams, and a stunning waterfall, offering a more secluded natural escape compared to larger parks.

Fairfax has a vibrant arts scene. EagleBank Arena, on the George Mason University campus, hosts concerts and family-friendly events. The Fairfax Symphony Orchestra performs regularly at the George Mason University Center For The Arts. Additionally, the Workhouse Arts Center provides a space for various arts and cultural experiences, and the NextStop Theatre Company in nearby Herndon offers plays in a relaxed environment.