Explore Northern Virginia’s exceptional blend of nature, rich history and culture
A beautiful autumn season, rich history and edifying museums all bring visitors and relocators to Northern Virginia. Virginia.org says the region offers “the culture of two different worlds combining cosmopolitan skylines and country star-lit skies.” Those seeking perks such as recreation, culture and excellent dining may want to considering buying a home in Northern Virginia!
Recreation
Washington and Old Dominion Railroad Regional Park
Visitors to this regional park can enjoy sports, trails, horseback riding, hiking, biking, playgrounds and more.
Bull Run Regional Park
Bull Run Regional Park offers a variety of activities such as archery, a festival of lights, birthday parties, fishing, picnic spaces, soccer fields and special events.
Museums
Haymarket Museum
The Haymarket Museum features exhibits about the 18th Century, Antebellum Period, Civil War Reconstruction and the 20th Century. The exhibits change regularly, so visitors will enjoy coming more than once.
Mount Vernon
History buffs won’t want to skip a visit to George Washington’s home. Here, you can visit the expansive estate, see the beautiful gardens, learn more about George Washington and meet the animals who live at Mount Vernon.
National Air and Space Museum Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center
Locals appreciate this companion to the National Air and Space Museum in DC. Visitors to the Udvar-Hazy Center can view a number of aviation and space artifacts, as well as an IMAX® Theater, Observation Tower, lectures and events.
Dining
Northern Virginia has a range of impressive dining options. Here are just a taste of the choices you’ll have when you visit this exciting region.
Blue Ridge Seafood
If you enjoy seafood, Blue Ridge Seafood, may be for you. Be sure to try the hot crab & lobster dip, oysters Rockefeller or the surf & turf.
Musashi Japanese Steakhouse
This Hibachi restaurant is both fun and delicious. Meals come with soup, salad, rice, choice of meat and more.
Clarity
Clarity has a delicious menu that changes daily based on the freshest available ingredients. The chef is very accommodating to guests with special requests and allergies. The menu even lists the origin of the main ingredient.
Moving to the Northern Virginia area
A popular relocation destination, the cities and suburbs in Northern Virginia have something for every homebuyer. New construction homes available in the following areas allow residents to enjoy the ease of convenience of a brand new home with quick access to DC amenities. As a relocator, you may want to consider the following Northern Virginia cities:
Gainesville and Haymarket:
Gainesville and Haymarket are suburban cities located only 30 minutes from DC. Easy access to I-66, Lee Highway and US-15 offers residents the ability to work in DC and spend free time in the countryside.
The area includes new shops, specialty stores, farms, trails, parks and restaurants. Despite these amenities, the Gainesville/Haymarket area is still a quaint place for families to call home. The cities have many farm vegetable stands and scenic drives.
Gainesville and Haymarket also have an excellent mix of old and new. Local homeowners enjoy spending time at Splash Down Waterpark, Skyline Drive, wineries and golf courses. History buffs will appreciate visiting local landmarks. And shoppers will love having The Promenade at Virginia Gateway nearby.
Commuters can look forward to a proposed Gainesville railway station for VRE (Virginia Railway Express) that is scheduled to open in 2022, connecting the region via commuter rail to Fairfax County, Manassas and Washington, D.C.
Bristow:
Bristow is a suburban city conveniently located with quick access to Virginia Route 28 and Virginia Route 215, only 15 minutes from Gainesville so residents can enjoy the conveniences of both cities.
Bristow homeowners have access to the Blue Ridge Mountains, Shenandoah Valley, the Inn at Little Washington, Luray Caverns, Jiffy Lube Live outdoor concert venue, wine tastings and tours.
Ashburn:
Located 30 minutes from DC, this growing suburb offers a peaceful setting near modern conveniences. Ashburn’s location is near Dulles International Airport, perfect for frequent travelers. Located within the Dulles Technology Corridor, Ashburn is also home to many high-tech businesses. Commuters can work in Tysons Corner and Reston.
Enjoyable attractions in the area include Ashburn Park, Chibis Indoor Playground, Trailside Park, Bles Park and Edgar Tillet Memorial Park. Ashburn homeowners often spend free time at Topgolf Loudoun, Ashburn Ice House, Brambleton Park Golf Course, Alamo Cinema Drafthouse and Fly Loudoun. Shoppers can take advantage of Tysons Corner Mall and Leesburg Outlets.
Aldie:
Aldie Middleburg in Loudoun County provides homebuyers with a rural setting with an easy commute to major employment centers. Natural attractions near Aldie include the Blue Ridge and Bull Run Mountains, which offer many hiking and camping opportunities at Bull Run Park.
Aldie is also known for its pre-Civil War sites, with historic Mt. Zion Church and Aldie Mill nearby. Wonderful wineries, riding academies, access to the Manassas Battlefields and scenic drives on Virginia by-ways are all at your doorstep in this charming region.
Shoppers will not be disappointed! In warm weather there is a Farmer’s Market only a mile away. Leesburg and Middleburg both have cute little boutiques, nice restaurants and historic buildings to tour. And the quaint boutiques of Middleburg make for a fun day out with great restaurants such as the Red Fox Inn and Goodstone Inn. The Dulles Town Center, Fair Oaks Mall and Dulles Landing are also close by.
Be sure to visit during one of the two annual festivals: Treasures on the Turnpike (May) and the Harvest Festival (October).
Stafford:
A city rich in history, Stafford has both a suburban and peaceful country feel. The city is conveniently located off I-95, just 10 miles north of Fredericksburg, 40 miles south of DC and 60 miles north of Richmond.
Enjoyable outdoor spaces in Stafford include Parks at Embrey Mill and the Augustine Golf Club. Tourists in Stafford often visit historic sites such as the Aquia Episcopal Church (one of the oldest churches in America; still used today), White Oak Civil War Museum, Maranatha Alpaca Farm, Riverside Theater, Ferry Farm and Government Island.
Stafford residents enjoy a variety of restaurants and shopping options, including Shops at Amyclae and Parkside Plaza. Potomac Point Winery & Vineyard is a must-see destination as well.
The Marine Corps Base Quantico and Fort Belvoir are also nearby.
Stephens City:
Stephens City is a historic colonial town centered between the Blue Ridge Mountains and Appalachian Mountains. Stephens City has easy access to major roads such as I-81, U.S. Route 60, U.S. Route 50 and U.S. Route 522.
Residents of Stephens City will find attractions such as the Family-Drive in Theatre, Alamo Drafthouse Cinema and Old Town Winchester. A large section of the center of the town, including buildings and homes, is part of the Newtown-Stephensburg Historic District and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1992. DC is about 65 miles to the east, while Baltimore is just over 80 miles to the northeast.
Berryville:
Berryville boasts the beautiful Shenandoah Valley, Blue Ridge Mountains and serene countryside. Residents enjoy a historic downtown area and nearby Leesburg Outlets just a short drive away.
Homeowners in Berryville have access to Charles Town, Front Royal, Winchester and Leesburg. U.S. Route 340, Virginia State Route 7 both pass through Berryville, allowing a convenient drive to a number of other cities.
Berryville has small-town charm with the Clarke County Farmers Market and Clarke County Fair.
Search new homes in Northern Virginia, starting from the low $300s at RichmondAmerican.com. local New Home Specialists are well-versed in the area and can help point you in the right direction during your new home search. Call us today 888.891.7349.