Top Reasons to Go

Take a Moment to Reflect at Arlington National Cemetery: See Arlington House and its Washington view; learn about prominent early Virginia families: Washington, Custis, Randolph, and Lee. Visit the Tomb of the Unknowns, the Kennedy graves, and those of other famous Americans, all within these sacred grounds.

Get to Know the First President at Mount Vernon: Visit the historic estate and learn about George Washington's many contributions as a farmer, patriot, general, and president. See his threshing barn, gristmill, distillery, and personal artifacts, both in his home and in the on-site museum's interactive displays.

Return to the First Battle of the Civil War: Explore the site of the first Civil War battle at Manassas National Battlefield Park in the peaceful Virginia countryside. A second Battle of Manassas lasted three days and resulted in 3,300 killed. (The Confederacy won both battles.)

Wonder at the Views in Great Falls: Visit the scenic fall line of the Potomac River, a barrier to upriver navigation that necessitated settlements at Georgetown and Alexandria and the Patowmack Canal, remnants of which are in the park, and later the C&O Canal.