VIRGINIA
DAY TRIPS
BY JAYNE CLARK
Prince William Forest Park
Photo: TrailVoice
You could spend weeks on the
National Mall and see only a
fraction of what’s there. But even
fi rst-time visitors to Washington
should consider venturing across
the Potomac to Virginia to
experience more of this dynamic
region. Three suggestions for
exploring what lies beyond D.C. Historic Places since 1970. Classic storefronts
now house one-of-a-kind shops, antiques
stores and small restaurants. The area is a
burgeoning wine region, with 10 or so wineries,
vineyards or tasting rooms within city limits. If
you’re in need of serious retail therapy, head to
Leesburg Corner Premium Outlets for dozens
more stores. Fans of historic homes have a
choice of three stately abodes that are open
for public tours: The Marshall House, Morven
Park, and Oatlands Plantation.
LEESBURG, VA. DON’T MISS
Ball’s Bluff Battlefi eld, site of an early Civil War
Confederate victory. Interpretive trails lead
to a dramatic bluff overlooking the Potomac
River. There’s also a small National Cemetery
on the site.
Distance from downtown D.C.: 40 miles
Leesburg outgrew its rural roots decades
ago, but at its core, this bustling Washington
exurb retains a small-town ambiance. Its
narrow, but walkable downtown streets are
lined with stone and brick buildings that date
to the mid-1700s. The well-preserved Historic
District has been on the National Registry of
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PRINCE WILLIAM FOREST PARK,
TRIANGLE, VA.
Distance from downtown D.C.: 32 miles
Established in 1936 to house children’s
“relief” camps during the Depression, this
often-overlooked gem harbors Northern
Virginia’s most extensive trail network. With
37 miles of paths on 15,000 acres, it off ers lots
of variety in terrain and features. The paths
lead to the remnants of a 19th century pyrite
mine, former settlement sites, pristine lakes,
and New Deal era cabins. The park is also a
popular spot for both on- and off -road cycling,
with 12-plus miles of paved roads and nine
miles of gravel roads to explore. Historical fun
fact: During World War II, the area was used
as a spy-training facility by the OSS, precursor
to the CIA.
DON’T MISS
The National Museum of the Marine Corps,