Meadowlark Botanical Gardens
Credit: Visit Fairfax
SPRING
FAIRFAX COUNTY
Springtime in the National Capital Region is truly something to behold. In Fairfax County, Virginia— located just west of Washington, D. C. and in the heart of Northern Virginia— visitors can embrace the changing of the seasons at an array of premiere historic attractions, world-class arts performances, lush outdoor parks and gardens, and can partake in countless exciting special events. Here are just three of the many spectacular reasons to visit Fairfax County this spring.
George Washington’ s Mount Vernon— the iconic home of America’ s first president and an enduring reminder of the life and legacy of the Father of the Country— will celebrate the General’ s 286th birthday during its annual Presidents Day Weekend events. The estate, which is open to the public year-round and is one of the most visited historic sites in America, brings together an authentically interpreted 18th-century home, interactive museum galleries, immersive programs, special events, and historical demonstrations. During Washington’ s Birthday Celebration, guests can visit with and hear stories from George and Martha, watch dancing and military demonstrations, observe wreathlayings at the Tomb, enjoy hoecakes in honor of Washington’ s birthday and much more. Washington’ s Birthday Celebration takes place February 17-19. Admission to Mount Vernon is free on February 19 and Washington’ s actual birthday, February 22.
The National Cherry Blossom Festival is one of the best reasons to visit the Washington, D. C. area each spring, but the Tidal Basin
isn’ t the only place to see those famous blossoms. Across the river, Fairfax County also revels in the splendor of the season with official Festival events, cherry blossom-themed exhibits, self-guided garden tours and activities celebrating Japanese culture and heritage. Don’ t miss the Glorious Gardens Tour of three of Fairfax County’ s most pristine gardens— River Farm, a historic 25-acre site once owned by George Washington and now headquarters for the American Horticultural Society; Meadowlark Botanical Gardens, home to a stunning display of 100 lakeside cherry trees and the only public Korean Bell Garden in the Western Hemisphere; and Green Spring Gardens, a haven for nature lovers with demonstration gardens, native plants, a museum, and a national historic site. The 2018 National Cherry Blossom Festival takes place March 20 – April 15.
Cirque du Soleil will bring its innovative and imaginative new production of LUZIA to Fairfax County this spring, as one of only two stops on the East Coast. LUZIA takes its audience to an imaginary Mexico, like in a waking dream, where light quenches the spirit and rain soothes the soul. The production cleverly brings to the stage the multiple places, faces, and sounds of Mexico taken from both tradition and modernity. Rich in awe-inspiring moments, LUZIA enchants by incorporating rain into acrobatic and artistic scenes— a first for a Cirque du Soleil touring production. LUZIA will premiere April 13 under the 62-ft. high Big Top at Tysons II, accessible via the Tysons Corner Center Metrorail line.
Find more events and travel ideas at www. fxva. com.
Cirque du Soleil: LUZIA
Credit: Matt Beard, 2017 Cirque du Soleil
FLYWASHINGTON. COM 58 SPRING 2018