Visiting Northern Virginia and DC soon, any suggestions?

[gerbilthemistake]

So i am going to be visiting my father in two weeks, he lives in Gainesville, VA. I'll be there for about a week and should have access to a car. Other than visiting the museums (in DC), where else should i go? Any interesting places for photos or camera stores worth visiting? My sister lives in DC, but i dont know how much she can help me with things like that.

Thanks

 

[dexdog]

Gainesvillle is pretty close to Shenandoah National Park, which is located about an hour or so the west. Very scenic, especially if you hike to the top of some of the higher hills, although nice views also available from the road (Skyline Drive).

Manassas Battlefield National Military Park is very close, in Manassas VA, of all places. Several historic structures, lots of cannons, woods, fields, scenic hills, etc.

Udvar-Hazy unit of Smithsonian Air & Space museum located near Dulles Airport. Lots of cool planes, if you like that sorta thing. Brian Sweeney and Nikon Kiu have taken lots of photos in this place

Try a search of the RFF database- I know that this topic has come up before. Use digitalintrigues search engine, which appeared in a recent thread- it is much better than the nearly worthless RFF search engine

 

[david.elliott]

There is the national zoo in DC.

Baltimore Aquarium isnt too far away.

Be sure to check out the National Arboretum too.

You could drive out to the eastern shore for some fun at the beach. 🙂

Check out the various monuments and political buildings in and around DC - washington monument, lincoln memorial, reflecting pool, capitol building, supreme court, etc.

Hm. Before breakfast that is all I can think of off the top of my head. If I think of anything else, I will let you know.

Enjoy being in town!!

 

[gerbilthemistake]

Thanks for the responses. I tried mapquest for directions to virginia beach, its lookin to be a 2-3 hour drive, I'd like to squeeze that in if possible. Hopefully the weather will be on my side. 😀