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Suggest a Feature →Northern Virginia & the National Capital Region
All the benefits of DC. All the traffic of DC.
Fort Belvoir sits in Fairfax County on the Virginia side of the Potomac — 15 miles south of the Pentagon, 20 miles from the National Mall. This is Northern Virginia: one of the wealthiest, most educated, and most traffic-congested regions in America. The access to DC's cultural institutions is unmatched. The cost of living is punishing.
Northern Virginia has its own attractions beyond DC — the wine country of the Northern Shenandoah Valley is an hour west, the Outer Banks are 4 hours south, and Old Town Alexandria (adjacent to post) is one of the most beautiful historic urban neighborhoods in America. The challenge is not finding things to do. The challenge is affording to do them and getting there without sitting in traffic for two hours.
Must Eat
The spots worth eating at before you PCS out.
The Majestic (Old Town Alexandria)
"Old Town's beloved neighborhood restaurant. Virginia-sourced, serious food."
A long-running Old Town institution on King Street with Virginia-sourced ingredients, excellent cocktails, and a dining room that manages to feel both upscale and comfortable. One of the best restaurants in the DC suburbs.
Don't Look Back (Alexandria)
"The best tacos in Northern Virginia."
A tiny taco shop on the edge of Old Town that makes tacos with house-made tortillas, proper meats, and a salsa bar that earns its real estate. Always a line. Always worth it.
Vermilion (Alexandria)
"Seasonal Mid-Atlantic cooking. One of Old Town's finest."
A seasonally-driven Mid-Atlantic restaurant with a commitment to Virginia and regional sourcing, an exceptional cocktail program, and cooking that justifies the price. The tasting menu is worth considering for special occasions.
Outdoor
Get outside. The land around military installations is usually the best reason to be there.
Mason Neck State Park
"Bald eagle nesting colony. Kayak the Potomac shoreline."
The Virginia wildlife management area and state park on the Mason Neck peninsula adjacent to Belvoir has one of the largest bald eagle nesting concentrations on the East Coast. Kayak rentals and boat launches give access to the Potomac tributary creeks where eagles are regularly visible.
Culture & History
Places with stories. Most military towns sit on deep history — dig in.
Old Town Alexandria Historic District
"George Washington's hometown. Among the finest 18th-century urban streetscapes in America."
Old Town Alexandria — adjacent to Fort Belvoir — is a remarkably intact 18th-century river town. King Street runs from the Potomac waterfront to the historic district, lined with Georgian and Federal architecture, independently-owned restaurants and shops, and the Torpedo Factory Art Center (a converted WWII torpedo factory now housing 84 working artist studios).
Family
Stuff to do with the kids. Rated by people who have brought actual children.
National Zoo (Washington DC)
"The Smithsonian zoo. Giant pandas, great apes, elephants. Free."
The Smithsonian's National Zoological Park in Rock Creek Park is free admission and houses over 1,800 animals across 163 acres. The giant panda exhibit is the anchor. Free parking is essentially non-existent — take Metro.
Day Trips
When you need to remember there's a world outside the gate.
"Skyline Drive. Fall foliage that stops traffic for good reason."
Shenandoah National Park runs 105 miles along the Blue Ridge Mountains, with Skyline Drive running the length. Over 500 miles of hiking trails, including Old Rag Mountain (one of the most popular hikes in the Mid-Atlantic). Fall foliage season (late October) is spectacular and crowded — go on a weekday.
"Jefferson's home, UVA, and Virginia wine country."
Charlottesville anchors the Virginia Piedmont — Thomas Jefferson's Monticello, the University of Virginia (the nation's most beautiful campus), and over 30 wineries within 30 minutes. The Downtown Mall is excellent for a meal and a walk.
Metro is your friend. The Yellow Line from Huntington Station reaches DC in 25 minutes without the traffic nightmare.
Virginia has an outstanding craft beer and wine scene. The Northern Virginia wine trail (Loudoun County, Fauquier County) is 45–60 minutes away.
The Mount Vernon Trail along the Potomac connects Alexandria to Mount Vernon (9 miles) and is one of the finest paved trail runs in the country.
Get the National Parks pass immediately. You will use it constantly in this region.
Avoid I-395 and I-95 southbound from 3–7pm on weekdays. Full stop.
Northern Virginia traffic is a quality-of-life issue, not an inconvenience. A 12-mile commute can take 45 minutes. Location, Metro access, and reverse-commute options should drive your housing decision before price does.
This guide is built by people who've been stationed here. If there's a spot we got wrong or a gem we missed, tell us.