Built to defend the river approach to Washington, DC, Fort Washington (then known as Fort Warburton) was completed December 1, 1809. When the War of 1812 started, General William Winder sent orders to Captain Samuel Dyson, “to advance a guard up to the main road upon all the roads leading to the fort, and in the event of his being taken in the rear of the fort by the enemy, to blow up the fort and retire across the river.” After Washington was burned by the British Capt. Dyson gave the order to blow up Fort Washington.

After the War of 1812 the government began preparing for a new fortification system to resist the next American-European war.

The current historic fort was initially constructed in 1824. It is a stone structure with a good cannon shot down the Potomac River. The fort was extensively remodeled in the 1840s and 1890s. The Fort was turned over to the U..S. Department of the Interior in 1946 after its last military personnel departed.

The Fort Washington Lighthouse, located below the fort, was established in 1857.

The current tower, standing 28 feet tall, was constructed in 1882.

There is no charge for entry.

13551 Fort Washington Road

Fort Washington, MD 20744

Fountain Cave, once a commercial cave with thousands of visitors coming to see its magnificent formations and five pools, Fountain Cave was closed by its owners almost 100 years ago.

The two hour long cave experience, allows visitors (with helmets, knee pads, and gloves) will have the opportunity to explore as cavers do, by crawling and climbing, however those that don’t want the full caver experience can stay on the path with the tour guides.

There are no lights inside the cavern, your headlamp is the only source of light. The guides carry extra flashlights in case of emergencies. Visitors use to do the tour by candlelight only.

There are several water pools and formations underground. When your lights hits the formations it’s truly a breathtaking adventure. There are some tight spaces but it’s a very mild natural cave and isn’t an extreme challenge, perfect for the first time caver.

Note: Closed toed shoes or boots, long sleeve shirt and long pants are required. And call in advance for reservations as the slots fill up fast.

Located at

5 Grand Caverns Drive, Grottoes, Virginia 24441

Grand Caverns was discovered in 1804 by Bernard (Barnette) Weyer while trying to retrieve one of his traps. Weyers Cave opened for tours in 1806, making it the oldest continually operating show cave in the U.S. The caverns were also called the Grottoes of the Shenandoah until named Grand Caverns in 1926. Grand Caverns was declared a National Natural Landmark in 1973.

Grand Caverns has been open continually since 1806. During the Civil War and the “Valley Campaign” the cave was visited by both Confederate and Union soldiers. There are over 200 verified civil war signatures in the cave. The most ‘famous’ signature is W. W. Miles. This signature is easily seen, and is one of the few pointed out to our visitors. Most of the signatures are very fragile, and are not pointed out in order to protect these historic ‘documents’.

The cave is developed in Cambrian limestone, and is known for its abundance of shield formations. It has stalactites and stalagmites, columns, draperies and other flowstone formations. The “Cathedral Hall” is 280 feet long and over 70 feet high. It is one of the largest rooms of any cavern in the eastern US.

The cave stays below 50 all year long so make sure to bring a coat.

The Cavern is located at

5 Grand Caverns Drive

Grottoes, Virginia 24441

The cost is 20 for adults

I would suggest doing the caving experience located right next door. You get do both for $60

The annex was completed in 2010 to showcase more of the airplanes that the Smithsonian Air & Space Museum had, but could not display due to lack of space.

Vought F4U-1D Corsair

Curtiss P-40E Kittyhawk

Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird

Bell UH-1H Iroquois

The space shuttle Discovery is housed there and makes it worth a visit to any fans of the NASA programs.

The address is

14390 Air and Space Museum Parkway

Chantilly, Virginia 20151

Admission is FREE but you have to pay $15 for parking

The Pope–Leighey House, formerly known as the Loren Pope Residence, is a suburban home in Virginia designed by American architect Frank Lloyd Wright.

Wright believed in designing structures that were in harmony with humanity and its environment.

Wright developed the concept of the Usonian home. The “Usonian Homes” are typically small, single-story dwellings without a garage or much storage. They are often L-shaped to fit around a garden terrace on unusual and inexpensive sites. They are characterized by native materials; flat roofs and large cantilevered overhangs for passive solar heating and natural cooling; natural lighting with clerestory windows; and radiant-floor heating.

Commissioned in 1939 by journalist Loren Pope and his wife Charlotte Pope, the design followed Wright’s Usonian principles and was completed in 1941 at an official cost of $7,000. Pope and his family lived in the house for 6 years.

The L-shaped single-story plan— features two bedrooms and a bathroom.

The Popes sold the home to Robert and Marjorie Leighey in 1946. In 1961, the state of Virginia informed the Leigheys the house would be condemned to make way for Interstate 66. Robert died in 1963, and Marjorie Leighey donated the home to the National Trust for Historic Preservation in 1964.

Located at

9000 Richmond Highway

Alexandria, VA

Right beside Woodlawn plantation

Woodlawn Mansion is a historic house located in Fairfax County, Virginia. Originally a part of Mount Vernon, George Washington’s historic plantation estate. The house is a designated National Historic Landmark, primarily for its association with the Washington family, but also for the role it played in the historic preservation movement. It is now a museum property owned and managed by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

George Washington planned the house to be visible from Mount Vernon. In 1799, he gave the plantation, 2,000 acres as a wedding present to Eleanor “Nelly” Parke Custis (Martha Washington’s granddaughter) and his nephew Major Lawrence Lewis. The President asked architect Dr. William Thornton, who had designed the U.S. Capitol, to design them a house.

Construction began in 1800 and was finished in 1805.

Below you can see a “butlers” mirror that enabled a view into another room while being able to stay out of sight.A Portrait of Eleanor “Nelly” Parke Custis.

If you are near Mount Vernon stop by and visit the Federal style mansion that sits on the plantation.

Ned’s Devine is located in Herndon, Virginia. Open for 17 years has Irish beers on tap (trying the milk stout called Kilkenny, it’s my favorite) along with wonderful food that is reasonably priced.

The hush puppies are really good or try the Irish nachos for an appetizer.

I suggest the Dublin “Stuffed” burger.

1/2 pound ground sirloin stuffed with cheddar cheese, topped with horseradish slaw, pickles, bacon and mozzarella cheese.

Also, get a side of the Colcannon (Irish mashed potatoes)

2465 Centreville Road Herndon, Virginia

Gunston Hall is a Georgian mansion near the Potomac River in Mason neck, Virginia. Gunston Hall was the Home of the United States founding father George Mason. The construction of Gunston Hall was between 1755 and 1759.

Gunston Hall was listed on the National Historic Landmarks in Virginia December 19, 1960.

The floors, wood carvings and most of the plaster is orginal.

You can tour the mansion for $10 or tour the grounds for free. I was actually surprised at how well the house has been mainted after all these years.

You can also go to the family cemetery and pay your respects to George Mason

Assateague Island (Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge) is located on the Eastern Shore of Virginia and Maryland. The island itself is only 37 miles long and host lovely beaches along with many different types of wild life.Today I’ll be focusing on the Virginia portion of Assateague that is 1/3 of the total area. The entrance is on Chincoteague Island, a small and quaint tourist town that is popular during the summertime especially during July when the Pony swim and Chincoteague Carnival occur.

The Chincoteague ponies are famous and defiantly work viewing. Another sight to see is the historic Assateague Island lighthouse which offers tours to the top. 175 steps that will go around and around brings you to not only a stunning view of Assateague but also of Chincoteague.

The tours do have limited times so be sure to check before traveling. If you’re brave make sure you look down.

Make sure you bring your bathing suit and umbrella and enjoy the beach.

If you find yourself on the beach at sunset you are in for a treat. Sit back and enjoy the view.

Though there is no camping on the Virginia side of Assateague there are plenty of hotels and camping grounds nearby on Chincoteague. There are even a few Bed & Breakfast locally owned and operated.