Parks, Libraries and Places of Interest
Get Out and Do Something! Five Fun and Frugal Upcoming Events in Arlington, Virginiafiled under: activities, Arlington, general, Parks & Libraries, VirginiaGet out and do something! Even though it's cold outside, there is always something to do in Arlington, Virginia. Below is a list of five fun, local, and free or low-cost events in Arlington that anyone can enjoy!
1) Children's Theatre Festival
Event: Children's Theatre Festival Date/Time: Saturday, January 16, 11 am-5 pm Location: Rosslyn Spectrum, 1611 N. Kent Street, Arlington, VA 22209
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Event: Painting Class for Beginners Date/Time: Wednesday, January 20, 10 am – 12 pm Location: Walter Reed Senior Center, 2909 16th Street South, Arlington, VA 22204
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Event: Comedy Club Date/Time: Friday, January 22, 10:30 am - 11:30 am Location: Aurora Hills Senior Center, 735 18th Street South, Arlington, VA 22202
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4) Under the Ice Event: Under the Ice Date/Time: Saturday, January 23, 2 pm-3 pm Location: Gulf Branch Nature Center, 3608 N. Military Road, Arlington, VA 22207
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Event: Sudoku Mental Exercise Class Date/Time: Wednesday, January 27, 1 pm – 3 pm Location: Langston-Brown Senior Center, 2121 Culpeper Street. Arlington, VA 22207
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Bon Air Memorial Rose Gardenfiled under: activities, Arlington, general, Parks & Libraries, VirginiaThe Bon Air Memorial Rose Garden is located at the corner of North Lexington and Wilson Boulevard, at 850 North Lexington Street in Arlington, Virginia. This scenic and serene rose and botanical garden occupies approximately one acre of land and features over 135 different rose varieties and houses 2,500 plant species as well. Featured roses include Hybrid Tea, Grandiflora, Floribunda, and miniature roses. The garden also hosts the latest All-American roses annually, showcasing the newest variety of roses at least one year before they become commercially available. Bon Air Memorial Park also features an azalea garden, a shade garden, a sun garden, and an ornamental garden. Other amenities include picnic tables, charcoal grills, a babbling spring stream, a paved walking trail, tennis and basketball courts, an additional children's playground. Cultural advice and guidance for the rose garden is provided by the Arlington Rose Foundation. Call (703) 358-4747 for more information.
This beautiful and fascinating garden is a brilliant and colorful local resource that
truly proves Virginia is for lovers! Whether you are a botanical aficionado or an
individual who simply wants to stop and smell the roses, the Bon Air Memorial Rose
Garden is a must see this spring in Northern
Virginia. Park hours are from Sunrise until half an hour after Sunset throughout
the year.
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Fun for the Whole Family at Upton Hill Regional Parkfiled under: activities, Arlington, Fairfax County, general, Parks & Libraries, VirginiaUpton Hill Regional Park, located at 6060 Wilson Boulevard in Arlington, Virginia, offers local residents and visitors alike a versatile, wooded recreational commons in the heart of one of the most densely populated areas of Northern Virginia. The park features an outdoor swimming pool complex that includes a lap pool, a full-sized recreational pool, a separate kiddie pool, multiple water slides, and a children's water house with a huge bucket that fills up with water and empties out onto everyone in its path!! The park also features a deluxe miniature golf course as well as batting cages that include baseball and softball both. Although the park facilities are presently closed for the winter season, the park itself remains open every day for hiking, picnicking, and playing on the playground. The batting cages and mini-golf facilities will reopen for the season in March of 2010. The water park and swimming pool complex will reopen Memorial Day weekend. In addition, Upton Hill Regional Park hosts and annual Easter Egg Hunt in early March and welcomes the whole family to come and join in the festivities. Children can enjoy hunting for eggs filled with candy as well as a moon bounce, coloring, and other games. The Easter Egg Hunt is recommended for children ages 2 through 10 and reservations are required. Call 703-534-3437 for more information or to make reservations.
Located between the Arlington and Fairfax
County line at the intersection of Patrick Henry Drive and Wilson Boulevard, Upton
Hill Regional Park is a great venue with a wide range of activities that provide fun
for the whole family! In 2007, the Park's facilities underwent a $2 million renovation
as part of the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority's effort to attract local
residents and visitors to an innovative, public facility representative of both the
area and the local governments' commitment to its community.
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Green Spring Gardensfiled under: Annandale, Fairfax County, Parks & Libraries
Visitors to the Gardens can stroll through 5 acres of gardening plots, and may attend
classes at the Visitor Center. In addition, guests can research gardening questions
or explore the Green Spring Garden ecosystem in an educational setting at the horticultural
library. Green Spring Gardens is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday,
and 12 noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday; admission is free. Call 703-642-5173 for more information. Sponsored by Condo 1 Alexandria / Will Nesbitt Realty LLC Serving real estate needs of Northern VA · in Alexandria · in Arlington · in Fairfax County · | ||
Nottoway Park in Vienna VAfiled under: Fairfax County, Parks & Libraries, ViennaSearch for homes in Vienna VA The Parks and Recreation system in Fairfax County, Virginia, is the primary public instrument for the preservation of natural land and environmentally sensitive resources in Fairfax County. Nottoway Park is one of the assets of the Fairfax County Park System.
Nottoway Park is located at 9601 Courthouse Road
in Vienna, Virginia.
Local residents can enjoy tennis, basketball and volleyball recreational facilities,
as well as garden, picnic, and fitness trails. For those who enjoy a quieter atmosphere,
a stroll through the densely wooded nature paths provide for a solitary and peaceful
surrounding. The tennis courts and picnic shelters can be reserved for a small fee
by calling 703-938-7532. During the summer season, Nottoway Park hosts a summer concert
series entitled Nottoway Nights where locals can enjoy free, weekly public concerts
featuring a variety of musical ensembles from international and nationally acclaimed
artists.
Of the 416 parks in Fairfax County, Nottoway Park provides special opportunities to sustain healthy and wholesome living by developing positive life-style and recreational interests. Sponsored by Condo 1 Alexandria / Will Nesbitt Realty LLC Serving real estate needs of Northern VA · in Alexandria · in Arlington · in Fairfax County · | ||
Fairfax County Librariesfiled under: Fairfax County News, Parks & LibrariesThe Fairfax County Public Library is a rich and valuable resource where residents of Fairfax County and the surrounding community can utilize many of the educational, informational, and recreational services that the library provides. There are 23 library branches throughout Fairfax County as well as an Administration office, the Fairfax County Archives and Records Center, the Grants and Funding Research Center and the Virginia Room. Each branch features something distinct and interesting. Whether you're scouring news releases or exploring the prospect of entrepreneurship, the outstanding resources and expert staff at the Public Libraries are unparalleled. Notable features recently added by the Fairfax Library Foundation is the tutor learning suite which includes three different tutoring specialties available in both English and Spanish. There is a K-12 Student Center, a College Center, and an Adult Career Center. These facilities include many test preparation materials for standardized tests like the SAT, GED materials, job searching resources, resume writing, and citizenship and financial literacy assistance training.
Fairfax County also
features a Public Law Library and the Law Library catalog is available online. The
Law Library features free wireless internet services and is available to any visitor
with a laptop equipped for wireless networking. Call 703-246-2170 for more information.
The Law Library is located at the Fairfax
County Courthouse Between the 23 Public Library branches, including those in McLean, Alexandria and Lorton, as well as the Public Law Library, Fairfax County is dedicated to its residents and committed to education and literacy in the community. Public Libraries provide both a fun and safe learning environment for people of all ages.  Sponsored by Condo 1 Alexandria / Will Nesbitt Realty LLC Serving real estate needs of Northern VA · in Alexandria · in Arlington · in Fairfax County · | ||
Ben Brenman Park in Alexandria VAfiled under: Alexandria, Brigadoon, Cameron Station, Canterbury Square, Forty Six Hundred, greenhouse, Parks & Libraries
Ben Brenman Park is located at 5000 Duke St. in Alexandria, VA 22311. Ben Brenman Park is very accessible to residents of Cameron Station, the Greenhouse and many other communities in Old Town and the West End of Alexandria VA.
Ben Brenman Park is known to pet owners because it has a fenced dog area.The park is very nice for walking, strolling and for joggers.Young children love the playground with multiple slides and swings.
Ben Brenman Park has a large pond with fountains. At the center of the pond is a nice gazebo.
At the edge of the park you can visit the shops that are on Brenman Park Drive. There is a coffe shop, a restaurant and the well-regarded Food Matters market.
Other features of at Ben Brenman Park include
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King Street Gardens Parkfiled under: 1600 Prince, Alexandria, Fort Ellsworth, Old Town Alexandria, Parks & LibrariesKing Street Gardens Park is located at the foot of the George Washington National Masonic Memorial near the King St. Metro in Old Town Alexandria VA. This small park is surrounded by hotels, office buildings, AMTRAK and a Metro stop. The signature feature of King Street Gardens is a large metal sculpture with hanging gardens. This together with the sunken gardens are intended to provide references to historic aspects of the site. 
The abstract metal sculpture sculpture hints at a ship's prow, a plow, or a colonial-style three-cornered hat. The sunken garden, and plantings therein, are intended to reference the wetlands that originally existed on the site. In the Victorian era, trellised gardens were popular in Old Town and the gardens here remember that era when the street grid followed the plan originally laid out by George Washington. The park is intended for the general public's enjoyment and serves as a place for outdoor concerts. On Wednesdays through the summer the Old Town Farmer's Market sets up here.  Sponsored by Condo 1 Alexandria / Will Nesbitt Realty LLC Serving real estate needs of Northern VA · in Alexandria · in Arlington · in Fairfax County · | ||
Pinecrest Public Golf Course --- at the intersection of Annandale, Alexandria and Fairfax Countyfiled under: Fairfax County, Parks & Libraries, The Pinecrest
Warm-up and practice your game here at Pinecrest on the putting green, driving cages or at the indoor practice area. When you're ready to play, the course is narrow with hills and ponds that challenge serious players, but provide an environment that novices will also enjoy. Novices can even rent golf clubs at Pinecrest. Of course, riding and pull carts are available for rent. Every Body Golf School provides golf lessons for groups or individuals on site. Pinecrest also has a full service clubhouse, pro shop and snack bar. The course is open all year, weather permitting. If you're looking for a home on the course, you might want to investigate the Pinecrest community.
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Fun in Fairfax Countyfiled under: Burke, Fairfax County, Hayfield, Kingstowne, Lorton, Parks & LibrariesNearby there are plenty of other opportunities for fun. Catch a film at the Kingstowne 16 movie theater at the Kingstowne Town Center or check out Top Golf Kingstowne on Van Dorn St. Top Golf offers a 76 suite golf practice facility which is fun all alone and also available for groups and parties. There are a number of nearby public courses like:
There are plenty of parks to enjoy nearby too. The Lee District RECenter and Park in Fairfax County is just a few minutes away from Franconia and Kingstowne. Lee District has a natatorium, gymnasium, fitness center, indoor cours and a lot more. The RECenter is site on a large public park. Don't forget nearby Lake Accotink Park where you can rent a boat, fish or even hike. Lake Accotink also boasts a 9-hole putt-putt for family outings. Huntley Meadows is a great place to walk about and enjoy nature. The list goes on for nature and water lovers. Pohick Bay Regional Park is just 17 minutes from Kingstowne Towne Centre. Pohick Bay has offers a place to rent a boat or and a place to launch a boat. There are cabins for camping and picnic facilities. Pohick Bay is relatively close to Mason Neck State Park---another several hundred acres of wooded nature. The Belle Haven Marina another great place to launch or rent a boat and is about 15 minutes from Franconia / Kingstowne. Sponsored by Condo 1 Alexandria / Will Nesbitt Realty LLC Serving real estate needs of Northern VA · in Alexandria · in Arlington · in Fairfax County · |
Places of InterestSled rides at the Masonic Temple!
After the December snowstorm dumped more than a foot and a half of snow in Northern Virginia I drove about in my little Subaru. Much to my surprise, kids and adults were riding sleds and toboggans down the steps of the Masonic Temple.  Sponsored by Condo 1 Alexandria / Will Nesbitt Realty LLC Serving real estate needs of Northern VA · in Alexandria · in Arlington · in Fairfax County · | ||
Alexandria, Old Town Alexandria, Places of InterestThe Glass Harp in Old Town
Jamey Turner is one of the treasures of Old Town Alexandria. He's a master musician gifted who has showcased his talents on the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. When he's in Old Town he's often spotted near the Torpedo Factory at the end of King St. He rubs his moistened fingers atop ordinary wine glasses to "find the uncommon in the common". The glass harp sounds a bit like a synthesized flute. Mr. Turner often plays music that was composed specifically for the glass harp. If you'd like to order a CD or book Jamey for a private function check out his website at JameyTurner.com .
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Alexandria, Old Town Alexandria, Places of InterestAlexandria City Hall
Alexandria City Hall was
built on a site designated for the market and city hall when Alexandria was founded
in 1749. The original City Hall burned in 1871 the current structure was erected in
1874. This City Hall wraps around a central courtyard known as Market Square. When
first constructed Alexandria City Hall also housed a Masonic Lodge, court facility,
and police and fire stations. Today, the site only has municipal offices. Over the
years the building has undergone several renovations and additions. Among the most
recent and was the 1960-61 addition that filled the old courtyard. At that time, the
building was reoriented toward the south with the new entrance facing King Street
and Market Square, an open, landscape plaza with central fountain in the current Market
Square. In1981, further renovations linked the 1871 building and the 1961 addition
with new elevators, stairs and corridors.
The plaque reads
Original Entrance to Alexandria City Hall Sponsored by Condo 1 Alexandria / Will Nesbitt Realty LLC Serving real estate needs of Northern VA · in Alexandria · in Arlington · in Fairfax County · | ||
Alexandria House, Carlyle District, general, Places of InterestUnited States Patent and Trademark Office in Alexandria VA
Every day new products are invented, new uses for old products are discovered, and employment opportunities created for millions of Americans. The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is a federal agency in the Department of Commerce that strives to protect the economic interests of inventors and the welfare of the public. According to the USPTO, the purpose of these patents is to "promote the progress of science and the useful arts by securing for limited times to inventors the exclusive right to their respective discoveries (Article 1, Section 8 of the United States Constitution)." The USPTO is one of the very few government services that actually completely fee funded. This is as compared to the US Postal Service and Amtrak, which are both fee funded but run deficits requiring federal money. The USPTO occupies five interconnected buildings in the Carlyle District of Alexandria, Virginia. This office employs over 7,000 full time staff to support its major functions---the examination and issuance of patents and the examination and registration of trademarks. Every day young and old patent examiners move to our fair city seeking residence. Many prefer the new and sparkling appeal of the Carlyle District, while some enjoy the colonial feel of Old Town. While Old Town and Carlyle District are both closest, these areas are pricey. For those who want to live close to the USPTO but who are seeking bargains Huntington, New Alexandria or the West End are excellent alternatives.
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Carlyle District, Fort Ellsworth, Places of Interest, roads and transit, Seminary WalkAlexandria Union Station serving Amtrak and VRE in Alexandria VA
Alexandria's Union Station shares a name with Union Station in nearby Washington DC.
Locals usually refer to the station in Washington as Union Station and the station
in Alexandria as Alexandria Station. Both stations were so-named because at one time
they united several lines/companies. The Amtrak code is for this station is ALX.
Alexandria Union Station
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general, Places of Interest, The RepresentativeAir Force Memorial
The Air Force Memorial is sited on a promontory overlooking Washington D.C., Arlington VA and between them, the Potomac River. The Memorial's spires measure 270 feet. These spires tower above the Pentagon, Rosslyn and Crystal City. The Memorial was formally dedicated on October 14, 2006. The Memorial remains dedicated to the United States Air Force service members and the Heritage Organizations of the USAF. The design of the Memorial intends to evoke a modern image of flight by jet and space vehicles, but yet remembers the pioneers of flight who came before. The three spires of the Monument represent the three core values of the US Air Force: Integrity first, Service before self, and Excellence in all we do. It is interesting to note that the spires are different heights and asymmetrical giving the Memorial a dynamic quality that offers different views from every angle. Although the Air Force Memorial is visible all over town, one of the best views is from Arlington Ridge. At the end of Arlington Ridge Road, the Representative overlooks much of the same vistas as the Memorial.
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Alexandria, Carlyle District, Carlyle Towers, Eisenhower Valley, Places of InterestUS District Court in Alexandria VA
Alexandria VA is home to the US District Court Eastern District of Virginia. The Albert V. Bryan U.S. Courthouse is located near Carlyle Towers at 401 Courthouse Square, Alexandria, VA 22314. The Albert V. Bryan Courthouse is open 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Monday through Friday. The Clerk's Office is open from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday. This courthouse has seen many notable cases:
And others such as
The courthouse is located directly across the street from the Trademark Bar and Carlyle Towers.
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22307, Alexandria, Fairfax County, general, New Alexandria, Places of InterestFarmer's Market at Sherwood Hall LibraryAt the nearby Sherwood Hall Library every Tuesday the Farmer's Market gathers many River Towers locals.
Something for EveryoneThe farmer's market has locally grown organic fruits, vegetables and pies & pastries, all natural free-range meats, as well as crafts and other interesting items brought to us by farmers near the area.
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activities, Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax County, general, Places of InterestNorthern Virginia Theatre and CinemaCinema
The Old Town Theatre serves up arty,
independent and off-beat cinema as well as blockbuster hits in Old Town. The Old Town
Theatre has great ambiance and is one of the few area theaters that sells alcholic
beverages.
The AMC
Theatre at the Hoffman Center, Kingstowne
16 and Regal at
Potomac Yard hosts blockbusters and mainstream movies in modern movie houses.
TheatreCapitol StepsCapitol Steps began as a group of Senate staffers who set out to satirize the very people and places that employed them. In the years that followed, many of the Steps ignored the conventional wisdom ("Don't quit your day job!"), and although not all of the current members of the Steps are former Capitol Hill staffers, taken together the performers have worked in a total of eighteen Congressional offices and represent 62 years of collective House and Senate staff experience. Arena StageThe core purpose of Arena Stage is to produce huge plays of all that is passionate, exuberant, profound, deep and dangerous in the American spirit. Arena has broad shoulders and a capacity to produce anything from vast epics to charged dramas to robust musicals. Our focus is on theater of the Americas; we produce American classics, premieres of new plays and contemporary stories. Our Arena is a forum, a coliseum, a place for audiences to argue, discuss and meet each other over the theatrical divide. At the center is art; all other programs thrive in concentric circles supporting the art. Wolf TrapAs America's National Park for the Performing Arts, Wolf Trap plays a valuable leadership role in both the local and national performing arts communities. Through a wide range of artistic and education programs, Wolf Trap enhances our nation's cultural life and ensures that the arts remain accessible and affordable to the broadest possible audience. Nissan PavilionNissan Pavilion at Stone Ridge is an outdoor live performance amphitheatre with a 25,000 fan capacity, the largest in the Washington Metropolitan area. The Pavilion is located in semi-rural Prince William County which is approximately 35 miles west of our neighborhood. Kennedy Center
The Kennedy Center, located on 17 acres overlooking
the Potomac River in Washington, D.C., is America's living memorial to President Kennedy
as well as the nation's busiest arts facility, presenting more than 3,000 performances
each year. Touring Kennedy Center productions and its television, radio, and Internet
broadcasts reach millions around the world. As part of the Kennedy Center's Performing
Arts for Everyone outreach program, hundreds of free performances are offered each
year featuring national and local artists; these include early-evening concerts on
the Millennium Stage, dozens of performances during the annual Open House Arts Festival,
and daily concerts of seasonal music in December as part of Holidays at the Kennedy
Center. Since 1999, the Millennium Stage performances have been broadcast live over
the Internet and digitally archived on the Kennedy Center's website. The Shakespeare TheatreSince its founding in 1985, The Shakespeare Theatre has endeavored to be the nation's leading force in the presentation and preservation of classic theatre. Our core mission is to present classic theatre in an accessible, skillful, imaginative, American style that honors playwrights' language and intentions while viewing their plays through a 21st-century lens. With the formation of the Harman Center for the Arts---which includes the new Sidney Harman Hall and the existing Lansburgh Theatre---the Shakespeare Theatre Company will become a national destination theatre offering a broad range of works to audiences in the greater-Washington area and across the nation. Fords TheatreFords Theatre is a live, working theatre located in downtown Washington, DC. As a national historic and cultural site welcoming visitors from across the nation, Ford's Theatre blends its rich history with performance excellence in serving as a living tribute to President Lincoln's love of the performing arts. When Ford's Theatre re-opened its doors in 1968 - after having been closed 103 years - it truly was reclaimed as a national treasure for all Americans, and those of us who work here are mindful of that legacy and grateful that Ford's Theatre once again is a vibrant showcase for the performing arts that President Lincoln so appreciated. Other VenuesWarner Theatre , The Smithsonian and the The MCI Center are nationally renown venues for theatre, sport and entertainment.
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Places of InterestHappy Independence day in the National Capital Region
Happy Independence Day!
From all of us at Condo 1 Alexandria, we hope you and your family had a safe and happy
4th of July. Sponsored by Condo 1 Alexandria / Will Nesbitt Realty LLC Serving real estate needs of Northern VA · in Alexandria · in Arlington · in Fairfax County · |
