The state of Virginia is one in all my favorites as a result of it provides an unbelievable number of accessible issues to do. You possibly can roll down right into a cave within the city of Luray, get pleasure from the fantastic thing about Shenandoah Nationwide Park, and eat your approach by Richmond’s many fabulous eating places to call a couple of of my private favourite experiences. However in case you are in search of a vacation spot in Virginia that actually has one thing for everybody, look no additional than wheelchair accessible Fairfax County!
Just lately, I used to be in a position to spend a couple of days exploring Fairfax County for the primary time. Whether or not I used to be visiting George Washington’s residence, having afternoon tea on the Ritz-Carlton, or admiring whitewater rapids from accessible viewing platforms, I had a beautiful journey. If you’re in search of the perfect wheelchair accessible Fairfax County points of interest and issues to do, listed here are ten of my suggestions for you!
Wheelchair Accessible Fairfax County Sights & Issues to Do
Try my quick video beneath of among the finest issues to do in Fairfax County as a wheelchair person –
Nationwide Museum of america Military
As soon as I arrived in Fairfax County, my first cease was the Nationwide Museum of america Military. The museum had a wide range of attention-grabbing displays, however along with that, the museum actually made an effort to be as accessible as attainable. I used to be tremendous impressed!
There have been a number of companion-care restrooms within the museum, an accessible seating space within the on-site theater, and there have been even accessible choices for the interactive displays, comparable to hand controls for those that can’t attain the screens. I’ve by no means seen a museum with an choice for hand controls, so this was superb to see and it confirmed me simply how inclusive museums all around the world can, and may, be.
I spent about two hours touring the museum, however you can simply keep for much longer, and I’d really recommend planning for 3 to 4 hours. The Nationwide Museum of america Military celebrates over 245 years of Military historical past, so there’s a lot to see. Reveals ranged from the Chilly Battle to tales of troopers to world battle and extra. Earlier than visiting the museum, I didn’t know a lot concerning the Military, however I actually realized rather a lot and was very glad that I visited.
The museum is open daily from 9am-5pm and admission is totally free. Nonetheless, it’s best to get the complimentary timed-entry tickets on-line upfront of your go to. This museum is one in all Fairfax County’s latest points of interest and is certainly value visiting for those who’re in search of wheelchair accessible Fairfax County points of interest to get pleasure from!
George Washington’s Mount Vernon
Fairfax County, Virginia is residence to George Washington’s Mount Vernon, which is the property the place the nation’s first President and his household lived within the 18th and nineteenth century. This was one in all my favourite locations that I visited within the space for a wide range of causes.
At George Washington’s Mount Vernon, the most well-liked factor to do is tour the mansion. You possibly can solely enter the Washington’s mansion on a guided tour and every tour lasts roughly 20 minutes. Timed-entry tickets must be bought upfront of your go to, as mansion excursions are extraordinarily common.
Your entire decrease degree of the mansion is wheelchair accessible, however sadly, there isn’t a elevator out there to entry the higher degree. The workers members did supply to point out me photographs of the higher degree although they usually completely described every part.
After touring the mansion, I rolled across the surrounding gardens, noticed George Washington’s tomb, and extra. There are clean paths all through Mount Vernon (paved, hard-packed dust, and brick paths, however all clean), so I had zero points getting round in my motorized wheelchair.
Touring George Washington’s Mount Vernon was a improbable expertise and a beautiful studying alternative, however there was some very unhappy historical past to the property as properly. All through George Washington’s life, a minimum of 577 enslaved folks lived and labored at Mount Vernon. By the top of Washington’s life, his views about slavery modified and in his will, he stated that all the enslaved folks he owned must be freed after his spouse Martha Washington’s dying. The property did a terrific job of explaining the reality about what occurred right here and at the moment, there’s a Slave Memorial on-site that may be visited.
Along with the mansion and the grounds, there’s a big museum with fascinating interactive displays, films, a restaurant, and reward retailers. I actually loved my time within the museum and realized a lot about George Washington’s life.
Plan to spend a minimum of three or 4 hours at George Washington’s Mount Vernon, as there’s a lot to see. For a smoother expertise, you should purchase tickets upfront of your go to on the web site right here. This is without doubt one of the hottest points of interest within the space and after visiting, I can see why!
Smithsonian’s Nationwide Air & House Museum Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Middle
You might have heard of the Nationwide Air and House Museum in Washington, DC, however do you know that it has a sister-museum in Fairfax County, Virginia? The Smithsonian’s Nationwide Air and House Museum Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Middle is in Fairfax County and it’s a spectacular place to go to. Whether or not you have an interest in air journey, area journey, or simply need to watch an IMAX film, you’re positive to get pleasure from this museum!
Right here, you may see dozens of airplanes and study all about them, get face-to-face with the House Shuttle Discovery, go up in an commentary tower and see planes taking off at close by Dulles Airport, see an IMAX movie within the onsite theater, and extra. I used to be shocked at how giant the museum was and the way a lot it needed to supply.
Accessibility on the Nationwide Air and House Museum Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Middle is nice! I used to be in a position to entry each area throughout the museum and elevators had been out there. Admission can also be fully free, which is nice, however for those who’d prefer to see a film within the IMAX theater, that’s an additional price. There’s a $15 parking payment on the museum as properly.
You could possibly simply spend a number of hours (or extra!) exploring this museum! It’s actually one of many coolest museums I’ve ever visited, however I really like planes and area, so that is principally my dream museum. Oh, and did I point out that the museum has a Shake Shack in it as properly?! Yeah, this place is a must-visit in Fairfax County!
River Sea Goodies
When you’ve got a candy tooth (or 32!) like me, then you should take a look at River Sea Goodies in Fairfax County. It’s a bean-to-bar chocolate manufacturing unit and store, they usually craft “beautiful single-origin artisanal chocolate creations that aren’t solely wealthy in taste, but in addition full of vitamin.”
The chocolate store is open daily of the week from 11am-5pm and till 6pm on Saturday. I loved making an attempt a couple of completely different chocolate treats (the peach chocolate was significantly scrumptious!), however my favourite merchandise was the new chocolate. There was a craft scorching chocolate menu with many choices to select from. The entire scorching sweets are made with floor 60% single-origin chocolate. You may get butterbeer scorching chocolate, salted caramel scorching chocolate, or a number of others. I opted for the “Previous City scorching chocolate”, which included cardamom, cinnamon, vanilla, orange peel, and extra. By far, it was the perfect scorching chocolate I’ve ever had.
When you’d like an additional particular go to at River Sea Goodies, they provide a wide range of excursions and tastings as properly. You could possibly do a chocolate tasting flight and manufacturing unit tour, a wine and chocolate tasting, a chocolate bar making class, or extra. All excursions and tastings must be booked upfront and you are able to do that on their web site.
River Sea Goodies is a hidden gem in Fairfax County and has among the finest chocolate I’ve ever tasted. What I actually liked was their ardour for making the perfect chocolate as properly. In speaking with the workers, their thorough information and fervour shined, and I’m grateful they’ve an internet store in order that I can proceed satisfying my candy tooth for years to come back!
The City of Vienna, Virginia
The quaint City of Vienna is positioned in Fairfax County and it’s simply essentially the most charming place. I completely fell in love with this city and it’s a beautiful place to spend a day. Whether or not you need to store or roll on accessible paths, you’re positive to have a enjoyable time in Vienna.
I loved rolling alongside Vienna’s historic Church Road and visiting the numerous completely different retailers. A few of my favourite retailers on Church Road had been Bards Alley Bookshop, Hint The Zero Waste Retailer, and Nice Harvest Bread Co. I particularly liked Hint as a result of they offered eco-friendly family and private gadgets. I’ll admit, I’m not essentially the most environmentally aware individual, however this was a terrific retailer and it confirmed me simply how simple it may very well be to have a zero-waste way of life.
Alongside Church Road, each store that I noticed was wheelchair accessible. I’m not saying that all of them are as a result of I didn’t see each single retailer, however of the retailers that I observed, they had been accessible. There have been additionally clean curb cuts on the avenue crossings.
After searching for a pair hours, I visited the Previous Caboose and rolled on the Washington & Previous Dominion Path, which is paved and wheelchair accessible. The caboose serves as a reminder of the significance of the railroad business in Vienna’s historical past and the Washington & Previous Dominion Path is an ideal approach to get pleasure from a pleasant day exterior. The path is 45 miles lengthy, however absolutely paved. After all, I didn’t roll the whole size of it in my wheelchair, however I did roll on it for a couple of mile and had enjoyable. You possibly can be a part of the path proper by the Previous Caboose.
Vienna is an excellent city to spend a number of hours in or perhaps a full day. Irrespective of how a lot time you might have although, it’s value devoting a while to exploring this charming city in Fairfax County. I’m positive you’ll find it irresistible simply as a lot as I did!
Meadowlark Gardens’ Winter Stroll of Lights
When you’re visiting Fairfax County throughout the vacation season, make a plan to get pleasure from Meadowlark Gardens’ Winter Stroll of Lights. I’m a Christmas fanatic and this expertise undoubtedly obtained me within the vacation spirit!
The sunshine show takes place at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens and there’s a half-mile paved path, the place you may see the character and animal-themed vacation lights. The path was clean and straightforward for me to roll on in my powered wheelchair, however some sections had been a bit of bit steep. It must be simply manageable for motorized wheelchair customers, and most guide wheelchair customers, although.
The sunshine shows had been lovely and alongside the path, you can even cease for decent cocoa, snacks, and you’ll even make s’mores on the finish of the trail for a minimal further price. The path was solely a half-mile lengthy, however because it provided a lot to see and do, we had been there for about an hour or so.
If you’re not visiting Fairfax County throughout the vacation season, it’s best to nonetheless take a look at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens. It’s a gorgeous space and I’m positive it’d be equally as spectacular throughout the daytime. However as a Christmas fanatic, I liked the Winter Stroll of Lights and would extremely advocate it.
Nice Falls Park
Nice Falls Park is positioned in Fairfax County and only a quick 20-30 minute drive from Washington, DC. I used to be extraordinarily shocked (in a great way!) that this out of doors oasis may very well be so near the bustling metropolis. Nice Falls Park is an outstanding place to unwind and luxuriate in nature, it doesn’t matter what your talents are.
At Nice Falls Park, the Potomac River falls over steep, jagged rocks and flows by the slim Mather Gorge. Because it builds up velocity, it varieties Class V whitewater rapids in elements. It’s a gorgeous sight to see!
There are a number of overlooks at Nice Falls Park, the place you may see the water from. Overlooks 2 and three have wheelchair accessible platforms, however overlook 3 is essentially the most accessible, because it has a glass part that wheelchair customers can simply see by. In case your wheelchair can not elevate, overlook 3 is certainly the place you need to go.
The entire overlooks are only a quick 5-10 minute stroll/roll from the Nice Falls Customer Middle. The trail to them does have free gravel and was a bit bumpy, however my powered wheelchair dealt with it reasonably simply. When you use a guide wheelchair although, you might have considered trying somebody to assist push you at occasions.
I wasn’t fully positive what to anticipate at Nice Falls Park, however it actually surpassed no matter expectations I did have. If you may be in Fairfax County and need to get pleasure from a while admiring the good outdoor, there isn’t a higher place to go to!
Reston City Middle
Top-of-the-line areas for buying and eating in Fairfax County is Reston City Middle. Throughout a number of blocks, there are dozens of nice retailers and eating places to get pleasure from, and it’s a lovely space.
Reston City Middle may be very wheelchair accessible, so don’t let your wheels cease you from exploring this space. Each store and restaurant that I noticed was fully accessible. The sidewalks had been clean as properly and all the curb cuts had been simple to navigate, which I appreciated.
As I discussed, there are dozens of outlets and eating places at Reston City Middle. You possibly can dine at Fogo de Chão, Mason’s Well-known Lobster Rolls, or Jackson’s Mighty Effective Meals to call a couple of. When you do dine at Jackson’s although, remember that they solely have cubicles, in order that may very well be a problem if a number of wheelchair customers are eating collectively. By way of retailers, you will see Apple, J. Crew, Anthropologie, and lots of others right here.
One distinctive exercise that I actually loved at Reston City Middle was making my very own candle at Paddywax Candle Bar. I used to be ready to decide on the perfume of the candle, measure the substances (wax and perfume), combine it, and pour the wax into the candle holder. It was a enjoyable course of and took about half-hour, and value $45. When you’re on this expertise, be sure you reserve your session upfront.
Whether or not you need to store, eat some good meals, see a film, make your individual candle, or one thing else, Reston City Middle is a enjoyable place to hang around in Fairfax County. If I lived within the space, I’d undoubtedly be right here on a weekly foundation.
Afternoon Tea at The Ritz-Carlton Tysons Nook
When you’re in search of an opulent expertise or an exercise for an important day, look no additional than afternoon tea at The Ritz-Carlton Tysons Nook. Each Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, The Ritz-Carlton Tysons Nook hosts afternoon tea and it’s such a particular expertise.
My mother and I extremely loved this exercise, as neither of us had ever finished afternoon tea earlier than this… particularly at someplace as fantastic because the Ritz-Carlton. We had scrumptious sandwiches (my favourite was the smoked salmon sandwich with caviar, however the egg salad sandwich was nice as properly!) and loads of candy treats, as you may see within the photograph beneath.
The tea menu was in depth as properly with a wide range of inexperienced, black, white, and extra tea choices. Our waiter was extraordinarily educated about all the completely different teas and helped us select the proper one.
Pricing for this afternoon tea expertise begins at $75 per individual and in my view, it was value it. When you’re in search of a particular expertise in Fairfax County, Virginia, spend your afternoon having fun with tea and treats at The Ritz-Carlton Tysons Nook!
Tysons Nook Middle
I’ve already talked about a few nice locations to buy in Fairfax County, however one final advice that I’ve for you is Tysons Nook Middle. It is a gigantic indoor mall with a number of hundred retailers to select from!
On this mall, you will discover common retailers like Nordstrom, Bloomingdale’s, and Macy’s, however you’ll additionally see 40 eating choices. There’s even a movie show and IMAX theater within the mall, and for those who actually store until you drop, you then’ll be completely happy to study that there’s a Hyatt Regency resort linked to Tysons Nook Middle. This would definitely be a enjoyable place to remain in Fairfax County!
Tysons Nook Middle is positioned simply ten miles from Washington, DC and is open daily of the week. When you get pleasure from buying and eating (and who doesn’t?!), you’ll love this final buying vacation spot in Fairfax County!
The place to Keep: Hilton Backyard Inn Fairfax
Whereas in Fairfax County, I stayed on the Hilton Backyard Inn Fairfax. I’ve at all times had good experiences at Hilton Backyard Inns all through my travels and this one was glorious for me as properly. It was additionally in a handy location, only a quick drive from all of wheelchair accessible Fairfax County’s finest points of interest.
I stayed in a wheelchair accessible room with two queen-sized beds. There was loads of area for me to maneuver throughout the room and a hoyer raise might match underneath each beds, as there was clearance beneath. The room had a TV, desk, mini fridge, microwave, and a full-length mirror as properly.
Within the toilet, there was a roll-in bathe with clean entry and a fold-down bathe seat. There have been seize bars by the bathroom and a pleasant pull-under sink.
My keep at Hilton Backyard Inn Fairfax was good for me by way of accessibility and I’d completely keep right here once more. When you’d prefer to study extra about this resort or guide a keep of your individual, simply click on right here.
My few days in Fairfax County had been action-packed and filled with enjoyable! There are such a lot of wheelchair accessible Fairfax County points of interest to get pleasure from. Whether or not you’re staying in Fairfax County for 2 days, two weeks, or longer, I’m positive you’ll have nonstop pleasure. Now, begin planning your individual journey to this improbable a part of Virginia!
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Additionally, be sure you take a look at the accessibility pages of those points of interest by clicking on them beneath:
And for extra details about accessible journey in Fairfax County, Virginia, please go to this web page.
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*Thanks to Go to Fairfax for working with me on this journey and exhibiting me the perfect of wheelchair accessible Fairfax County! Whereas my experiences had been complimentary, all opinions expressed are genuine and my very own.
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