Enjoy the Show

Explore the Earth

Dig Up the Past

Get Physical

Have a Fine Feast

Fun for All Ages

Shop 'til You Drop

Show Civic Pride

Expand Your Mind

Historic

Located along legendary U.S. Route 1—

America’s “Main Street” — close to the nation’s capital,

the historic Richmond Highway community features a wide

array of cultural, recreational, historical and scenic

attractions.

The area is home to families who have lived here since

George Washington’s time—including the famous Gum

Springs community, an early settlement that became a

thriving center for African-American commerce and

culture. Today, a steady influx of new residents from every

part of the nation and the globe continues to enrich the

Richmond Highway community’s diverse heritage.

With its lively cultural mix and superb community amenities,

the Richmond Highway corridor offers an affordable, high

quality of life just minutes away from the bustling economic

centers of Fairfax County and Washington, D.C. No

wonder so many new businesses and residents are

discovering all that this location has to offer.

This brochure will introduce you to just a few of the terrific

things you can see and do year-round. If you live here,

work here or are just visiting, you are invited to come out

and play, along the historic Richmond Highway.

Fairfax County, Virginia

See a live theatrical or musical performance—or join the show yourself.

Discover some of the world’s finest urban parks and wildlife centers—ideal for all sorts of outdoor adventures!

Explore the Richmond Highway’s rich historic legacy.

Work out and play in terrific indoor and outdoor sports and recreation facilities.

Sample everything from saltimbocca to sushi in the region’s newest gourmet hotspot—with plenty of FREE parking.

Join other kids, teens, adults and seniors having fun at area recreation centers.

Fill your bags with the latest styles, vintage fashions, imported foods, unique antiques and collectibles, and more.

Connect with others to help make the Richmond Highway an even better place to be.

Take advantage of a lifetime of learning opportunities for all ages and interests.

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Gunston Cove

Dogue Creek

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Telegraph Rd.

George WashingtonMemorial Parkway

Mount VernonMemorial Highway

Fort Hunt Rd.South Kings

Highway

HISTORICRICHMONDHIGHWAY

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Cultural Opportunities

Parks, Nature and Recreational Sites

Major Retail Centers

Huntington Metro Station

Fairfax County Visitors Center

South County Government Center

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Key to Amenities 1 Aldersgate Church Community Theater 2 Bryant-Groveton Adult Center 3 Collingwood Library and Museum on Americanism 4 Community Business Partnership 5 George Washington’s Gristmill 6 Groveton Senior Center 7 Gum Springs Community Center; Gum Springs Historical Society and Museum 8 Gunston Hall 9 Hollin Hall Senior Center10 Lorton Library11 Lorton Senior Center 12 Martha Washington Community Library 13 Mount Vernon Community Children’s Theatre14 Mount Vernon Estate and Gardens15 Mount Vernon UMC Social Hall16 Mount Vernon-Lee Chamber of Commerce 17 Pohick Episcopal Church18 Pope-Leighey House19 River Farm20 Sherwood Regional Library21 Southeast Fairfax Development Corporation 22 The Cave Teen Center23 The Hideaway Teen Center24 United Community Ministries25 Woodlawn Estate26 Accotink Bay Wildlife Refuge27 Belle Haven Marina28 Dyke Marsh29 Fort Hunt Park30 George Washington RECenter31 Greendale Golf Course32 Gristmill Park33 Huntley Meadows Park34 Jackson Miles Abbott Wetlands Refuge35 Lee District Park & RECenter36 Mason Neck National Wildlife Refuge37 Mason Neck State Park38 Mount Vernon District Park & RECenter39 Meadowood Farm40 Mount Vernon Trail41 Pohick Bay Regional Park & Golf Course42 Riverside Park 43 Beacon Center44 Belle View Shopping Center45 Engleside Plaza46 Gunston Plaza47 Hollin Hall Shopping Center48 Michael's Plaza49 Mount Vernon Plaza50 Penn Daw Plaza51 South Valley Shopping Center52 Woodlawn Center

Historic

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Mason Neck Peninsula

Fort Belvoir

Enjoy the Showlively arts

Community TheaterAldersgate Church Community Theater stages twoproductions each year of popular musical and dramatic works.1301 Collingwood Road; 703-619-6063.

Aspiring young actors and their families can learn drama, music,set design, make-up, wardrobe design and technical productionat Mount Vernon Community Children’s Theatre,1900 Elkin Street, Suite 210; 703-360-0686.

Free ConcertsThe National Park Service and the Mount Vernon Council ofCitizens Associations sponsor free concerts every Sunday duringthe summer at Fort Hunt Park. Past performances haveincluded rockabilly, African folk, contemporary a cappella, Latinrock, ‘20s and ‘30s dance and German brass band music.703-289-2550; www.nps.gov/gwmp/fohu.

Fairfax County’s Sounds of Summer presents free summerconcerts of jazz, classical and other music by various ensemblesat the Lee District Park amphitheater. 6601 Telegraph Road;703-324-8680; www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks

Music EnsemblesMount Vernon Community Band (703-360-4061) andMount Vernon Stage Band (703-604-6349) performmarches, show tunes and light classics to swing, Dixieland, jazz,German folk music and other programs throughout the area.

The acclaimed community Mount Vernon Orchestrapresents an annual concert series at venues throughout the area.The associated Mount Vernon Youth Orchestra featuressome of the region’s most talented young musicians. For concertschedules and audition information, call 703-799-8229.

Explore the Earthoutdoor pleasures

Fish Potomac River tidal shorelines for bass, perch, crappie, channelcatfish, bullheads, redbreasts, bluegills, sunfish, gar and carp. Getweekly sportfishing reports, advice on the best fishing spots and afishing license from the Virginia Department of Game andInland Fisheries, 804-367-1000; www.dgif.state.va.us.

Historic GardensFind inspiration, expert gardening advice and heirloom plantsat River Farm, one of George Washington’s five farms andtoday the home of the American Horticultural Society. 7931 EastBoulevard Drive; 703-768-5700; www.ahs.org/river_farm.

Fine examples of early American formal gardens, orchards andfarm operations also can be enjoyed at Mount Vernon,Gunston Hall and Woodlawn Estate. For moreinformation, contact the Fairfax County Visitors Center,703-550-2450; www.visitfairfax.org.

Nature CentersStroll on a boardwalk through the wetlands to a wildlife observationtower at the renowned Huntley Meadows Park. FairfaxCounty’s largest park has thousands of acres of pristine woodlands,flowering meadows and other important habitat. 3701 LockheedBoulevard; 703-768-2525; www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks.

See bald eagles soar above Mason Neck NationalWildlife Refuge, America’s first federal bald eagle sanctuary.Located by Belmont Bay, this 2,300-acre refuge has abundantbirdlife, including Virginia’s largest great blue heron colony.Highpoint Road, Mason Neck Peninsula; 703-490-4979;http://northeast.fws.gov/va/msn.htm.

Bald eagles also nest by the steep bluffs, woodlands and sandybeaches of nearby Mason Neck State Park, where youcan hike, picnic, launch a canoe into Belmont Bay and take partin interpretive programs. 7301 High Point Road, Mason NeckPeninsula; 703-550-0362; www.dcr.state.va.us/parks/masonnec.htm.

Meadowood Farm, 800 acres of open space featuring awild horse and burro showcase, recreation, wildlife habitat andenvironmental education programs, will open to the public onMason Neck peninsula in 2003-2004. For more information,contact the Bureau of Land Management, 703-440-1700;www.es.blm.gov/programs/land/meadowood.

Fort Belvoir has two wildlife refuges open to the public. Go on aphoto safari in Accotink Bay Wildlife Refuge, whichfeatures a boardwalk and wildlife observation platform. Seebeaver, muskrat and dozens of bird species in their natural habitatat nearby Jackson Miles Abbott Wetlands Refuge. Therefuges are open to the public dawn to dusk, seven days a week,but temporary vehicle passes are required for non-military visitors.Accotink Bay Wildlife Refuge EnvironmentalEducation Center, 703-805-3972. Jackson MilesAbbott Wetlands Refuge, 703-806-4007.

TrailsExplore the beautiful Mount Vernon Trail. Begin at BelleHaven Park, a popular picnic area next to Dyke Marsh,home to more than 250 bird species. See historic coastal defensefortifications at Fort Hunt Park. Stop at Riverside Park tofish, picnic or run the parcourse, and wrap up your tour at GeorgeWashington’s home at Mount Vernon. 703-289-2500;www.nps.gov/gwmp/mvt.html.

Fishing and BoatingBoating and windsurfing enthusiasts enjoy the RichmondHighway area’s scenic waterways. Set sail on the Potomac Riverfrom Belle Haven Marina. Launch your sea kayak or canoe intoBelmont Bay from the “cartop” boat launch area at Mason NeckState Park. Put in your large craft or rent a pedal boat, jon boator sailboat at Pohick Bay Regional Park. From Pohick Bay (Pohickis the Algonquin word for “water place”) and Belmont Bay, youalso can venture into beautiful Gunston Cove, the Potomac Riverand Occoquan Bay. Belle Haven Marina, GeorgeWashington Memorial Parkway; 703-768-0018. MasonNeck State Park, 7301 High Point Road; 703-550-0960;www.dcr.state.va.us/parks/masonnec.htm. Pohick BayRegional Park, 6501 Pohick Bay Drive; 703-339-6104;www.nvrpa.org/pohickbay.html.

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Get away from it all in no time at all—trek the miles of scenictrails that criss-cross Richmond Highway area parks andrecreation areas, including Mason Neck State Park,Huntley Meadows Park and Pohick Bay RegionalPark. Bring your binoculars to spot eagles and other wildlife.Cross-country skiers enjoy snowy park trails in the winter.

Dig Up the Pastheritage & historic attractions

Heritage CentersCollingwood Library and Museum on Americanismhouses an important collection of Americana and genealogyresources. Open daily except Tuesdays. 8301 East BoulevardDrive; 703-765-1652; www.collingwoodlibrary.com.

Call or stop by the Fairfax County Visitors Center fordetailed information on points of interest along the historic RichmondHighway corridor. Located at the Comfort Inn Gunston Corner inLorton. Open every day except Thanksgiving and Christmas from9 AM to 5 PM. 703-550-2450; www.visitfairfax.org.

Gum Springs Historical Society and Museum presentsthe unique and fascinating history of the African-AmericanGum Springs community through exhibits and heritage events.8100 Fordson Road; 703-799-1198; www.gshsfcva.org.

Historic TreasuresA popular picnic area along the scenic George WashingtonMemorial Parkway, Fort Hunt Park provided coastalfortifications to the nation’s capital during the Spanish-AmericanWar and was the setting for top secret military intelligenceoperations during the Second World War. 703-289-2550;www.nps.gov/gwmp/fohu.

Learn why the father of our country was also a technology pioneerat George Washington’s Gristmill. 5514 Mount VernonMemorial Highway; 703-550-0960; www.mountvernon.org.

Gunston Hall, the estate of George Mason—father of the U.S.Bill of Rights—is located on scenic Mason Neck Peninsula. Eventsinclude archaeological digs and an annual kite festival. Opendaily. 10709 Gunston Road; 703-550-9220;www.gunstonhall.org.

Visit George Washington’s home at Mount Vernon Estate andGardens throughout the year for special activities and events.South end of George Washington Parkway; 703-780-2000;www.mountvernon.org.

George Washington worshipped at historic Pohick EpiscopalChurch, an active Episcopalian congregation. Seasonal events.Open daily. 9301 Richmond Highway; 703-550-9449;www.pohick.org.

See the Pope-Leighey House, a classic example of FrankLloyd Wright’s “Usonian” vision of compact, beautiful andaffordable homes for a modern America. 9000 RichmondHighway; 703-780-4000; www.nationaltrust.org.

A wedding gift from George Washington to his nephew, statelyWoodlawn Estate hosts a variety of events such as craftexhibitions, rose garden teas and Christmas displays. 9000Richmond Highway; 703-780-4000; www.nationaltrust.org.

Get Physicalsports & recreation facilities

DanceSwing, mambo and cha-cha the night away at a social danceheld every other Saturday night at Mount Vernon UnitedMethodist Church and other area locations—check Web sitefor current information! 703-731-6250; www.victordance.com.

Ice Skating/Ice HockeyMount Vernon RECenter has Fairfax County’s only publiclyowned indoor ice arena. Designed for year-round use, it includesa warming room, pro room, skate rental area, skate sharpeningservices, hockey team locker rooms and an NHL official-sizerink. 2017 Belle View Boulevard; 703-768-3224;www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks.

GolfTee up at the 18-hole Greendale Golf Course. 6700Telegraph Road; 703-971-6170; www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks.

Play a round at Pohick Bay Regional Park Golf Course—one of the most challenging courses in the Washington, D.C.,area. 10301 Gunston Road; 703-339-8585; www.nvrpa.org.

League SportsGet in the game—join baseball, basketball, softball, football,soccer and volleyball leagues for kids, teens and adults. Forinformation, call 703-324-5522.

Parks and Recreation CentersFairfax County Park Authority Recreation Centers open earlyand close late seven days a week and feature indoor pools,fitness centers outdoor sundecks, locker rooms, saunas andshowers. George Washington RECenter, 8426 OldMount Vernon Road; 703-780-8894. Lee District RECenter,6601 Telegraph Road; 703-922-9841. Mount VernonRECenter, 2017 Belle View Boulevard; 703-768-3224;www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks.

Camp, swim, golf, fish, picnic, ride a horse, cross-country ski,play miniature golf or rent a canoe at Pohick Bay RegionalPark, 6501 Pohick Bay Drive in Mason Neck Peninsula;703-339-6100, www.nvrpa.org/pohickbay.html.

Running and Hiking EventsThe popular George Washington Parkway 15K/5KClassic takes place the third Sunday in April along the GeorgeWashington Memorial Parkway. 703-549-4447;www.bestrace.com/gwparkwayclassic.

Share the spirit of walking. Contact the Northern VirginiaHiking Club (703-440-1805) or the Northern VirginiaVolksmarchers (703-250-4008) to learn about volksmarchesand other area hiking events.

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SwimmingTake the plunge at a Fairfax County RECenter, then relax ina poolside sauna. George Washington RECenter,8426 Old Mount Vernon Road; 703-780-8894. Lee DistrictRECenter, 6601 Telegraph Road; 703-922-9841. MountVernon RECenter, 2017 Belle View Boulevard; 703-768-3224;www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks.

Take the heat out of a hot summer’s day in the outdoor poolsat Martin Luther King, Jr. Park, 8115 Fordson Road;703-780-9778 or Pohick Bay Regional Park, 6505 PohickBay Drive; 703-339-6102; www.nvrpa.org/pohickbay.html.

TennisPractice your backhand at one of the Richmond Highway area’s40-plus tennis courts, many of them lighted. 703-324-8701;www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks.

Farmer’s MarketBag farm-fresh produce at the Mount Vernon Farmer’sMarket. Tuesdays, 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM, May throughNovember. Sherwood Regional Library, 2501 Sherwood Hall Lane;703-324-5390; www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks.

Dining OutTempt your palate with a delectable array of international cuisinesincluding Chinese, Continental, Indian, Italian, Japanese, Korean,Latin American, Mediterranean, Mongolian barbecue, Thai andVietnamese. Or enjoy authentic regional American specialties atmom & pop-style restaurants serving up excellent barbecue, Cajun,Carolina low country cooking, Chesapeake Bay crab feasts,burgers, buffets, chicken wings, seafood and steak.

And forget the traffic nightmares of Georgetown, Bethesda orClarendon—Richmond Highway restaurants are easy to find andsurrounded by ample FREE parking. So you can spend more timeenjoying your meal, not circling the block.

Get more information on Richmond Highway restaurants from theMount Vernon-Lee Chamber of Commerce, 703-360-6925;www.mtvernon-leechamber.org.

Food FestivalsEnjoy lively food festivals, delicious holiday meals and otherculinary events at historic homes, churches, shopping centers andother Richmond Highway area locations. Sample colonial fare,homemade apple butter, fine Virginia wines, spicy blue crabs,fresh strawberries, roasted oysters, Oktoberfest brews, exoticinternational treats and more. Check the Mount VernonGazette (703-838-0302; www.connectionnewspapers.com),the Mount Vernon Voice (703-360-0800), TheWashington Post (www.washingtonpost.com) and theFairfax County Convention and Visitors Bureau(www.visitfairfax.org) for current event listings.

Gourmet Food ShoppingGive your favorite dish an international twist—add a Latin American,Middle Eastern, Asian, Caribbean or Indian flavor with spices,imported treats and specialty foods from our growing array ofethnic grocers.

Have a Fine Feastfine dining & down-home cooking

Fun for All Agescenters for kids, teens, adults & seniors

Kids Korners

Fairfax County Community and Recreation Servicessponsors art workshops, drama, dance classes and other funactivities for children at various locations. 703-324-4386;www.fairfaxcounty.gov/rec.

Check out the fun at your local library, where you can find a varietyof free activities and events for kids such as story time, puppetshows, music and crafts. Lorton Library, 9520 RichmondHighway; 703-339-7385. Martha Washington CommunityLibrary, 6614 Fort Hunt Road; 703-768-6700. SherwoodRegional Library, 2501 Sherwood Hall Lane; 703-765-3645;www.fairfaxcounty.gov/library.

Fairfax County RECenters offer classes, camps and pre-schoolprograms for kids. George Washington RECenter,8426 Old Mount Vernon Road; 703-780-8894. Lee DistrictRECenter, 6601 Telegraph Road; 703-922-9841. MountVernon RECenter, 2017 Belle View Boulevard; 703-768-3224;www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks.

Teen StuffLearn computers and music, shoot hoops, pump iron, play softball,go on field trips and more at Gum Springs CommunityCenter, 8100 Fordson Road; 703-360-6088.

Join your friends at Rock & Blade Skating with a DJ Friday nightsat the Mount Vernon RECenter ice arena. 2017 Belle ViewBoulevard; 703-768-3224; www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks.

Play pool, table tennis, basketball or volleyball at Fairfax CountyTeen Centers, which also feature music, community service,character education and other activities. The Cave at CameronElementary School, 3434 Campbell Drive; 703-704-6796.The Hideaway at the South County Center, 8350 RichmondHighway; 703-704-6234; www.fairfaxcounty.gov/rec.

Get hands-on computer experience at Gum Springs CommunityCenter’s Computer Clubhouse (703-360-6088) and atComputer Learning Centers located at the Sacramento Neigh-borhood Center (703-619-2962), Mount Vernon WoodsElementary School (703-619-2823) and the Lorton Commu-nity CLCP (703-339-4511).

AdultsDon’t miss a thing. Get your free subscription to Parktakes—aquarterly catalog of class listings for aerobics, arts and crafts, golf,dance, swimming, music, martial arts, team sports and loads of otherrecreational fun. 703-324-8588; www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks.

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Golden Opportunities for SeniorsArea residents 55 years of age or older can join exercise classes,bridge games, hobby and craft classes, discussion groups, trips andother activities at Fairfax County Senior Centers. GrovetonSenior Center, 8350 Richmond Highway; 703-704-6216. HollinHall Senior Center, 1500 Shenandoah Road; 703-765-4573.Lorton Senior Center, 7720 Gunston Plaza; 703-550-7195;www.fairfaxcounty.gov/rec.

Shop 'til You Dropshopping historic richmond highway

With nearly 3 million square feet of retail space, the RichmondHighway is one of Fairfax County’s most popular shoppingdestinations. Find the latest fashions in clothes and home décor, orjoin savvy bargain hunters at area antique stores, thrift shops andcommunity yard sales. Try your hand at silkscreening, painting,beading, framing or sewing with help from more than a dozen artsand crafts supply stores and galleries. Or begin that renovation,redecorating or landscaping project with tools and advice from localhome and garden centers. For area shopping information, contact theMount Vernon-Lee Chamber of Commerce, 703-360-6925;www.mtvernon-leechamber.org.

Special EventsEnjoy fundraising galas, benefit performances, concerts, craft fairs,community days and other popular events staged by localorganizations throughout the year. Check the Mount VernonGazette (703-838-0302; www.connectionnewspapers.com), theMount Vernon Voice (703-360-0800), The WashingtonPost (www.washingtonpost.com) and the Fairfax CountyConvention and Visitors Bureau (www.visitfairfax.org) forcurrent event listings.

Show Civic Prideleadership & volunteer activities

Looking for a way to serve and improve your community? Enjoymeeting people with similar interests? Want to help preserve andprotect the environment? Have special knowledge and skills you’d liketo share? Richmond Highway area organizations offer manyopportunities to make a difference.

Business and DevelopmentMount Vernon-Lee Chamber of Commerce, 703-360-6925;www.mtvernon-leechamber.org.

Southeast Fairfax Development Corporation, 703-360-5008;www.sfdc.org

Civic GroupsMount Vernon Community Coalition, 703-780-5497.Mount Vernon Council of Citizens Associations, 703-768-7091.

Volunteer OpportunitiesFairfax County Volunteer Coordinator, 703-821-5493.Good Shepherd Housing and Family Services, 703-768-9404.Gum Springs Community Center, 703-360-6088.Lorton Community Action Center, 703-339-5161.New Hope Housing, 703-799-2293.United Community Ministries, 703-360-9088.

Expand Your Mindlifetime learning resources

Computer Training

The Richmond Highway area has a variety of computer learningcenters to boost your technology skills:

Lorton Community CLCP, 9504 Richmond Highway; 703-339-4511. Mount Vernon Woods CLCP, 4015 FieldingStreet; 703-619-2823. Northern Virginia CommunityCollege, 2709 Popkins Lane; 703-323-3168. SacramentoNeighborhood Center, 8792-E Sacramento Drive; 703-619-2962. Sherwood Regional Library, 2501 Sherwood HallLane; 703-765-3645. UCM Adult Computer TrainingSchool, 7842 Richmond Highway; 703-360-9088.

Continuing Education and Job TrainingReach your educational goals, learn new job skills, pick up a foreignlanguage, study culinary and fine arts and more through classesand programs offered by the Fairfax County Office of Adultand Community Education. Groveton-Bryant Learning Center,2709 Popkins Lane; 703-660-2000; www.fcps.edu/adult.htm.

Visit the Employment Resource Center at the South CountyGovernment Center to access a wealth of free services and resourcesto help you find a new or better job. 8350 Richmond Highway;703-704-6286.

Public LibrariesFind a treasure trove of books, music, videos and other materials atarea libraries, or stop by for book discussion groups, lectures, exhibits,book sales and other events. Lorton Library, 9520 RichmondHighway; 703-339-7385. Martha Washington CommunityLibrary, 6614 Fort Hunt Road; 703-768-6700. SherwoodRegional Library, 2501 Sherwood Hall Lane; 703-765-3645;www.fairfaxcounty.gov/library.

Small Business AssistanceLaunch your business ideas with entrepreneur-friendly resources—including seminars, one-on-one advice and financing assistance—from the Community Business Partnership, 6911 RichmondHighway, Suite 290; 703-768-1440; www.cbponline.org.

PRODUCED BY THE FAIRFAX COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY, Author: Lisa Madigan Tate; Designer: Vicki Serraino APRIL 2003

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