Nottoway Park in Vienna, VA!

Last week we checked out Nottoway Park in Vienna, VA. Tucked back amongst a lovely neighborhood of single family homes on Courthouse Road in Fairfax County this 84 acre park has plenty for everyone.

The Hunter House sits on the Nottoway Park property named after it's original owner. This original farmhouse as been renovated over the years and was purchased by the Park Authority in 1972. It now can be rented to accommodate social and corporate events.

Besides the Hunter House the park has many different recreational courts and fields including tennis, basketball, volleyball courts and baseball fields. Different walking, biking and hiking trails run throughout the park as well. A small playground is located in a shady part of the park and sits near the public restrooms. The equipment is small but does include a set of swings with both toddler and child swings.

This very large park has a lot to offer Oakton and Vienna. If you enjoy organized sports there are plenty of different options to choose from at Nottoway. If you live in the area you should stop by and check it out!

Peterson Lane Park in Vienna, VA!

Yesterday the kids and I stumbled across Peterson Lane Park in Vienna, VA! This 5.45-acre Fairfax County park is situated between a neighborhood of great older and custom single family homes in the Town of Vienna.

From the parking lot off of Malcolm Road you can barely see the playground equipment in the distance. Just follow the pathways that take you passed the freshly asphalted basketball court and you'll find the playground equipment. As we walked to the playground yesterday we were greeted by these two cute little fawns having a snack by the basketball court.

The playground equipment is in great shape and offered the kids lots to climb on including a toddler and regular swing set. The playground was mostly in the sun during the morning but there are tons of trees for the kids to escape the heat. There are no restrooms available but plenty of benches to take a break on.

If the kids get tired of playing on the equipment you can head out onto the paved trails that run through the park and around the neighboring areas. There is plenty of shade and wildlife for them to check out.

 If you get hungry or need to get a little shopping done the Town of Vienna and Chainbridge Road are just a short drive away. This was a very cute neighborhood park and if you live in the area you should check it out.

Dunn Loring Park in Vienna, VA!

Dunn Loring Park in Vienna, VA is located off of Gallows Road in Fairfax County. It is within walking distance of the W&OD Trail and the Merrifield/Dunn Loring Metro Stop.

The park is completely in the shade of an older grove of trees. The equipment was newer and included a swing set for both older and younger kids. A porta potty is available in the parking lot and it was in pretty decent shape when we went to the park. A small picnic shelter is also available at the park and available for rental. The park does include tennis courts and a full size basketball court. Also there is small set of walking paths around the park.

Fun neighborhood park in Vienna!

Wolf Trap's Children's Theatre in the Woods in Vienna, VA!

Today we checked out Wolf Trap's Children's Theatre in the Woods. Wolf Trap National Park is the only national park dedicated to presenting the performing arts. The park has multiple amphitheatres including the Children's Theatre in the Woods with performances from May-September.Wolf Trap National Park is located in the suburbs of Vienna, VA in Fairfax County.

The Children's Theatre is located in the woods and seating is general admission. Parking is available at the entrance of the Filene Center. You walk up a small hill and down to the ticket kiosk. Tickets can be purchased either online or at the ticket kiosk. Restrooms are available outside the theatre near the ticket kiosk. Food is not allowed inside the theatre but they have many benches around to have a snack or lunch. In between shows people would walk out and grab a snack then return to watch the second show. I'm surpised at the lack of bugs in the venue even though we were sitting in the middle of the woods.

We were lucky enough to be in the third row from the stage but there really wasn't a bad seat in the house. Strollers are allowed up to the entrance of the theatre and then parked near a fence. The shows were aimed more towards the Kindergarten level but my little boys loved the show.

We'll be headed back to Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts!

Northside Park in Vienna, VA!

While we were in Vienna,VA we checked out Northside Park. It is a 26 acre undeveloped park with unpaved hiking and walking trails throughout. This Fairfax County park is located just off of the W&OD Trail tucked next to a nice older neighborhood.

This park is a great location to take the kids hiking/ walking through the nature trails. Also if you enjoy geo-caching then this is the perfect place for you. Northside Park is a nice natural park found in the middle of Vienna. The family and I will definitely return here to check out all the trails.

Glyndon Park in Vienna, VA!

This week we checked out Glyndon Park in the town of Vienna, VA! Vienna has a hometown feel and the older surrounding neighborhoods are filled with beautiful custom homes.

The cute little park is surrounded by huge older trees with plenty of shade. The 11-acre park has a baseball field, basketball court and two lighted tennis courts. Along with a very nice playground and walking trails a picnic pavillion is available. Restrooms are available at the park.

This is very nice park in a great area. We will definitely will be visiting this park in the future!

Next Stop Northside Park in Vienna, VA!

Meadowlark Botanical Gardens in Vienna, VA!

Meadowlark Botanical Gardens is located in Vienna, Virginia. Tucked back in a neighborhood off of Beulah Road, this park is a great place to take the kids or just to take a leisurely stroll. The visitor center is set up to offer education on conservation and plant diversity. The park has two ponds filled with koi fish and no shortage of turtles. If you are a bird lover there are plenty of different species flying around.

The main walking paths are perfect for strollers and wagons. Around the perimeter of the park are wooded hiking/equestrian trails.  A small kids area offers a sandbox and a fun sitting area under a trestle. This area is conveniently located right next a pond so the kids can see turtles and large bull frogs.

We are definitely coming to this Fairfax County park again. The kids loved walking around looking at all the wildlife and pretty flowers. There was plenty of shade either on the paved trials or back on the hiking/equestrain trails. A picnic area is located outside the park near the parking lot since food is prohibited inside the park.

Check out my next write up on Ashburn Park.....

Hidden Oak Nature Center in Annandale, VA!

Hidden Oaks Nature Center is located in Annandale, Virginia off of Route 495 in Fairfax County. The nature center has 1/3 mile of clearly marked trails to take the kids on. Small informative signs are located through the trials for the kids to read.

Inside the nature center there is no shortage of things for the kids to do. A few reptiles and amphibians are featured in exhibits for the kids to view. One exhibit features costumes so the kids can dress up like their favorite animal. After the nature center you can walk down to the play equipment and picnic tables to eat some lunch. The play equipment wasn't in the best shape but my kids didn't care.

If you live in the area this is a great place to take the kids to learn about nature and burn off some energy.

Next stop.....Meadowlark Botanical Gardens in Vienna, VA!