Four-Day Northern Virginia City Route

Morning

Start at Gadsby’s Tavern Museum in Old Town, where the two historic buildings offer a compact introduction to Alexandria’s colonial past. Allow about an hour; admission is typically around $5, but check current tour availability and hours before you go. Continue on foot to Carlyle House Historic Park for its Georgian mansion and grounds, another roughly hour-long visit. These historic sites can have limited opening days or tour schedules, so confirm both are open for your chosen day before building your plans around them.

Lunch and Afternoon

Walk to The Warehouse for a relaxed lunch in a lively historic setting; budget about $20–35 per person and allow an hour. Afterward, stroll toward the river to Torpedo Factory Art Center, where you can browse working artist studios and galleries for about 1½ hours. Admission is generally free, though individual studios may have their own hours.

Late Afternoon

Finish with an easy 45-minute stroll along the Old Town Alexandria waterfront. November river breezes can feel colder than the temperature suggests, so bring your coat, scarf, and gloves; a water-resistant daypack is handy if showers are forecast. Take your time along the promenade, then wander back through Old Town for a warm drink or an early dinner if you’d like to linger.

Morning

Take the Blue Line to Arlington Cemetery and allow 2½–3 hours for security screening, the grounds and memorials. Entry is free; the cemetery is generally open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in November, but check current access notices before setting out. The grounds are extensive, so wear comfortable shoes and consider the paid tram tour if you’d rather save your steps; confirm its schedule and ticket price on the day. Leave time to pause at the major memorials rather than trying to cover every section.

Early afternoon

From the cemetery, head to the U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial (Iwo Jima) in Rosslyn. It’s roughly a 25–30-minute walk, with some uphill stretches; a short rideshare is an easier option if you’re tired. Allow about 45 minutes for the memorial and its open views across the Potomac toward Washington. Then walk to Sfoglina Rosslyn for handmade pasta and a comfortable indoor break—budget about $25–45 per person and 1–1½ hours. Lunch service and hours can vary, so check before you go, especially if your day falls on a weekend.

Afternoon

Finish at Theodore Roosevelt Island, a welcome patch of woods and quiet just off Rosslyn. From the restaurant, it’s about a 10–15-minute walk to the pedestrian bridge; the island itself is car-free, with trails leading to the memorial. Give yourself around 1½ hours, wear water-resistant shoes, and check the day’s sunset time—November daylight fades early, and the trails can be muddy after rain. Admission is free; stick to the marked paths and plan to leave before dusk.

Morning

Allow 35–60 minutes to reach Fairfax from Arlington, with extra time if you hit rush-hour traffic; start early enough to arrive around opening. Begin at the Fairfax Museum and Visitor Center on Main Street for a roughly one-hour introduction to local history. Its hours can vary by day, so check before setting out. Then drive about 10 minutes to Historic Blenheim for the Civil War-era house and its soldiers’ graffiti. House access and tours depend on the site’s schedule, so confirm availability in advance; allow 1–1½ hours, and bring a layer for time outdoors.

Lunch and afternoon

Drive roughly 15 minutes to Mosaic District in Merrifield for lunch and an easy wander among the shops and public spaces. Casual meals generally run about $15–30 per person; Our Mom Eugenia is a good pick for Greek food. After about 1½ hours, continue by car to the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, allowing around 20–25 minutes, plus time to park. Plan on 2½–3 hours among the aircraft and space exhibits, including the Space Shuttle Discovery. Admission is free, but parking is typically about $15 per vehicle; the center is generally open daily from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., with holiday exceptions, so check current hours. Comfortable walking shoes and a water-resistant outer layer will come in handy between the car and the hangars.

Morning

Allow 45–60 minutes to drive from Fairfax to Oatlands Historic House and Gardens, plus a little buffer for traffic and parking; leave early enough to arrive near opening. Set aside 1½–2 hours for the mansion tour and grounds. November schedules can be seasonal, and house tours may run only at specific times, so check the day’s hours and tour availability before you set out.

Late Morning and Lunch

Drive back toward downtown for an hour wandering the Leesburg Historic District—its preserved streets and independent shops are easy to explore on foot. Then have lunch at King Street Oyster Bar, a short walk away; budget about $25–45 per person and roughly an hour. After lunch, drive north to Morven Park for about 1½ hours among the estate grounds and historic properties. Check seasonal access before going, since indoor sites and grounds may have different schedules.

Afternoon and Evening

Finish at Stone Tower Winery, a countryside drive from town. Allow around 1½ hours for a tasting and vineyard views; reservations may be required, and tastings are typically about $25–45 per person. November daylight fades early, so book a tasting that leaves time to enjoy the views before dusk, and check the weather and winery hours. This is a full day with several drives, so confirm each stop’s seasonal hours in advance and be ready to shorten your wandering time if tours or traffic run late.