Free things to do in Fairfax & Inner Northern Virginia

Fairfax & Inner Northern Virginia

Verified listings in Fairfax & Inner Northern Virginia, Washington, D.C.

ParkPaid

Great Falls Park

📍 Great Falls · Fairfax & Inner Northern Virginia

NPS park overlooking Potomac River falls with overlooks and trails. Paid entrance; digital passes available via Recreation.gov.

💵 Entrance fee required (credit/debit only; no cash). Private vehicle $20; motorcycle $15; per person on foot/bike/horse $10 (ages 15 and under free). Passes valid 7 consecutive days; also valid at C&O Canal NHP. Annual park pass $35. America the Beautiful passes accepted.

🕑 Hours vary by season; see the official page

✓ Checked on the official page Nov 3, 2026

Details Official site ↗

GardenPaid

Meadowlark Botanical Gardens

📍 Vienna · Fairfax & Inner Northern Virginia

NOVA Parks 95-acre botanical gardens in Vienna with themed plantings and visitor center. Paid daytime admission; seasonal Winter Walk of Lights is a separate ticketed event.

💵 Ages 5 & under free; ages 6–17 $5; ages 18–59 $9; ages 60+ $5. Nov–Dec visitor center hours 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's Day (Winter Walk of Lights hours differ).

🕑 Hours vary by season; see the official page

✓ Checked on the official page Nov 3, 2026

Details Official site ↗

MuseumPaid

Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center

📍 Chantilly · Fairfax & Inner Northern Virginia

Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum annex near Dulles with large aircraft and spacecraft hangars including Space Shuttle Discovery. Free entry; paid parking.

💵 Museum admission free; no passes required. Parking $15. Open daily 10 a.m.–5:30 p.m.; closed Dec. 25. IMAX shows charge separately.

🕑 Daily 10am–5:30pm

✓ Checked on the official page Nov 3, 2026

Details Official site ↗

💸 Date night & paid picks

See all 3 ›

Paid activities with prices from each official site.

MuseumPaid

Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center

📍 Chantilly · Fairfax & Inner Northern Virginia

Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum annex near Dulles with large aircraft and spacecraft hangars including Space Shuttle Discovery. Free entry; paid parking.

💵 Museum admission free; no passes required. Parking $15. Open daily 10 a.m.–5:30 p.m.; closed Dec. 25. IMAX shows charge separately.

🕑 Daily 10am–5:30pm

✓ Checked on the official page Nov 3, 2026

Details Official site ↗

ParkPaid

Great Falls Park

📍 Great Falls · Fairfax & Inner Northern Virginia

NPS park overlooking Potomac River falls with overlooks and trails. Paid entrance; digital passes available via Recreation.gov.

💵 Entrance fee required (credit/debit only; no cash). Private vehicle $20; motorcycle $15; per person on foot/bike/horse $10 (ages 15 and under free). Passes valid 7 consecutive days; also valid at C&O Canal NHP. Annual park pass $35. America the Beautiful passes accepted.

🕑 Hours vary by season; see the official page

✓ Checked on the official page Nov 3, 2026

Details Official site ↗

GardenPaid

Meadowlark Botanical Gardens

📍 Vienna · Fairfax & Inner Northern Virginia

NOVA Parks 95-acre botanical gardens in Vienna with themed plantings and visitor center. Paid daytime admission; seasonal Winter Walk of Lights is a separate ticketed event.

💵 Ages 5 & under free; ages 6–17 $5; ages 18–59 $9; ages 60+ $5. Nov–Dec visitor center hours 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's Day (Winter Walk of Lights hours differ).

🕑 Hours vary by season; see the official page

✓ Checked on the official page Nov 3, 2026

Details Official site ↗

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Free things to do in Fairfax & Inner Northern Virginia, Washington, D.C.

Fairfax & Inner Northern Virginia

Great Falls Park

Meadowlark Botanical Gardens

Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center

💸 Date night & paid picks

Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center

Great Falls Park

Meadowlark Botanical Gardens

Find your thing

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Free things to do in Fairfax & Inner Northern Virginia, Washington, D.C.

Fairfax & Inner Northern Virginia

Great Falls Park

Meadowlark Botanical Gardens

Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center

💸 Date night & paid picks

Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center

Great Falls Park

Meadowlark Botanical Gardens

Find your thing

The week's best stuff in D.C., in your inbox.

Areas

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