Wolf Trap
No concert venue says summer quite like Wolf Trap, but the music actually continues all year long. The 117-acre national park, open since 1971 in Vienna, hosts performances year-round. In the fall, The Barns at Wolf Trap offers an intimate venue for live music. The park is also home to two hiking trails, winter sledding and park ranger programs. // 1551 Trap Road, Vienna; 703-255-1900; wolftrap.org
Fountainhead Regional Park
Fairfax Station is home to this 2,000-acre park, a great choice for kayaking, biking, horseback riding and hiking. Test your skills at the park’s popular mountain biking trail or spend a fall weekend day playing mini golf at their 18-hole course. // 10875 Hampton Road, Fairfax Station; 703-250-9124; novaparks.com/parks/fountainhead-regional-park
The Turner Farm
This onetime dairy farm in Great Falls is now a park that hosts horseback riding and an observatory. The three telescopes in its observation room, which features a retractable roof, are used for both adult astronomy classes and fun family events, offering an extensive schedule of classes and events under the night sky. // 925 Springvale Road, Great Falls; 703-324-8702; fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/turner-farm
FALL FUN: Bring your own telescope or borrow one there for an Intro to Telescopes class that offers the basics for observing the Milky Way and beyond. // Oct. 2 and Nov. 27, 7:30-8:30 p.m.; $8
Bull Run Shooting Center
Relive your Duck Hunt days at the only public shotgun shooting range in Northern Virginia. This Centreville spot offers five outdoor shooting games—including skeet, sporting clay and wobble trap—as well as indoor archery. Lessons in both sports are available, and multiple tournaments for each are held every year. // 7700 Bull Run Drive, Centreville; 703-830-2344; novaparks.com/parks/bull-run-shooting-center
Meadowlark Botanical Gardens
When in need of a respite from the daily grind, spend an afternoon at Meadowlark. The Vienna park has 95 acres of native plants and opulent gardens, as well as trails, an enclosed tropical garden and a Korean Bell Garden, featuring a large bell crafted in South Korea and housed inside an elegant pagoda. // 9750 Meadowlark Gardens Court, Vienna; 703-255-3631; novaparks.com/parks/meadowlark-botanical-gardens
Assateague Island
Get the experience of both the bay and the ocean at Assateague Island, a national park known for its wild horses. Spend a day collecting shells, kayaking or riding a horse, or get the full experience by camping at the beach (Maryland only). // 7206 National Seashore Lane, Berlin, Maryland; 410-641-1441; nps.gov/asis
Saddle Up!
These local parks offer scenic trails for experienced and novice riders.
Silver Lake Park
Frying Pan Farm Park
The Turner Farm
Pohick Bay Regional Park
Temple Hall Farm
Fountainhead Regional Park
Assateague Island
Algonkian Regional Park
