How to Be a Hometown Tourist in the Offseason

Explore Virginia and DC like an outsider would. You might be surprised how much you learn about what’s in your own backyard.

By Kate Oczypok • Posted September 9, 2024 at 11:26 a.m.

Pope-Leighey House in Alexandria, Scenic Historic Spot in NoVA (Courtesy Lincoln Barbour for Woodlawn & Pope-Leighey House)

Many times, because of the crowds, people who live in NoVA hesitate to take sights that tourists coming to DMV do. But now that the summer tourism season is over, you can become a hometown tourist.

Here are seven interesting options for this offseason.

Meet Under the Stars at the Eisenhower Memorial

September 13, 7:30–9:30 p.m.

To help celebrate the lead-up to the fourth anniversary of the Eisenhower Memorial opening to the public, check out the stars while honoring advances in space exploration under our 34^th President Dwight D. Eisenhower. You’ll be able to look through telescopes and participate in other activities put together by the National Park Service, the National Air and Space Museum, the Northern Virginia Astronomy Club, and others. Eisenhower Memorial: 540 Independence Ave. SW, Washington, DC, free

Learn about History-Making Women Military Aviators

September 19, 8–9 p.m.

Head to the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center to learn about women pilots and other aviators who began training in 1973. It took an additional 20 years for women to have the right to fly combat aircraft. Author Beverly Weintraub (Wings of Gold: The Story of the First Women Naval Aviators) and U.S. Air Force veteran and author Eileen Bjorkman (Fly Girls Revolt: The Story of the Women Who Kicked Open the Door to Fly in Combat) will discuss the challenges women military aviators faced. Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center: 14390 Air and Space Museum Pkwy., Chantilly

Take Part in Constitution Day at Montpelier

September 21, 8 a.m.–4 p.m.

Head to James Madison’s Montpelier for a day of tours, hikes, food trucks, and family-friendly activities. Of course, Mr. Madison will be on hand to greet guests. Register for a 30-minute talk with Lindsey Cormack, author of How to Raise a Citizen (And Why It’s Up to You to Do It), about how to start important political discussions at home. James Madison’s Montpelier, 11350 Constitution Hwy., Montpelier

Take in the National Gallery of Art’s Newest Exhibit

Through January 19, 2025

Immerse yourself in learning all about the beginnings of impressionism at the National Gallery of Art’s Paris 1874: The Impressionist Movement exhibit. There are 130 works by artists like Paul Cézanne, Claude Monet, and Camille Pissarro on display. This will be the only American stop for this exhibit. National Gallery of Art: Sixth Street and Constitution Avenue, Washington, DC, free

Visit the Woodlawn and Pope-Leighey House

Open Thursdays through Mondays, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.

During the 1700s, Woodlawn was part of George Washington’s Mount Vernon plantation. Anti-slavery Quakers bought the home in the 1840s, and showed that with Black landownership and agricultural reform, Virginia could be harvested without slavery. The Pope-Leighey House, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, was built for the Pope family in 1940. It was nearly demolished in 1965, until the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the home’s second owner Marjorie Leighey moved it to Woodlawn.

As a hometown tourist, you should take the guided tours of Woodlawn and the Pope-Leighey House, the only Frank Lloyd Wright home in the area. Combo tours of both sites are available at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. and typically last up to two-and-a-half hours. Single site tours are usually one hour to 90 minutes. 9000 Richmond Hwy., Alexandria, $7.50–$15 for single-site tours, $12–$25 for combo tours

Attend a Fall Community Open House at Sully Historic Site

October 27, 12–5 p.m.

This event for all ages lets you experience the autumn season on an 18^th century farm. You can try making butter, learning about food preservation, and making their own corn husk dolls, and more. Also see how yard is dyed with walnuts. Register online. 3650 Historic Sully Way, Chantilly, $12

Take a Historic Leesburg Walking Tour

Fall is the perfect time of year to be a hometown tourist and explore historic Leesburg. During the offseason, check out the historical homes, churches, and the Lightfoot Building, which now houses a restaurant. Learn tidbits you can fascinate others with. Tours can have up to seven people and last about one hour, 20 minutes. Leesburg, starting at $80 for two people

Feature image of Pope-Leighey House courtesy Lincoln Barbour for Woodlawn & Pope-Leighey House

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Kate Oczypok

Contributing Writer

Kate Oczypok has been a freelance writer since 2011, and is proud to be a regular contributor to Northern Virginia Magazine in digital and print since 2020. Her bylines have appeared in The New York Times, People.com, Better Homes and Gardens, and locally The Georgetowner and Washingtonian Magazine, among others. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Print Journalism from American University and a M.Ed. in Education from Penn State. She also teaches virtual piano lessons in the after school hours and does portrait photography on weekends.