Northern Virginia has a hot entertainment scene — live music and comedians, museums and galleries, and campgrounds, parks, and more. Here are places, activities, and people that NoVA adores.
Art Gallery
Winner
Gallery Underground
Arlington’s visual arts community has grown in recent decades, helped in part by the nonprofit cooperative Arlington Artists Alliance. Its Gallery Underground promotes the fine art of established and emerging artists. Every month, it shows off the work of new members, as well as other local and national artists. The gallery also gives members the opportunity to sell their work. 2100 Crystal Dr., Arlington
Runner-Up
Workhouse Arts Center
9518 Workhouse Wy., Lorton
DUAL WINNER: Live Music Venue; Outdoor Concert Space
Winner
Wolf Trap
Who doesn’t love Wolf Trap? The national park site in Vienna has it all. The open-air setting has great sound quality and attracts top artists from all genres. With a location 3 miles from the Capital Beltway and free parking, Wolf Trap provides plenty of convenience. And the fact you can bring in food and have a picnic gives it another gold star. Among the artists performing this season: Tori Amos, Diana Krall, and James Taylor. 1645 Trap Rd., Vienna
Runner-Up (Live Music Venue)
Tally Ho Theater
19 W. Market St., Leesburg
Runner-Up (Outdoor Concert Space)
The Perch
1805 Capital One Dr., 11th Floor, Tysons
Mini Golf
Winner
Perch Putt
Forget the old-timey windmill. Perch Putt takes the 18-hole mini golf experience up a notch. You are on the roof of the Capital One Center taking in the Tysons skyline as you play. In addition to golf, Perch Putt hits a hole-in-one with adult beverages and food trucks. It’s popular, so book ahead for a tee time. 1805 Capital One Dr., 11th Floor, Tysons
Runner-Up
Upton Hill Regional Park
6060 Wilson Blvd., Arlington
Museum
Winner
Loudoun Heritage Farm Museum
This hands-on farm museum can’t be beat for spurring the imagination. The interactive children’s farm lets kids milk a lifelike cow. Learning opportunities include what’s in a kitchen before the days of electricity and what life was like for Loudoun’s first inhabitants. New garden areas this year will feature apples, grapes, and more perennial fruits. 21668 Heritage Farm Ln., Sterling
Runner-Up
Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center
14390 Air and Space Museum Pkwy., Chantilly
Stand-Up Comedy
Winner
Arlington Cinema & Drafthouse
The local and national comedians who perform at the Arlington Cinema & Drafthouse pack the house. You will want to leave the kids at home. It’s a nobody-under-21 joint for late-night entertainment, and seating is first come, first served. Renny, Nick Di Paolo, Judy Gold, and Quinn Dale are among those taking the stage this year. 2903 Columbia Pk., Arlington
Runner-Up
Tally Ho Theater
19 W. Market St., Leesburg
Theater House
Winner
Signature Theatre
Signature Theatre pushes the envelope to bring NoVA bold musicals as well as refreshing adaptations of the classics. The theater aims to connect with the community by offering a wide variety of viewpoints through its performances. Not to be missed this summer: Sweeney Todd and Soul Divas Reprise. 4200 Campbell Ave., Arlington
Runner-Up
Creative Cauldron
410 S. Maple Ave., Ste. 116, Falls Church
Bounce/Trampoline Space
Winner
Flight Adventure Park
This indoor trampoline park will have you bouncing with glee. At the Springfield location, you blast off on different space-related adventures. You can climb a space shuttle, bail out of a plane, or jump to see the planets. The Junior Pilots Zone is a play space for kids ages 4 and younger. 7200 Fullerton Rd., Springfield
Runner-Up
Sky Zone
Multiple locations
Campground
Winner
Lake Fairfax Park
Rev up the RV and take a staycation or pack the tent and head out for an adventure. Campsites at Lake Fairfax can be rented for up to 14 consecutive days from April through November. Each site has a picnic table and fire ring/grill combo. The bathhouse has hot showers. Small and large groups can be accommodated. 1400 Lake Fairfax Dr., Reston
Runner-Up
Algonkian Regional Park
47001 Fairway Dr., Sterling
Ice Skating Rink
Winner
Ion International Training Center
It doesn’t have to be winter to put on your ice skates. Ion offers public ice skating year-round. You can learn to ice skate or play ice hockey here. The facility trains skaters on multiple levels and offers camps for figure skating and ice hockey. Private lessons are available. 19201 Compass Creek Pkwy. SE, Leesburg
Runner-Up
Ashburn Ice House
21595 Smith Switch Rd., Ashburn
DUAL WINNER: Indoor Kids Entertainment; Kids Party Venue
Winner
Sportrock Climbing Centers
The climbing centers, with locations in Alexandria and Sterling, take the top spots for Indoor Kids Entertainment and Kids Party Venue. Both locations have an open climb time, a breakfast club climb on Sunday mornings, and a regular Friday night climb. The centers have weeklong indoor climbing camps for kids ages 8 to 14. Sportrock’s summer day camps made our list of the best day camps in 2022. Birthday party events run 90 minutes and teach the basics of knot craft and belaying. Parties are limited to 20 people in Alexandria and 10 in Sterling. 5308 Eisenhower Ave., Alexandria; 45935 Maries Rd., Sterling
Runner-Up (Indoor Kids Entertainment & Kids Party Venue)
Children’s Science Center Lab
11948 Fair Oaks Mall, Fairfax
Kids Class
Winner
The Heartfelt Workshop
Kids apply their creativity to both hand and machine sewing. In class, they learn how a sewing machine works, different stitches, how to reach patterns, and how to sew buttons and zippers. The weekly class for kids 8 and older runs one hour and 15 minutes. Summer camps start at age 7. 6721 Curran St., Ste. 100, McLean
Runner-Up
Progressions Dance School
8797 Commerce Ct., Manassas; 410 Rosedale Ct., Warrenton
Place to View Animals
Winner
Frying Pan Farm Park
At Kidwell Farm, you learn about life in the 1930s while on a working farm. See a host of farm animals, including horses, chickens, sheep, goats, pigs, and cows. There’s cow milking at 4 p.m. every day. Admission is free. Birthday parties there include meet-and-greets with the animals. 2709 West Ox Rd., Herndon
Runner-Up
NoVA Wild
1228 Hunter Mill Rd., Vienna
Pick-Your-Own Farm or Orchard
Winner
Great Country Farms
Who can resist a fresh blackberry, peach, or apple? At Great Country Farms, you can have the satisfaction of knowing each fruit is its freshest because you’ve picked it. The farm does not plant genetically modified crops and minimizes the use of synthetic fertilizers. You can go for a day or get an unlimited farm pass. 34345 Snickersville Tpk., Bluemont
Editor’s Pick
Wegmeyer Farms
Wegmeyer’s primary crops are strawberries and pumpkins. It has strawberries at three locations, two of which are you-pick areas: its primary farm in Hamilton and at the Oatlands Historic Mansion. At Gilberts Corner, you buy pre-picked berries. The farm grows more than 50 varieties of pumpkins, and it also offers you-pick sunflowers. 38299 Hughesville Rd., Hamilton; Little Oatlands Ln., Leesburg
DUAL WINNER: Picnic Location; Public Park
Winner
Great Falls Park
The National Park Service suggests you arrive early because on beautiful days, cars line up to get in. The park opens at 7 a.m. The picnic tables and grills are first come, first served. Either before or after your burgers and hot dogs, take a hike to one of the three overlooks for gorgeous views of the Potomac River. Note: You’ll want to pay your entrance fee online. The park has limited cell service. 9200 Old Dominion Dr., McLean
Runner-Up (Picnic Location)
Burke Lake Park
7315 Ox Rd., Fairfax Station
Editor’s Pick (Public Park)
Cherry Hill Park
The park sits not far from the heart of Falls Church on the grounds of the historic Cherry Hill Farm. It is where most of the city’s special events and activities take place. It has a lighted basketball court, two lighted tennis courts, a horseshoe court, playground equipment, and a picnic shelter you can rent by the hour. 312 Park Ave., Falls Church
Place to Stargaze
Winner
Sky Meadows State Park
Starry, starry nights are best seen at this International Dark Sky Park. The views at parks with this designation are considered exceptional. During monthly programs, astronomer volunteers guide you on a visual tour of the skies. Located on the eastern side of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the park has hiking trails and camping accommodations. 11012 Edmonds Ln., Delaplane
Runner-Up
Shenandoah National Park
21073 Skyline Dr., Front Royal
Playground
Winner
Clemyjontri Park
The colorful playground at this Fairfax County park is great for younger kids. The playground is designed for children of all abilities, with rubber surfacing and wider openings so wheelchairs can easily get around. There are several play areas. The park’s old-fashioned carousel and trackless train are kid favorites. 6317 Georgetown Pk., McLean
Runner-Up
Gwen Thompson Briar Patch Park
21660 N. Sterling Blvd., Sterling
Pottery Studio
Winner
Clay Cafe
Try your hand at throwing pottery with Clay Cafe’s try-it classes for adults and kids. You can paint your own ceramics at its studio or take an acrylic canvas painting class. For kids, the studio has summer camps and birthday parties. 14511-G Lee Jackson Memorial Hwy., Chantilly
Runner-Up
Paint Your Own Pottery
Mobile/pop up
Pumpkin Patch
Winner
Cox Farms
In the fall, there’s fun for everyone at Cox Farms. In addition to pumpkins galore, the farm puts on a fall festival with a cornfield maze, hayrides, several giant slides, and farm animals, including goats you can pet. Kids can learn farm chores. (Maybe that will help around the house!) And, of course, don’t miss the cider. 15621 Braddock Rd., Centreville
Runner-Up
Great Country Farms
34345 Snickersville Tpk., Bluemont
Water Park
Winner
The Water Mine Family Swimmin’ Hole
Your prospects of getting wet at this family water park based on the Old West Gold Rush are 100 percent. You can soar down the three-story Prospectors Plummet waterslide or float around the 725-foot lazy Rattlesnake River. Still not satisfied? Try the Big Pete and Little Pete waterslides or a game of water volleyball. 1400 Lake Fairfax Dr., Reston
Runner-Up
SplashDown Waterpark
7500 Ben Lomond Park Dr., Manassas
News Anchor
Winner
Jim Handly, NBC4
NBC4’s Jim Handly reminds you of your next-door neighbor, doesn’t he? The Emmy Award–winning journalist with a friendly demeanor has been bringing you the news for more than 30 years. He currently anchors the 4 p.m. news with Eun Yang and the 11 p.m. news with Shawn Yancy.
Radio DJ
Winner
Elliot in the Morning, DC101
Elliot Segal’s radio antics are not for everyone, but fans of alternative rock station DC101 love the host of Elliot in the Morning. The Arlington resident’s show is in syndication and online. And he’s well known enough to be in the National Radio Hall of Fame. Catch him weekdays between about 6 a.m. and 10 a.m.
Local Band
Winner
Moonshine Society
When you hear Jenny Langer and the Moonshine Society belt it out, you can’t stop listening. The band draws its blues, soul, and R&B inspiration from the greats, including B.B. King and Johnny Winter. The band performs a mix of original songs and cover favorites. When they are not touring, you can hear them around the DMV.
Local Professional Athlete
Winner
Alex Ovechkin, Washington Capitals
It’s not uncommon to hear the crowd shouting “Ovie!” when 6-foot-3 Alex Ovechkin is in the rink at Capital One Arena. This season, the Capitals’ captain wasn’t on the ice as much because of upper body injuries. While the team’s consecutive playoff streak ended at eight, fans no doubt are looking forward to Ovechkin trying to pass Wayne Gretzky’s record of 894 goals.
Local Professional Coach
Winner
Davey Martinez, Washington Nationals
Fans are sticking with Washington Nationals manager Davey Martinez, despite the baseball team’s sometimes questionable performance. Martinez, who’s been with the Nats since 2017, is known for providing leadership to young players and for trying different lineups. Hopefully, he’ll get the team back in the swing.
Weathercaster
Winner
Doug Kammerer, NBC4
From the way he talks, you can tell NBC4 chief meteorologist Doug Kammerer loves what he does. Kammerer, who was raised in NoVA, has been with the station since 2010. If you miss the news, you can always catch his Weather 101 reports on Facebook, where he has a following of 69,000.
This story originally ran in our June issue. For more stories like this, subscribe to Northern Virginia Magazine.
