Since my last review, I ended up purchasing a family membership to the Children's Science Center…read moreand it is the BEST purchasing decision I have made all year. It's close proximity means that I have a go-to spot to bring the kids on school breaks, rainy days, cold days, or whenever we simply have nothing to do. While there are a few standing exhibits, the staff does a really good job at changing things up (and keeping things topical) so each visit feels special. And the best part... SLIME. We've made slime conductors, spider slime, fluffy slime, snowflake slime, glow-in-the-dark slime .. basically alll the slime. The experiment lab always has a slime option and it is a highlight of every visit. My eldest daughter went from barely reading and needing help at the beginning of our membership to fully reading and creating experiments on her own. It is so much fun to see. For the littles, there is a small playroom with building blocks, magnatiles, books, and those large blue fort/construction material building materials. My two-year old loved spending time in this room but now that she is three she likes making her own hovercrafts and setting them sail in the wind tunnel. The staff is SO kind, SO helpful, and so passionate about what they do. I love how they offer volunteer/internship opportunities to teens and will also set up special traveling science labs to Title I schools. If you are a member you also get discounted or free visits to children's science museums all across the United States which has made this membership 100% worth it for our family. If you are looking for an experience gift to give a little one this year, I highly recommend the Children's Science Center!

Had a great time with my toddler today. She's not quite two so her admission was free and there's a…read more$2 discount for purchasing tickets in advance. I was worried there wouldn't be enough activity for her age but she had a blast playing with exhibits and blocks in the interactive room. She also made "play dough" as an experiment. The staff were all friendly and helpful, we will definitely be back.

Beautiful collection across a large outdoor garden and indoor exhibits with really beautiful…read morechanging exhibits. Some artists featured when we went: On Kawara, Alex da Corte, Charles Ray, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Jenny Holzer. Of course the infamous Jeff Koons Split Rocker is always in the walking trail. Only note is the signage on the pathways outside on the trail could be improved so that you don't get lost towards the edge where the "sinks in grass" are. Some of the art can be missed because the signage isn't too big. Tickets book out very early in advance so make sure you book ahead! Must have a reservation to enter!! No photography indoors. Outdoors allowed everywhere. Two cafes and bathrooms throughout. If it's raining they even offer umbrellas! Free parking lots. Small gift shop. Looking forward to more blooms in spring!

I learned about Glenstone Museum through social media and was intrigued enough to make it a point…read moreto visit. Free admission to a museum that combines art, architecture and nature? Count me in! Before you go, though, there are a few important things you should know because Glenstone is unlike any museum I've ever visited. Admission is always free, but you must reserve timed-entry tickets in advance. Tickets are released at 10 a.m. Eastern on the first of each month for the following 60 days, so a little planning goes a long way. Glenstone is intentionally designed as a place for contemplation, so there are a few other rules to be aware of, too. Visitors must be at least 12 years old (I actually watched a family get turned away because they brought younger children), photography isn't permitted inside the galleries, and bags larger than 8" x 8" aren't allowed on the museum campus. Once you jump through those few hoops, though, you're rewarded with one of the most unique museum experiences I've had. I had an 11:00 a.m. entry time on a beautiful mid-June Saturday. Even pulling into the property felt different. A staff member greeted me at the entrance to confirm my reservation time and remind me about the bag policy before directing me to parking. From there, check-in was quick and easy. I was handed a map and encouraged to explore at my own pace. The grounds themselves are stunning! Glenstone blends contemporary art with modern architecture and beautifully preserved natural landscapes, and I found myself just as interested in the trees, wildflowers, ponds and meadows as I was in the artwork itself. The gallery buildings feel incredibly modern while somehow fitting perfectly into the landscape around them. It all creates this really peaceful, almost surreal atmosphere that encourages you to slow down and simply...look. I spent about three and a half hours wandering through both the indoor galleries and outdoor installations, taking my time and seeing where the paths led me. Was it my thing? Not really. And that's completely okay! I can absolutely appreciate the creativity, talent and vision behind the artwork and the incredible amount of thought that has gone into creating this experience. It's just not the style of art that really speaks to me personally. I walked away glad I went because I genuinely enjoy experiencing new places, but I don't think it's somewhere I'll return. If you enjoy contemporary art, thoughtful architecture, quiet spaces and slowing down for a few hours, I think you'll absolutely love Glenstone. Just do a little homework before you go, understand the expectations, and embrace the experience for what it is. Even when an adventure isn't something I'd personally repeat, I'm always glad I went. And Glenstone was definitely worth experiencing at least once!

Can't believe no one's rated this yet. AMAZING place if you're an aircraft aficionado. It's got…read moresome legendary aircraft's like the Discovery shuttle, the SR-71 Blackbird, the STOVL model of the X-35B (which is now the F-35 Lightning) including the engines on display, F-14 Tomcat, the Concorde and HUNDREDS of more civilian and military aircrafts & artifacts. Parking is $15 standard and Entry is "FREE" which means you get here at 10 and can spend until 5:30pm any day of the week! There's restaurants, an Airbus IMAX experience and a souvenir shop. Guided tours provided as well which are EXTREMELY informative. https://maps.app.goo.gl/7AJTEZ5TxQeY1q1k8?g_st=ic

Though the name might suggest that this includes a museum, it is not. The United States…read moreGeospatial Intelligence Foundation is a not-for-profit organization that promotes geospatial intelligence. What is geospatial intelligence, you ask? Good question. It is basically the analysis of maps and satellite imagery. Imagine looking at Google Earth all day for your job. Geospatial analysis can also help with non-spook things, though, such as flood control, assistance with natural disaster, community planning, etc.. But, though this sounds like a cool museum and a place to spend a few hours during a long layover at Dulles Airport, it is not. It is just an office.

The Heritage Farm Museum is one of my favorite ways to entertain a toddler on a rainy / hot / snowy…read moreday! You can spend a full morning here, running around, playing, and exploring all the different exhibits and not get bored. The general store is a personal favorite and my kiddos love putting on an apron, stocking and restocking shelves, and pretending to purchase bread and potatoes. There is also a little interactive farm, one room school house, and recreation of an old timey kitchen that are a big hit with our toddler set. In nicer weather days, they have actual farm demonstrations and lots of tractors and other wheeled contraptions for kids to look at. The cost of a morning of fun? $5 for adults, $3 for kids, and FREE NINETY NINE for the two and under set. You can tire your kiddos out, grab lunch at nearby Ridgetop Coffee (which has an indoor playroom), and have a peaceful car nap home. Truly one of the best hidden gems for families here in Nova.

Great spot to spend a few hours with your toddler! The museum is small but perfectly sized for…read moresmall toddlers that need to burn energy on a hot or rainy day. The woman at the front desk was incredibly nice and helpful. The play areas were clean and creative. There farm area and general store were our toddler's favorite! Would definitely recommend and we will be back soon

Closed to cars! Will you believe it?…read more Nonetheless an awesome historical site. Colonial farmers and adventurers from New York, came down to resettle and work the lands around hills at this site. There is an info stand, some benches, about 20 car spots and trails that lead you to the Sully home above the knoll, overlooking the fields. The main building also doubles as a - I am going to call it, a motel or Youth Hostel (or something or other) - sleep over in the Summer. The caretakers were busy posting flyers and moving supplies, but I for the life of me could not figure out why the main road to the Sully home was CLOSED! The Sully site home is regal, although a bit olden and dilapidated (paint peeling etc.), and the grounds seemed in real need of a professional landscaper. All about were elderly visitors, who all were forced to walk the long windy trails in the sizzling, burning Virginia heat. Sully Site: get your hours straight and open up the roads so folks twice my age can enjoy them too! What's up with that?? Wide, fancy, rolling-hilled historic site which was used on and off by Confederate soldiers as a makeshift field hospital for those who had been maimed by the Union Army. Sully Site sits West of D.C., and because it was in Virginia, was a great vantage point for a flow of information on the Capitol: both from the North and the South. Peaceful. Well marked trails and info stands! Rebel review: 5

Located very close to the Dulles airport and the National Air Museum . There's free and easy…read moreparking.Entrance is also free.If you want to take a tour that does cost a fee . I came here without expectations and open to what I would see. The area is very walkable.There's a visitor center . It has information and artifacts from the property . It's also where tour tickets can be purchased .I was able to tour the grounds, including the recreated enslaved quarters. I was able to go inside of the enslaved quarters. Some of the buildings are undergoing renovations and can only be viewed from the outside. This includes the main house.The guide stood in the middle of the grassy area and talked about the main house. He also showed pictures of the inside. Yes, this area was part of the Underground Railroad , but not as a beacon of freedom. It is also on the national registry of historic places. Owned by north Virginia's first congressman and his family this was a working plantation. At one point it was also used by confederate soldiers. Give yourself at least 45 minutes for the grounds.

This museum is AMAZING! Clean, quiet, open 364 days a year and IT'S FREE! If you are passionate…read moreabout history and like guns you will absolutely love this museum. I went on a Saturday but learned that during the week there is an extremely knowledgeable curator. I highly recommend this museum. Also they have a range at the museum so definitely don't forget to check that out as well.

Epic collection of firearms with a rich history. The staff at the museum were very professional and…read moreanswered all my questions thoroughly. The firearm collection is very extensive and goes beyond my highest expectations. We were immediately greeted at the front desk by Zack. He was very informative about the museum. 98% of the museum is made up of donations. About 8,000 firearms donated are in storage. Bill, one of the staff, was very helpful and talked about James Joseph "Whitey" Bulger Jr.. I was impressed at the arrangement of the firearms and how they were organized in a meaningful way. It would take many hours to go through and read all the exhibits. We spent about two hours there. I was very impressed with the exhibit of weapons used in Hollywood movies. I adored the exhibit with taxidermy animals especially the bear. The Buffalo Bill and George Washington exhibit were very eye catching as well. The most spectacular moment in the museum was hearing about and see an exhibit piece owned by one of America's most notorious criminals, Charles Manson. The museum curator, Ernie, gave me vivid details of how the gun was confiscated by the police. Admission to the museum is free and one of Fairfax's finest and unique local attractions. Strongly recommend this museum.

I took me and my boyfriend to see the prehistoric land animals of our ancient time and was heckled…read morefor $50 also I had a gentleman referring to the dinosaurs as "them" it's 2020 let the dinosaurs choose their gender. I asked for a refund at that point and couldn't imagine spending my money there ever again, those poor dinosaurs.

First time to see robotic realistic Dino....I believe only place to see it…read more They could have done better in the set design...made it higher or cover the set better. Silk plants ??? That was the JOKE !!!