Explore the George Washington Memorial Parkway , Virginia

Travel in the footsteps of George Washington. See the Virginia that he saw and loved so much. Travel the George Washington Memorial Parkway in Virginia and understand the man and his times a lot more. You can do the trip in one day, but if you can make it a weekend, all the better. The George Washington Memorial Parkway is operated by the National Parks Service and they have all the latest up dates on their web site.

These are some of the highlights, a few of the places along the George Washington Memorial Parkway in Virginia where you can explore nature and history and learn about America in its beginning, and before it was ever thought of.

The perfect place to begin your trip is at George Washington's favorite place, his beloved home, Mount Vernon Virginia. His home has been operated as a museum since 1858 and it is kept the way it was when he and Martha still lived here. Stroll through the gardens, overlooking the Potomac, visit the museums and learn things about George Washington beyond his military and political life, such as the fact that he opened the first distillery in the country, which has just been re opened.

Fort Hunt Park, Virginia
Fort Hunt Park is a great place to have a picnic lunch today, but in the past it has played an important part in the military history of the country. At the time of the Spanish American Way, gun batteries were placed here to help defend the capital and in WW II it was the site of super secret meetings.

Dyke Marsh Wildlife Preserve, Virginia
Wetlands are an important part of our echo system and this one is beautiful, a joy to explore for the plants and the animals. You can explore the over 300 of acres by foot or by canoe or both.

Jones Point Lighthouse,
The lighthouses along the Chesapeake Bay are not like others that you may be familiar with, and for that reason alone it is well worth a visit. You might not get another chance to see one like it. It was first used in 1856 and was almost torn down, but preservation and the DAR persevered and today it is a 50 acre park with bike trails and picnic tables. And come at night and see the light shine once again, like it did in the old days when it guided the ships up the Potomac.

Claude Moore Colonial Farm Virginia
Toward the end of the George Washington Memorial Parkway is the Claude Moore Colonial Farm, a place where you can come and explore the past on an actual working farm, just like it was in colonial days. They open April 1st and have special events going on all season long.