This museum is fantastic. The parking lot is large and parking is $15 but entering the museum is…read morefree. There is so much to see and so much rich history here. You could really spend all day reading the signs and learning about the development of aircrafts/aviation/spacecrafts. I love that the planes they have here are the real thing and not just models. There are also free tours you can join to learn from a staff member! A couple more pros are that there's a movie theater and shake shack within the building. I think this museum is great for people of all ages. Another thing I appreciated is that there are plenty of bathrooms and water fountains!

We visited the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center on a Friday morning and really enjoyed our visit. This…read moreis an impressive facility with so much to see, and admission to the museum itself is free. Parking is $15 per car, but parking is free after 4 p.m. If you're just dropping someone off or picking them up, you can enter and leave within 30 minutes without paying for parking. There is a security check when you enter the building, and everything was organized and easy to navigate. They also offer free guided tours, with the tour times posted near the entrance, so be sure to check the schedule when you arrive. The entire facility was very clean and well maintained. There are some long staircases, but there are elevators available for anyone who has difficulty walking or climbing stairs. There was also a staff member operating the elevator that takes visitors up to the observation tower, which was helpful. On the basement level, you can purchase canned water or refill your own bottle at the filtered water fountains. We didn't eat or shop during our visit, but there is a Shake Shack inside, and it appeared to be very popular and busy. There is an incredible amount to see here, and it's definitely worth visiting if you're in the Dulles/Northern Virginia area. Give yourself plenty of time to explore!

This is a serious tour. Neither the walking nor the historical content is for the craven! Your…read moreguide is an endless resource of knowledge about the area, and you will leave with stronger quads and more brain cells. My mom arranged for us to go on this tour, after having read positive reviews on another website. We didn't really know what we had in store for us, but she stumbled onto a local treasure. Once you park and (probably) hike your way toward the rendezvous point, you'll head inside a church lounge where you can sit comfortably and get some background information. Your guide will be dressed in historical garb, and he may even break out into song at various points, between deep-dive presentation of historical narrative. Okay, so costume and singing aren't usually my scene (and in fact, they sometimes make me cringe), but this expert is so totally in earnest that it was actually refreshing. How can you not respect someone with this level of knowledge and commitment? You really feel like you're seeing the area through a historical lens. Every sight you see is informed by the guide, which adds rich layers of context. I admit that I kind of felt weirdly sorry for the other area tourists who were roaming the place uninformed. Some of the rocks, rubble, ruins, trails, and geography you see played a role in American history that you might not recognize, and this awareness made so many of the local sights more enjoyable. You do plenty of walking. Bring water, and wear comfortable shoes and clothing. You will also have breaks from the walking to reconvene. The tour was such an experience that we actually had ice cream with the other tour group members afterward to rehash and decompress. The guide does a haunted tour that I haven't tried, but which he describes as more lighthearted. I'd totally go back for that, and I'd bring any history nerd who visits the area to the O Be JoyFull tour in a heartbeat. Not the right setting for someone who wants a more consumer-based or superficial visit to Harper's Ferry, though. They can wait for you at the ice cream parlor!

It's not often I give 5 star reviews but, if you are a history buff I recommend Rick. Great in…read moredepth information told in a way that helps bring Harpers Ferry & the Civil War into focus. The day tours are lengthy, ~ 4hrs. If you want something shorter, then the ghost tour may do (I heard there's still history sprinkled in). Harper's Ferry is hilly so be prepared for that. Also, if you cross the railway bridge you can view the old canal.

An important historical place in Harper Ferry's, and America's, History…read more This fort is one of the most important and well-known buildings in Harpers Ferry. At first glance it looks like a simple brick firehouse with arched doors that were open when we visited. It had a closed office that a tour guide told us led to a small second floor, but it holds a major place in American history. This is the site of John Brown's raid in 1859. He and his group of abolitionists tried to seize the federal arsenal and start a movement against slavery. The raid failed and Brown was captured, but the event pushed the country closer to the Civil War and made the fort a symbol of both freedom and conflict. The fort has been moved several times over the years, but now sits in the lower town area of Harpers Ferry National Historical Park, not far from the confluence of the rivers and the other historic buildings. There are signs nearby that explain its background and the story of the raid. Anybody can walk right up to the structure and walk and look inside. Admission is included with the entry fee for Harpers Ferry National Historical Park, which covers parking and the shuttle bus system, so there is no separate charge to see the fort itself. The site does not have a tour guide or park ranger, but the informational signs and a decent google search will provide you information on the site. If you are going to visit the city, this is a must see site for you. The visit may seem simple on the surface because it is just a small brick building, but understanding its history gives you a true sense of how one short event helped shape the nation's history. It is a place that makes you stop, think, and remember the struggles that led to freedom and the change that made our country what it is today.

The history of John Brown's raid is fascinating. Unfortunately, the "Fort" leaves a lot to be…read moredesired. The building is started out as a storage area for the local fire engine, but was taken over by John Brown during his attempt to capture the nearby U.S. Armory. The insurrectionist took cover in this building until COL Robert E. Lee (yes, THAT Lee) lead an attack which captured Brown and his men. The building has been dismantled and rebuilt several times, so it isn't even all that original. It's not even on its original spot. Inside, all you see are a few plaques and a historic fire engine. That's all, folks. If you're interested in the history of the place, your best bet is to visit the NPS station nearby, and look for a tour. Visiting here should take no more than a few minutes.

The guided tour were interesting. There isn't much original furniture to see here but you will…read morelearn so much about Clara Barton's life. This place is located next to Glen Echo Park.

I think this is a four star or four and a half (you can't give "halves"). It's steeped in very…read moreinteresting history. The park ranger was awesome (09/05/25) and knew everything about her. You got a real sense of what kind of person she was, how she was not perfect like people think but how she truly believed in what she did and she lived it literally, making her home a place to take in fire/flood and natural disaster victims/war victims. She truly did care and it weighed on her. The house itself is huge. However at this time, the furnishing are mostly in storage as they are awaiting rehab on the building. You can't go upstairs. If it'd of been rehabbed and all moved back in and you could go upstairs, I think this would be a 5 star review. Right now it needs TLC. Her stuff is still there though. I wish they' d of upkept the garden it's a jungle mess back there. However, it's in a cool area to check out and a lovely drive just outside of DC. Enjoyed the visit there and the park ranger was the highlight of the trip.

A great place for music and the arts. Staff is genuinely focused on serving the community.read more

The Barns of Rose Hill is a pretty unique venue, and absolutely beautiful! The non-profit that runs…read morethe place did a fantastic job of renovating the historic barn. Parking is in front of the government center building, and then you walk around to the back of the building and down the slight hill into the lower level of the barn. The first floor is an entryway and an art gallery, while the main floor upstairs is the general event space. We were there for a concert, so we didn't really look at the arts section, but headed straight upstairs. The main event space is beautiful; they left in the original vaulted wooden ceiling and beams, and the walls looked original as well. That said, they did a fantastic job refurbishing it so it felt classic without being run down. As a music space it worked pretty well; the stage up front didn't take up too much space, and the sound was solid. This would also make an awesome place for a wedding reception, or pretty much any party too big for your own house. Overall the Barns of Rose Hill is a great place; I would happily go back for another show, and if we'd known about it before our wedding this would have been very high on our list of options!

We have driven by this battlefield dozens of times and finally decided to stop and visit…read more Easy parking, main ealjway was realtively even, and numerous historic markers to read about the civil war era battles in the area. There is a wooded path too. Lovely mountain views Trash free park.....take out Whatever you bring in

A great place to start your tour of Harpers Ferry and its history…read moreBolivar Heights sits just above Harpers Ferry and, seems like a great place to start a tour of the entire area. We got a guided tour and our tour guide started here because from here you can see the hills that represent "the hole" the place where the 2 rivers, the Potomac and the Shenandoah connect. It gives you a wide open look at the town, the rivers, and the surrounding ridgelines. It's a quiet, grassy ridge with a few cannon placements and clear informational signs. It's easy to understand why this high ground mattered during the Civil War.I like this stop because it was simple and stress-free. There is a small parking area, short mostly-level paths, and lots of room to wander without crowds. The signs along the path do a nice job of explaining the fighting here and how it connects to the larger Harpers Ferry story. The cannons are in good shape but always be careful not to stick your hand inside one as small creatures like to use them also. If you want a picture with a cannon closeup or in the background then this is a good place for you. Overall, Bolivar Heights battlefield is an easy, worthwhile add to a Harpers Ferry visit. If you're driving the park's battle sites, put this one near the top of the list and enjoy the view.

Beautiful park with a lot of different areas that are like their own little landscapes. A great…read moreplace to take photos and even saw a proposal (she said yes!) while I was there. Fun to walk around and enjoy nature. Good place for families or kids or even a casual date. There are plenty of benches and areas with shade. Parking is abundant and the fee to enter is pretty cheap!

This place is absolutely beautiful. Huge with so many stunning areas from a greenhouse with glass…read morewalls and greenery to pagodas! I didn't know it's also a popular event venue! We saw a few weddings here last weekend. Plenty trails and photo ops! Looks like a lot of people come here for maternity shoots and engagement shoots- the photographers have a special entrance ticket and rules to abide by. Not free entry but very well maintained and a beautiful experience for families or couples.

We went to see a Fever Candlelight Concert at the art center. This was our first visit here and…read morereally enjoyed the venue for the concert. We had never been to Franklin Park either which looks really cool with alot of outdoor activity options The Arts Center is located towards the back of the park. Comfortable stadium seating so back rows had good views of the stage. Good sound quality. Great tempurature control ( important in the summer heat) Clean restroom. There is a bit of an incline from the Parking lot to the building.

This is a great place to see a show! Sound is awesome ,…read morebuilding is beautiful and staff great A jem in purcellville