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Region in Virginia, United States
Photo: Aude, CC BY-SA 2.5 via Wikimedia Commons
Northern Virginia (or NoVA) is highly populated, and smashes most all stereotypes of Virginia, that one-time Southern state. Though much of it is considered a suburb of metropolitan Washington, D.C., the inner suburbs are really cities in their own right, with world class attractions and nightlife, and the ensuing sprawl is likewise dense with its own attractions and culinary gems.
Although it is a suburb, Arlington is abundant in cultural vibrancy with its own fast-paced urban atmosphere. One can enjoy the nightlife scene in areas such as Clarendon or a quick metro ride into DC.
Alexandria is one of the largest urban centers in Virginia. Neighboring DC from across the Potomac River, Alexandria is rich in historic culture through Old Town Alexandria along with great amenities for shopping, dining, boating, and colonial history.
Fairfax County is an inner suburb that is, by far, the state's most populous county with a large presence of immigrant communities that add to the county's growing diverse culture. This can be seen through the variety of restaurants, businesses, neighborhoods, etc. George Washington's estate and three of the largest shopping areas in the region (Tysons Corner, Springfield Mall and Fair Oaks Mall)
Loudoun County contrasts rural mountainous areas near the West Virginia border and highly developed suburbs in the east, which make it the wealthiest county in the US. Contains the massive Dulles International Airport and Leesburg Outlets.
Outside the beltway, Prince William County is home to the largest concentration of minorities in Northern Virginia with African, Arab, African-American, and Hispanic communities. It hosts the Manassas National Battlefield Park, the Potomac Outlets, Quantico, and the National Marine Museum.
Spotsylvania County is the southernmost suburb of Washington DC about an hour away. There are many attractions such as Spotsylvania Towne Centre, Kalahari Resort, and strip malls in the northern part of the county along Route 1 and Route 3. North towards Fredericksburg, there are the fairgrounds and a historic downtown area.
Stafford County is an outer suburb approximately 45 minutes south of Washington DC. Garrisonville Road is home to shopping areas such as Stafford Market Place and strip malls. In southern Stafford toward Fredericksburg is George Washington's boyhood home at Ferry Farm. Many trails for recreation can be found throughout the county.
By car
A good long list of major interstates lead into Northern Virginia.C. from the south.
By boat
Not a very common way to get to the region, but there are riverboat cruises and water taxis from DC.
By train
C. and Maryland via the Blue, Yellow, Orange, and Silver lines. The metro is relatively frequent and runs from early morning to late evening.C. to much further-out Northern Virginia suburbs.
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Dulles · International · IAD
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