Whether your idea of summer vacation includes wiggling your toes in the sand, backpacking through scenic parks or taking in the picturesque view of the mountains with a glass of chardonnay in hand - you'll find your "Summer to Love" in DC's Countryside.

 

Located a short distance from the nation's capital, Prince William, VA  offers everything from crab festivals and fireworks along the Potomac to star-studded outdoor music concerts. Spend your morning touring historic sites and Civil War battlegrounds or take a wildlife kayak tour along Neabsco Creek. Spend the afternoon shopping at Potomac Mills - Virginia's largest outlet mall or stroll through eclectic boutiques in Historic Occoquan, savor the afternoon along our Steins, Vines & Moonshine Trail and spend the evening relaxing in one our affordable hotels.

 

Enjoy our 50 ways to love your summer in Prince William, VA  as we celebrate 5o years of the iconic Virginia is for Lovers campaign.

 

1) Enjoy some of the biggest names in the music industry at Jiffy Lube Live's outdoor amphitheater.

A group of people at an outdoor concert during the day

2) Immerse Yourself in Marine Corps History at the National Museum of the Marine Corps

Marine Corps Museum

3) Shop till you drop at Potomac Mills - Virginia's largest outlet mall.

Potomac Mills

4) Picnic or Hike along the Potomac at Leesylvania State Park

couple walking along a beach

5) Experience Civil War history at Manassas National Battlefield Park

Cannons in a field

6) Enjoy the region's largest protected natural area at over 16,000 acres at Prince William Forest Park

Prince William Forest Park WaterfallPhoto Credit: John C. Ernst Photography

7) Make a splash with the family at SplashDown Waterpark

People of all ages in a lazy river with their hands up smiling

8) Take in a theater, dance or music performance at Hylton Performing Arts Center

An orchestra performing on stage in a theater

9) Enjoy the quiet oasis and native wildlife of Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge.

Three geese in water, one has its wings open

 

10) Hike or horseback ride along the 2.7 miles of trails in Bristoe Station Battlefield Heritage Park.

A footbridge in a park surrounded by trees

11) Savor a glass of vino while enjoying a panoramic view of the Bull Run Mountains at The Winery at La Grange

The Winery at La Grange sunset over the vineyards

12) Snuggle baby goats and alpacas at the Little Goat Farm at the Lake.

a black and white goat being fed with a green bottle by a human with a light brown animal in the background

13) Pick your own sunflowers during the Summer of Sunflowers Festival at Burnside Farms

field of sunflowers at Burnside Farms

14) Take a Paddling Tour with Penguin Paddling along Neabsco Creek

5 people paddle-boarding on a body of water

15) Get outside your comfort zone, discover what you're made of, and cross the finish line stronger than you started at Tough Mudder Virginia

Tough Mudder Classic participants navigating through mud pit obstacle

16) Experience bold beers, hand-crafted food and local music at Farm Brew Live

evening aerial view of Farm Brew Live

17) Bring your Pup and enjoy these dog-friendly locations.

Dog Leesylvania

18) Don't miss the award-winning Spring Occoquan Arts and Crafts Show featuring hundreds of artisans and crafters from all over the United States.

tents in the street and people walking for a festival

19) Slide on into Summer at Waterworks Waterpark

Waterworks Waterpark

20) Explore Ben Lomond Historic Site an antebellum farm that served as a Confederate hospital during the American Civil War's Battle of First Manassas.

A group of visitors listening to a woman dressed in historic attire outside of a brick building

21) Taste melt-in-your-mouth barbeque at locally owned BBQ spots 

The Bone BBQ platter with meats, beans, coleslaw, corn bread and collard greens

22) Cheer on the Potomac Nationals Minor League Baseball team.

A baseball player swinging a bat with a catcher behind him

23) Take a Riverboat Cruise along the Potomac and Occoquan Rivers.

Rivershore charters boat on the occoquan river

24) Don't let bad weather "rain on your parade" - there are plenty of fun activities to enjoy inside Prince William, VA.

Interior picture of an individual driving on the track at autobahn indoor raceway.

25) Reel in a catch at one of our many fishing-friendly spots

Father and son fishing

26) Enjoy a sweet treat. Whether you're craving ice cream, cupcakes, pies or fudge - you'll find just the right spot for indulging your sweet-tooth. 

Three children holding ice cream in cones

27) Learn to sail the open waters with Northern Virginia Sailing School

sailboat on open waters

 

28) Sample a variety of craft beers along our Steins, Vines & Moonshine Trail

beer flight at Water's End Brewery

29) Walk the memorial pathway of Quantico National Cemetery

A cemetery with white headstones in lines with trees in the background

30) Find your Zen at one of our fitness, wellness & spa locations.

group of women standing together on top of a mountain

31) Shop the latest trends at our premier shopping centers.

people walking around the courtyard of a shopping area, in the courtyard there is a fountain, patio heaters, benches, trees and tents as well as storefronts.

32) Looking for live music or a comedy show? We've got you covered at these live music & entertainment venues.

Music in the Park event at River Mill Park

33) Enjoy a glass of Rose' at Effingham Manor Winery's historic estate.

White Building located behind trees 

34) Find out why Virginia is known for fresh caught seafood and crabs.

a platter of crabs

35) Test out your skating skills on our 12 x 15 half-pipe at Veterans Memorial Park.

Skateboarding at Veterans park

36) Tee off at one of our scenic golf courses.

A man playing golf on a gold course with a body of water and trees in the background

37) Shop for fresh baked goods, seasonal fruits and vegetables, pit-smoked BBQ, locally sourced honey and more at our farms and farmers markets.

people shopping for fruits and vegetables under tents at a farmers market

38) Take a tour, enjoy a mixology class or sample the spirits at one of our local distilleries.

A bartender pouring drinks

39)  Test out your double axel or your stick & shoot skills at our indoor ice rinks

Two girls hugging and holding up peace signs at an ice skating rink

40) Discover Rippon Lodge Historic Site one of the oldest known homes in the county and our link to Colonial Virginia.

Picture of a white historic house, known as Rippon Lodge. Walkway with grass with a house set as backdrop.

41) Enjoy a safe and relaxing ride with experienced trainers at one of our local horse farms.

A brown horse

42) Pitch a tent, rent a cabin or utilize a full RV hook-up at these Camping & RV Sites

7 people sitting at a picnic bench in front of a cabin in a forest

 

43)  Enjoy a walk along the Neabsco Creek Boardwalk a 3/4 mile long elevated boardwalk with a two-story observation deck for viewing the scenic wetlands.

Neabsco Creek Wetlands

44) Uncover historical facts from George Washington fables while visiting the Weems-Botts Museum. 

Furnished room inside the Weems Botts Museum in Dumfries, VA

45) Experience Historic Occoquan's walkable streets, waterfront dining and charming specialty boutiques.

Occoquan

46) Feel like a child again at the Prince William County Fair.

aerial view of a carnival lit up at night

47) Celebrate the 4th of July with fireworks and a rooftop party in Historic Manassas. 

dark sky with red and purple fireworks

48) Enjoy a variety of laser shows and galaxy shows on the thirty-foot curved dome of the Hylton Planetarium.

cosmos scenes on a planetarium dome

49) Enjoy four days of food, fun and live music during Tim's Rivershore annual WATERSTOCK event.

blonde woman holding a guitar and singing

50) Check out our calendar of events to find daily happenings throughout Prince William, VA.