Points of Interest between Chevy Chase, Maryland to Cascades, Virginia

picture of Chevy Chase, Maryland

Best Things to Do on a Road Trip from Chevy Chase, MD and Cascades, VA

Overview of the Trip

Chevy Chase, Maryland, and Cascades, Virginia are two beautiful places to visit in the United States. The road trip from Chevy Chase, MD to Cascades, VA covers 20 miles and takes approximately 30 minutes. The trip is full of beautiful natural scenery and exciting activities for tourists. The halfway point of this trip is Tysons, VA. Tysons, VA, is an excellent place to rest, shop, and grab a bite to eat. However, it isn't the only highlight of the trip. There are several other amazing locations to explore, irrespective of the time of the year.

Top Things to Do

Below are the top five things to do during the road trip from Chevy Chase, MD, to Cascades, VA.

  1. Great Falls Park
  2. Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts
  3. Scott's Run Nature Preserve
  4. Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center
  5. Reston Town Center

Great Falls Park

Great Falls Park is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Virginia and for a good reason. This park covers more than 800 acres, comprising rock formations, dense forests, and a beautiful waterfall that drops 76 feet. The waterfall sits on the Potomac River, providing a spectacular sight to behold. The park also has several hiking trails, picnic areas, and a visitor center that tourists can visit.

Interesting Fact: Great Falls Park served as a shooting location for several Hollywood movies, including National Treasure: Book of Secrets.

Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts

If you love arts and music, then Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts should be on your bucket list. This park covers 130 acres and features indoor and outdoor performance spaces that host various artists and shows. The indoor performance space is referred to as the Filene Center, while The Barns is the outdoor performance space. Wolf Trap is suitable for tourists, couples, and family fun.

Interesting Fact: President Richard Nixon signed legislation authorizing Wolf Trap in 1966, and it became the country's first national park for the performing arts.

Scott's Run Nature Preserve

Nature lovers should visit Scott's Run Nature Preserve. The preserve spans across 336 acres, comprising beautiful waterfalls, wildlife, and several hiking trails. Scott's Run Nature Preserve is located along the Potomac River and features the Scott's Run, which is a beautiful stream that adds to the serenity of the area. Visitors are encouraged to come with friends and family to get the most out of this amazing place.

Interesting Fact: The Scott's Run Nature Preserve is home to 20 species of mammals, including foxes, river otters, and deer.

Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center

The Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center is an aviation museum located in Chantilly, Virginia, near the Dulles Airport. It is one of the two Smithsonian museums dedicated to aviation and space exploration. The museum offers visitors a chance to explore various aviation artifacts, including the Space Shuttle Discovery, the Enola Gay, and the Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird. The museum is suitable for visitors of all ages.

Interesting Fact: The Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center has over 300 aircraft and spacecraft on exhibit, making it one of the largest air and space museums in the world.

Reston Town Center

Reston Town Center is a lifestyle center that offers visitors a chance to shop, dine, and relax. The center comprises beautiful architecture, water fountains, parks, and various shops and restaurants. Visitors can also enjoy live music and other events that are often hosted at the center. Reston Town Center is an excellent place to visit with friends and family.

Interesting Fact: Reston Town Center features an outdoor ice-skating rink that is open during the winter season.

Conclusion

The road trip from Chevy Chase, MD, to Cascades, VA is a fun and exciting trip filled with many beautiful scenic locations. Great Falls Park, Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts, Scott's Run Nature Preserve, Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, and Reston Town Center are five of the best places to visit during this trip. It is recommended that visitors spend at least a day exploring these locations. However, visitors can stretch their trip to a weekend to get the most out of the road trip.