Manassas, VA

Area Guide

The City of Manassas is an independent city of Northern Virginia that is surrounded by both Prince William County and the independent city of Manassas Park. Manassas and Manassas park are both located approximately 25 miles south of Washington, D.C. and the D.C. Metro area, providing our residents a variety of federal department and agency career opportunities and an unprecedented economic stability, even during periods of nationwide economic downturn. A thriving biotech sector, world-class schools and innovative entrepreneurial opportunities are just a few of the reasons families, professionals, students, entrepreneurs and retirees are drawn to Manassas and Manassas Park. Our community is vibrant and naturally beautiful, banked by the shores of the Potomac and Occoquan Rivers and nestled beneath the rolling Piedmont Mountains. The Manassas region is a balanced fusion of the urban and suburban elements that is friendly and convenient for both residents and visitors to enjoy. To learn more about living in or visiting Manassas, Manassas Park, Prince William County or the Northern Virginia metro area, please visit:

Experience Old Town Manassas

http://www.visitmanassas.org/

 

Prince William & Manassas Convention & Visitors Bureau

http://www.visitpwc.com/

Prince William County Chamber of Commerce Resident Guide

http://www.pwchamber.org/councils-committees/economic-development/p

Fairfax County/Capital Region Visitors Center

www.fxva.com

Tourism Website of the Commonwealth of Virginia

www.virginia.org/

Tourism Website of the Commonwealth of Virginia, Prince William County

http://www.virginia.org/

Visit Virginia

http://portal.virginia.gov/visit/

Official Tourism Site of Washington, DC

washington.org/

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History

 

Our regional history is virtually synonymous with American history as a whole, and as such, this rich history is one of our area’s leading attractions. First settled by European explorers in 1608, Prince William County was created by an act of the General Assembly of the colony of Virginia in 1731. The area included in the original drafting eventually was divided into the areas now comprising Arlington County, the City of Alexandria, Fairfax County, the City of Fairfax, the City of Falls Church, Fauquier County, Loudoun County, the City of Manassas, and the City of Manassas Park. Largely rural, the county’s population was centered for much of its lifetime near Manassas (home to the railroad junction) and the Potomac River port communities of Occoquan and Woodbridge. During the Civil War, Manassas became the site of two of American history’s most pivotal battles: the First Battle of Manassas on July 21, 1861, and the Second Battle of Manassas, August 28-30, 1862. Outside of the South, these battles are often referred to as the first and second battles of Bull Run. In the time leading up to the battles, Manassas Junction was a strategic railroad crossing, with rail lines leading to Richmond, Virginia, Washington, D.C., and the Shenandoah Valley. Despite Confederate victories during these battles, Manassas Junction was in Union hands for most of the war. During the Reconstruction era, Manassas evolved into the community it is today, becoming an independent city in 1975. In the 20 th century, Manassas has enjoyed a rebirth and reinvigorated life as a suburban center and today is home to historic sites and the neighboring military installation Marine Corps Base Quantico, as well as being conveniently situated near the numerous government departments of metro D.C. To learn more about the unique history of Manassas and Manassas Park, or to explore the historic sites of the region, please visit:

Old Town Manassas

http://www.visitmanassas.org/

 

Manassas Museum System

http://www.manassascity.org/

 

Manassas National Battlefield Park

http://www.nps.gov/mana/index.htm

 

Civil War Traveler

http://www.civilwartraveler.com/

Prince William County Civil War Heritage Trail PDF

http://www.civilwartraveler.com

Weems-Botts House Museum

http://www.historicdumfries.com/weemsbotts.html

 

National Museum of the Marine Corps

http://www.usmcmuseum.org/

Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center - National Air and Space Museum

http://www.nasm.si.edu/udvarhazy/

Arlington National Cemetery

http://www.arlingtoncemetery.mil/VisitorInformation/Default.aspx

Mount Vernon Estate

http://www.mountvernon.org/

 

Iwo Jima Memorial

http://www.iwojima.com/

U. S. Air Force Memorial

http://www.airforcememorial.org/

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Parks and Recreation

The mild climate of Manassas makes most outdoor activities enjoyable and available throughout the seasons: from horseback and ATV riding, hiking, biking and rock climbing to fishing, swimming, sailing, kayaking and canoeing, there’s an adventure awaiting you by land or by water. Equestrian activities, camping, nature watching, nature touring, and picnicking are available at most area parks; no matter what your preference, there’s a place to enjoy it in Manassas or Manassas Park. Regionally, there is a wealth of beauty and preserved nature available to enjoy, which is unique in any large metropolitan area, allowing Manassas residents the ability to truly enjoy the best of both worlds—where urban professionalism meets idyllic, semi-rural landscapes. Neighboring Prince William County Park Authority manages nearly 4,000 acres of park land, which include 50 public parks, two water parks, 4 recreation and community centers, 6 sports complexes, numerous golf ranges and an ice skating rink. Prince William Forest Park is the largest protected natural area in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan region at over 15,000 acres. The hospitable climate makes biking a popular year round activity; there are over 86 miles of paved on-street and off-road bicycle trails available to metro area bikers, as well as the services of Capital Bikeshare, providing bicycle rentals for commuting or pleasure riding throughout the D.C. Metro area. The municipal, state and national parks of our area offer some of the nation’s finest bird watching, as well as history and nature coming together in the idyllic scenery of Virginia. To learn more about the parks, recreation, sports and activities available in Manassas, please visit:

City of Manassas Parks and Recreation Services

http://www.manassascity.org

Manassas Park Community Parks and Recreation Division

http://www.manassasparkcommunitycenter.com/

Prince William County Park Authority

http://www.pwcparks.org/

 

Virginia State Park Service and Park Locations

http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state_parks/

http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state_parks/state_park.shtml

Virginia National Parks, Services & Locations

http://www.nps.gov/state/va/index.htm

Virginia Tourism, State Parks

http://www.virginia.org/StateParks/

Northern Virginia Regional Parks Authority

http://www.nvrpa.org/

Northern Virginia Regional Park Locations

http://www.nvrpa.org/park/main_site/content/geographical_search

Virginia Bike Trails

http://www.vabike.org/category/virginia-bike-trails/

Featherstone National Wildlife Refuge

http://www.fws.gov/refuges/profiles/index.cfm?id=51612

Manassas National Battlefield Park

http://www.nps.gov/mana/index.htm

Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge

http://www.fws.gov/refuges/profiles/index.cfm?id=51611

Prince William Forest Park

http://www.nps.gov/prwi/index.htm

Chopawamsic Recreational Demonstration Area

http://www.nps.gov/prwi/historyculture/rda.htm

Leesylvania State Park

http://dcr.virginia.gov/state_parks/lee.shtml

 

Capital Bikeshare

http://www.capitalbikeshare.com/

Great Falls Park

http://www.nps.gov/grfa/index.htm

 

Wolf Trap Farm Park

http://www.nps.gov/wotr/index.htm

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Sports and Activities

 

Virginia Outdoors

http://www.virginia.org/Outdoors/

Prince William County/Manassas Outdoor Sports and Recreation

http://www.visitpwc.com/sports.html

Capital Bikeshare

http://www.capitalbikeshare.com/

 

Virginia Golfing

http://www.virginia.org/golf/

Prince William County Park Authority Golf Links

http://www.pwcparks.org/RecreationGolf/tabid/56/Default.aspx

Old Dominion Speedway

http://www.olddominionspeedway.com/

Potomac Nationals Baseball

http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/index.jsp?sid=t436

Virginia Destroyers Football

http://www.ufl-football.com/virginia-destroyers

Northern Virginia Majestics Soccer

http://www.novafc.org/

Northern Virginia Royals Soccer

http://www.novafc.org/

Virginia Legacy Soccer

http://www.valegacysoccer.com/

DC Rollergirls

www.dcrollergirls.com/

Washington Wizards Basketball

http://www.nba.com/wizards/index_main.html

Washington Mystics Basketball

http://www.wnba.com/mystics/index_main.html

Washington Redskins Football

http://www.redskins.com/

Washington Capitals Hockey

http://capitals.nhl.com/

DC United Soccer

http://www.dcunited.com/

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Attractions and Activities

Though Manassas is best known for its historic attractions and proximity to the D.C. metro area, the region is culturally diverse and cosmopolitan, offering residents and visitors some of the finest offerings in its museums, cultural attractions, arts exhibitions and theatrical performances. With a historically breathtaking setting, the arts scene of Manassas is vibrant and thrives with the constant flow of visitors to the city. Our residents enjoy easy access to waterfront activities, theme parks, national museums, upscale shopping and dining destinations, and a diverse choice of entertainment opportunities. With everything from nightclubs and spas to world-class art galleries available, our residents have a busy calendar to choose from. Musical performances, theater events, dance recitals, art exhibits, festivals, and crafts shows are available daily. Wineries, breweries and an exciting array of tours—from historic to natural to ghost-hunting—are all available to experience year round, with special seasonal events scheduled to highlight the civic and natural spirit of the area. To learn more about the cultural, artistic and high-energy attractions of the Manassas, please visit:

Northern Virginia Attractions

http://www.fxva.com/seedoplan/fairfax-virginia-tourist-attractions/

Splash Down Water Park

http://www.splashdownwaterpark.com/

Six Flags America

http://www.sixflags.com/america/index.aspx

Paramount’s King’s Dominion

http://www.kingsdominion.com/

Adventure Park USA

http://www.adventureparkusa.com/

Dinosaur Land

http://www.dinosaurland.com/

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Theatre, Culture and The Arts

 

Manassas Art Guild

www.manassasartguild.com/

Manassas Ballet Theatre

www.manassasballet.org

 

Center for the Arts in Old Town Manassas

http://www.center-for-the-arts.org/

 

Manassas Symphony Orchestra

http://www.manassassymphony.org/

 

Hylton Performing Arts Center

http://hyltoncenter.org/

Rosslyn Spectrum Theatre

http://www.rosslynva.org/play/artisphere-cultural-center/rosslyn-spectrum-Theatre

National Air and Space Museum, Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center at Dulles

http://www.nasm.si.edu/udvarhazy/

 

John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts

http://www.kennedy-center.org/

Wolftrap Foundation for the Performing Arts

http://www.wolftrap.org/

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Shopping, Dining, Leisure and Attractions

 

Prince William/Manassas Shopping Guide

http://www.visitpwc.com/shopping.html

Historic Manassas Shopping Guide

http://www.visitmanassas.org/shops/

 

Manassas Mall

http://www.manassasmall.com/index.aspx

Potomac Mills Mall

http://www.simon.com/mall/default.aspx?id=1260

Echoes Museum Store

http://www.manassascity.org/index.aspx?NID=215

Prince William County/Manassas Antique Trail Shopping Guide

http://www.visitpwc.com/fv/antiquetrail.html

Dining in Manassas/ Prince William County

http://www.visitpwc.com/dining.html

Historic Manassas Diner’s Guide

http://www.visitmanassas.org/dining/

 

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Events

Geologically, culturally, civically and historically rich, Manassas, Manassas Park and Prince William County are progressive communities that honor history and tradition while embracing modernization and technological advancement. Regional community calendars are full of festivals and events, changing constantly with seasonal scheduling. Our location makes the metro area events calendars easy accessible to our residents, ensuring that there’s never a dull moment in Manassas! Annual events span a diverse range and ensure that there’s an event scheduled to meet anyone’s taste. Civil War re-enactments, the Manassas Gallery Walk, 1 st Sunday ballroom dances, Friday night American Legion dinners, the National Cherry Blossom Festival, Manassas Wine and Jazz Festival, Mid-Atlantic Shamrock Fest, the Gaithersburg Book Festival and the Alexandria Film Festival are area favorites that are not to be missed. To find out what sporting, historic, cultural or ecological events are happening during your time in Prince William County, please visit:

 

Historic Manassas Events Calendar

http://historicmanassas.mymediaroom.com/wire/events/

Manassas Gallery Walk

http://www.manassasgallerywalk.com/

Prince William County/Manassas Events Calendar

http://www.visitpwc.com/calendar/events/

 

Virginia Exhibits and Events Search Guide

http://www.virginia.org/directory/exhibits/

Virginia Festivals Search Guide

http://www.virginia.org/directory/events/festivals/

1st Sunday Ballroom Dances at the Center for the Arts in Old Town Manassas

http://www.center-for-the-arts.org/dances/

Friday Post Dinners at American Legion Post 364

http://theheinleingroup.com/AmericanLegionPost364/

 

National Cherry Blossom Festival

http://www.nationalcherryblossomfestival.org/

Alexandria Film Festival

http://alexandriafilm.org/

 

Gaithersburg Book Festival

http://www.gaithersburgbookfestival.org/

Manassas Wine and Jazz Festival

http://dc.about.com/

Mid-Atlantic Shamrock Fest

http://shamrockfest.com/