Reston VA - Appalachian Mountains

ipso_facto · 03-12-2019, 02:26 PM

Hi Folks,

I am coming to Reston, Virginia, on 31st March, for a business trip. I am staying for 9 days and have the weekend of 6th and 7th April free.

I am likely to head into Washington D.C. on the Saturday, as I have never been before. Maybe take a Capitol Building tour:

https://www.visitthecapitol.gov/plan-visit

Sunday, I plan to take a 3 to 4 hour hike in the Appalachians. I have done a little research and Shenandoah National Park looks good and not too far from Reston (I have a car booked) :

https://www.nps.gov/shen/planyourvisit/maps.htm

Looking for any advice on the trails at Shenandoah, if anyone has visited / lives in the area. Any and all pointers on; parking, facilities, particularly good trail or vista point.

Thanks as always .. appreciate your advice.

Cheers!

upstatedoc · 03-12-2019, 02:33 PM

welcome to america!

2000cs · 03-12-2019, 02:37 PM

Hiking trail? Motorcycle?

For D.C. I prefer the Smithsonian but compared to your British Museum ours might seem “cute” and new-ish. There are a lot of museums in D.C. for art, history, culture, etc. And tours. Kind of whatever your interests are.

I hope you have a great visit here and find us helpful along the way. That is always my experience visiting England.

ipso_facto · 03-12-2019, 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2000cs

Hiking trail? Motorcycle?

For D.C. I prefer the Smithsonian but compared to your British Museum ours might seem “cute” and new-ish. There are a lot of museums in D.C. for art, history, culture, etc. And tours. Kind of whatever your interests are.

I hope you have a great visit here and find us helpful along the way. That is always my experience visiting England.

Hiking trail .. thanks.

Smithsonian - good tip - thank you.

I love American history and culture - so to ascribe cute or new-ish to any of your culture or museums - I wouldn't think that way at all. My favorite (note my respectful spelling

) subject within History lessons as school, was the American frontier and native American tribes. Far more interesting than yet another executed king or queen of England.

If you can suggest any other cultural highlights in or around Washington D.C. related to the American frontier, founding of America, or native American's .. I will readily take your advice. Thank you.

Blade929 · 03-12-2019, 03:00 PM

The Smithsonian Air and Space museum at Dulles is very cool and near Reston.
https://airandspace.si.edu/udvar-hazy-center

Haywood · 03-12-2019, 05:03 PM

Definitely do the Capitol tour. Rooney's DC United are playing on the 6th! Seriously, it's a brand new stadium and the team is doing well.

There are the memorials around MLK, Jefferson, and Lincoln that are great to see. They also have a 9/11 Memorial at the Pentagon.

buldogge · 03-12-2019, 07:44 PM

How far do you want to drive?

Maybe Jamestown/Williamsburg, or maybe Gettysburg, if you also are interested in the US Civil War.

If sticking to DC, the obvious choice would be the National American Indian Museum (Smithsonian): https://americanindian.si.edu/visit/washington/

-Mark in St. Louis

overcoil · 03-12-2019, 08:05 PM

I'm wondering how much traffic the guy is going to run into heading toward the Parkway on a weekend. D.C. has some of the worst traffic in the region.

RickFLM4 · 03-12-2019, 08:08 PM

Adding to other suggestions: Arlington National Cemetery and Vietnam Veterans Memorial.

sirhodjibob · 03-12-2019, 08:30 PM

Lots of good trails off Skyline drive. Mary's Rock is one of my favorites.

If you're a petrolhead, check out Katie's Cars & Coffee in Great Falls Saturday morning before going to DC.

Hope you're renting a fun car, lots of great driving roads in the Shenandoah.

Teufelshund · 03-12-2019, 08:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2000cs

Hiking trail? Motorcycle?

For D.C. I prefer the Smithsonian but compared to your British Museum ours might seem "cute" and new-ish. There are a lot of museums in D.C. for art, history, culture, etc. And tours. Kind of whatever your interests are.

I hope you have a great visit here and find us helpful along the way. That is always my experience visiting England.

"For D.C. I prefer the Smithsonian but compared to your British Museum ours might seem "cute" and new-ish."

(insert LMAO emoji here)

GasBurnlife(landapanda) · 03-12-2019, 09:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Teufelshund

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2000cs

Hiking trail? Motorcycle?

For D.C. I prefer the Smithsonian but compared to your British Museum ours might seem "cute" and new-ish. There are a lot of museums in D.C. for art, history, culture, etc. And tours. Kind of whatever your interests are.

I hope you have a great visit here and find us helpful along the way. That is always my experience visiting England.

"For D.C. I prefer the Smithsonian but compared to your British Museum ours might seem "cute" and new-ish."

(insert LMAO emoji here)

Lots of Civil War battlefields nearby in Northern Virginia as well. Check out this link: https://www.fxva.com/civil-war/sites/

GasBurnlife(landapanda) · 03-12-2019, 09:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by landapanda

Quote:

Originally Posted by Teufelshund

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2000cs

Hiking trail? Motorcycle?

For D.C. I prefer the Smithsonian but compared to your British Museum ours might seem "cute" and new-ish. There are a lot of museums in D.C. for art, history, culture, etc. And tours. Kind of whatever your interests are.

I hope you have a great visit here and find us helpful along the way. That is always my experience visiting England.

"For D.C. I prefer the Smithsonian but compared to your British Museum ours might seem "cute" and new-ish."

(insert LMAO emoji here)

Lots of Civil War battlefields nearby in Northern Virginia as well. Check out this link: https://www.fxva.com/civil-war/sites/

Also check out Harpers Ferry north west of Reston and skyline Drive south of front Royal. We also have a great race track nearby in Summit Point, West Virginia.

thegump · 03-13-2019, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blade929

The Smithsonian Air and Space museum at Dulles is very cool and near Reston.
https://airandspace.si.edu/udvar-hazy-center

This!

If you like aviation just a little it's definitely a must. Its also just right down the road from Reston.

ipso_facto · 03-14-2019, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blade929

The Smithsonian Air and Space museum at Dulles is very cool and near Reston.
https://airandspace.si.edu/udvar-hazy-center

This perfect to visit just before flying out...check your bags in at the airport and cab over for an hour or two before your flight.

chassis · 03-19-2019, 10:32 PM

Smithsonian
National Portrait Gallery
National Mall

Anything in Shenandoah is good. Just get up on the ridge and pick an out-and-back hike that fits your ability and time. There are no bad choices.

03-12-2019, 02:26 PM	#1
ipso_facto Second Lieutenant 476 Rep 249 Posts Drives: F10 520d M Sport (Sports Auto) Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: UK, East Midlands iTrader: (0)	Reston VA - Appalachian Mountains - Shenandoah trails Hi Folks, I am coming to Reston, Virginia, on 31st March, for a business trip. I am staying for 9 days and have the weekend of 6th and 7th April free. I am likely to head into Washington D.C. on the Saturday, as I have never been before. Maybe take a Capitol Building tour: https://www.visitthecapitol.gov/plan-visit Sunday, I plan to take a 3 to 4 hour hike in the Appalachians. I have done a little research and Shenandoah National Park looks good and not too far from Reston (I have a car booked) : https://www.nps.gov/shen/planyourvisit/maps.htm Looking for any advice on the trails at Shenandoah, if anyone has visited / lives in the area. Any and all pointers on; parking, facilities, particularly good trail or vista point. Thanks as always .. appreciate your advice. Cheers!
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03-12-2019, 02:33 PM	#2
upstatedoc I'll get back to you 7541 Rep 2,132 Posts Drives: blue streak Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: not downstate iTrader: (2)	welcome to america! __________________ 2018 Stinger GT 2009 E90 N51 /Active Autowerke Stage 2 tune/BMW Performance Exhaust/ Countermeasure enthusiast.
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03-12-2019, 02:37 PM	#3
2000cs Captain 3950 Rep 1,003 Posts Drives: Potato Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: USA iTrader: (1)	Hiking trail? Motorcycle? For D.C. I prefer the Smithsonian but compared to your British Museum ours might seem “cute” and new-ish. There are a lot of museums in D.C. for art, history, culture, etc. And tours. Kind of whatever your interests are. I hope you have a great visit here and find us helpful along the way. That is always my experience visiting England.
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03-12-2019, 03:00 PM	#5
Blade929 Lieutenant 45 Rep 445 Posts Drives: M2 CS Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Maryland iTrader: (2)	The Smithsonian Air and Space museum at Dulles is very cool and near Reston. https://airandspace.si.edu/udvar-hazy-center
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03-12-2019, 05:03 PM	#6
Haywood I know a thing or 2 about a thing or 2... 3137 Rep 3,486 Posts Drives: E36 M3 Coupe, e39 M5 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: LI, NY iTrader: (11) Garage List 2003 BMW e39 M5 [0.00] 1997 BMW e36 M3 [0.00]	Definitely do the Capitol tour. Rooney's DC United are playing on the 6th! Seriously, it's a brand new stadium and the team is doing well. There are the memorials around MLK, Jefferson, and Lincoln that are great to see. They also have a 9/11 Memorial at the Pentagon. __________________ 2025 i4 eDrive40 Tanzanite Blue (on order) 2003 Le Mans Blue e39 M5 Dinan S1 1997 Alpine White e36 M3 (the old gal) 2013 Mineral White e92 M3 (sold ) 2014 Carbon Black 650i M-sport (sold)
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03-12-2019, 07:44 PM	#7
buldogge Second Lieutenant 153 Rep 218 Posts Drives: '00 MCoupe, '11 E90 M3 Join Date: Feb 2017 Location: Saint Louis iTrader: (1)	How far do you want to drive? Maybe Jamestown/Williamsburg, or maybe Gettysburg, if you also are interested in the US Civil War. If sticking to DC, the obvious choice would be the National American Indian Museum (Smithsonian): https://americanindian.si.edu/visit/washington/ -Mark in St. Louis
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03-12-2019, 08:05 PM	#8
overcoil Major General 3135 Rep 5,582 Posts Drives: M235i 6spd Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Mid-Atlantic iTrader: (0)	I'm wondering how much traffic the guy is going to run into heading toward the Parkway on a weekend. D.C. has some of the worst traffic in the region.
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03-12-2019, 08:08 PM	#9
RickFLM4 Brigadier General 11914 Rep 4,874 Posts Drives: M4 Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: PB County, FL iTrader: (0)	Adding to other suggestions: Arlington National Cemetery and Vietnam Veterans Memorial. __________________ Current: 2018 SO/SS F83 ZCP Gone: 2015 SO/SO F82
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03-12-2019, 08:30 PM	#10
sirhodjibob Private First Class 89 Rep 115 Posts Drives: 99 Carrera, 99 M3. Sold: Z4MR Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Northern VA iTrader: (0)	Lots of good trails off Skyline drive. Mary's Rock is one of my favorites. If you're a petrolhead, check out Katie's Cars & Coffee in Great Falls Saturday morning before going to DC. Hope you're renting a fun car, lots of great driving roads in the Shenandoah.
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03-19-2019, 10:32 PM	#16
chassis Colonel 8242 Rep 2,519 Posts Drives: 9Y0 Cayenne S Join Date: Mar 2019 Location: Einbahnstraße iTrader: (0) Garage List 2020 Porsche Cayenne S [7.69]	Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery National Mall Anything in Shenandoah is good. Just get up on the ridge and pick an out-and-back hike that fits your ability and time. There are no bad choices.
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