16 Best & Fun Things To Do in Chantilly, VA
Planning a trip to Chantilly, Virginia and looking for some fun activities to make your trip memorable? Look no further! You’re at the right place, as we’ll be exploring the 16 best and fun things to do in Chantilly, VA, making your trip an interesting one.
Chantilly, Virginia, a picturesque town located in Fairfax County, brims with history, charm, and attractions that appeal to visitors of all ages. The town is named after an early 19th-century mansion and farm, which in turn took the name of an 18th-century plantation that was located in Westmoreland County, Virginia.
This historic destination is exceptionally safe, with a number of must-visit places and fun experiences, ensuring you make the most of your trip. While planning your trip, you also need to understand the best time to visit Chantilly, Virginia, to make the most of your vacation.
16 Best & Fun Things To Do in Chantilly, VA (2024)
1. Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center
The Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, which is a significant part of the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, is not just a museum; it’s an experience.
Spanning 760,000-square-foot, the museum is one of the top attraction destinations in Chantilly, Virginia. The museum has over 3,000 aviation and space artifacts on display, including the Space Shuttle Discovery, a Blackbird SR-71, and a Concorde, in two large hangars.
The museum also features an observation overlook that allows visitors to see the preservation and restoration work ongoing at the museum.
As part of the fun things to do in Chantilly, take a guided tour of this museum to explore the Sport Aviation, World War II Aviation, Space Science, and more.
Address: 14390 Air and Space Museum Pkwy, Chantilly, VA 20151, United States
2. Sully Historic Site
As part of the many things to do in Chantilly, step back in time at the Sully Historic Site. Built in 1799, this 18th-century home once belonged to Richard Bland Lee, Northern Virginia’s first Representative to Congress.
On your visit, take a walk around the premises and witness costumed interpreters re-enacting the daily life of yesteryear. Take a guided tour of the home, explore the rooms and gain an in-depth knowledge of the era’s furnishing and architecture.
Address: 3650 Historic Sully Way, Chantilly, VA 20151, United States
3. Cox Farms
One of the fun family things to do in Chantilly, VA, is to visit the Cox Farms. Established in 1972, this family-owned farm transforms every autumn into a carnival of hayrides, pumpkin patches, and corn mazes.
Every year, the farm draws thousands of visitors, particularly during its renowned Fall Festival. The festival is a seasonal treat with local foods, entertainment, and attractions like slides, swings, animals, and hayrides to keep kids and adults entertained. The farm also features a petting zoo, where your kids can play with farm animals.
Beyond the Fall Festival, the farm transforms throughout the year to celebrate various seasons. Explore this farm and engage in numerous activities while your kids are also entertained.
Address: 15621 Braddock Rd, Centreville, VA 20120, United States
4. Ellanor C. Lawrence Park
One of the many free things to do in Chantilly, VA, is to explore Eleanor C. Lawrence Park. Spanning 650 acres, this park is a beehive of outdoor activities.
Named after a local conservationist, the park’s habitat includes forests, streams, meadows, a pond and an interpretive center.
Visitors can wander through the park’s hiking trail and marvel at Cabell’s Mill. You can also visit the Walney Visitor Center, where you will learn about the natural and cultural history of the park and see live reptiles and amphibians. Outside the center, you can explore pollinator gardens, a historic kitchen garden, and historic structures.
Address: 5040 Walney Rd, Chantilly, VA 20151, United States
5. Chantilly National Golf & Country Club
One of the best things to do in Chantilly, VA, this weekend is to play golf at the Chantilly National Golf & Country Club. Designed in 1959 by Ed Ault, the meticulously manicured 18-hole golf course offers a good challenge to both experienced and inexperienced golfers.
The Country Club also offers a recreation center where you can play tennis, swim, and engage in other recreational activities. They also offer full-service catering and multiple unique event spaces for events of any kind.
The pristine course beckons both novices and professionals, promising an enjoyable day out amid manicured greens and tranquil ponds. Explore this club with your friends and family for a round of fun recreation.
Address: 14901 Braddock Rd, Centreville, VA 20120, United States
6. Flat Lick Stream Valley Park
One of the fun things to do in Chantilly is to spend the day hiking at the Flat Lick Stream Valley Park. Sprawling 62 acres, the park is a popular destination for nature lovers due to its beautiful scenery and diverse wildlife.
The park offers a wide range of outdoor recreational activities, including hiking, fishing, and birdwatching. It also has a playground and picnic area, making it an ideal spot for families to spend the day.
The park also offers several trails that wind through verdant forests, offering visitors the chance to see a range of native plants and animals, including deer, foxes, and birds of prey.
Address: 4555 Ahmadiyya Dr, Chantilly, VA 20151, United States
8. Ticonderoga Farms
One of the family-friendly things to do in Chantilly is to visit Ticonderoga Farms. Spanning over 1,000 acres, this family-owned and operated attraction offers an invitation into nature’s delightful wonders combined with entertaining activities.
Visitors can wander among pumpkin patches, navigate intricate mazes, and bask in the thrill of hillside slides. You can also explore other unique attractions like the Bamboo Wind Chimes and the Titan Tire Tower.
If you’re visiting with kids, then explore the petting animals section, featuring gentle goats and sheep. Seasonal events, from Easter egg hunts to Christmas festivities, ensure that there’s always a reason to revisit Ticonderoga Farms.
Address: 26469 Ticonderoga Road, Chantilly, VA 20152, United States
Are you exploring other attractions near Chantilly? Why not check out some fun things to do in Reston, VA and fun things to do in Herndon, VA?
9. Dulles Expo Center
Strategically positioned in the heart of Northern Virginia, the Dulles Expo Center stands as one of the largest and most sought-after event venues in the metropolitan Washington, D.C., region.
Spanning over 240,000 square feet, the center offers two spacious exhibit halls, which enables it to host multiple events simultaneously. The state-of-the-art facility is equipped with the latest event technology, including high-speed internet, advanced audio-visual capabilities, and a robust logistical infrastructure.
As part of the many things to do in Chantilly, attend an event at the Dulles Expo Center and marvel at this wonder architectural masterpiece.
Address: 4320 Chantilly Shopping Center, Chantilly, VA 20151, United States
10. The Winery at Bull Run
Your trip to Chantilly, Virginia, would be incomplete without embarking on wine tasting at the Winery at Bull Run. Established in 2012, the winery is a perfect blend of history and viticulture.
Spanning 225 acres, the winery is located adjacent to Manassas National Battlefield Park and next door to an equestrian farm. The winery offers tours detailing both the property’s history and the wine-making process.
As part of the fun things to do in Chantilly, enjoy wine tasting in the beautiful Virginia countryside with your family and friends and sip delicious, award-winning Virginia wine.
Address: 15950 Lee Hwy, Centreville, VA 20120, United States
11. Clay Cafe Chantilly
One of the fun things to do in Chantilly for art enthusiasts is to explore Clay Cafe Chantilly, Northern Virginia’s leading art studio.
On your visit, you can choose a piece of ceramic from the area’s unfinished selection of bisque and paint it. You can get your glazed and fired pots in about eight to ten days.
All materials are non-toxic, lead-free, dinnerware-safe, and safe for the environment. You can also join the art camps, scout programs, pottery painting parties, and Clay to Go at Clay Cafe Chantilly.
Address: 14511 G, Lee Jackson Memorial Hwy, Chantilly, VA 20151, United States
12. Airbus IMAX Theater
One of the fun things to do in Chantilly at night is to see your favourite movie at the Airbus IMAX Theater, the biggest IMAX screen in Northern Virginia.
The theater is among the first in the world to feature the latest IMAX laser projection system. The theater features the dual 4K laser projection system, with a 12 discrete channel sound system, which provides audiences with the sharpest, brightest, clearest, and most vivid digital images ever.
To catch your favourite movie, check the schedule on the website and include this popular attraction destination on your Chantilly bucket list.
Address: 14390 Air and Space Museum Pkwy, Chantilly, VA 20151, United States
13. Dulles South Recreation and Community Center
Built in 2010, the Dulles South Recreation and Community Center is one of the must-visit attraction destinations in Chantilly, Virginia.
This 99,000-square-foot multipurpose facility features a climbing wall, competition and leisure pool with multiple slides and water features for children, a fitness center, group exercise classes, a gymnasium, an indoor track, and a senior center with multiple meeting rooms for outreach programs and a kitchen for hosting gatherings.
As part of the many unique things to do in Chantilly, VA, with family, explore this recreation and community center and engage in numerous indoor activities. At the same time, the kids indulge in water activities.
Address: 24950 Riding Center Dr, South Riding, VA 20152, United States
14. Walney Visitor Center
Located within Ellanor C. Lawrence Park, the Walney Visitor Center serves as a gateway to the park’s rich natural and cultural history.
The park offers educational exhibits, programs and information that shed light on the area’s past, from Native American settlements to 20th-century dairy farming.
Beyond the indoor displays, the nearby pond is home to diverse wildlife, including turtles, frogs, and herons. Regular nature programs and bird walks are organized for enthusiasts eager to learn more.
You can take a self-guided tour of the facility and see live animal exhibits, historic exhibits, the children’s touch table area, and the greenhouse.
Address: 5040 Walney Rd, Chantilly, VA 20151, United States
15. Launch Trampoline Park
One of the fun things to do near Chantilly, VA, with kids is to seek adventure at Launch Trampoline Park. This amusement center offers a wide range of family attractions for people of all ages.
Located in Franklin Farm Village Center, the Launch Trampoline Park features a Ninja Course, an Arcade, Mini Go Karts, Dodgeball, Launch Pad, Basketball Courts, Tumble Tracks, Trampoline Courts, and Krave Restaurant.
This amusement park is the ideal place for special events like parties and team-building activities for friends and family. Spend time bonding with your family at this park.
Address: 13348 Franklin Farm Rd, Herndon, VA 20171, United States
16. Pleasant Valley Golf Club
One of the best things to do in Chantilly, VA, this weekend is to play golf at the Pleasant Valley Golf Club. Established in 1998 and designed by Tom of Ault, Clark & Associates, the meticulously manicured 18-hole golf course offers a good challenge to both experienced and inexperienced golfers.
The Golf club features a pristine landscape of rolling hills, hardwood trees and native grass meadows. You can also enjoy a modern clubhouse with a fully stocked Pro Shop, a complete outing facility, practice facilities, and more.
The pristine course beckons both novices and professionals, promising an enjoyable day out amid manicured greens and tranquil ponds. Explore this club with your friends and family for a round of fun recreation.
Address: 4715 Pleasant Valley Rd, Chantilly, VA 20151, United States
Plan Your Trip to Chantilly, VA
Chantilly, Virginia, is more than just a destination; it’s a mosaic of experience, seamlessly blending history, culture, nature, and modernity. Every corner of the town has a story to tell, waiting for curious souls to uncover it.
Whether you’re a history buff, an art enthusiast, a foodie, or just someone looking to soak in the charm, Chantilly promises an unforgettable experience. We hope this guide serves as a comprehensive starting point for your exploration of this vibrant city.
Have a fun trip!
