Make the Drive: Three of the Best Museums Near Woodbridge, VA

November 18, 2022 · 3 min read

If your idea of a nice day out with the family is to load up the kids in your Ford Explorer and do some, well, exploring, then some of the best museums in our area are just waiting for you. Stop by one of these next time you're around Woodbridge, VA.

Rippon Lodge Historic Site

This is a great place to bring the family and spend some time in a historic spot that's very well-kept. Wander the grounds on your own or get your tour guide to tell you all the interesting history behind this spot. The grounds are open from dawn to dusk, and tours are just $5 and free for kids under six.

The Rippon Lodge is one of the oldest homes in the county and was built by Richard Blackburn on the King's Highway in 1747. Goods from the farm were exported to England until the Revolutionary War. Various owners had the house after Blackburn, and all took good care of it, until the last private owner--Admiral Richard Blackburn Black--bought it back into the family in 1952 (he was a direct descendent of the builder). Admiral Black was a lover of history and science and was one of the members of Admiral Richard Byrd's expedition to the Antarctic.

Mill House Museum

At 413 Mil St in the Occoquan Historic District, the Mill House Museum is open only on the weekends, from 11am until 4pm. It's one of the few things left from a historic fire that took much of the rest of the area that was famous for its mills throughout colonial times. In 1755, Occoquan was already known as a major industrial town with many mills, and the Merchant's Mill was built in 1759. It was one of America's first fully automated grist mills.

You would never know it today, but Occoquan through the 1700s and 1800s was nothing short of the "Silicon Valley" of early American industry. At the same time, it never lost its connection to nature, so that in the late nineteenth century, excursion boats regularly brought sightseers from Washington DC to enjoy the countryside and relief from city life.

The Weems-Botts Museum

Head south to Dumfries to investigate this museum at 3944 Cameron St in Merchant Park. Dumfries is the oldest chartered town in the state, and the museum is dedicated to preserving the town's heritage.

The museum takes you through the timeline of Dumfries to see homes and their stylings from the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries. It also covers the part Dumfries played in the history of Virginia along the way. The staff here are great, and you'll have a blast as you learn.

For great service to keep your Ford running smoothly to these and other great destinations in our area, visit our service center at Koons Woodbridge Ford.

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Apr 17, 2023 in Things To Do in Woodbridge, VA

5 Fun Places You Can Drive to Near Woodbridge, VA

With multiple state parks boasting many types of land, from marshes and wetlands to forests and prairies, nature lovers will find plenty to do in Woodbridge, VA. Whether you're on a hiking excursion through the Northwest or bringing the family to visit, add these fun places to your itinerary. 1. Escape Room Woodbridge With rooms of various difficulties, the puzzles at 2020 Daniel Stuart Square will stump and excite the whole family. Themes include a high-stakes poker game gone wrong, getting trapped inside a candy shop, a whodunnit murder mystery, and defeating Ebenezer Scrooge's evil nephew. If you're looking for an immersive and engaging activity for your event or gathering, look into their mobile escape room for a party your guests won't soon forget! 2. Leesylvania State Park Hop in your 2023 Ford Bronco Sport Big Bend and park at 2001 Daniel K. Ludwig Drive for a day of fun in the sun. Activities include boat rentals, late-night fishing at the pier, beautiful picnic areas, hiking trails, playgrounds, and more. Get your cardio in with their 20-station fitness trail, or check in with the visitor center for kayak and canoe rentals. 3. Beehive Indoor Playground If you have little ones, don't miss the indoor amusement park located at 13412 Jefferson Davis Hwy Unit 101. Attractions include multiple moonbounces, a three-level playground, bumper cars, air hockey, and so much more. For older kiddos, there is an entire room dedicated to video games with comfortable gaming chairs and flat-screen televisions! Toddler rooms are also available for sensory-friendly soft play. 4. Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge Ornithologists and those interested in all things avian will be in their natural habitat at 14050 Dawson Beach Rd, where bird watching is paramount. Witness avian research in action at the bird banding station, where trained volunteers study migrant birds in the refuge. We love that this nature reserve strives to be inclusive with its new wheelchair-accessible paved trail. Occoquan Bay is a phenomenal place to reconnect with nature at any time of year, but if you come during Autumn you will witness the picturesque beauty of fall foliage. Be sure to bring your camera! 5. ZavaZone Located at 2700 Potomac Mills Cir Unit 711, this exhilarating indoor adventure park has an exciting attraction suited to any age. Attractions include a trampoline course, a ninja warrior circuit, jump slides, and a ropes course that rises 20 feet above the ground! For a team-building activity, get the family together and play trampoline dodgeball or face-off on the competitive rock wall challenge. Once you've rehydrated after a long nature walk or put the kids to bed after an exhausting afternoon of fun, stop by and see us at Koons Woodbridge Ford to see what's in stock!

Apr 03, 2023 in Things To Do in Woodbridge, VA

Drive on Down: 3 of the Best Live Theaters Near Woodbridge, VA

When you feel like ditching the traditional movie theater experience for a live theater, you're in luck here in Woodbridge, VA. The following are three local theaters that will make for an entertaining and relaxing evening. 1. The Castaways Repertory Theatre For more than 40 years, this non-profit community theatre has brought volunteers from all over the Washington, D.C. metro area to create entertaining theater productions for the community. They've even received several awards and honors for their productions, which have included Taming of the Shrew, Night of the Living Dead, Anne of Green Gables, Hello Dolly, and Much Ado About Nothing. Find information on upcoming performances and audition opportunities on their website. You can also buy season tickets online and see all of the creations at a discounted price; plus reservations aren't required. The theatre company holds its performances at 15941 Donald Curtis Dr. 2. Heart House Inclusive Productions Inc. This production company is designed to integrate performers and theater techs with disabilities into mainstream theater. They welcome actors and actresses ages 14 and up and of all skill levels from all over Northern Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, D.C. They star in productions such as The Adams Family, Spongebob the Musical, Into the Woods, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying musical, and many more. This Production Company holds performances at 15941 Donald Curtis Dr. as well as other locations throughout the area. Visit their website for upcoming events. 3. Harmony Studios Children's Theater The kids will love learning the art of theater here at Harmony Studios, where the instructors pride themselves on teaching their students the art of presentation. They'll become great little actors and actresses, all while having fun and learning at the same time. You can enjoy the fruit of their labors when they perform such shows such as Aladdin, Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid, Annie, and more. Call 571-288-9083 or stop by their office with inquiries and for event information. They are open Monday through Friday from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Saturday from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m.; and Sunday from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. They are located at 14835 Honor Ct. Drive to your next live theater in a new 2023 Ford Bronco Sport. Stop by Koons Woodbridge Ford today and take this fun SUV for a spin around the block. We are happy to show you our other new and used vehicles as well. Not sure how to finance a new vehicle? Just talk with our friendly staff members about how we can set you up with the perfect plan. We are located at 13779 Noblewood Plaza.

Mar 20, 2023 in Things To Do in Woodbridge, VA

3 Great Family Restaurants You Can Drive to Near Woodbridge, VA

Taking the family for a fun outing in Woodbridge, VA? They're likely to build up a good appetite while traveling in the spacious three-row cabin of your Ford Explorer. Luckily, this part of the DMV area is home to some excellent family restaurants that also have plenty of space and serve up enough food to fill those empty stomachs. Here are just a few of those spots! 3 Great Family Restaurants You Can Drive to Near Woodbridge, VA 1. Montclair Family Restaurant This wildly popular diner on 17001 Dumfries Road features an extensive menu that is sure to please even the pickiest of eaters. If you're stopping for breakfast, options range from hearty items like the 6-ounce ribeye steak with eggs and fried chicken eggs Benedict to the healthier, lighter avocado toast and veggie omelets. For lunch or dinner, try their Greek dishes, which include flavorful gyros and souvlaki with juicy pork tenderloin. From mac & cheese and spaghetti to small personal pizzas and chicken fingers, the kids' section of Montclair's menu has just about all the faves! 2. Food Flame Located on 8634 Richmond Highway, Food Flame is a charming spot that specializes in authentic Indian and Pakistani cuisine. It's perfect for families since their dishes come in very large portions and boasts great flavors that will appeal to a wide range of palettes. For starters, try the addictive mac & cheese bites or samosas, delectable fried pastries filled with soft seasoned potatoes and green peas. When it comes to the main dishes, you have a lot to choose from, but the boldly flavored tandoori chicken and lamb masala would be our top recommendations. They're perfectly complemented by fragrant biryani and basmati rice dishes. Vegetarians in the group will appreciate the many vegetable entrées on the menu, which features creamy paneer curry and saag, a mix of spinach, herbs, and other fresh ingredients. 3. Almita's Mexican Restaurant If your family enjoys Mexican food, then you should definitely check out this beautiful establishment on 13418 Occoquan Road! You can choose to be seated in the colorfully decorated dining room or on the cozy deck just outside. While quesadillas with a choice of spinach, cheese, beef, or chicken and crispy taquitos are sure to be a hit with the kids, you can also order crab meat-stuffed camarones rellenos and steak or chicken fajita mixta. Round out the meal with nachos and chilaquiles, which are ideal for sharing with the family. No matter your preferences, you'll have an easy time finding restaurants that the whole family will love when you're in Woodbridge! They'll also love the amenity-rich interiors of the latest Ford models, so head to Koons Woodbridge Ford today and check them out for yourself!

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