21 OF THE BEST THINGS TO DO IN FORT BELVOIR

Introduction

Your new posting at Fort Belvoir is surrounded by scenic hikes, historic landmarks, and the Potomac River. At Fort Belvoir, you are only about forty minutes outside of Washington, DC. There’s plenty to do with the whole family, from canoeing on the Potomac to hiking the many nature trails around Belvoir to taking in a little history at Mount Vernon. Fort Belvoir is especially famous as the home of the National Museum of the United States Army. We have organized activities into categories below; click any of them to jump to the section if you already know what you want to do around Fort Belvoir. (1-4) Golfing (5-8) Gyms (9-10) Movie Theaters (11) Pools (12-17) Outdoor Rec (18-21) Museums

Suggested Read:

Fort Belvoir: In-Depth Welcome Center

Things to Do Near Fort Belvoir

Due to ongoing coronavirus concerns, it is best to call ahead to confirm temporary hours before you go.

Fort Belvoir Golf Course

1. Fort Belvoir Golf Club

8450 Beulah St #2920, Fort Belvoir, VA 22060

Phone

: 1 (703) 806-5878 The PGA professional staff takes great pride in making the Fort Belvoir Golf Club, one of the best military golfing facilities. The facilities include a restaurant grille, clubhouse lounge, and lesson so you can play even if you’re a newbie.

Alexandria

2. Mount Vernon Country Club

5111 Old Mill Rd, Alexandria, VA 22309

Phone

: 1 (703) 780-8700 Offering beautiful greens and friendly staff, the Mount Vernon Country Club is a great place to tee up. The courses provide a wide range of challenges for golfers of all skill levels.

Lorton

3. Pohick Bay Golf Course

10301 Gunston Rd, Lorton, VA 22079

Phone

: 1 (703) 339-8585 Nestled between Gunston Cove and Belmont Bay, Pohick Bay Golf Course is one of Virginia’s most scenic and challenging golf courses.

4. Laurel Hill Golf Club

8701 Laurel Crest Dr, Lorton, VA 22079

Phone

: 1 (703) 493-8849 Laurel Hill Golf Club is a beautiful 18-hole course with a driving range and classes for all ages and skill levels.

Fort Belvoir Gyms

5. Graves Fitness Center

2116 Abbot Rd, Fort Belvoir, VA 22060

Phone

: 1 (703) 806-5368 Graves Fitness Center is the home of the Fort Belvoir Sports and Fitness Program. Graves gym has everything you need, from free weights to cardiovascular equipment to basketball courts.

Lorton

6. New Day CrossFit

6825-C, Hill Park Dr, Lorton, VA 22079

Phone

: 1 (571) 237-6121 New Day CrossFit focuses on strength and conditioning training featuring coaches that provide a workout experience that feels like you constantly have your own personal trainers.

Alexandria

7. Mount Vernon Fitness

8459 Richmond Hwy, Alexandria, VA 22309

Phone

: 1 (540) 755-0241 Mount Vernon Fitness has personal training and workout classes, including an Olympic weight lifting training class.

8. Planet Fitness

8796 Sacramento Dr, Alexandria, VA 22309

Phone

: 1 (703) 347-7764 Planet Fitness offers an all-around balanced experience with machines, free weights, and an experience that lets you go at your own pace.

Fort Belvoir Movie Theater

9. Wood Theater

6050 Abbot Rd, Fort Belvoir, VA 22060

Phone

: 1 (703) 806-5237 The theater at Fort Belvoir offers a rotation of movies mostly showing on Thursday and Sunday.

Alexandria

10. Regal Kingstowne ScreenX & RPX

5910 Kingstowne Towne Center, Alexandria, VA 22315

Phone

: 1 (844) 462-7342 Plush seats, the latest movies, and a ScreenX theater featuring select movies shown on multiple screens that give you a 270-degree movie experience, Regal Kingstowne is your stop for a memorable movie night.

Fort Belvoir Pool

11. North Post Outdoor Pool

8800 Wright Rd, Fort Belvoir, VA 22060

Phone

: 1 (703) 806-5013 The Fort Belvoir Pool has a year-round facility and two season facilities that offer fitness classes, swim lessons, and plenty of relaxing by the pool.

Fort Belvoir Outdoor Rec

Alexandria

12. Muddy Hole Farm Park

7941 Kidd St, Alexandria, VA 22309

Phone

: 1 (703) 324-8702 This walk in the park comes with a little bit of history. Muddy Hole Farm Park was one of the five farms that made up the Mount Vernon estate.

Lorton

13. Pohick Bay Regional Park

6501 Pohick Bay Dr, Lorton, VA 22079

Phone

: 1 (703) 339-6104 One thousand acres of bayside adventures wait for you at the Pohick Bay Regional Park. Take the kids to the Pirate Bay Water Park, launch your boat or rent canoes to take into the bay, or even stay a little longer with cabin rentals and camping.

14. Elizabeth Hartwell Mason Neck National Wildlife Refuge

High Point, Lorton, VA 22079

Phone

: 1 (703) 490-4979 Enjoy a day exploring the first wildlife refuge specifically established to protect the Bald Eagle.

Springfield

15. Pohick Creek Stream Valley Park

Old Keene Mill Rd, Springfield, VA 22152

Phone

: 1 (703) 324-8591 Take a hike and escape into the woods for a day. This beautiful trail follows Pohick Creek, and you may even see a fox or two.

Fairfax Station

16. Lake Mercer

9500 Silverbrook Rd, Fairfax Station, VA 22039

Phone

: 1 (703) 324-8700 Lake Mercer is surrounded by 154 acres of wilderness that mixes both paved and gravel nature trails.

Mt Vernon

17. George Washington's Mount Vernon

3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Hwy, Mt Vernon, VA 22121

Phone

: 1 (703) 780-2000 The historic estate of George Washington features period pieces and a day’s worth of exploring an essential piece of history.

Fort Belvoir Museums

18. Army Museum Fort Belvoir

1775 Liberty Dr, Fort Belvoir, VA 22060

Phone

: 1 (800) 506-2672 Celebrating over 240 years of history, the National Museum of the United States Army features exhibits honoring army soldiers, past, present, and future.

Lorton

19. Art Museum at Workhouse Arts Center

9601 Ox Rd, Lorton, VA 22079

Phone

: 1 (703) 584-2900 The Art Museum at the Workhouse Arts Center has art ranging from impressionist paintings to modern ceramics from artists worldwide.

Alexandria

20. National Inventors Hall of Fame Museum

600 Dulany St, Alexandria, VA 22314

Phone

: 1 (571) 272-0095 A little farther northeast from Fort Belvoir is the National Inventors Hall of Fame. The admission is free to this museum and it’s dedicated to our nation's greatest innovators.

Washington DC

21. Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History

10th St. & Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20560 +1(202) 633-1000 It’s easy to forget that Washington DC is just a 40-minute drive from Fort Belvoir. So how could we not mention one of the branches of the Smithsonian? Featuring world-class exhibits, the Smithsonian is a must-see while stationed at Fort Belvoir.

Conclusion

With Washington DC a short drive away and the beauty of the natural wilderness surrounding you, your posting at Fort Belvoir is sure to create many memories. We hope that this guide has helped you narrow down some day trip options and given you a little more insight into the area immediately surrounding Fort Belvoir. With the number of historic sites in the area, we are sure there is plenty more for you to do than can fit on this list. Don’t forget to ask the locals for their favorite spots, and we hope you find your own near Fort Belvoir.  

The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement.