19 OF THE BEST THINGS TO DO IN QUANTICO, VA

Introduction

Marine Corps Base (MCB) Quantico is the crossroads of the Marine Corps. It isn’t inside a city or town, exactly, but is its own census-designated place within the state of Virginia. If you’re coming here with your PCS and it’s your first time in the area, you might be wondering about things to do in Quantico, Va. Turns out, there’s a lot to get into here and in the area. You have nearby Washington, D.C. right next door, as well, and as a major U.S. city, you’re going to find pretty much anything you could want right there alone. But here are some of the best ideas we found for fun things to do near Quantico, Va. Know what you are looking for? Click the number(s) to go right to where you want to go: (1-4) Gyms (5) Movie Theaters (6-8) Nearby Attractions (9-15) Museums (16) Golfing (17-19) Parks, Rivers, and Lakes

Suggested Read:

MCB Quantico: In-Depth Welcome Center

Things to Do in Quantico, VA

Quantico Gyms

1. Quantico Gym: The Barber Physical Activities Center

2073 Barnett Ave Quantico, VA 22134

Phone

: 1 (703) 432-0590 Barber Physical Activities Center is a huge 57,000-square foot facility that houses several different workout rooms and equipment. There’s a basketball court, a fitness deck, a mat room, and more. Other amenities include two saunas for men and women, a smoothie bar for a post-workout recharge, and a wifi cafe where you can hang out and check your email. This place has it all, including programs and classes to get involved with to keep up with the fitness of your colleagues. Working out together is great motivation. Contractors are welcome as well. Everyone needs to bring their ID.

Dumfries

2. Crossfit 234

3741 Fettler Park Dr, Dumfries, VA 22025

Phone

: 1 (571) 406-4443 Crossfit is an intense all-around workout that keeps your strength and conditioning at the highest level. It’ll work your stamina and challenge your mental toughness. And Crossfit 234 is the closest place to do it around MCB Quantico. Their qualified CrossFit instructors will take you to the task. You can sign up for affordable memberships that will carry you through the year, or for six months, one month, or 10 classes. They also offer couples memberships.

3. Tribute Training and Performance

17650 Possum Point Rd Suite E Dumfries, VA 22026

Phone

: 1 (703) 810-3555 Tribute Training and Performance is a veteran-owned gym that serves military members and veterans as their target clientele, but everyone is welcome. They offer several different types of memberships and programs from basic consultations to the whole package. For the open gym level, you get 24/7 access to the facility with free reign to work out however you want. One-on-one training with a personal coach is also available, and you’ll be able to figure out how many times a week you want to meet together. Or jump into a group coaching program in their semi-private lessons.

Stafford

4. Orangetheory Fitness

308 Worth Ave Stafford, VA 22556

Phone

: 1 (540) 602-5800 Orangetheory Fitness is a gym with its own workout philosophy and fitness strategy. They use technology to track results, from heart rates to metabolism. The total body workouts at Orangetheory Fitness will get you into shape and keep you there. Check out their various membership levels like their unlimited classes package to see what works with your schedule. There’s also a companion app you can use to track your progress and keep up to date with classes.

MCB Quantico Movie Theater

5. Little Hall Theater

Little Hall, 2034 Barnett Ave Quantico, VA 22134

Phone

: 1 (703) 784-2638 This MCB Quantico movie theater is a super affordable option for a family outing. Sometimes the movies are even free. They have a detailed schedule on the Little Hall Theater site, so make sure to plan according to the showings you want to see.

Washington, D.C. Attractions

6. The National Mall

VXQ7+2C Washington, D.C.

Phone

: 1 (202) 426-6841 The National Mall in the capital city of Washington, D.C. is a sight to behold. Along its boundary are contained some of the most iconic sites in America. The Lincoln Memorial, the Smithsonian, the Capitol building, and more line the oblong of the Mall. This is a place steeped in history and filled with the echoes of destiny.

7. Ford’s Theatre

511 10th St NW Washington, DC 20004

Phone

: 1 (202) 347-4833 Ford’s Theatre, the infamous location where Abraham Lincoln was assassinated, has been made into a tourist destination. Not to mention, it’s still a functioning theater. Visit Ford’s Theatre to learn about the history of that fateful day in 1865, and stay for a Sunday matinee.

MCB Quantico

8. Quantico Rec ITT

MCB Quantico Building 3500 Russell Rd Quantico, VA

Phone

: 1 (703) 432-8850 Quantico Recreation, Information, Tickets, and Tours (Rec ITT) is your ticket to a wealth of attractions available around base. At Rec ITT, they’ll let you know about all the things to see near Quantico, give you directions, and supply you with discounts on the door price. The deals are open to active duty military, as well as veterans, DoD contractors, and FBI.

Museums

Triangle

9. National Museum of the Marine Corps

18900 Jefferson Davis Hwy Triangle, VA 22172

Phone

: 1 (703) 432-1775 The National Museum of the Marine Corps in Triangle, Va is a 135-square foot complex and a public/private partnership to keep the history of the Marine Corps alive and celebrate the branch and its victories. They host multiple exhibits that showcase the Marine Corps over time and showcase specific periods and equipment. They offer a virtual tour, too, if you can’t make it in. There’s a rotating calendar of events put on by museum staff and outside experts, so stay alert for any topics of interest to you.

Dumfries

10. The Weems-Botts Museum & Annex

3944 Cameron St Dumfries, VA 22026

Phone

: 1 (703) 221-2218 The Weems-Botts Museum & Annex in Dumfries is a local museum that hosts programs and events about the history of the area. They also operate a research library. Come by to learn about the Colonial port of Dumfries and the role it played during the Revolutionary War, and before that when it was a Native American village. Bring your kids for their hands-on children’s programs.

Woodbridge

11. Rippon Lodge Historic Site

15520 Blackburn Rd Woodbridge, VA 22191

Phone

: 1 (703) 499-9812 Rippon Lodge is a historic house in Prince William County, thought to be the oldest house in the area. The house was built sometime around 1747 and has been restored for the public. It’s open for visitors, and also holds special events and programs throughout the year.

Washington, D.C.

12. National Museum of the American Indian

4th St SW Washington, DC 20560

Phone

: 1 (202) 633-1000 The National Museum of the American Indian is a part of the Smithsonian. The museum is composed of three physical buildings, one here in D.C., another in New York City, and the third in Maryland. You’ll find the world’s biggest collection of artifacts from Native peoples here, along with many exhibitions exploring the culture and history of Native Americans through the generations.

13. International Spy Museum

700 L'Enfant Plaza SW Washington, DC 20024

Phone

: 1 (202) 393-7798 The International Spy Museum is a fun place to learn about the history of espionage. There are tons of exhibits to see here, all of them relating somehow to intelligence, its usefulness, and how to steal it. There are showcases on inventions and people all revolving around the complex world of state secrets.

14. United States National Arboretum

3501 New York Ave NE Washington, DC 20002

Phone

: 1 (202) 245-2726 The United States National Arboretum is 446 acres of breathtaking gardens and groves, with close to 10 miles of walkways that wind through them for visitors to take in the gorgeous sites. There’s a huge herborarium, the National Capitol Columns, a bonzai garden, and much, much more. The National Arboretum leads programs and educational events, hosts lectures and group tours, and offers a stacked schedule to keep you coming back for more.

15. Smithsonian Air and Space Museum

600 Independence Ave SW Washington, DC 20560

Phone

: 1 (202) 633-2214 At the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum, you’ll find relics of flying machines from their earliest conception, models of aircraft through the ages, and exhibits on the current state of the space program. There are tons of exhibits here on the moon landing, the cold war, and more. Learn from the many programs and tours they give or come by for a lecture or two.

MCB Quantico Golf Course

16. Medal of Honor Golf Course

3313 Fuller Heights Rd Quantico, VA

Phone

: 1 (703) 784-2424 This MCB Quantico golf course is right on base. Medal of Honor Golf Course has a full 18 holes, a driving range, and a restaurant called Mulligan’s Grill. They use a reservation system on the website, so make sure to get in line if you want to tee up. There’s also a driving range on-site if you’re looking to improve your long game.

Parks, Rivers, and Lakes

Washington

17. Georgetown Waterfront Park

3303 Water St NW Washington, DC 20007

Phone

: 1 (202) 895-6000 The Georgetown Waterfront Park is a lovely area for outdoor exercise, biking, or a stroll along the Potomac River. It’s a conservation-friendly park with pollinator gardens and other ecologically minded features. There are many paths and overlooks to take in, along with amenities like rain gardens and even a labyrinth.

Triangle

18. Locust Shade Park

4701 Locust Shade Dr Triangle, VA 22172

Phone

: 1 (703) 792-8780 Locust Shade Park is an outdoor rec area with a ton of things to do. There are playgrounds for kids, tennis and basketball courts, and a mini-golf course. Come fishing in the 8-acre pond or hike along the 3.2 miles of trails. There’s fun for the whole family here, with multiple pavilions to rent for events and an amphitheater to watch the summer schedule of performances.

19. Prince William Forest Park

18170 Park Entrance Rd Triangle, VA 22172

Phone

: 1 (703) 221-7181 Prince William Forest Park is a national park founded in 1936 as a camp for children. Now, it’s full of events and programs for the whole family, including blacksmithing workshops and wildlife spotting. There are also cabins and plots to rent for camping and tons of hiking through this outdoor wonderland.

Conclusion

There’s so much to see and do near MCB Quantico that it’s hard to narrow down a list. With Washington D.C. close by, a wealth of history and culture is at your fingertips. Around the base, you’ll find plenty of opportunities for fitness and sightseeing, and it’ll be a wonder if you ever get bored.  

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