Museums

Fairfax Museum
Fairfax Museum and Visitors Center

Fairfax Museum and Visitors Center
10209 Main Street, Fairfax, VA 22030 Phone: 703-385-8414
The Fairfax Museum and Visitor Center is open 9-5, 7 days a week, and admission is FREE. (Closed Easter Sunday, Thanksgiving Day, 1/2 day Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day.) The Museum – housed in the historic Fairfax Elementary School, built in 1873 – features exhibitions about local and regional history, including the permanent exhibit The Fairfax Story. The Museum hosts several historic programs throughout the year, including the popular Second Sunday series.
The Visitor Center stocks maps and information about sites and special events throughout Virginia and the D.C. area.

Fairfax Station Railroad Museum
11200 Fairfax Station Road, Fairfax Station, VA 22039 Phone: 703-425-9225
Take a step back in time and discover the Fairfax Station Museum and the role it played in the history of Northern Virginia.
Museum displays, activities and events help preserve local history and promote railroading. Come explore Civil War history, railroading and the fascinating story of our local community.

National Firearms Museum
11250 Waples Mill Road, Fairfax, VA 22030 Phone: 703-267-1600
The National Firearms Museum is a museum owned and operated by the National Rifle Association that is focused on the evolution of firearms and the history of firearms in America.
Open Daily 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Closed Christmas Day. Admission is Free.

Alexandria Black History Museum
902 Wythe Street, Alexandria, VA 22314 Phone: 703-746-4356
Located in the heart of the Parker-Gray Historic District, the Alexandria Black History Museum documents the contributions of African Americans to Alexandria’s history and culture from 1749 to the present. The Museum offers exhibitions, lectures and special events throughout the year.
Hours: Tuesday to Saturday: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Sunday and Monday: Closed
Closed: New Year’s Day, Easter, 4th of July, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday

Drug Enforcement Administration Museum and Visitors Center
700 Army Navy Drive, Arlington, VA 22202 Phone: 202-307-3463
The mission of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Museum and Visitors Center is to educate the American public on the history of drugs, drug addiction and drug law enforcement in the United States through engaging and state-of-the-art exhibits, displays, interactive stations and educational outreach programs.
Open Tuesday – Friday 10:00 am – 4:00 pm Closed on Federal Holidays. Free Admission.

Fort Ward Museum and Historic Site
4301 West Braddock Road, Alexandria, VA 22304 Phone: 703-746-4848
Fort Ward Museum interprets the site’s history and offers exhibits on Civil War topics, education and interpretive programs, tours, lecture and video series, bus tours, and living history activities throughout the year. The Museum and Historic Site also interpret Alexandria, Virginia as an occupied city, the city’s role as a vital Union Army crossroads, life within the Defenses of Washington, and the everyday life of Civil War soldiers and civilians.
Hours: Tuesday to Saturday 10:00 am to 5:00 pm; Sunday noon to 5:00 pm
Free Admission, donations welcome.

The Freeman Store and Museum
131 Church Street NE, Vienna, VA 22180 Phone: 703-938-5187
Built in 1859 for Abram Lydecker, both Confederate and Union Army troops occupied the house during the American Civil War. The house has been restored in accordance with historical records. Civil War paraphernalia are sold in a restored general store on the first floor of the house. A museum on the second floor of the house presently displays Civil War artifacts.
Open Wednesday to Sunday 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm. Closed January and February.

Friendship Firehouse Museum
107 South Alfred Street, Alexandria, VA 22314 Phone: 703-746-3891
The Friendship Fire Company was established in 1774, as the first volunteer fire company in Alexandria. The current firehouse was built in 1855, was substantially remodeled in 1871, and was restored by the City of Alexandria in 1992. Join us for events and activities throughout the year. Children visiting the museum are invited to go on our history hunt and explore firefighting history through hands-on objects. For adults and youth, special guided firefighting history tours are offered in the spring and fall. Visit us during one of our annual Open House days on Presidents’ Day, Father’s Day and Mother’s Day. Hours: Saturdays and Sundays 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm.

Gadsby’s Tavern Museum
134 North Royal Street, Alexandria, VA 22314 Phone: 703-746-4242
Gadsby’s Tavern Museum consists of two buildings, the c. 1785 tavern and the 1792 City Tavern and Hotel. The buildings and ice well were constructed by John Wise, but made famous by John Gadsby. He hosted George Washington’s Birthnight Ball,and Thomas Jefferson’s Inaugural Banquet. Located in the heart of Old Town, the museum offers tours and a wide variety of children’s programs and special events throughout the year.
Hours: November to March: Wednesday to Saturday: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday: 1 – 4 p.m. Monday and Tuesday: Closed
Last tour: At 3:45 p.m.
Closed: New Year’s Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas
April to October: Tuesday to Saturday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday and Monday: 1 – 5 p.m. Last tour: At 4:45 p.m.
Admission: Adults: $5.00 Children (ages 5 -12): $3.00 Children under 5 are free with a paying adult.

Heritage Farm Museum
21668 Heritage Farm Lane, Sterling, VA 20164 Phone: 571-258-3800
Located within Claude Moore Park in Sterling, Virginia, the Heritage Farm Museum lets you explore over 250 years of Loudoun County agriculture history through traditional, as well as, family friendly interactive exhibits. The Waxpool General Store and Farm Kitchen exhibits allow visitors to experience first hand what rural life was like 100 years ago. The Museum’s Gift Shop also offers a variety of unique and Virginia-made items. The Heritage Farm Museum also offers a variety of school, scout and family programs. Special seasonal events are scheduled throughout the year.
Hours: 9:30 am – 4:30 pm Tuesday – Saturday; 11:30 am – 4:30 pm Sunday
Closed on Mondays.
Admission: Adults: $5 Seniors/Military: $4 Children (2-12): $3 Children under 2 – Free.

Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center
14390 Air and Space Museum Parkway, Chantilly, VA 20151 Phone: 703-572-4118
The Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center is the companion facility to the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC. Together, they display the largest collection of air & space artifacts in the world.
Regular Hours: 10:00 am to 5:30 pm. Admission is FREE. Parking $15 Before 4:00 pm. Open Every Day Except December 25.

National Museum of the Marine Corps
18900 Jefferson Davis Highway, Triangle, VA 22172 Phone: 877-635-1775
The National Museum of the Marine Corps is a lasting tribute to U.S. Marines–past, present, and future. Situated on a 135-acre site adjacent to Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia, and under the command of Marine Corps University, the Museum’s soaring design evokes the image of the flag-raisers of Iwo Jima and beckons visitors to this 120,000-square-foot structure. World-class interactive exhibits using the most innovative technology surround visitors with irreplaceable artifacts and immerse them in the sights and sounds of Marines in action.
Admission and parking are FREE! Open 9:00 am to 5:00 pm daily except Christmas Day.