Adventure After Adventure: Locals Guide to Loudoun County

Not so long ago, going 30 miles outside Washington, D.C., to Loudoun County was akin to making a day trip. Now, there are tons of reasons to make the drive – and take the kiddos. Named after John Campbell, the fourth earl of Loudoun, a Scottish nobleman and titular governor of Virginia from 1756-1759, the area started being settled in the late 1720s. A center of agriculture for more than 200 years, the arrival of Dulles International Airport in the 1960s initiated a transformation of the county by attracting businesses and residents. Today, about 330,000 people live in the 520-square-mile county, which is one of the country’s wealthiest. Check out the latest developments or let loose in the great outdoors.

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Neighborhood Guide: All Day in Arlington

Just a short drive over the bridge – or a few bridges, depending on where you’re headed – sits Arlington, Va. Founded in 1801, Arlington has grown into a bustling urban area in its own right. With most of the action huddled around Metro stops on the Blue and Orange lines, some of the most densely packed and walkable areas are in the Ballston-Clarendon-Rosslyn corridor. Its 25.98 square miles are full of family-friendly activities, educational experiences and history. Here are some not to miss.

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Have a Blast in the ‘Burbs: Fairfax County

Locations beyond the Beltway get a bad rap for being “too far” from the hubbub of the District, but the ’burbs have more to offer than shopping malls. Fairfax County, for example, has quite a rich history, dating to its founding in 1742. On June 1, 1861, the first land engagement of the American Civil War was fought here, and later the dairy and technology industries put the area firmly on the map. Today, Fairfax is Virginia’s most populous county, with more than 1.1 million residents, and it has the second highest median household income. If you find yourself within its 406 square miles, check out some of these notable places

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