A quiet wooded community in western Fairfax County, VA,Great Falls is home to more than 15,000 people. It’s a mostly residential area filled with single-family homes of varying styles and sizes, from Tudor mansions and Craftsman homes to expansive horse farms and luxurious estates. The area’s proximity to Washington, D.C., and the Northern Virginia tech corridor, as well as its high-ranking school systems, add to its popularity, and that has led it to being recognized by Forbes magazine as one of the most expensive zip codes in the country.
Great Falls, Virginia, is also known for its wealth of hiking and horse trails, as well as its sprawling parkland. Thousands of visitors flock to the community each year to visit Great Falls Park, Riverbend Park, and Scott’s Run Nature Preserve, among others. The 800-acre Great Falls Park has been a popular outdoor attraction for many decades for boaters, fishers, hikers, cyclers, horseback riders, and picnickers.
The community also features retail shops, local businesses, and restaurants throughout its about 25 square miles. Residents enjoy a mix of both casual and upscale dining establishments, including the top-rated French restaurant L’Auberge Chez Francois. The Great Falls Village Centre is home to many shops, restaurants, health and fitness services, and financial institutions, as well as many other smaller shopping centers that populate the community.
Weekends and holidays bring together Great Falls residents for family-friendly events, from the summertime Concerts on the Green to annual holiday festivities. Cars & Coffee—an antiques car show at the local coffee shop—attracts car enthusiasts of all ages, as does the Great Falls farmer’s market most Saturday mornings. The historic Colvin Run Mill and Great Falls Grange are two other local attractions for Great Falls residents looking for something to do with their friends and family on weekends.
Located in Fairfax County, Great Falls borders parts of Loudoun County, as well as the Potomac River. It’s also conveniently positioned near the Capitol Beltway (495) and the George Washington Parkway, providing its residents with easy access to Washington, D.C., and nearby communities like McLean and Tysons Corner. Great Falls is fairly spread out, however, so you need a car or other mode of transportation to live here and get around the community.
54/100: Many nearby public transportation options.
Walkscore rates the walkability of any address. The score is calculated by factors like nearby restaurants and stores, number of transportation choices and how much you’ll need to rely on a car.
Powered by Walkscore.com
-
In the early 1900s, an amusement park was operated at the site of Great Falls Park.
-
From winter wine tastings to holiday celebrations for the 4th of July and Halloween, the Celebrate Great Falls Foundation hosts a variety of events for kids and adults alike.
-
Equestrian enthusiasts have a park all their own at Turner Farm, a former dairy farm that now offers horseback riding and jumping facilities, as well as picnic areas.
