Great Falls: Postcards from Hometown
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Great Falls: Postcards from Hometown

Breathtaking and iconic, the waterfall that gives our town its name is a must-visit for new neighbors. Great Falls National Park boasts miles of hiking trails, a picnic area, and scenic overlooks along the river that lend themselves to either a quick hike or an extended visit to the park.

Breathtaking and iconic, the waterfall that gives our town its name is a must-visit for new neighbors. Great Falls National Park boasts miles of hiking trails, a picnic area, and scenic overlooks along the river that lend themselves to either a quick hike or an extended visit to the park. Photo by Laura Gersony/The Connection

By Laura Gersony/The Connection

Tuesday, September 29, 2020

Known for its scenic beauty, spaciousness, and small-town feel, Great Falls is home to many sites both historic and picturesque. Neighbors new and old will enjoy exploring these sites, told below through “Postcards from Great Falls.”

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Photo by Laura Gersony/The Connection

More than 200 years old, the Colvin Run Mill is the sole 19th-century water-powered mill in the D.C. area that remains operational. The park also includes historical exhibits across its campus, regularly hosts educational activities, and is surrounded by wooded parkland. It is a great spot for a picnic lunch or an afternoon spent learning about Northern Virginia history.

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Photo by Laura Gersony/The Connection

A few miles removed from the bustle of Great Falls National Park, Riverbend Park is an oasis of calm and total immersion in nature. In addition to its miles of forested trails, the park also offers boat rentals, educational programming, and a spacious picnic area. Be sure to drop by during bluebell season in early spring, when the forest bed is blanketed with lilac flowers.

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Photo by Laura Gersony/The Connection

The social and entrepreneurial center of town, the Great Falls Village Centre houses shops, offices, and restaurants around a sprawling lawn. This is the site of town-wide celebrations such as the annual Fourth of July parade, the “Halloween Spooktacular,” “Concerts on the Green” during warmer months, and a weekly community farmers market.

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Photo by Laura Gersony/The Connection

Visitors of all ages can enjoy the sports fields, picnic areas, and playground under the shade of majestic trees at the Great Falls Grange. The recreational area is located in the backyard of a public assembly hall built in 1929 as part of the post-Civil War Grange Movement.

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Photo by Laura Gersony/The Connection

Tucked away off Leigh Mill Road, Ramey Meadows offers extensive forested trails and a striking field of wildflowers. The park also includes a stretch of the Gerry Connolly Cross County Trail, which runs in a 40-mile arc across Fairfax County.

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Photo by Laura Gersony/The Connection

Great Falls’ local branch of the countywide library system offers something for everyone. The library’s meeting rooms often host community groups and activities geared towards younger children, and the building’s hushed common space makes it a popular place to read or work. Books, internet access, digital materials, and other resources are publicly available with a free library card.

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