When your day is full of history and exciting attractions, you’re ready to unwind at night with some live music and a drink or two at a cozy bar, right?  Well, Oakton and the surrounding towns have plenty to offer.  In fact, one of the top nightclubs for live music is right here in Fairfax County!

Jammin’ Java has less than 250 seats, but it’s always packed with people that come from miles around to see some big names in independent music.  The coming month will bring artists such as Matthew Perryman on April 14^th, Jason Reeves on April 17^th, and Cadillac Sky on April 26^th.  Sarah Watkins of Nickel Creek is playing on April 20^th, David Knopfler from the band Dire Straits will be playing on April 29^th, and Bobby Long, who penned a song for the wildly successful Twilight soundtrack, is playing on April 28^th.

If you prefer a theater setting, then be sure to check out the Lazy Susan Dinner Theatre.  Through July, they’re presenting Shenandoah, a musical set in Virginia.  The food is wonderful; the actors receive consistent excellent reviews; and the line-up of shows is always compelling.

If you’re just in the mood to enjoy a good beer, there are several sports bars and microbreweries in the area.  The Dogfish Head Alehouse has a couple of locations, and they serve popular bar food, as well as their own special brew.  The Sweetwater Tavern is another local favorite that serves handcrafted beers.  The food and brewery has earned the spot the “Favorite in Fairfax County” title.

For those that enjoy wine, there are some fantastic wine bars and wineries in the area.  Check out The Tasting Room at Boxwood Winery, Paradise Springs Winery, Vinifera Wine Bar and Bistro, Church Street Cellars, and Brix American Bistro.

Oakton, Virginia, is settled in Fairfax County, which is one of the most beautiful areas in the nation.  The rolling hills and plentiful trees make it perfect for golfing, equestrian pursuits, and plentiful parks and nature centers.  If you’re a visitor to Oakton, you should definitely make the time to spend an afternoon in one of the parks.  There is always something going on, providing entertainment to people of all ages.

For instance, no park would be complete without its annual Easter Egg Hunt.  The biggest one in Fairfax County takes place at Nottoway Park, usually the Saturday before Easter.  There is an entry fee, but the eggs hold spectacular prizes, and the kids have a chance to visit with the Easter Bunny.

The Colvin Run Mill often hosts a blacksmithing demonstration at the Blacksmith Shop.  Visitors will get a chance to observe an expert blacksmith and learn skills about this historic art.

Music lovers will want to head to Frying Pan Farm Park for the Acoustic Jam.  If you happen to play an instrument, you should bring it along so that you can join in.  The Jam isn’t a one-time thing, so call the park if you’re in town to see if it’s on while you’re visiting.

For true nature lovers, there are so many things in which you can get involved!  The Hidden Oaks Nature Center has special programs about their animals.  The Green Spring Gardens hosts gardening events where you can learn more about the flowers and plants in your own home garden.  Huntley Meadows sponsors birding events, especially during times of peak migration.  And Ellanor C. Lawrence Park hosts Earth Day activities.

There are many more fun activities to choose from, so if you find yourself in the area, be sure to get a park guide and check out all of the fun you could have!

Many consider Fairfax County and the surrounding area to be the cradle of America.  It’s true that much of our Revolutionary and Civil War history took place right here in the rolling hills of Virginia.  If you’re visiting Oakton or any of the surrounding cities in Fairfax County then you’re just steps away from some of the most significant sites in our country’s history.

For instance, George Washington lived right here in Fairfax County!  Our first president called Mount Vernon, Virginia, home.  His house and lands are now one of the most visited historic sites in America.  It’s not just a house, though!  There are lots of interactive displays, as well as a theater.  You can visit the winery and the distillery before taking a walk in the amazing gardens.

For a taste of life in the 1920’s and 1940’s, you should be sure to see Frying Pan Farm Park.  The park focuses on rural America and the many advances that we made during these times, such as mechanical balers, milking machines, and tractors.  The meeting house in the park was once used for church services as well as town meetings, and is now on the National Register of Historic Places.

Other historic sites and museums are scattered across the county, such as the Old Town Hall in Fairfax, the Ox Hill Battlefield Park, the Freeman House Museum, the Laurel Grove School, the Claude Moore Colonial Farm, the Colvin Run Mill, and the Fairfax Station Railroad Museum.  Many homes that were pivotal to war efforts are still private residences, but you can see them from the road.  If you love history at all, in any form, then you can be certain to get your fill of it in Fairfax County.  It’s an amazing feeling, knowing that you’re walking the same soil that Civil War and Revolutionary War heroes trod.

One of my favorite things to do when traveling is to check out the stores that might not be available in my own hometown- and Fairfax County has plenty to choose from!  I can’t believe the amount of trendy boutiques and high-fashion department stores that are available, and it all just depends on where you look.

Many of the shopping centers are now mixed-use developments, where people can live and play without having to drive all over town.  These self-contained villages are a lot of fun to visit because the stores are all out in the open air, and you get a sense of walking down Main Street, USA, when you shop there.  There are a couple to choose from near Oakton, such as Reston Town Center and Fairfax Corner.  You’ll find delightful eateries, bakeries, and coffee shops tucked among the larger chain stores and boutiques.

If you’re more traditional about your shopping, and you’re looking for a shopping mall, then Fairfax County has plenty of those, too.  You’ll find the popular department stores, as well as high-fashion shops such as Armani Exchange, Michael Kors, Burberry, and Hermes of Paris at the malls surrounding Oakton.  My favorites are Fairfax Square and Tysons Galleria, where I can visit Tiffany and Co., the Elizabeth Arden’s Red Door Salon and Spa, Chanel, and Versace.  Even if I’m not planning to buy, it’s fun just to see what the latest styles are.

If you’re not a fan of shopping centers of any kind, then be sure to drive around the cities a bit.  There are locally owned boutiques, antique stores, craft shops, and hobby supply stores tucked away in all corners of the county.  No matter what you’re looking for, you’ll be sure to find it in Fairfax County.