Free/Frugal things to do in NoVa (Leesburg: university, restaurants)

[Bubble Wrap]

Check Leesburg, Reston, Middleburg schedules. They each sometimes do outdoor concerts or something. Leesburg has some kind of an attraction about once a month. If you want exercise, there are several free skate parks in the area. There are parks all over the place if you want some family themed things. Loudoun county keeps a calendar of events here: Calendars (http://www.loudoun.gov/Default.aspx?tabid=207 - broken link) Leesburg: Town of Leesburg : Festivals & Community Events (I just went to the annual Leesburg classic car show about a month ago. I love that every year. It's great, and free.)

Leesburg, Middleburg and old-town Manassas are kind of neat to wander around window shopping -- a few other old towns, too. Reston, as well, I guess. Leesburg and Reston both have zoos. If you like to drive, there are a *lot* of really, really good old country byways around here, as well. As for driving, a drive down Skyline Drive is $15 for the park entrance, but it's a great drive (you just can't go very fast).

There are also a lot of attractions like the caverns & natural bridge. In Old Tavern -- a little out of the way, but not too much -- there are rodeo's and polo events on weekend nights. Oh, speaking of weekend nights, Manassas Speedway has races every weekend. They're cheap, and fun. For families, you'd be surprised how much kids like to watch race cars, even the really small ones. (My 3 year old niece is enthralled by the Legends car races).

There are other parks that are cheap, but not free, like Great Falls, which is a really nice way to spend a day. Very accessible, too. It's in Fairfax County. The pool in Middleburg is about $5/day, I think. There are also public (but not free, just relatively inexpensive) waterparks, one in Fairfax county (or east Loudoun -- I think Fairfax) and one in Manassas. There are other pools that are cheap, like at Ida Lee in Leesburg. Speaking of Ida Lee, it's a nice park.

There are also historic sites like Bull Run Battlefield and some old plantation houses and battlefields, and associated parks.

I think someone mentioned the W&OD trail. Always a good walk or bike ride.

And, if worse comes to worse, there's always a short drive to DC to check out the museums

[Caladium]

Here's a tip for frugal fun. Some parks (Burke for example) charge on the weekend, but are often free during the week. Look online for more info.

[Joke Insurance]

Originally Posted by Caladium

Here's a tip for frugal fun. Some parks (Burke for example) charge on the weekend, but are often free during the week. Look online for more info.

Couldn't they just walk right in from one of the outside entrances? I know there is one along the Fairfax County Parkway near the intersection of Old Keene Mill Road.

[Bass101]

Is there anywhere to find about about lectures in the DC area--like one website that might have a lot of them or can anyone suggest other places to learn about great lectures in the area?

[JEB77]

Originally Posted by Bass101

Is there anywhere to find about about lectures in the DC area--like one website that might have a lot of them or can anyone suggest other places to learn about great lectures in the area?

The Washington Post's book section tracks lectures/readings by traveling authors:

book events search results on Washington DC Going Out Guide

The Washington Diplomat also has a calendar of cultural events that may be of interest:

http://www.washdiplomat.com/index.ph...476&Itemid=453

And, of course, there is the Smithsonian (you can filter its listing of events for lectures):

http://www.si.edu/Events/Calendar/?t...field1%3D11153

[Alicia Bradley]

Post on City-Data!

[Joke Insurance]

Originally Posted by Alicia Bradley

Post on City-Data!

Erm....maybe if the central server is located in NOVA

[EuroExpat]

!!!!FREE!!!!

Walking Tour of Leesburg - James P. Roberts
Walking Tour of Leesburg
Date: 10/15/2011 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Cost: Free
Location: Thomas Balch Library
208 West Market Street
Leesburg, Virginia 20176


register

James Roberts, a native of Leesburg, member of Thomas Balch Library Advisory Commission, and 2008 recipient of a Loudoun History Award, will lead a walking tour of Leesburg.
The tour is an insider’s commentary of local people, places, and points of interest both in and around Leesburg. Particular detail is paid to how Leesburg has grown and evolved through the years architecturally, economically, and racially. Factual, historical, and anecdotal information is intertwined and presented in storytelling fashion as only someone who lived through it and thoughtfully observed it can do.
This unique tour will leave from Thomas Balch Library parking lot at 9AM.

[trm5507]

Off of Route 50 towards Winchester is the State Arboretum, which has free admission: State Arboretum of Virginia Museum - Virginia Is For Lovers

Winchester also has their own First Friday with things like free admission to the children's museum.

Here's a list I stumbled across too: 40 Free Things to do While Vacationing in Virginia - Virginia Is For Lovers

[Caladium]

Originally Posted by trm5507

Off of Route 50 towards Winchester is the State Arboretum, which has free admission: State Arboretum of Virginia Museum - Virginia Is For Lovers

Winchester also has their own First Friday with things like free admission to the children's museum.

Here's a list I stumbled across too: 40 Free Things to do While Vacationing in Virginia - Virginia Is For Lovers

I love the state arboretum. It took me years to make the trip out there to check it out, and now I wonder what took me so long.