Fort Belvoir (VA) -- What's to see and do?

2014-12-29T15:39:44-05:00

Q: What is there to do, or sites to see, on and off post?

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 29 at 2014 3:42 PM

2014-12-29T15:42:26-05:00

Is this a trick question, CPT Chris Loomis? You're just a few minutes from everything in Washington, DC, when you're at Fort Belvoir. LOTS to see and do there.

Response by SSG Jeffrey Spencer made Dec 29 at 2014 3:48 PM

2014-12-29T15:48:09-05:00

As you are 2LT, I'll guess you are in your 20s. Old town Alexandria has a few spots of activity. Take in the many historic sites around here. It can be enlightening for the struggles of this country in its infancy.

Response by 1SG Steven Stankovich made Dec 29 at 2014 3:50 PM

2014-12-29T15:50:26-05:00

You're also a hop, skip, and a jump away from Civil War Battlegrounds in places like Manassass, Arlington House and Cemetery, a short drive to the beach, Maryland, etc. There's a ton to do and see sir.

We enjoyed our time while stationed there a few years back.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 29 at 2014 3:56 PM

2014-12-29T15:56:53-05:00

Not much, but you can go North to Alexandria/Arlington & DC. For great food and music in Alexandria go down King street towards Old Town. Listen and follow your nose.
In DC, my God man! Free museums during the day, Night life on the U Street Corridor, Adams Morgan area (by the National Zoo), Embassy parties, and the list goes on. All the government buildings are downtown, so you need to push out to get to music and decent food. Don't eat the street food. Google any topic of choice for DC and you'll see a decent list.
Arlington, you have the cemetaries, and food, need more DC or Alexandia for night time entertainment.
I lived in DC for 11 years before transfering to NJ. Trust me, there is PLENTY to do!
Let me know if you have more specific questions.

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 29 at 2014 6:20 PM

2014-12-29T18:20:18-05:00

In addition to what has been mentioned, there is Mount Vernon right around the corner and Washington's Mill and Library nearly outside the back gate. There are close to 200 National Parks in Northern Virginia and Fairfax County. The Fairfax County Parks and Rec have classes and trips throughout the year (can find at the website). My family also loves to go down to Yorktown, VA Beach, Ft. Story where First Landing is located (about 2.5-3 hr drive). Usually can find Space A lodging with Navy when you visit down there. USMC Museum at Quantico is not far and well worth the visit. One of the best Chinese places in the area is House of Dynasty in Hayfield off Telegraph about 4 miles north. My daughters like the 930 Club downtown and there are always concerts or 5K to half marathons all around. Baltimore Harbor is also a great place to explore. Games at Nationals stadium (park for free at Ft. McNair and walk 2 blocks) or Orioles stadium also make for a great day for baseball fans.

Response by COL John McClellan made Dec 30 at 2014 11:45 AM

2014-12-30T11:45:21-05:00

2LT -- You got several great sightseeing tips above, but I would be remiss if I didn't mention that Ft. Belvoir was once the home of the Army's Engineer Regiment. Also, Drive down the old "Colonel's Row" of stately brick houses to the Officer's Club (not sure it's still in operation) and look for a the "any 2LT" parking space there! When I attended Officer's Basic there, it was a 'race' to get that spot on Fridays after classes for Happy Hour!! Enjoy! Essayons!

Response by MSG Paulo Amado made Dec 30 at 2014 7:22 PM

2014-12-30T19:22:42-05:00

Chris,
Mount Vernon is just down the street from Fort Belvoir on Mount Vernon Highway (MVH), and if you keep going north on MVH you run into old Alexandria which is nice except if you have to drive through it during rush hours. If you go a little farther north you'll run into the Pentagon which has good tour lots of history in that building and a 9/11 memorial. Then you got Fort Myers which is very close to the Pentagon and the home of Arlington Cemetery. Across the river you have Washington D.C. that has tons of stuff to do. There is a lot of stuff to do. Saw a bunch of great recommendations posted already.

Response by SFC Dr. Joseph Finck, BS, MA, DSS made Dec 31 at 2014 9:01 AM

2014-12-31T09:01:27-05:00

CPT Chris Loomis Sir, there is much to see and do, close to Fort Belvoir, VA. You are a short transit to all of the Washington DC history and the museums. Likewise, it is a quick transit to Joint Base Myer Henderson Hall where you may observe the hallowed ceremony of service members reaching their final assignments at Arlington National Cemetery. The Iwo Jima memorial is also close and Sunset Parades (seasonal) are always worth watching. Old Ebbit Grill (15th street Northwest in DC) is always worth going to as you may see some of our nations most recognized political figures. As was previously mentioned Old Town Alexandra has many pubs, restaurants, and shops which are worth seeing. Many of the shops offer Presidential memorabilia and other artifacts of Americana. Civil war battle grounds are also close and well worth seeing. Make sure to make a trip to Dulles to the Air and Space museum which is housed there. It is awesome and well worth the trip. The Capital, White House, the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, and other USG headquarters buildings are also quite interesting.