The Northern Virginia community of Woodbridge is a census-designated place and magisterial district of Prince William County. Both Woodbridge and Prince William County are part of the Washington Metropolitan Area, roughly 20 miles south of Washington, D.C. Prince William County’s closeness to the D.C. Metro area provides its residents a variety of federal department and agency career opportunities and provides the county with an unprecedented economic stability, even during periods of nationwide economic downturn. A thriving biotech sector, world-class schools and innovative entrepreneurial opportunities are just a few of our county’s attractions.
Woodbridge’s current boom of development began in the 1980’s, when after a historically agrarian economy with interspersed industrial complexes, the municipality combined its community with the nearby community of Dale City, which had its start as a planned community of the 1960’s and 1970’s. Prince William County is vibrant and naturally beautiful, banked by the shores of the Potomac and Occoquan Rivers and nestled beneath the rolling Piedmont Mountains. Life in Prince William County is a balanced fusion of the urban and suburban elements that is friendly and convenient for both residents and visitors to enjoy. To learn more about living in or visiting Prince William County, please visit:
Prince William County Convention & Visitors Bureau
Prince William County Chamber of Commerce Resident Guide
Fairfax County/Capital Region Visitors Center
Tourism Website of the Commonwealth of Virginia
Tourism Website of the Commonwealth of Virginia, Prince William County
History
Prince William County’s rich history is one of our area’s leading attractions. Prince William County, first settled by European explorers in 1608, was created by an act of the General Assembly of the colony of Virginia in 1731. Largely rural, the county’s population was centered for much of its lifetime near Manassas (home to the railroad junction) and the Potomac River port communities of Occoquan and Woodbridge. During the Civil War, Manassas became the site of two of American history’s most pivotal battles: the First Battle of Manassas on July 21, 1861, and the Second Battle of Manassas, August 28-30, 1862. Outside of the South, these battles are often referred to as the first and second battles of Bull Run. In the 20th century, Prince William County enjoyed a rebirth and reinvigorated life as a suburban center and today is home to both historic sites and the military installation Marine Corps Base Quantico. Woodbridge’s current boom of development began in the 1980’s, when after a historically agrarian economy with interspersed industrial complexes, the municipality combined its community with the nearby community of Dale City, which had its start as a planned community of the 1960’s and 1970’s. To learn more about Woodbridge or Prince William County’s unique histories, or to explore the historic sites of the region, please visit:
Prince William County Historic Sites Prince William County Historic Attractions |
Manassas National Battlefield Park National Rifle Association Museum and Headquarters |
Parks and Recreation
Prince William County’s seasonally mild climate makes most outdoor activities enjoyable and available throughout the year: from horseback and ATV riding, hiking, biking and rock climbing to fishing, swimming, sailing, kayaking and canoeing on the Occoquan and Potomac rivers, there’s an adventure awaiting you by land or by water. Equestrian activities, camping, nature watching, nature touring, and picnicking are available at most area parks. Woodbridge offers a wealth of beauty and preserved nature available to enjoy, which is unique in any large metropolitan area, allowing residents to truly enjoy the best of both worlds. Woodbridge is community where urban professionalism meets idyllic, semi-rural landscapes.
The Prince William County Park Authority manages nearly 4,000 acres of park land, which include 50 public parks, two water parks, 4 recreation and community centers, 6 sports complexes, numerous golf ranges and an ice skating rink. Prince William Forest Park is the largest protected natural area in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan region at over 15,000 acres. The hospitable climate makes biking a popular year round activity; there are over 86 miles of paved on-street and off-road bicycle trails available to metro area bikers, as well as the services of Capital Bikeshare, providing bicycle rentals for commuting or pleasure riding throughout the D.C. Metro area. The municipal, state and national parks of our area offer some of the nation’s finest bird watching, as well as history and nature coming together in the idyllic scenery of Virginia. To learn more about the parks, recreation, sports and activities available in Woodbridge and Prince William County, please visit:
Sports and Activities
Prince William County Outdoor Sports and Recreation |
Attractions and Activities
Though Prince William County is best known for its historic attractions and proximity to the D.C. metro area, Woodbridge is culturally diverse and cosmopolitan, offering residents and visitors some of the finest offerings in its museums, cultural attractions, arts exhibitions and theatrical performances. With a historically breathtaking setting, our arts scene is energetic and thrives with the constant flow of visitors to our region. Woodbridge residents enjoy easy access to waterfront activities, theme parks, national museums, upscale shopping and dining destinations, and a diverse choice of entertainment opportunities. With everything from nightclubs and spas to world-class art galleries available, our residents have a busy calendar to choose from. Musical performances, theater events, dance recitals, art exhibits, festivals, and crafts shows are available daily. Wineries, breweries and an exciting array of tours—from historic to natural to ghost-hunting—are all available to experience year round, with special seasonal events scheduled to highlight the civic and natural spirit of the area. To learn more about the cultural, artistic and high-energy attractions of Woodbridge and Prince William County, please visit:
Theatre, Culture and The Arts
Center for the Arts in Old Town Manassas |
National Air and Space Museum, Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center at Dulles |
Shopping, Dining, Leisure and Attractions
Prince William County Shopping Guide
Prince William County Antique Trail Shopping Guide
Dining in Prince William County
Prince William County Chamber of Commerce Restaurants
Events
The Woodbridge community calendar is full of festivals and events, changing constantly with seasonal scheduling, and our location makes the area events calendars easy accessible to our residents, ensuring that there’s never a dull moment in Prince William County! Annual events span a diverse range and ensure that there’s an event scheduled to meet anyone’s taste. To find out what sporting, historic, cultural or ecological events are happening during your time in Prince William County, use the links below to explore some of our region’s best-loved community events!
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