Prince William County Real Estate
Prince William County, Virginia provides a diversity of interests and activities for the entire family. The first time you experience the breathtaking natural scenery and endearing southern hospitality of Prince William County, you'll forget just how close you are to Washington, D.C. When you discover the cosmopolitan shopping, lively entertainment and historical treasures, you'll remember that the National Capital is just minutes away. Additionally, Prince William County is the only county in Virginia that crosses all four of the state's geographic zones from Tidewater, through the Piedmont and Triassic terrain to the Appalachians. There are approximately 380,000 residents making Prince William County the second most populous county in Virginia.
Prince William County is an excellent and affordable base for exploring many Virginia attractions such as Skyline Drive, Luray Caverns, Shenandoah Valley and Virginia wineries. Home of the National Battlefield Park, Manassas is within a few hours of many other significant sites of the Civil War: Gettysburg, Antietam, Harpers Ferry, Fredericksburg and Richmond. Prince William County offers an ideal combination of history, recreation and value and is a major contributor to the Virginia economy.
Canoeing, hiking, fishing, bicycling, camping and jet skiing are just some of the outdoor adventures available in Prince William County. Campers will discover cabins, campgrounds or full service RV sites to enhance their outdoor experience. Romantics may settle into one of the distinctive bed and breakfast properties in Prince William County. Discover three water parks for refreshing summer days, ten 18-hole golf courses open for public play and some of the best bass fishing in the United States. With 48 miles of mostly undeveloped shoreline, bountiful fishing and thousands of acres of parkland, you will not believe you are less than 35 miles from Washington, D.C.
Discover a colonial mill town and port while you walk the charming streets of Occoquan, founded in 1734. Here the Mill House Museum describes the long and arduous history of a town founded on a "rock ledge" and its' survival despite war, flood, fire and hurricane. Now, one can shop in dozens of boutiques, art galleries and antique stores. There is riverfront dining at a number of outstanding restaurants. Occoquan is a much visited section of eastern Prince William County.
In Manassas, Virginia one can explore the Civil War in depth. There is the lesser-known site, Ben Lomond Manor House. On one of the earliest Prince William County plantations (built in 1837), the house is rumored to have been used as a Civil War hospital. On its' walls are the carvings and scrawl of Civil War soldiers who left their graffiti for later generations to decipher.
Prince William County is home to the best known Civil War site in Virginia, Manassas National Battlefield Park. It is tastefully interpreted with wide-open spaces and an informative interpretive program. You will be swept away by the verdant beauty of Manassas Battlefield and its unspoiled vistas of Bull Run Mountain. It is truly one of the treasures of western Prince William County.
It was on this ground that America's first significant battle of the Civil War was fought, where "Stonewall" Jackson stood his ground and earned a place in American history. It is the only battleground where the opposing forces met twice with the battle-lines reversed. Prince William County commemorates the valiant soldiers on both sides during Civil War weekends in July and August with living history displays, interpretive events and special concerts.
In Old Town Manassas, the Manassas Museum provides a glimpse into the rich history and culture of the Virginia Piedmont and the vital role played by the railroad in this region. Exhibits range from prehistoric tools and artifacts to Civil War uniforms and weaponry, railroad memorabilia and Victorian attire. There are outdoor concert programs that are free and open to the public. Quaint and Victorian, Old Town Manassas is a refreshing place to roam the streets, duck into unique stores and dine on exquisite cuisine of all sorts. Watch modern Amtrak trains roll by the old-fashioned Manassas depot while you look at the exhibits about the railroad history that played a vital role in the development of Manassas and Prince William County.
Woodbridge is to eastern Prince William County what Manassas is to western Prince William County. Woodbridge is home to Quantico Marine Corps Base, one of the primary command training facilities in the United States Marine Corps. The FBI Academy is located there and it is home to the presidential helicopter squadron. Woodbridge also boasts having Potomac Mills shopping mall, the largest discount shopping mall in Virginia and one of the largest in the eastern United States. Two major planned residential communities, Dale City and Lake Ridge are home to the majority of Woodbridge residents. Similar to Manassas, there is commuter rail service from Woodbridge to Washington, D.C.
Another national park, Prince William Forest Park is located in the Woodbridge section of Prince William County. It is an extremely popular campsite for area residents as well as travelers along I-95 since it has a major RV campground. A new National Wildlife Refuge is also being developed at the point where the Occoquan and Potomac Rivers meet.
The historic town of Dumfries which was a major Northern Virginia port in the 18th century is in southeastern Prince William County. Montclair is the largest planned community in that section of the county.
The newest historical attraction in Virginia is the National Museum of the Marine Corps located in the Woodbridge area just outside the main gate of Quantico Marine Corps Base. It opened in November, 2006 and provides Marines and all others an in-depth look at the history of the United States Marine Corps from its' 18th century inception to the present.
Virginia maintains Leesylvania State Park in Woodbridge along the Potomac River. It features boat launching facilities, nature trails and it has an extensive river shoreline.
Many Prince William County residents and those considering moving to the county are interested in how Prince William County Public Schools compare with other school districts. It is the third largest school system in Virginia. The key to the Prince William County experience is its' diversity, proximity and hospitality.
