"Carry me back to old Virginny." --James Bland, American Composer (1878)

PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, VIRGINIA, USA - Having visited Washington, D.C. on several occasions, I thought I'd venture out into the suburbs, so to speak. With a little planning, and my map in hand, I focused my autumn plans on taking a week to see the surrounding sights in nearby Prince William County, Virginia.

Good choice. Prince William County is located approximately 35 miles southwest of Washington, D.C. Noted as an historic and outdoor recreation destination, the area offers a panorama of some of Virginia's most beautiful landscapes--from tidal shoreline and wetlands to thick hardwood forests, and rolling hills to serene pastures.

For Civil War buffs, the County is rich in attractions. A few of the highlights include Manassas National Battlefield, Maymarket Thoroughfare Gap, Ben Lomond Manor House, Old Town Manassas, Manassas Museum, County Courthouse, Leesylvania State Park, and Brentsville Courthouse.

The region is rich with historic sites from the colonial period to the Civil War and Reconstruction, and is also known as a premier shopping destination. It's filled with charming and quaint villages including Occoquan, Dumfries, Old Town Manassas, and Quantico Town. The Route 28 antique corridor draws shoppers from around the region and around the globe.

The following are a few of my personal, favorite, and not-to-be-missed spots. What you'll find are places I stayed, ate, played, exercised, shopped, and simply knocked about. Hope you enjoy my A to Z visit to Virginia's delightful Prince William County.

A reminder, some attractions are seasonal, so it's always wise to check in advance to avoid disappointment. Telephone numbers are given when appropriate. On to the Alphabet!

ARLINGTON, Virginia, across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C. started my journey with hotel accommodations at the Quality Inn--Iwo Jima, adjacent to the dramatic Iwo Jima memorial. The famous statue is an auspicious and dramatic introduction to Alexandria and to nearby Arlington Cemetery, where I spent several hours touring the Tomb of the Unknowns, grave sites of John F. and Robert Kennedy, Challenger Space Shuttle Memorial, and the impressive new Women in Military Service for America Memorial.

BEN LOMOND MANOR HOUSE & OLD ROSE GARDEN prides itself on having the largest garden in the United States devoted to old roses. And rightly so. Now in a state of some unfortunate disrepair, the former manor house stands two miles south of the Manists National Battlefield. Amazingly, the signatures of Civil War soldiers are still legible on the walls for contemporary visitors to see, 703-368-8784.

CAMPING in the Virginia suburbs is a popular outdoor recreational diversion . The natural beauty of the area offers a perfect setting for fishing, boating, hiking, and horseback riding. Two regional parks, Pohick Bay and Bull Run offer convenient camping facilities close to many visitor attractions and outdoor recreation facilities, Pohick Bay Regional Park is open all year, 703-339-6104; Bull Run Regional Park is open three seasons, 703-631-0550.

DUMFRIES is noted for being Virginia's oldest town. It's harbor was first discovered by Capt. John Smith in 1608. One of the town's finest attractions is the historic and charming 1798 Weems House. The building now houses the Weems-Botts Museum filled with interesting architecture and memorabilia, 703-221-3400.

ENTERTAINMENT options are practically limitless in Prince William County. The calendar includes a wide variety of special festivals, events, and celebrations throughout the year. In addition the year brings programs by the Prince William Symphony, 703-490-1468; Lazy Susan Dinner Theater, 703-550-7384; Shakespeare in the Woods, 703-257-6572, and programming that includes jazz, gospel, and lectures at the Northern Virginia Community College, 703-257-6600.

FORT MYER is home of the oldest military division in the United States, the 3rd U.S. Infantry Division. The ceremonial unit for Arlington Cemetery and the U.S. Army, its military band concerts are played regularly at Broker Hall. The caissons, stables and Old Guard Museum in the Fort are open on weekdays, 703-696-3944.

GARDEN KITCHEN, located in Occoquan, is truly a one-of-a-kind dining establishment. Entry access is up a narrow brick stairway and through a colorful garden of flowers and trees. The surroundings provide an ideal seasonal dining spot. Inside the old house constructed before the 1850s. The owner/operators, Sharadindu and Marie-Claire Kudu, take pride in their flower-filled restaurant, booths made of wicker, freshly prepared food, and home-baked desserts, 703-494-2848.

HERO'S AMERICAN RESTAURANT owner Patrick Patton takes as much pride in the ales and beers served as he does with the fine food on the menu of this fun dining experience in old town Manists. Locals and visitors alike heap praise on such delicacies as fried calamari, smoked seafood sampler, London broil steak, and seafood jambalaya. I didn't try them all, but my salad of grilled seasoned breast of duck served on a bed of mixed field greens with toasted pine nuts, red onions, and a raspberry vinaigrette certainly made my day! 703-330-1534.

IWO JIMA MEMORIAL is the largest cast bronze statue in the world. Dedicated to all Marines who have given their lives since 1775, the dramatic statue is located on Marshall Drive next to Arlington Cemetery. Equally impressive seen night or day, visitors are welcome daily from dawn to dusk.

JENNIE DEAN MEMORIAL/MANISTS INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL are open daily, year round. Located outdoors, the memorial and exhibits recognize the important contributions to education made by Jennie Dean. Ms. Dean was born a slave in Prince William County in 1852. In 1894 she created a school where young African-American men and women could learn a skilled trade. Located on the original school site, the memorial tells the story of this courageous woman and her thousands of incredible students, 703-368-1873.

KIDS are the focus each March at the annual "All About Kids Expo." There's fun for families and kids under 12 as they enjoy entertainment, amusements, games, interactive exhibits, and learn together about community activities. The event is sponsored by the Prince William County Park Authority and is admission free, 703-792- 7060.

LEESYLVANIA STATE PARK, a natural place of beauty, recreation, and history is located fronting the Potomac River. It's a water enthusiast's dream. The park takes its name from the Lee family plantation built on the site more than 240 years ago. The park is one of Virginia's fine locations for boating, fishing, hiking, history, birdwatching, and picnicking, 703-670-0372.

MANASSAS NATIONAL BATTLEFIELD PARK is the scene of two of the country's paramount Civil War battles. The 5,000-acre park is home to reenactments bringing these dramatic events to life. It was on this battleground that General Thomas Jackson was first observed standing "like a stone wall," earning him the eternal nickname of Stonewall Jackson. All tours should begin at the Visitor Center where a printed walking and/or driving tour guide is available, 703-361-1339.

NEWSEUM serves as an interactive museum of news. It takes visitors behind the scenes to see and experience how and why news is made. Among the major exhibits are a display of newspaper front pages from 50 states and many countries and the 126- foot-long Video News Wall. The facility is funded by the Freedom Forum, a nonpartisan international foundation dedicated to free press, speech, and free spirit for all people, 703-284-3544 or 888-NEWSEUM.

OCCOQUAN has one of the smallest and most interesting museums in all of Virginia. Located in what was once a Mill House, the building is a must-see on anyone's itinerary.703- 491-7525. Occoquan's ghosts are legendary and plentiful. Tours of the town's spirited residents are a must-do activity, 703-491-1736, as is a river cruise aboard Harbor Lady with owner Gary Dixon pointing out wildlife, historic and contemporary architecture, and plenty of river history, 385-9433.

PRINCE WILLIAM FOREST PARK amenities and programs stress the importance of recreational opportunities for families and youngsters. Programs include hiking and walking activities on streamside and forest trails, ranger-led programs and weekend evening campfire lectures. Campsites are available on a first-come, first-served basis. A group of family camping cabins provide rustic forest retreats constructed in the early 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps, 703-221-7181.

QUANTICO remains the only town in the United States completely surrounded by a military reservation. Long known for its military importance, the town of Quantico provides a wealth of attractions and special events. The Marine Corps Air & Ground Museum is a fascinating collection that honors the Marine Corps. The Quantico National Cemetery provides an honored military resting place. Quantico is one of the few places in the U.S. where visitors entering the city stop at a military base and tell the sentry, "I'm going into town."

RECREATION activities abound in Virginia. From Bull Run Mountain to the Potomac, there's a full spectrum of outdoor recreation in Prince William. With 48 miles of shoreline, bountiful fishing and thousands of acres of parkland, two national parks, two state parks, and more than 50 county and municipal parks provide the fun and excitement of the great outdoors. In addition there are three water parks, eight great golf courses, and some of the best bass fishing in the U.S. There's a guide to the parks and all their activities, 703-792-7060.

SHOPPING knows no boundaries beginning with Potomac Mills Value/Outlet Mall, a shoppers paradise with over 200 outlet shops and one of Prince William County's largest visitor attractions. However, shopping need not always be in large malls. There are plenty of small galleries, boutiques, and gift shops full of one-of-a-kind items in small towns and villages.

TOURMOBILE SIGHTSEEING takes the worry out of visiting many of the sites in the nation's capital and Arlington National Cemetery. Always narrated, sightseeing guides offer information and details available from no other single source. These tours are authorized by the National Park Service, 888-868-7707.

UNIQUE SHOPPING can be found along the Route 28 antiques corridor. Antique shoppers can find 19th- and 20th-century Korean furniture or refurbished country, Victorian, Art Deco, and Art Nouveau pieces. Antiques and collectibles run the range from hats and accessories to dolls and books and more.

VIRGINIA WINES are increasingly being recognized by wine enthusiasts worldwide, and Virginia is rapidly becoming a major source of fine vintages. It's not well known, but as far back as 1609, just two years after arriving in Virginia's Jamestown, the earliest European settlers began cultivating grapes for wine production, 804-786-0481.

WOMEN IN MILITARY SERVICE FOR AMERICA MEMORIAL stands as a monument to all servicewomen, past, present, and future. The memorial includes the Ceremonial Gateway, a fountain and reflecting pool, quotations etched into glass tablets, exhibit alcoves, theater and computer register. All service women are encouraged to register for inclusion and recognition in the memo rial's data bank, 800-4-SALUTE.

YOUTH AND FAMILY ACTIVITIES abound in and around Prince William County. There's Champions Family Fun Center, 730-FUNN; Sunny brook Golf, 369-0070; Laser Quest Potomac Mills,703- 490-4180; Magic Putting Place,703- 369-9299; Skate Nation, 703-730-8423; waterworks Watermark, 703-361-4451; splashdown Watermark, 703-361-4451, plus additional activities located at many shopping centers, parks, and recreational facilities.

XYLOPHONES, TUBAS, & STRING INSTRUMENTS are all part of the musical repertoire of the Prince William Symphony Orchestra. The organization offers a five-concert symphony subscription series by leading musicians. Concerts are held at various venues throughout the state, 703-490-1468.

ZOOS are always popular and crossing over the Potomac River to Washington, D.C. to visit the National Zoological Park is worth the journey and leaving Virginia. More than 3,000 animals, birds, and reptiles are incredible sights to see. The facility is open daily and admission is free, 202-673-4717.

Getting There
For complete details about visiting Prince William County/Manassas contact or visit the following: Prince William County/Manassas Conference and Visitors Bureau, 14420 Bristow Road, Manassas, VA 20112-3932, 800-432-1792 or find them on line at www.visitpwc.com. By all means request the free VIP visitor packet. It includes a wealth of discounts, brochures, maps, events, and more.

Prince William County Visitor Information Center, 200 Mill Street, Occoquan. The Visitor Center is located in the heart of historic Occoquan, 491-4045.

Manassas Visitor Center, 9431 West Street in Old Town Manassas. The Visitor Center is located in the Railroad Depot and is open seven days a week, 361-6599.