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Sterling, Virginia, is home to many interesting attractions and destinations. While you're here, take some time to explore everything this Virginia town has to offer. Get started with these five unique things to do near Sterling. Explore the Ruins of Murphy Dairy Farm Located in the woods next to Frying Pan Road are the remnants of Murphy Dairy Farm. The farm was built in the 1850s and stood until the 1990s. It used to include a house, garage, barn, smokehouse, and other small structures. As time went on, structures were moved and other parts were demolished. Today, there are decaying structural elements left behind. When you go to explore, proceed with caution since the building is not structurally sound. You may not park along the road, so be careful as you walk along it. more Practice Your Aim at Ultimate Archery Virginia It's quite unlikely that you have ever even heard of ultimate archery, also called archery dodgeball. Give it your first try at Ultimate Archery Virginia. The premise of the game is for two teams to battle with their bows and foam-tipped arrows. You stand at the opposite ends of the area and try to shoot one another. Don't worry about injuries or bruises because the arrows are designed to leave no impact. The climate-controlled facility features a 3,100 square-foot playing field and a practice range. No archery experience is necessary to play, so take your aim. Test Your Wits at Escape Room Herndon See if you can escape a themed room by solving a series of riddles and puzzles at Escape Room Herndon. Themes include Magician's Workshop, Maritime Mutiny, 8-Bit Escape, and Room 213. Throughout the rooms are different clues and hints that help you work toward the goal of each room. This is a great activity for the whole family as you all work together to get out of the room. Remember that you only get one hour to solve the room, so make sure to work fast. Explore the Occoquan River With Penguin Paddling Penguin Paddling is a kayak tour company that offers guided trips along the Occoquan River. During the two-hour excursion, you'll see all kinds of wildlife, including ducks, geese, eagles, osprey, herons, beavers, and fish. The company also offers tours along the Neabsco Creek and Aquia Harbour. Penguin Paddling supplies all the kayaks and paddleboards, so you just need to show up feeling ready to explore. You can also book special group events for private groups, youth groups, and corporate outings. Test Your Strength at Autobahn Axe Throwing Get your adrenaline pumping by chucking some axes at Autobahn Axe Throwing. Guests 13 and older can see how accurately they can throw an axe. Have a little friendly competition to see who in your group has the best target aim. Along with axe throwing, the Dulles location offers go-kart racing and a full arcade. When you're in the mood to try something new in Sterling, this list is your ultimate resource. Pick one of these unique activities to have a fun-filled day.

When you're craving a delicious burger, you can find a number of places near Sterling, Virginia, that offer juicy, flavorful options. Check out a few of the top-rated burger joints in the area. Charred Foods Locals love the burgers at Charred Foods, a small eatery that is locally owned and operated. The goal of this spot is to serve fresh and locally sourced foods while supporting the community through the use of local products and produce. Each burger features an Angus beef patty along with all types of toppings. The Pickled Rick burger is one of the house favorites, featuring fried pickles, provolone cheese, and pickled onions on top of a dried, aged patty and topped with Szechuan mayo. more Other toppings include grilled and pickled veggies, slab bacon, cheese, and house-made dressings and jams. You can also enjoy chicken sandwiches, fish and veggie burgers, wraps, sandwiches, and salads from the extensive menu. Dhonno Located in Sterling, Dhonno Fried Chicken & Burger House is a spot where you can sample a flavorful burger. This eatery has three burger options, including cheese, beef fire, and honey BBQ, each of which comes with fries and a drink. You can choose from regular, curly, and waffle fries, and top them with cheese. Other menu options include Philly cheesesteak sandwiches, chicken and buffalo wings, fried chicken with dipping sauce, and chicken tenders. This casual restaurant is perfect for a laid-back meet-up with friends or a quick lunch. Burger 21 Burger 21 has several locations throughout the state of Virginia, including a location on Windmill Parc Drive in Sterling. The burger options include sliders topped with smoked bacon, crisp veggies, and melted cheese. You can get a pack of three sliders to sample all the different options, which include Cheesy, Black + Bleu, and Bacon Cheesy. This restaurant also serves hand-breaded, buttermilk-dipped chicken tenders, hot dogs topped with beef chili and jalapenos, and kids' meals. Satisfy your sweet tooth with a signature or classic shake or a fresh-baked cookie. A few of the signature shake options include chocolate hazelnut, chocolate malted milk, strawberry shortcake, and bananas foster. Holy Cow Located in Alexandria, Holy Cow is about 34 miles outside of Sterling. It's worth the drive if you like burgers that come piled high with toppings. Every burger on the menu starts with a gourmet blend of all-natural Angus beef, cooked on a flat-top to ensure a juicy and flavorful patty. You can choose from 1/3-pound and 2/3-pound patties, topped with options like cheese, fried eggs, applewood-smoked bacon, cream cheese, fried jalapenos, and caramelized or fried veggies. One of the local favorites is the Holy Pig, piled high with smoked gouda, pulled pork, crispy onions, coleslaw, and house-made BBQ sauce, served on a toasted potato roll. Instead of firing up the grill at home, make a plan to head out and let someone else do the cooking. You can enjoy a tasty burger at one of these Sterling-area eateries, each of which offers a welcoming atmosphere and plenty of menu options.

Virginia's rich history and culture have produced some of the most iconic vineyards and wineries of the eastern United States. If you're looking for an adventure through Virginia's wine country, there are quite a few options near Sterling. Here are a few of our favorites: 1. Stone Tower Winery Leesburg's Stone Tower Winery is one of the most popular vintners in the area, and for good reason. Their delicately crafted wines are just a part of the experience you'll find at this winery. Focus your visit on Harvest Barn's five tasting rooms surrounded by beautiful decor or sweeping fields of vines or take advantage of the specialty tours and tastings to get an insight into the wine-making process. Either path you take, you'll find it easy to immerse yourself into the world of wine at Stone Tower Winery. more Their wines are made under two names: Wild Boar Cellars and Stone Tower Estate Wines. Between the two, you have access to a great many varietals, including merlot, petit verdot, and pinot noir for your reds and brut rose and Chardonnay for your blushes and whites. Hunt for your perfect glass of wine, or sample each to make for the perfect winery experience. 2. Fleetwood Farm Winery Since 1745, Fleetwood Farm Winery has been producing some of the area's finest wines. They're also located in Leesburg, but well worth the drive. Picturesque against a backdrop of Virginia woods, this winery is a great escape from the din of the city. The historic manor that stands proudly in the winery grounds speaks to the history of the people in the area, and the wines inside speak of the earth's history. Taste the fruits of Virginia's soil through Fleetwood's cabernet sauvignon, pinot blanc, riesling, petit verdot, and more. Pair a bottle of your favorite with a charcuterie and cheese board for a full sensory experience. 3. Casanel Vineyards & Winery Casanel Vineyards & Winery utilizes their terroir to produce unique wines with beautiful notes. They offer some of the most affordable tasting experiences in the area, and their quaintly charming vaulted-ceiling tasting room offers fantastic views of the Virginia countryside. Casanel is fairly new to the wine world, with its first bottling taking place in the summer of 2015, but they've quickly grown into a favorite destination for locals and area visitors alike. Their current red vintages include their K2 red blend, cabernet sauvignon, petit verdot, a port-style Norton, and a carménère. If you prefer whites and blushes, try their blanc de blancs White Spark, Chardonnay, or Jose Rose. Each of their hand-bottled wines embodies the richest tastes Virginia's soil offers. If you're looking for a smaller winery to explore, Casanel is one of our top suggestions. Whether you have a sommelier's knowledge of wine or you simply know what you like when you taste it, these wineries and vineyards offer all visitors pleasant and soulful experiences. Start your Virginia wine country exploration at these beautiful destinations and then spread your search to find your perfect bottle of wine.

If you're looking for a way to ignite your kids' imaginations and rouse their senses of curiosity, you're in luck in the Sterling, Virginia. There are plenty of museums in the area that your kids will love. Here are a few of our favorites. 1. Loudoun Heritage Farm Museum Teach your children about farming and the origin of food at the Loudoun Heritage Farm Museum. This immersive museum gives kids an exciting hands-on opportunity to learn the ins and outs of farming. Time your visit to coincide with one of the special Kids' Night at the Museum events, or just drop in and explore the exhibits. The Children's Farm will interest kids in particular, as it offers an interactive area where they can pretend to go through a day at the farm. more 2. Children's Science Center Over in Fairfax, you'll find the Children's Science Center for the budding scientist in your family. This museum is dedicated to letting your children explore STEM fields — Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics — in fun, hands-on ways. The interactive exhibits will let your children do everything from working with a robotic arm, build robots, take apart machines, explore the ocean, and much more. With a full schedule of events, the Children's Science Center is a new experience with every visit. 3. Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center The Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly is a great destination for kids, whether they have a passion for aviation and space travel or not. There are two large hangars to explore at the center, full of thousands of artifacts from the world of flying and space travel. Let the kids explore a Concorde and the Space Shuttle Discovery before heading into the Airbus IMAX theater and the observation tower. 4. Dinosaur Land Something most kids can agree on is that dinosaurs are awesome. Though it's about an hour away, Dinosaur Land is worth the drive. It's more of a roadside attraction than a museum, but it's over 50 life-like and life-size dinosaurs in the Virginia woods, giving your kids a chance to see how these reptiles might have looked in the wild. Make sure you bring your camera to this one, as you step out of your car and into the Mesozoic era to let your kids get up close and personal with their favorite dinosaurs. 5. KID Museum Head to Bethesda, Maryland, to give your kids a day of learning at the KID Museum. This is another hands-on science learning center where kids are invited to explore how the world around them works. Through the workshops and classes the museum puts on, your kids can learn how to build everything from robotics, environmentally friendly technology, engineering projects, and more. Rather than let a child loose to explore plaque after plaque of conventional museum displays, KID Museum is an exciting experience that will teach them how to work, live, and think intelligently. Creating lifelong learners starts during childhood. If you're looking for a museum that your kids will love, any of these options should do the trick.

When winter comes along, many fishing enthusiasts simply pack their gear and get used to the thought that there will be no more fishing until spring. That shouldn't always be the case, however, as Virginia's rivers and coastline provide excellent winter fishing opportunities. Here are some of the best. 1. Chesapeake Bay Charter Fishing The Chesapeake Bay is a great year-round fishing spot, with fishing charters available all year long. One of them is Captain Hogg's Charter Fishing, a large and comfortable boat that can fit up to 32 passengers and offer them the fishing experience of a lifetime. The boat is fast, so you won't waste any time cruising to your fishing destination. It's also equipped with state of the art fishing equipment and technology, with the staff there to help you in case there's anything you need. Winter fishing in the Chesapeake Bay is mostly for striped bass, also known as the rockfish because of their tendency to stay near rocks. They put up a great fight, making the whole catching experience an exciting one, while they also taste absolutely delicious. The boat charters every day out of Hampton. 2. The Lower James River James River begins in the Appalachian Mountains and flows for almost 350 miles up to the Chesapeake Bay. It's a great location for winter fishing, for those who'd rather be alone with nature on a riverbank than on a boat. There are many types of fish you can catch there, such as the striped bass, crappie, largemouth bass, and bream. The most exciting prospect for fishers, however, is the blue catfish, with average sizes of 20-30 pounds. Someone catching a 50-pound catfish is a common occurrence on the James River. 3. Buggs Island Buggs Island Lake is one of the best places for largemouth bass in the country. Most of them grow to a weight of 2-4 pounds, but catching them is great fun because they put up a fight. The best places to fish there during the winter are the spots from Goat Island to the Clarksville Bridge, but that doesn't mean other areas don't have enough fish. It's also a great place for catching crappie, especially in late winter. You may also get the chance to catch a big fish, as channel catfish in the area can reach 30 pounds or more. 4. Lake Anna One of the largest freshwater inland reservoirs in the state, Lake Anna is one of the most popular lakes around in every season. The lake is divided into two sides: the public side and the private side, where North Anna Power Station is located. The power station uses the lake water to cool off the generators, making the water on the private side significantly warmer. During the winter, some of that warm water circulates back to the public side, luring in fish, especially largemouth bass. Just because it's cold out doesn't mean the fish won't bite. Put an extra coat on, grab your gear, and go to any of these Virginia fishing destinations for a great time out in nature.

Although accommodation options have significantly increased over time, there's still nothing quite as relaxing as staying in a luxury hotel. With friendly and highly knowledgeable staff, beautifully designed spaces, and a wide variety of services at your disposal, these Virginia hotels will make your stay a fabulous one. The Omni Homestead Resort Located in Hot Springs, near the George Washington National Forest, this hotel offers all the upscale services of a luxury establishment, with a touch of Southern charm. Every interior space is meant to exude elegance and good taste, with spacious rooms beautifully decorated with classic art pieces. Although this place will make you feel as if you've slipped into a different time, you won't be short of any necessary modern amenity while you're there. it's an excellent choice for those who enjoy the serenity of a natural environment and wish to blend classic and new. more Salamander Resort and Spa Spread across almost 400 acres near the Blue Ridge Mountains, this establishment is an oasis of beauty and relaxation. Located near Virginia's horse country and close to many vineyards, the natural surroundings alone would take a long time to explore and to take in. The hotel's rooms and facilities are sensational, with 168 gorgeous rooms and suites, a wine bar, cooking studio, and equestrian center all within the facility. Many terraces, ballrooms, and patios are also spread across the property, with everything painted in deep earth tones to add to the place's overall serenity. Morrison House Located in Alexandria City's Old Town, this charming classic mansion is one of the best-rated hotels in the entire state and rightly so. Just like other classic establishments on this list, Morrison House did a fantastic job to keep all the classic elements that are reminiscent of the Colonial age and add modern elements to help you during your stay. With 45 beautiful rooms and five meeting rooms with a combined space of around 2,000 square feet, this place is the ideal destination for both tourists and business travelers visiting the state of Virginia. The Jefferson Hotel First opened back in 1895, The Jefferson Hotel is one of the state's most popular landmarks. Placed in downtown Richmond, this five-star establishment is proof that luxury is timeless, featuring elements that were just as beautiful and popular then as they are now, such as high ceilings, well-lit rooms with large windows, marble baths, and stunning works of art throughout. The staff is there to help you enjoy your stay and will help you with everything you might need, while the historic city of Richmond will provide you with memories that will last a lifetime. Although we tend to think of hotels as simply places to sleep and keep our luggage while we enjoy a holiday destination, a good hotel has the potential of greatly enhancing any trip. Any of the places on this list will amaze you with their spectacular décors, beautiful surroundings, and a very well-trained staff that will help you with everything you may need.