Explore Annandale from different perspectives: At Hidden Oaks Nature Center, interactive nature and cultural exhibits sit alongside live animal exhibits; historic markers point to events and places from the past. To plan your visit, start by deciding whether nature, park activities or local history will be the focus of your stay.
Nature at Hidden Oaks Nature Center
Hidden Oaks Nature Center features interactive nature and cultural exhibits as well as live animal exhibits. Outside, you’ll find a pond, woodland trails, streams, butterfly gardens and a rain garden. The offerings range from exhibits and live animals to water features, trails and garden areas.
Parks, Sports and Performances
Annandale Park has softball fields, tennis courts, a basketball court, a playground and trails. Wakefield Park has eight pickleball courts and ten tennis courts; Field 8 has artificial turf. Ossian Hall Park has soccer and softball fields, a playground and trails. Tennis is available at both Annandale Park and Wakefield Park; pickleball at Wakefield Park and soccer fields at Ossian Hall. This makes it easy to distinguish the parks by the sports facilities listed for each.
Ossian Hall Park hosts performances featuring rhythms from around the world as part of “Cultural Arts in the Parks.” The program is a recurring summer series. If you’d like to plan around a performance, check the specific dates in advance.
A section of the Cross County Trail shown in the Wakefield Park section runs from the Braddock Road Underpass to the underpass at the intersection of Route 236 and the Beltway. The associated map was last updated in 2010. So check the current route with Trail Buddy before including it in your plans.
Chapels, a Home and Local History
Oak Hill is a late Georgian-style timber-frame home. The historic property is now located in a suburban neighborhood of Annandale. Wakefield Chapel was built in 1899 and is among the historic sites listed by Fairfax County. Annandale Methodist Chapel was built in 1846. These buildings differ both in their stated function and in the years they were built.
Several historic markers commemorate events and places from the area’s past. “Action at Annandale” is at the intersection of Little River Turnpike (Virginia Route 236) and Hillbrook Drive. “Mosby Attacks Annandale” is at the corner of Championship Drive and Frontage Drive. The “Ilda” marker is at the intersection of Little River Turnpike and Guinea Road; “Price’s Ordinary” is at the northeast corner of Braddock Road and Backlick Road.
The markers cover topics ranging from skirmishes to everyday life in the past. “Action at Annandale” commemorates a skirmish on Little River Turnpike on December 2, 1861. “Mosby Attacks Annandale” describes the attack on a Union outpost in Annandale on August 24, 1864. “Ilda” tells the story of a community that emerged after the Civil War and grew around a blacksmith shop founded by formerly enslaved people Horace Gibson and Moses Parker. “Price’s Ordinary” commemorates a roadside stop that offered travelers refreshments and lodging.
The historic roads also provide a sense of the timeline: Little River Turnpike was completed through Annandale in 1806, connecting the area to Alexandria and Fairfax. Columbia Pike was built in 1808 to connect with Little River Turnpike in Annandale.
Choose Accommodations Based on Your Travel Priorities
Then compare the location and amenities listed for each option with your own travel plans.
Discover more destinations: Mclean, Herndon, Vienna, Lorton, Chantilly, Burke, Springfield, Centreville
View the main travel guide: Fairfax County.
