Stephanie Spear 
Getting the whole family together for Thanksgiving is fun, but once the turkey is eaten and the football game is over, you still have to figure out what to do. And finding an activity in Northern Virginia that the whole group is interested in sparks more debate than canned vs. fresh cranberry sauce. We’ve rounded up some of our favorite day-after-Thanksgiving activities for the whole crew, from the athletes to the history buffs to the artists. From chocolate tastings and food tours to mini golf and nature walks, there are activities for just about every age and interest. As always, our calendar will have tons of listings for the holiday weekend, but these are some of our top picks for pleasing a crowd. Read on for multigenerational activities in Northern Virginia that the whole family can enjoy.
Get Competitive
Games Galore at Pinstack | 45275 Knowledge Drive, Sterling
What it is: A dining and entertainment destination combining bowling, bocce, and a restaurant.
View this post on Instagram
Pinstripes brings together two crowd-pleasing activities with the convenience of dining in the same place. Families can split into teams for a game of bowling or bocce, making it easy for different generations to join in on the fun. With food available on-site, it’s a good choice for a family afternoon that can turn into dinner without having to coordinate multiple stops.
Masterpiece Mini Golf at Workhouse Arts Center | 9518 Workhouse Way, Lorton
What it is: An 18-hole, artist-designed mini golf course inspired by famous artists and art movements.
Mini golf is a classic family outing, but Workhouse Arts Center puts a creative spin on the experience. Its Masterpiece Mini-Golf course features colorful installations and holes inspired by art history, combining a little culture with friendly competition. Younger kids can enjoy the playful designs while parents and grandparents appreciate the artistic details, and the group can explore the center’s galleries and studios afterward.
See more: The Fairfax Girl Exclusive: Inside Old Town Alexandria’s New Horror + Sci-Fi Bookstore
Perch Putt at The Perch | 1805 Capital One Drive, Ste 1150, Tysons
What it is: An 18-hole rooftop mini golf course at The Perch in Tysons.
Perch Putt is a fun way to get a little friendly competition going while taking in views from 11 stories above Tysons. The course is casual enough for different ages and skill levels, and there are food + drink options nearby for anyone who wants to turn the outing into a longer family hang. There is on-site parking. Reservations are encouraged.
Retro Gaming at Continues Arcade | 1050 N Fayette Street, Alexandria
What it is: An arcade experience featuring classic video games and nostalgic entertainment.
View this post on Instagram
A little friendly competition never hurt a family gathering. An arcade outing gives older generations the chance to revisit games they grew up playing while younger family members discover some retro favorites. There’s a full food menu plus a bar, so even if you’re not a gamer, you can still enjoy the vibes. And yes – several of the games at Continues are set up on retro consoles so that giant, wooden TV from your grandma’s house is ready to go.
Explore the Outdoors
Guided Nature Walk with Ilana Rubin | Northern Virginia
What it is: A guided outdoor walk focused on discovering and appreciating the natural world.
For families looking to slow things down and spend some quality time outdoors, a nature walk with Ilana Rubin might be just the ticket. The experience encourages participants to observe their surroundings, learn about local plants and wildlife, and enjoy the scenery together. It’s a particularly nice option for groups who enjoy learning and conversation, provided the walk’s distance and terrain work for everyone. Ilana can work with groups to pick a location and duration for the outing, keeping in mind the varied ages + abilities of participants.
Korean Bell Garden at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens | 9750 Meadowlark Gardens Court, Vienna
What it is: A peaceful garden experience featuring walking paths, landscaped grounds, and the Korean Bell Garden.
Meadowlark Botanical Gardens is an easy place to spend time together without a packed itinerary. The Korean Bell Garden gives the outing a special focal point, while the surrounding gardens provide plenty of space to stroll, chat, and stop for photos. It is especially nice for groups with a wide age range because everyone can move at their own pace. There is plenty of parking on site, and many of the paths are paved. TFG tip: keep an eye on the schedule, as the ultra-popular Winter Walk of Lights opens on November 11th and will continue each night through January 3rd. The park, while usually peaceful, can get busy during this event.
Wildlife Watching at Huntley Meadows Park | 3701 Lockheed Boulevard, Alexandria
What it is: A nature preserve with wetlands, wildlife viewing opportunities, trails, and a boardwalk.
Image credit: Jason Gooljar via Flickr
Huntley Meadows Park is one of Northern Virginia’s favorite places for a peaceful outdoor adventure. Its wetland boardwalk provides opportunities to spot birds, turtles, frogs, and other wildlife, giving kids and adults plenty to look for along the way. Kids can play ‘I Spy’ while adults explore at their own pace. The boardwalk makes the park easier to access, and there is frequently nature-oriented programming run by Fairfax County Park staff, such as birdwatching and other topics. Groups of 12 or more need a group pass.
Learn Something New
Space Shuttle Discovery at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center | 14390 Air and Space Museum Parkway, Chantilly
What it is: A Smithsonian aviation museum featuring the Space Shuttle Discovery, historic aircraft, and other aerospace exhibits.
Image of the Space Shuttle Discovery courtesy of the Smithsonian Institution.
The Udvar-Hazy Center is one of those places that can genuinely impress every generation. Kids can marvel at the massive aircraft, adults can dive into the history, and grandparents may recognize planes and milestones they remember from decades past. The Space Shuttle Discovery is the major highlight, but there is enough to see that families can easily spend a few hours exploring together. There are guided programs each weekend, and there’s also an IMAX theater that shows documentaries + Hollywood blockbusters.
Read more: Meet LeaseTheDress: A Northern Virginia Closet Full of Special Occasion Looks
Spy-Themed Walking Tour with Spyher | Washington, D.C. + Northern Virginia
What it is: A guided walking tour exploring the world of espionage and Washington’s spy history.
Spyher’s tours introduce participants to fascinating stories about spies, secret operations, and the history hiding in plain sight around the nation’s capital. The tours are led by former CIA case officers who share their own experiences with clandestine activities. This is *not* your typical tourist outing – guests will learn what’s just out of sight in the nation’s capital. There are several set tours, including one geared toward children, and the team can create custom tours + events for groups.
Get Creative
Craftspace | 3675 Concorde Parkway, Chantilly
What it is: An anything-goes crafting space for all kinds of projects
Craftspace gives creative families plenty of room to do their own thing, with paints, stamps, ribbons, scrapbooking supplies, and other materials available. The workspace welcomes all ages and also hosts guided classes. TFG tip: Arrange a private workshop in advance so everyone can go home with a keepsake from the weekend.
District Candle Lab | 2910 District Avenue, Suite 130, Fairfax
What it is: A DIY candle-pouring experience.
Families can create their own custom candles at District Candle Lab by choosing favorite scents and working with staff to build a personalized fragrance blend. The hands-on experience is easygoing enough for a mixed-age group (tweens + up), and everyone heads home with a candle that can double as an early holiday gift.
Flower Workshop with Lisa Waters | Mobile
What it is: flower arranging using seasonal blooms + interesting vessels
Vienna-based florist Lisa Waters can teach the crew how to make their own memorable arrangements. Lisa works with all kinds of vessels, so this might be a fun way to incorporate Grandma’s old china into something modern.
Kiln & Custard | 115 Church Street NE, Vienna
What it is: Pottery + frozen custard in one place
Pottery painting + frozen custard makes Kiln & Custard an especially family-friendly creative outing. Guests can choose from mugs, plates, and other ceramic pieces to decorate, while those looking for something more hands-on can reserve a pottery wheel class. The house-made custard is a nice bonus after everyone finishes creating.
Mizz Mosaic | Mobile
What it is: easy for all ages art project using mosaics
Herndon-based mosaic artist Jenlene Nowak can lead workshops at her studio or come to your place. She also sells kits that come with everything needed for a cozy crafternoon. No skills are needed – just gluing! Projects include things like picture frames, coasters, and magnets, or Jenlene can help the family work on a collaborative piece together.
The Shop by Potters Union | 453 Carlisle Drive, Herndon
What it is: a Herndon-based pottery studio with paint-your-own pottery + hand-building workshops
This pottery studio recently opened a second space that is no-skills-required. You can paint your own pottery using items in the shop, or take a hand-building workshop where you’ll make something fun and simple like an ornament or pinch pot. The team can also host private workshops, if you want a little more structure.
Taste Something Different
Chocolate Tour + Tasting at River-Sea Chocolates | 4520 Daly Drive, Suite 100, Chantilly
What it is: A chocolate-making experience featuring a look at the production process and opportunities to taste chocolate.
View this post on Instagram
Chocolate is a pretty easy sell when planning a family outing, and River-Sea Chocolates makes the experience educational, too. A tour and tasting gives participants a chance to learn how chocolate is made, discover different flavors, and sample treats. River-Sea also has fun workshops like Top Your Own Chocolate Bar and a Hot Chocolate Tasting to really amp things up.
Family Meal at Upside on Moore | 1700 N Moore Street Level M2, Arlington
What it is: A food hall with multiple dining options in Rosslyn.
Image credit: Natalie Flynn
Getting everyone to agree on one restaurant can be a challenge, especially when the group includes picky eaters and adventurous foodies. Upside on Moore takes some of the pressure off with a food hall setup where everyone can choose their own meal before gathering at a shared table. It’s an easygoing option for a multigenerational lunch, casual dinner, or family meetup. TFG tip: It’s located on top of the Rosslyn Metro Station and a parking garage, so it’s a great spot for the crew to rendezvous after a day out, or start the day together before heading out on different adventures.
Food Tour with Virginialicious | Annandale
What it is: A guided culinary experience highlighting local restaurants, food, and neighborhood history.
Food is one thing that can bring just about every generation together, and a Virginialicious food tour makes a meal into a full outing. Soomin Kim leads the tour through Annandale, sampling Korean dishes and telling guests about Korean culture along the way. Maybe you’re a regular at your local K-BBQ spot or you’ve never heard of kimchi. Either way, everyone will get their steps in and try new things on the tour. It’s an especially good option for families who love trying new restaurants, with the added bonus of someone else handling the itinerary. TFG tip: Korean flavors present a fun contrast to the traditional Thanksgiving plate.
Playground + Family Hangout at Lark Brewing | 24205 James Monroe Highway, Aldie
What it is: A brewery outing with outdoor space and a playground for younger visitors.
View this post on Instagram
Lark Brewing combines an adult-friendly outing with something entertaining for the kids. The playground gives younger family members a chance to burn off some energy while adults enjoy conversation and the brewery atmosphere. There’s plenty of outdoor space, and it’s dog-friendly, so everyone can get a change of scenery.
Follow @thefairfaxgirl on Instagram + TikTok for the latest Northern Virginia updates, and check out our events calendar, which has over 100+ events weekly to peruse. Sign up for our newsletter here.
