Things to Do in Ashburn

For more than 20 years, the FAA-certified flight instructors at Washington International Flight Academy have safely guided pupils skyward and imbued them with the skills necessary for numerous licenses and certifications. Under an instructor's watchful eye, guests control a Cessna 172 on a 30-minute airborne trek during discovery flights, which can later be applied toward courses for a private or commercial pilot’s license with optional multiengine rating. A commercial pilot’s license qualifies more seasoned flyers for instructor certification, where they learn how to teach essentials, including how to tell the difference between a landing airplane and a diving roc.

Along with in-depth courses, Washington International Flight Academy accommodates patrons with rentals of its massive fleet, charts and piloting supplies from its fully stocked shop, and lodging for out-of-state students.

Driving through Morven Park's wrought-iron gates is like entering a living history book. The estate—which encompasses more than 1,000 acres of lawns, wooded areas, and boxwood gardens—has been home to some of the nation's most prominent public servants. In fact, the gates themselves were a gift from the citizens of Baltimore to former mayor Thomas Swann Jr., the estate's 19-century owner. After passing the gate, the road winds around to a grand lawn and a mansion that dates back to 1781. As visitors enter this grand estate, they step through a Greek Revival portico into a foyer awash with Flemish tapestries and ornately carved wood furnishings, where velvet-curtained doorways lead into a Renaissance great hall, a Jacobean dining room, and a French drawing room. Nearby, intricate displays highlight the life of Westmoreland Davis, the 55th governor of Virginia who lived in Morven Park during the early 20th century.

But Morven Park's history dates back further than that. In the winters of 1861 and 1862, the 17th Mississippi Regiment of the Confederate States of America built log huts on the park's grounds. Today, reproductions of these structures stand, serving as historical stages where re-enactors demonstrate the firing of Civil War–era guns. Directly adjacent to the Civil War site lies Winmill Carriage Museum, which showcases a more peaceful side of the 1800s. More than 40 carefully preserved horse-drawn vehicles reveal how city streets looked before the invention of conveyor belts.

Not everything at Morven Park is stuck in the past, though. At the onsite equestrian center, riders and their trusty steeds jump, canter, and compete across indoor and outdoor arenas. The center is also home to the Loudoun Therapeutic Riding program, which works with individuals who have physical, cognitive, or psychological challenges.

Nightmare Screamplex combines three haunted attractions at one terrifying location. Inside the Nightmare Forest, monsters wait beneath bushes and behind thick trees until guests venture too close. These depraved beings then herd survivors into the Field of Terror, where creatures spawned from the darkest parts of humanity lurk, ready to feast on human flesh. When visitors’ minds have finally given in to the insanity around them, the sadistic doctors in the Lost Asylum welcome them with news that their stay won’t be covered by insurance. In addition to this macabre collection of haunted attractions, Nightmare Screamplex also houses an outdoor theater, bungee run, and bonfire.

Attracting more than 170,000 art enthusiasts to its events in 2011, the Sugarloaf Crafts Festival showcases original work from hundreds of artisans showcasing everything from handcrafted pottery, sculpture, and metalwork to jewelry, fashion, décor, and photography. Audiences can witness art being made live during educational demonstrations as artisans sculpt clay, whittle wood, forge metals, and imbue baskets with the power of speech. Hungry crafters can also sniff out specialty food items to sample or purchase while dancing across the sprawling venue to live music.

Though its name implies a focus on inflatable attractions, the all-ages indoor playground at Pump It Up of Omaha also gets kids active on an 18-foot rock-climbing wall and a theatrically lit karaoke and dance stage. These attractions stand among a sea of air-filled slides and climbing structures, some designed by members of the management team. The Slippery Slope challenges climbers to run up an inflatable slide, collecting velcro flags as they race to the top; bounce castles propel jumpers into the air; and the Chaos obstacle course lets racers run side-by-side or practice shaking hands while walking. The playground also holds special programs such as day camps for young and medium-young children, private birthday parties, and field trips. Many of Pump It Up's staffers are university students working toward education degrees; they often organize contests and games, and supervise visitors while playing on the same level as their smaller guests.

Fencing Sports Academy teaches students to parry, lunge, and riposte in fencing classes that cater to everyone from beginners to Olympic-level competitors. Head coach Ervin Szucs previously worked as head coach for the Hungarian National Team and has trained U.S.A. North American Cup gold medalists and World Team members. In classes split by age and skill level, new students learn basic foot movements and guards while more advanced fencers explore tip control and complicated maneuvers, all while brandishing blunt-tipped swords or unsharpened rubber chickens.