A Great Place To Live: Experience Lorton, VA’s Alluring Charm
Lorton is a town in Fairfax, VA, with a rich past and vibrant present. Named for the Lake District National Park in Cumbria, England, this town is located just 20 miles from Washington, DC and adjacent to the Occoquan Bay and Potomac River.
Lorton, VA, originated in 1875 from the Lorton Valley Post Office. Lorton was once was the center of the Pohick Church community, which was frequented by both George Washington and George Mason. From the late 20th century to as recently as 2001, the Lorton Reformatory correctional facility was housed within the community, famous for detaining 168 women from the women’s suffrage movement.
Located under 30 miles from Dulles as as one of the stations of Amtrak’s Auto Train (with a non-stop service to Orlando, FL), residents of Lorton have freedom to travel at their fingertips.
Keep reading - and contact your agent as soon as possible - to find out more about all the historic and modern charm Lorton has to offer.
Thinking of buying or selling a home in Lorton, VA?
Contact me. Tel. (703) 462-0700
Living In Lorton, VA
Nestled among beautiful nature parks and nearby the Potomac Riverfront, Lorton is a wonderful place to raise a family. Lorton is near the Maryland/Virginia state line and has easy access to Interstate 95, making it easy to commute to either Washington, DC or Baltimore (just under 60 miles away).
Schools
Lorton is served by the award-winning Fairfax County School System. Students attend schools like Gunston, Lorton Station, and Laurel Hill Elementary Schools, South County and Lake Ridge Middle Schools, and Hayfield and South County High Schools.
Purchasing Property In Lorton
Check out open houses in Lorton, VA, to view real estate at a variety of price ranges and sizes. Three-bedroom, two-bathroom townhomes sell for as low as $260,000, while a five-bedroom, four-bathroom single family home costs around $675,000.
If you head southeast of Lorton toward the Potomac River and Mason Neck State Park, you will find real estate with four bedrooms and three bathrooms, in addition to beautiful water views, approaching the one million dollar mark.
Things To Do In Lorton, VA
When you begin to explore open houses in Lorton, VA, be sure to leave enough time to check out some of the area’s best restaurants, entertainment, and family activities.
Shopping
Residents of Lorton grocery shop at the local Shoppers, Giant, Safeway, or Lidl. The Lorton Farmers Market, where you can buy fresh fruits, vegetables, meats, and cheeses, runs on Sundays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. from May 5 to November 17.
The Gunston Plaza Shopping Center (located on Route 1) houses a U.S. Postal Office and a Virginia DMV, as well as conveniences like a Gold’s Gym, Rite Aid, and Dollar Tree. Visit the Lorton Marketplace for Shoppers, Glory Days Grill, and Dunkin Donuts.
Thinking of buying or selling a home in Lorton, VA?
Contact me. Tel. (703) 462-0700
Family Activities
Lorton is a great place for singles and families alike. There are plenty of family-friendly activities and clubs for you to enjoy in the area, including:
- Laurel Hill Golf Club - This daily fee club has an impressive 18-hole course designed to please the eye. There is no membership required, but the club recommends arriving 30 minutes prior to tee-time.
- Pohick Bay Golf Club - This course is known as being one of the area’s most challenging courses. The well-known chipping greens, driving range, and pro shop make this club a local favorite.
- Gunston Hall - This historic landmark, once George Mason’s home, hosts historic tours, exhibitions, and picnic that are suitable for all ages.
- Woodlawn Plantation - Woodlawn was once a part of George Washington’s Mount Vernon plantation. Today, this historic mansion is run as a museum by National Trust for Historic Preservation.
- Mount Vernon - One of the most iconic properties in the Northern VA area, George Washington’s Mount Vernon estate offers animal, cruise, and music tours as well as adults-only tours of the whiskey distillery and food and wine pairings at the Mount Vernon Inn.
Festivals & Events
In addition to being rich in history, the Lorton area has an active arts scene. Check out some local and visitor favorites, below:
- AIM Gallery at the Workhouse Arts Center - This gallery, formerly part of a correctional facility, hosts 10 diverse artist spaces tied together by the notion that art should create an educational and stimulating environment for viewers of all walks of life.
- The Workhouse Arts Center (part of the NOVA Arts and Cultural District) - On these 55 acres of land, visitors can expect to view visual art, listen to live music, and view films on Wednesdays through Sundays.
Parks
One of the many draws of Lorton is its proximity to some of the best local parks in the area.
- Occoquan Regional Park - 400 acres of recreational space including cross-country trails and the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail make this space a local and historian favorite. The Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail and the Occoquan Water Trail are included as National Recreation Trails in the Chesapeake Bay Gateways and Water Trails Network.
- Mason Neck State Park - Open 8 a.m. until nightfall, this park has hiking trails, picnic areas, canoe and kayak centers, and bicycle rentals. The Mason Neck Park is famous for bird watching and encompasses a number of wildlife sanctuary areas, including wetlands as well as open fields.
Libraries
Lorton Library, a Fairfax County Public Library branch, includes meeting rooms, computer stations, community book sales, programs for teens and adults, and even the well-known Historic Garden at Lorton Library.
Contact your Virginia experts to explore current open houses in Lorton, VA, today!
Thinking of buying or selling a home in Lorton, VA?
Contact me. Tel. (703) 462-0700