Lorton, VA

Lorton began as farmland and grew gradually with the establishment of roads, a local post office and a train station through the 18th century. The Lorton Reformatory opened in the early 20th century and dominated most of the community's presence until the District of Columbia shut it down in 2001. The military built a Nike missile site in Lorton that operated during the Cold War. Lorton now differs drastically from the Lorton of the past. The neighborhood has been revived by new residential communities, schools, businesses and shopping centers.

Visit the Workhouse Prison Museum to witness the history of one of the D.C. area's most famous former prisons. Make sure to visit the Workhouse Arts Center while at the museum. The performance and exhibit space at this center provides arts and cultural events for the community such as the Annual Congressional Art Competition for high school students.

Dining options in Lorton and the large town just to its north, Springfield, rival the selection you'll find in Washington D.C., though they won't do nearly as much damage to your wallet.

Fireside Grill on Lorton Station Boulevard serves a seasonal menu featuring fresh seafood, house-aged premium Angus beef and free-range grilled chicken. Relax with a glass of wine from the extensive list or a speciality cocktail. Fireside offers weekday happy hours, a Sunday brunch buffet, weekend oyster bar and patio dining during the warmer months.

Ever crave Thai and Cajun fusion? If not, get your taste buds to ThaiBox pronto. You will not find a more unique flavor profile in town. The only difficulty you'll face here is deciding whether to order the bountiful shrimp po'bo or spicy red curry jerk chicken first.

Lorton's Forge Brew Works serves up its own handcrafted beers. Whether you prefer stouts or IPAs, Forge Brew Works has just the beer for you. The tasting room provides an entertaining way to try a variety of brews before settling on a pint or two.

Stop by Cool Cow Comedy for barrels of laughs. This comedy club has bargain prices but no cheap jokes. The comedians clearly enjoy performing in front of an audience, and many have experience performing on late-night television. Make sure you get in early to secure a good seat, and sit back and enjoy the ebb and flow of laughter.

Most residents use cars to get around this neighborhood, though it is possible to take a public bus to some locations. A quick 10-minute drive will take you to the nearest metro, where you will be able to access the rest of the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area. Cabs are available but call ahead of time to reserve one. Lorton resembles a traditional suburb, so plenty of sidewalks and places to bike are available within neighborhoods. Cyclists may be found in D.C. proper, but they are not as popular in Lorton.

The 400-acre Occoquan Regional Park nestled along the Occoquan River provides some of the most beautiful sights and verdant recreational landscape in Northern Virginia. Enjoy the trails, fishing, kayaking, batting cages, and more. Some great news for dog lovers is that the Occoquan Regional Park welcomes man's best friends on its compound.

Have you ever been to a trampoline park before? Did you even know they existed? In either case, venture to Flight Trampoline Park which is great for kids of all ages. Intense bouncing around and fun is to be had at this one of a kind sports facility. There's really no better way to experience it though, then giving it a try yourself.

Compared to other suburbs in northern Virginia, Lorton has relatively low costs. The average rent for a one-bedroom residence is $1301. Gas prices here lie within the normal range of the more expensive D.C. suburbs at around 13 percent higher than the national average.

Eating and drinking out in Lorton may be one of the biggest costs you will save compared to more northern towns or D.C. proper. For example, a beer at will cost you about $4 to $6 while a main course at a decently priced restaurant is in the $10 to $20 range.

For middle of the road retail stores, definitely stop by the Springfield Town Center. Young professionals flock to the super trendy British shop Topshop. Parents love Gymboree and Build-a-Bear Workshop. Those seeking a more upscale experience will enjoy venturing down to the Potomac Mills Mall for shops like Banana Republic and Bloomingdale's.

If small boutiques and locally run shops are more your cup of tea, you should travel to Gunston Flowers for the experience of a family run and operated store. It is evident that each and every employees takes their job seriously and truly love sharing their passion for plants and flowers with others. Prices here cannot be beat. The home decor store Brambles also brings customers back again and again. The diversity of items to be purchased here will keep you coming back for more. Make sure to stop by during one of its regular excellent sales.

Giant meets the grocery needs of most community members. Another option for those with larger families or for those buying in bulk is Costco. For local food, try Lorton's Farmers Market which opens every Sunday morning from the Spring to late Fall. Vendors include a number of Virginia farms. The Workhouse Arts Center also runs a farmer's market during the spring and summer months every Tuesday.