Chantilly Travel Guide

Located in the western portion of Fairfax County in the heart of Virginia, Chantilly is a small city with big city dreams. The Civil War brought the fight close to Chantilly, with the Battle of Chantilly taking place nearby. Modern-day Chantilly, however, has left its violence in the past and now takes pride in remembering its part in the Civil War, honoring it with museums and heritage sites. The city is chock-full of history and is a great place for history lovers to immerse themselves in Virginia’s past.

Things to Do in Chantilly

Rich in history, Chantilly offers a handful of valuable historic sites and museums such as the Sully Historic Site and Ox Hill Battlefield Park, as well as the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center which is a companion to the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum in DC.

Visitors can spend the afternoon playing mini-golf with monsters at Monster Mini Golf, get a premium massage at CH Massage, or enjoy a game of pool at The Bungalow. Those with a passion for the outdoors can play outdoor sports such as soccer and baseball at Greenbriar Park, or take a walk on the trails that lead past the pond and over the beautiful bridges of Walney Visitor Center and Eleanor C. Lawrence Park, which is attached to the visitor center by a series of wooded trails.

Best Places to Stay in Chantilly

The majority of Chantilly’s vacation rentals are located in the city center, however, some are situated in the outskirts, featuring their own land and private space. The rentals are modern in appearance and boast a big city atmosphere. Many of the rentals are pet-friendly.

Best Time to Visit Chantilly

The best time to visit Chantilly is from August to September. During this time, the weather is at its peak for warmth and summer activities are in full swing. That said, Virginia can get quite muggy during the summer, so if you're looing for more fresh climates, consider visiting during the shoulder months of spring and fall.

Best Events in Chantilly

A few of the most exciting events in Chantilly include a number of festivals and Halloween events such as the Christmas Market and the Air and Scare at the Air and Space Museum, which features a number of scary experiments, creepy crafts, and other fun Halloween-themed activities.

Things to Do for Families in Chantilly

Ticonderoga Farms is a working farm that offers families seasonal experiences like pumpkin picking, harvest festivals, and breakfast with Santa, while the farm’s local store specializes in the sales of homemade goods such as honey and figs. The farm also allows visitors to pick and take home their own fresh vegetables during the growing season. For a fun family experience indoors, Kid Junction is the place to go. The indoor fun center offers an arcade, an on-site cafe, a two-story play area equipped with slides, tubes, and obstacles, and a toddler area that is full of toddler-friendly toys and games.