Woodlawn

Steeped in history, the built-up suburb of Woodlawn features sites from George Washington’s famous estate Mount Vernon. From the first president’s property to a cultural epicenter of diverse restaurants, be a part of centuries of American history from your own backyard in Woodlawn.

Bordered by parks and undeveloped woodlands to the north and a series of strip malls on its southern edge, Woodlawn is mostly composed of cul-de-sacs of town houses and winding streets of single-family homes. “Many people choose the area for its quiet neighborhoods and larger lots—ones far more expansive than you would find closer to the city,” says Realtor Brad Kintz with Long & Foster Real Estate for over 20 years. The mostly residential area features lawns decorated by garden beds, trees and the occasional fence for extra privacy. “The Mount Vernon area offers a wide range of housing options—from affordable condos and townhouses in the $200,000s and $300,000s to $3 million luxury homes along the Potomac River,” Kintz says. Home styles include updated colonial homes for move-in ready conditions, red brick Cape Cods, new construction American Foursquare houses and town houses with bay windows.

Students in the area go to Fairfax County Public Schools, which earns an A rating according to Niche. The district of approximately 178,479 students has a student-teacher ratio of 14-to-1. These include Woodlawn Elementary School, Whitman Middle School and Mount Vernon High School. All three schools have an A-minus rating on Niche. The high school offers an International Baccalaureate Program, Dual Enrollment and academy centers for highly specialized career-focused courses.

With a name like Woodlawn, it’s no surprise the area has an abundance of outdoor recreation. The community’s Woodlawn Park is surrounded by trees for a shaded playground and picnic area. The park also has basketball and tennis courts for athletes. At Jackson M. Abbott Wetland Refuge, go on a relaxing stroll around a woodland-nestled pond, where you can fish or spot herons and other wildlife. Located in a large field, Muddy Hole Farm Park has a playground for kids, plus sports courts for basketball and tennis.

With strip malls and other businesses along Richmond Highway, find plentiful retail and restaurants. Stock up on the week’s groceries and household products at Dollar General. At Kimchi House Korean BBQ, order classic dishes like bulgogi in a hidden gem of a restaurant with a modest outside and muraled interior decorated with vines. El Paso Mexican Restaurant offers a Tex-Mex menu in a colorful restaurant with large group seating ideal for family dinners. For Southern comfort food, head to Chalkboard Wings & BBQ’s relaxed atmosphere which features a wooden bar and TVs.

As for history, Woodlawn has it in spades from George Washington’s heyday. “George Washington's Mount Vernon Estate—with its historical buildings, gardens, and farmland—is a special neighborhood fixture,” Kintz says. “The estate hosts many events year-round and draws visitors from across the world.” At Woodlawn & Frank Lloyd Wright’s Pope-Leighey House, you can visit a Federal-style house that once belonged to the Mount Vernon estate, plus a smaller 1940 house designed by the architect Frank Lloyd Wright. To see where the president’s whiskey was made and where cornmeal was produced, tour reconstructions of George Washington's Distillery & Gristmill.

About 22 miles south of Washington, D.C., Woodlawn residents can easily commute to the nation’s capital via Interstate 395 North. For weekend trips in the nation’s capital, visit the Tidal Basin, monuments and Smithsonian museums. You can access public transportation throughout the area with Fairfax Connector buses. In Woodlawn, enjoy a historical suburb with diverse eateries and plenty of parks.

Written By

Anna Anderson

Photography Contributed By

Naleli Murry

Video By

Alex Jacobsen