By John Cowgill
Just a short drive from Tysons Corner and its its extravagant shopping, high rise buildings, and elegant homes is a the peaceful Meadowlark Gardens.
Situated in a housing community, Meadowlark Gardens is erected on the site of an old farm and hosts a collection of plants native to the region. It’s easy to forget that you’re in the suburbs of Washington, D.C. as you stroll through a forest with the trees rising above you. Visitors will enjoy the play garden, the lily pads in the ponds and gazebo in the middle of the pond. The gardens feature a small Korean Temple with a Korean Bell (that unfortunately cannot be rung), the ruins of the spring house, and the cabin that Meadowlark Gardens was built around.
There are great views at Meadowlark Gardens all year long. This includes the months of January and February. (They only close when snow and ice cover the paths.) In the evenings during November and December, the Winter Walk of Lights is open to the public.
Accessibility
Much of the garden is wheelchair accessible, and most of the walking paths are paved. Wheelchair users may have difficulty on the grassy areas. Some paths are dirt, but wheelchairs with tough wheels could traverse them with assistance.
Meadowlark Gardens covers ninety-five acres. Good walking shoes are recommended. Most paths are paved, but there is mulch covered trails. There are also hills as the garden slopes down from the Visitor Center.
Meadowlark Gardens is owned and operated by NOVA Parks. It is located at 9750 Meadowlark Gardens Court in Vienna, Virginia. (It is off Beulah Road south of Virginia Route 7 and north of Virginia Route 123.) Parking is on site. Hours vary by time of year. More information and admission prices are available at novaparks.com/parks/meadowlark-botanical-gardens.
Meadowlark Gardens is a place to get away from the big city without getting away from the big city, and it will not drain your wallet.
John Cowgill (johnbcowgill1@gmail.com) loves to visit historic places to include lesser known sites. He loves taking road trips, and he loves railroads. You can also follow him on Facebook at ‘John Cowgill: Photographic Journeys’ and John Cowgill: DC Railroad Examiner. You can also check out ‘John Cowgill: Stories of the Railroad’ at johncowgillstoriesoftherailroad.com.
