Springfield Travel Guide

Springfield, Virginia, is a suburban community 17 miles south of Washington, DC. It’s not an incorporated city, but politically is part of Fairfax County. Springfield residents nevertheless have a strong community identity characterized by the neighborhood in which they live: Central Springfield, North Springfield, or West Springfield.

Springfield has long been a transportation hub and gateway to the Nation’s Capital. The Franconia-Springfield Metro station in Central Springfield affords all-day parking and convenient Metro transportation for visitors to Washington. It’s a… read morelso convenient to shopping at Springfield Mall and nearby specialty stores. The massive Springfield Interchange, where Interstate Highways 95 from Richmond and Baltimore, 495 from Tyson’s Corner, and 395 from Washington all converge in the “Mixing Bowl,” brings in highway travelers from near and far. You might visit Springfield if you are traveling along Interstate 95 and stop for a meal or an overnight stay.

Springfield’s population is diverse. You’ll find "mom-and-pop" ethnic restaurants and stores in Central Springfield and good Asian cuisine and Greek-style “family restaurants” in all parts of the community.

Founded in 1854 as a railway stop, Springfield does have a history, though one must carefully seek it out amid the suburban facade. Parks like Lake Accotink Park and Hidden Pond Nature Center preserve natural habitats and provide outdoor recreation spots for residents.