One of my favorite things about living in Manassas is that you don’t have to spend much money to enjoy the city. Some of my favorite afternoons have been spent walking through Old Town, exploring local parks, or discovering a historic place I somehow never noticed growing up.
Whether you’re visiting for the day or you’ve lived here for years, there are plenty of ways to experience Manassas without opening your wallet. Here are some of my favorite free things to do around the city.
⭐ At a Glance
📍 Location: Manassas, Virginia
💲 Cost: Free
👨👩👧 Great For: Families, couples, solo explorers
🚶 Best Time to Visit: Spring, summer, and fall
⭐ Includes: Parks, museums, history, public art, walking, events
1. Explore Historic Downtown Manassas
The downtown area of Manassas is the heart of the city. As a mom with an active 4-year-old, we spend a lot of free time there. There is so much to explore that requires $0. One of my favorite things my almost 5-year-old likes to do is ride her bike (or scooter) around the pavilion or downtown area. If we are in the pavilion, riding around, I park myself in one of the many chairs they have. They also have plenty of benches in the shade to avoid the heat on a hot summer day. Right around the pavilion, you have plenty of shops, restaurants, and Ice cream shops in case you need an afternoon pick-me-up. If you’re looking to treat yourself afterward, check out our guide to the best ice cream shops in Manassas. I also love walking around with my camera because there always seems to be something new to notice.
2. Visit Annaburg During an Open House
The Annaburg home is one of my newest discoveries that I recently wrote about. It is the former home of Robert Portner, a local businessman. He purchased the home for his wife because it reminded her of her homeland, Switzerland. They went on to have 13 kids total. The City of Manassas has Open Houses for the home on select Saturdays throughout the summer; however, the grounds are free to explore. They have historical markers around the property that provide enough information to understand the history. The grounds are well-maintained and worth a visit if you are in the area.
3. Spend an Afternoon at One of Manassas’ Parks
The city of Manassas has 15 parks for its residents to explore. I recently wrote a full guide that has all the necessary details to prepare for a visit. Some parks have been recently renovated, and they even have one for dogs and a skatepark! Every park is unique and complete with benches, picnic tables, and a small grill. I am currently in the process of exploring all of them and will have a video uploaded to our YouTube channel so you can have the full experience! Parks are my go-to during the summer when looking to get out of the house without spending money, haha.
4. Visit the Manassas Museum
The museum is there and has no admission fee; it is small but interactive for the entire family. The city changes the exhibit frequently, so we pop in often to see what they have on display for the month. Behind the museum, you will find a playground that is suitable for all ages. Everything in downtown is walkable, and there is plenty of parking around the downtown area. My daughter especially enjoys stopping at the playground after we’ve explored the exhibits.
5. Walk the Harris Pavilion Plaza
The Harris Pavilion is, in my opinion, the center of the action. Especially during the summer months. The city hosts free events at the Pavilion during the summer months since it is an outdoor venue. This summer I’ve seen salsa lessons, outdoor concerts, and music from local bands. The only thing you need is a lawn chair. They also host the farmers’ market there every Thursday from 8 AM until 1 PM.
6. Browse the Saturday Farmers Market (even if you don’t buy anything)
Speaking of the farmers market, every Saturday morning, the farmers market is hosted in the commuter lot from 8 AM until 1 PM. It’s a busy market because we have a lot of residents coming from the city and the surrounding areas. I went one time and had the best homemade pickles. You can find sweet treats, coffee, food trucks, fruits/veggies, and so much more. There is something for everyone!
7. Explore Local Public Art and Murals
The ARTfactory is a not-for-profit 501(c)3 organization that has become the cornerstone of the downtown arts community. They host tons of shows, they have summer camps for kids, and so much more. They have different exhibits that you can browse through to observe all the creativity that comes from our community.
8. Visit Liberia House Grounds
The Liberia house is another historic home that you can visit during the summer season. They host the open house on Saturdays from 2 PM- 4 PM. The grounds are open from sunrise to sunset daily and are free to the public, per the City of Manassas website. Interestingly, Robert Portner—the same businessman who built Annaburg—later became the second owner of Liberia before eventually selling it to the Breeden family. There’s a lot more history to this house, so if you are in the area, check it out!
9. Attend First Friday
Last but certainly not least is the downtown’s First Friday Event. This event runs from February up until November. Every First Friday of the month ddowntown closes to vehicle traffic so residents can walk around and enjoy the live music, exclusive promotions from downtown shops and restaurants. They even have a kids zone so it is a family friendly event. I think what brings a uniqueness to First Friday is the free street parking and the DORA areas. The DORA areas are the designated outdoor refreshment area, you are permitted to drink your alcoholic beverage in these zones.
Whether you’re visiting for the day, spending a long weekend, or you’ve recently moved to the area, Manassas has plenty of history, parks, and community events to keep you exploring. There’s so much more to do and as I experience it, I will be documenting it along the way.
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