Very interesting to learn our past and to be at a place where this terrible war happened.The tour guide gave an excellent explanation of things and we spend many hours walking and enjoying the nice scenery.
very well done. very authentic. some easy trails and some more challenging ie: up and down, across streams or the road.
I live close to the Battlefield and have used it for long runs and shorter hikes with out of towners for as long as I've lived in Manassas. In addition to the first two hills most people see on tours (with the cannons and the Stone House) the park has a lot of trails that are really nice to run on and contain hidden gems (an old cemetery, beautiful views of the mountains, and fun wooded paths to get lost in). The trails aren't always well marked, but once you get to know them they may quickly become your favorites!
As sad as it is- Manassas Battlefield is easy and beautiful to walk.Please be aware that bathrooms are located downstairs. there could be an outside entrance at ground level.
I have been hiking in the snow and cold this winter at Manassas National Battlefield Park. I got a new perspective on the topography with all the leaves gone. You realize how hilly the area is and all the places the troops dug trenches. It is amazing how much different it looks in the winter! Put on a scarf and wear you hat and gloves and enjoy!
If you like Civil War history, this is a great place to visit since two major battles took place here.
The historical presentation is simple and dignified. Beautiful setting. Unlike Gettysburg Battlefield, it isn't commercialized or tawdry. Worth the visit.
since it was winter we drove through the site and just the size of the battlefield was humbling and to see the photos and the 1000s of lives lost was tragic. the signs with photos were so helpful and really brought the place to life.
A site of major significance for the U.S., Manassas Battlefield/Bull Run is a Civil War buff's mecca. If Civil War history interests you, you could spend at least 2 days here. Sprawled out over beautiful fields of days gone past, there are miles of trails to be explored which cut right thru the areas which saw furious combat during the two separate battles which took place here. When planning your trip, highly recommend checking the National Park Service (NPS) website to confirm hours of operation and check to see if certain sites located within the park will be open. This is because certain landmarks/sites are closed during the off-season.Located a very short drive from Manassas as well as I-66, your best bet is to start at the visitor center located on Henry Hill. The building is located on Henry Hill which in and of itself was the scene of massive fighting. Cannons, fencelines, and markers line the trails/hill to make for good, easy exploring. There's a small exhibit inside the visitor center worth seeing that gives a decent layout of what happened. Exhibit includes a 6 minute chart narration, which is especially helpful prior to heading out. Fee for entrance was $3 (per person). From the short exhibit, head into the approximately 40 minute film which gives detailed and interesting background to what transpired here. The film is worth seeing, but be sure to check with the front desk on when it's showing. No doubt it fills up during the summer months/high-season. During the winter months, significantly less visitors means you can sometimes just view the film on request. After the film, the bookstore on site has an excellent selection of books on the battle, Civil War in general, and other related subject matters. Highly recommend looking at the paperback books which cover the Manassas Battlefield itself, as these give you more info on what happened on specific spots of the battlefield. It makes the tour more intimate as you begin to realize you're standing on sacred ground which saw carnage on a massive scale several generations ago. Rangers do give tours, but again check with the front desk for schedules or go to the NPS website beforehand.Before departing the visitor center, be sure to grab the free NPS pamphlet covering the Battlefield. It includes a small map showing many points of entrance as well as their location. This makes for a great driving/walking tour.From the visitor center, the options are endless. If the weather wasn't so cold, walking the trails would've been a must. If you come when it's warmer, there'll be more visitors to contend with, but your overall experience might be better as more sites will be open and you can walk the trails free of snow and ice. Still though, the driving tour takes you to 10+ sites of significance and each stop has various markers explaining what happened there. If you're going to hike/walk the trails, be sure to wear comfortable shoes, bring water/snacks, wear a hat and sunscreen and have bugspray handy (not much shade in some areas during the summer months when it gets very hot here).Much of the battlefield has been left to what it was back then, so it's truly an authentic experience and a visit to be savored by those interested in the Civil War. There are numerous hotels in the area at reasonable prices, and being located directly off I-66 it makes for a good escape out of DC.
A wonderful place to explore and feel the history of our civil war. Not as expressive as Anteitam or Gettysburg but offers the added experience of being able to visit DC. Would go again ☺️