Belle Haven

Belle Haven is a quiet neighborhood with access to more: nestled just south of Old Town in a quiet neighborhood, it is between multiple major routes.

Belle Haven is a primarily residential neighborhood that rests along the Potomac River in the Alexandria area of Fairfax County just south of Old Town. It’s on the northern end of the Route 1 Corridor. Parkway/Ft. Hunt and George Washington’s home of Mt. Vernon are to the south, while the Huntington Metro neighborhood is to the west. Located just south of Old Town Alexandria and north of at Mount Vernon, Belle Haven overlooks the Potomac River and is home Belle Haven Country Club, and is considered one of the most prestigious areas in Fairfax County.

The Belle Haven Community is rooted in history, as far back as being a 17th century outpost. Ft. Willard was later part of the Civil War defense system of the city. The developers of the Belle Haven Country Club later developed the area into an official subdivision in the 1920s, and any original homes still remaining are from around that time.

The few hundred homes in this quaint community are a mix of large luxury homes, manors, cottages, and townhouses all situated on tree-lined streets.

Belle Haven residents have so many options for outdoor activities. You can run, walk or ride your bike alongside the river on the Mount Vernon Trail that stretches from the Theodore Roosevelt Island in Rosslyn down to the Mount Vernon Estate. Along those eighteen miles of trail you can pack a lunch and pick your favorite spot to have a picnic, take an early stroll to bird watch at some of the local parks. The Mount Eagle Park also offers a playground along with volleyball, multi-purpose fields, and trails. For residents with dogs that like to get out and run, the Westgrove Dog Park on Fort Hunt Rd next to Mount Vernon District Park has a maintained off-leash dog area.

If you want a boating and fishing experience, or lessons, head to the local Belle Haven Marina within the Dyke Marsh along the GW Parkway. You can also rent a slip and dock your own boat. Regardless, the 485 acre Dyke Marsh Wildlife Preserve is an impressive natural environment to explore along the Potomac. If you tire of outdoor excursions, take the family to the Mount Vernon Recreation Center on Belle View Rd where there is an indoor ice rink, an Olympic size indoor pool and aquatic center, and a huge fitness center.

The biggest development news for the area was the approval in 2018 of the Embark Richmond Highway Project by Fairfax County that is redeveloping major parts of the Route 1 Corridor for transportation and economic benefits for residents. The Southeast Fairfax Development Corporation is a public-private nonprofit that is part of the development process that will reshape the economy and transportation along Route 1 in coming years. Vast improvements along 10-11 miles of Route 1 from Huntington southwards along the Richmond Highway Corridor, from road changes, to bike and path improvements, to increased metro bus access. Commercial and residential real estate development, along with the creation of public green spaces and parks, is expected to follow (or occur in conjunction) with the project.

Shopping and Dining

There are multiple good dining options right within the neighborhood. The Del Ray Pizzeria at it’s Belle Haven location has a neighborhood bar atmosphere with awesome pizza and accompanying craft beer selection. Dishes of India is right in the Belle View Shopping Center for traditional authentic Indian food made by dedicated and experienced chef, and it is a neighborhood favorite.

There are plenty of options to get fresh produce and other farmers market wares. Just north in Old Town is the Old Town Farmers Market with more than 70 vendors, a great option for residents of Belle Haven. It is considered one of the longest-running farmers markets in the nation still held on its original site. If you’re going south, the McCutcheon/Mount Vernon Farmers Market run by Fairfax County is another option, open on Wednesdays from may to December. Another local shop is Bread and Water Company in Belle View shopping center, well regarded in this part of town for its high quality artisan breads and baked goods.

For general shopping needs, the neighborhood is in close proximity to the Beacon Center, which is an outdoor mall area with Giant, Lowe’s, Starbucks, Target, and Marshalls to name a few. There’s also a Costco and a Walmart a to the south on Richmond Hwy. Multiple grocery stores are nearby, including a Safeway right within the neighborhood. You can grab your coffee at the local Starbucks at Belle View Shopping Center as well.

Getting Around

Belle Haven is nestled just south of Old Town between multiple major routes. This community has direct access to I-495, I-395 and the George Washington Parkway, so commuting is a breeze. .Route 1 is also nearby. Just moments from the Woodrow Wilson Bridge that spans the Potomac River, Belle Haven also has ready access to major bus routes as well as the nearby Huntington Metro stop. The Ronald Reagan Airport is just a short trip north along the GW Parkway.

Metro

Less than two miles away is the Huntington Metro stop, which serves the Yellow line.