Woodbridge is a census-designated place in Prince William County, Virginia. Located 20 miles south of Washington, D.C., Woodbridge offers beautiful homes, a mall, and a wide range of recreational opportunities for residents and visitors.

South of Lorton

Woodbridge is constricted to Neabsco Creek to the south, the Occoquan Bay to the east, the Occoquan River to the north, and I-95 to the west. Lorton borders the neighborhood to the north, just over the Occoquan River, Dale City is to the west, Dumfries to the south, and Mason Neck sits past Belmont Bay to the east. Montclair, Stafford, and Lake Ridge are also a short drive away.

Named After a Wooden Toll Bridge

Woodbridge was originally established as a town, after being a municipality composed largely of either farms or industrial complexes. During the 1960’s and 1970’s, Dale City was already being forged as a planned community and later Woodbridge became an annex of its neighbor. The name comes from Tomas Mason’s 1795 wooden toll bridge built to supplant the existing ferry, carrying the Kings Highway traffic across the Occoquan River. The area is also home to Rippon Lodge and the Freestone Point Confederate Battery, both listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Jefferson Davis Highway

Route 1—or Jefferson Davis Highway—runs along the gut of the community and is a major north-south route. One of the largest routes on the east coast, only second to its parallel predecessor I-95, this route travelling north will take you into DC, while travelling south will take you to Fredericksburg and beyond. Route 123 connects to both Route 1 and I-95 and terminates in McLean. The area is also serviced by the VRE Fredericksburg Line and provides an Amtrak station.

Housing Stock

In Woodbridge you can find a wide range of housing stock available. There can be anything from large, single-family detached homes to condominiums, or homes that were built in the 1960’s to newly developed homes that are custom-built. Townhouses, row homes, and apartment buildings are found around the area. Other popular styles include Colonials and ramblers.

Potomac Mills Mall

Woodbridge is home to Potomac Mills Mall, one of the largest shopping centers in northern Virginia. The mall was the first in the Mills Corporation’s chain of shopping malls, and has over 225 retailers and an 18-screen AMC movie theater. It expanded in the early 90’s with a wing anchored by Marshalls, JCPenney, and Burlington Coat Factory. Other anchors include Costco, Nordstrom, and T.J. Maxx while also featuring The LEGO Store, Abercrombie & Fitch, Papaya Clothing, and Gap Outlet. Surrounding the mall is also a Chuck E. Cheese’s, IKEA, and Laser Quest.

Located just down the street is Stonebridge at Potomac Town Center. This fabulous, outside mall is a wonderful spot for a date. As you stroll the streets you can find plenty of restaurants and shopping destinations. The area features a Wegmans, REI, an Apple Store, DSW, JoS. A. Bank, and Golfsmith. Some notable restaurants around this area include Not Your Average Joe’s, Firebirds Wood Fired Grill, P.F. Chang’s, Nando’s Peri-Peri, and Uncle Julio’s. Julio’s is an upscale Tex-Mex chain serving mesquite-grilled fare and margarita-sangria swirls in a hacienda-style atmosphere.

Dixie Bones BBQ is another great restaurant in Woodbridge. Located on Occoquan Road, this spot produces pit-smoked meats and Southern sides along with an extensive beer list at this bustling, low-key restaurant. Other popular spots include Janko, Charbroil Grill Brazilian Steakhouse, Rico’s Tacos Moya, and BonChon Chicken.

Wildlife Refuges

Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge is situated on the northern tip of the community. This 1-square-mile urban area is a bird refuge and breeding area with diverse grasslands and marshes. Located where the Occoquan River meets the Potomac River, this area offers over 4 miles of trails and provides old patrol roads for visitors on vehicles, bicycles, or foot. Bordering the grasslands is The Osprey’s at Belmont Bay. This golf club offers club members access to the golf course, dining services, and ballroom which is a hotspot for weddings. Veterans Memorial Regional Park is located on Veterans Drive and is a wonderful park featuring trails, grills, picnic areas, a soccer field, tennis court, cricket court, basketball court, and a baseball field.

Featherstone National Wildlife Refuge is another wildlife refuge in the area and is located towards the southeast section of the community. Although closed to the public through land, it might soon be considered a possible route for the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail. This wildlife refuge is accessible only by boat, and offers 325-acres of woodland and marsh preserve hosts muskrats and many bird species.

The area is also served by seven public high schools, and ten elementary and middle schools while also being home to the NOVA Woodbridge Community College Campus.

Woodbridge is a wonderfully diverse region situated just south of Lorton. The community offers a mall, varied housing options, historical landmarks, and another reason many residents live here is because they are employed in nearby Washington, D.C.