A miniature W&OD Trail scene built entirely from Lego bricks is now on view at Tysons Corner Center, part of a free display celebrating Fairfax County's 250th anniversary that Vienna-area families can visit through January 2027.
The Northern Virginia Lego User Group (NOVA-LUG) unveiled the installation on Wednesday, inside the mall as part of the county's ongoing semiquincentennial programming.
The display features custom builds of landmarks from all nine of the county's magisterial districts, including the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum's Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Great Falls Park and the Historic Fairfax Courthouse. Everyday scenes round it out: tiny cyclists pedaling the W&OD Trail, figures playing pickleball and patrons sipping drinks at Bunnyman Brewing.
NOVA-LUG President Tanner Johnson coordinated the project alongside fellow member Ben Rome. Work began in March 2026 after Visit Fairfax, the county's tourism marketing organization, approached the group about contributing to the anniversary celebrations. The county asked for at least one landmark per magisterial district but gave builders room to pitch their own ideas. Grist Mill Park in Mount Vernon was one that the builders proposed themselves.
"We'll do a lot of those micro-adjustments to really show and celebrate life in the county and the holiday season and make it a very present and timely display throughout the year," Johnson said at the unveiling.
The group plans seasonal updates over the display's six-month run, adding Halloween and Christmas decorations and different types of housing found across the county, including historic homes.
Visit Fairfax President and CEO Barry Biggar said Tysons Corner Center was chosen because it draws more than 20 million visitors a year. Providence District Supervisor Dalia Palchik, who represents most of Tysons, attended the July 22 unveiling and called mall owner Macerich "a great partner" on community events and public art. Palchik said she would like to see the display eventually move to the Fairfax County Government Center.
The display is free to view during regular mall hours at Tysons Corner Center in McLean.
Upcoming community events
- Through January 2027 — Fairfax County 250 Lego display, Tysons Corner Center, McLean. Free admission during mall hours.
