Herndon's Best Parks: Frying Pan Farm Park

It's summertime, which means it's time for outdoor fun. But where are the best places to go in Herndon for your summer fun needs? We're highlighting the best Herndon has to offer when it comes to public parks.

Frying Pan Farm Park in Herndon is a time machine back to simpler days that stands in stark contrast to the modern big-city world all around us in Fairfax County.

The park gets it name from the former name of the community around it, which was changed to Floris in 1892. Today, it interprets a 1920s through 1950s farm, from the agricultural process to the rural community life to provide an educational and cultural enrichment experience for visitors.

The park, which is located at 2709 West Ox Road, is free to enter and operates from dawn to dusk every day.

There's lots of activities for the whole family, from wagon rides to carousels to the Kidwell Farm. You can even take beginning horseback riding lessons.

Frying Pan Farm Park will host the Fairfax County 4-H Fair and Carnival from Aug. 4-7. The 68th annual fair will include rides, live entertainment, and a "Big Truck Night" and tractor pull -- and it's all free for visitors.