The rolling farmland around Manassas was the site of two major Civil War battles — both Confederate victories that shook Northern confidence and prolonged the war. The national battlefield park preserves the terrain almost unchanged; walking the ground gives a sense of the tactical problem both armies faced across the open fields and wooded ridges.
The visitor centre has an excellent orientation film and museum. The First Battle trail (4.5 km) takes about 90 minutes; the Second Battle auto tour covers a wider area. Henry Hill, where General Thomas Jackson earned his "Stonewall" nickname at First Bull Run, is the emotional centre of the site. Free admission.