Play, Learning, Arts, and Youth Lab

Directions to the Lab

Directions to the Play, Learning, Arts, and Youth Lab

Below are Instructions to get to George Mason University’s Fairfax Campus (4400 University Drive, Fairfax, VA 22030) from various locations north, south, east, and west of campus.

Please park in the Shenandoah Parking Deck.  There will be signs directing you to the visitor parking entrance.  You will take a ticket upon entering the garage, and we will give you a voucher to cover your parking before you leave.  Once you park, there should a PLAY lab member present to walk with you to our family room.

In the unlikely event someone is not there to accompany you please:

  • Call us at our lab phone number: (703) 993-5571
  • If you are unable to reach us follow the instructions below to walk to the family room from the Shenandoah Parking Deck:
    • Exit the parking deck to the shuttle bus area.  There is a Parking Services building that should be on your right.
    • Exploratory Hall is directly across the parking lot opposite of the Parking Services building.  Walk up the walkway to the left of Exploratory Hall (there is a ramp to go up a small hill).
    • Turn right at the top of the hill to walk in front of Exploratory Hill and the next building after that, which is Planetary Hall.
    • Immediately after Planetary Hall, there are stairs to go in between Planetary Hall and David King Hall.  Go down these stairs.
    • At the bottom of the stairs, turn left.  There is a door to enter David King Hall here.
    • Enter David King Hall on the bottom floor (do not go up the stairs).  Once in the hallway, turn left.  You will see a doorway with a bright pink sign that says “ADP.”
    • Head towards this door, then turn right down the next hallway.
    • The Family Room is the second door on the left of this hallway.  If the door is not open, knock on the door and someone from the PLAY Lab will greet you.

**If no one answers this door, please knock on the door that had the bright pink “ADP” sign on the door and someone there will be able to help you!

DIRECTIONS TO FAIRFAX CAMPUS (4400 University Drive, Fairfax, VA 22030)

FROM THE CAPITAL BELTWAY (I-495)

  •  Take exit 54A
  •  Braddock Road West (Route 620).
  •  Follow Braddock Road West for approximately six miles.
  •  After crossing over Roberts Road, take the next right on Nottoway River Lane to enter George Mason University’s campus.
  •  At the end of Nottoway River Lane, turn right onto Patriot Circle (you should drive past the Aquatic and Fitness Center).
  •  Make the second left onto Sandy Creek Way.  Shenandoah Parking Deck will be on your left.  You should park in the Visitor Parking area here.

FROM I-95 FROM POINTS NORTH OF D.C.

From points north on I-95, take exit 27 (I-495 West), then follow the directions “from the Capital Beltway (I-495).” .

VIA I-66W FROM WASHINGTON D.C. OR ARLINGTON

  • Take exit 60 for Route 123 South, Chain Bridge Road.
  • Follow Route 123 through the City of Fairfax (cross over Main Street), and turn left at University Drive.
  • University Drive will become Patriot Circle.  Follow this past Rappahanock Parking Deck and the Child Development Center.
  • Turn right on Sandy Creek Way.
  • Shenandoah Parking Deck will be on your left.  Please park in the Visitor Parking area here.

FROM I-95 SOUTH (WOODBRIDGE OR FURTHER SOUTH)

  • From points south on I-95, take exit 160B (Route 123 North) at Lake Ridge/Occoquan. Follow Route 123 north for approximately 13 miles.
  • Turn right onto VA-620 E/Braddock Road.
  • Turn left onto Nottoway River Lane.  This is after you pass a shopping center on your right.
  • At the end of Nottoway River Lane, turn right onto Patriot Circle (you should drive past the Aquatic and Fitness Center).
  • Make the second left onto Sandy Creek Way.  Shenandoah Parking Deck will be on your left.  You should park in the Visitor Parking area here.

VIA I-66E FROM FRONT ROYAL & FAIRFAX COUNTY PKWY

  • Take exit 55 for Fairfax County Parkway South, toward Springfield/Reston/Herndon (Route 286 – Old Route 7100).
  • Keep right to continue on exit 55A (VA-286 S).
  • Take the Braddock Road (VA-620 E) exit off of VA-286 S.
  • Turn left onto VA-620 E/Braddock Road (there are signs for George Mason University.
  • Turn left onto Nottoway River Lane.  This is after you pass a shopping center on your right.
  • At the end of Nottoway River Lane, turn right onto Patriot Circle (you should drive past the Aquatic and Fitness Center).
  • Make the second left onto Sandy Creek Way.  Shenandoah Parking Deck will be on your left.  You should park in the Visitor Parking area here.

FROM WASHINGTON D.C. & ARLINGTON VIA ROUTE 50

  • Take Route 50 west to I-495 South (Capital Beltway) toward Richmond. Take exit 54A, Braddock Road West (Route 620).
  • Follow Braddock Road West for approximately six miles.
  • After crossing Roberts Road, take the next right on Nottoway River Lane.
  • At the end of Nottoway River Lane, turn right onto Patriot Circle (you should drive past the Aquatic and Fitness Center).
  • Make the second left onto Sandy Creek Way.  Shenandoah Parking Deck will be on your left.  You should park in the Visitor Parking area here.