Chantilly is another part of Northern Virginia (NOVA) that has a well-known connection to one of the darkest periods in all of American history. It was not too terribly far from where Chantilly stands now that the Battle of Chantilly was fought during the Civil War. From its original realization as a place for a series of colonial plantations during the 1700s, Chantilly has certainly undergone a great deal of social and economic change. Chantilly is roughly 24 miles from Washington DC. This close proximity to the nation’s capital is certainly appealing to those who wish to work in Washington DC, but prefer not to live in the actual city. If you wish to call Chantilly home, you’ll find plenty of housing opportunities to consider. You’ll find a few notable points of interest, as well as a variety of locally-owned businesses and larger chains. The fact that Chantilly is also so close to a number of other NOVA communities is also worth noting. If you’re a history buff, visit the Sully Historic Site. This was once the home of Richard Bland Lee, who was the first NOVA representative elected to Congress. He was also the uncle of Civil War general Robert E. Lee. If you’re not interested in 18th century history, keep the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in mind. This extension of Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum has a great deal to offer. By far, the highlight of the center has to be the observation tower. From there, you can easily watch the air traffic that’s moving constantly to and from Dulles International Airport.