Arlington

 

Located on the southwestern bank of the Potomac River directly across from the District of Columbia, Arlington is considered the second-largest core city of the Washington DC metropolitan area and the sixth-largest most-populous county in Virginia.

Home to important sites such as the Pentagon, Arlington National Cemetery, and Reagan National Airport, Arlington is a center for government and commerce. Amazon’s HQ2 lies within Arlington County as well. Residential properties in Arlington include historic condos and cozy homesteads, often touting a Craftsman-era flair and a traditional facade.

Arlington is a lively city that offers fantastic amenities which help make it accessible for everyone. Public transport and walkable destinations only add to its convenience. There is also a laid-back, honorable overtone as national sites such as the Pentagon and Arlington National Cemetery are in this area.

An important development in the area is smart growth, which prevents the typical urban sprawl and creates more walkable, compact urban centers. Also adding to the air of grandeur are the many homes and buildings belonging to the National Register of Historic Places, leaving the area a piece of living history.

As a bustling city, Arlington has many endless opportunities for dining, entertainment, and shopping. Best of all, these places are all easily accessible and within close distances.

In the lineup for great restaurants to try in the area is Rus-Uz, located in the heart of the Ballston neighborhood. As its name implies, the menu here features an inspired blend of authentic dishes from Uzbekistan peppered with Russian-influenced options, paying homage to the cultural overlap between the two. With a setting meant to feel like a welcoming Uzbek home, Rus-Uz is on you don't want to miss. Down the way you'll find delectable options at Green Pig Bistro. This cozy, intimate restaurant serves a modern blend of American-French cuisine with available to-go alcohol. For a quick and healthy bite, try out South Block, one of the most popular spots in town for fresh smoothies, juices, and açaí bowls that will help you sustain your energy throughout the day.

For shopping, there are several great options in the area. One of the most popular places to go would be The Crossing Clarendon, a vibrant walking district with a variety of fashion and home decor stores, as well as fabulous restaurants and cafes. For something more traditional, the Fashion Centre at Pentagon City is a one-stop shop with many popular brands including Nordstrom, Zara, and J.Crew- but the best part is that the mall is connected to The Ritz-Carlton, Pentagon City, so you can stop in for some light fare with an exceptional cocktail to round out your day of retail therapy. In addition to the big box stores, there are also many locally-owned options such as Current Boutique, a high-end consignment retailer selling women’s designer goods, and Covet, who offer a curated collection of unique home decor, jewelry, artwork and much more all from inside a former farmhouse.

Arlington has plenty of great things to do. Whether you want to explore the history of the area or spend a day at a park, there will be something for everyone to enjoy in the area.

For those wishing to spend a day out in nature, the Mount Vernon Trail offers an 18-mile long multi-use trail that stretches alongside the George Washington Memorial Parkway, between Rosslyn all the way down to George Washington's home in Mount Vernon. A fun park to visit that is completely unique to the area is Gravelly Point, which sits on a peninsula between the Potomac River and Reagan National Airport. With commercial jetliners flying just 150 feet directly overhead, this is a popular spot to watch airplanes take off or come in for landing, which is quite an exhilarating experience given how closely they pass by.

If you love history, try heading over to the Arlington Historical Museum, which houses over 350,000 artifacts on rotating display to help disseminate knowledge relating to the history, archaeology, material culture, and geographical and socio-economic development of the area. A more widely known historic site is the Arlington National Cemetery, the final resting place for more than 300,000 of our nation's greatest heroes who fought in every American conflict dating back to the Revolutionary War. Notable sites at the Cemetery include The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, where you can watch the time-honored tradition of the Changing of the Guards as they maintain a 24-hour vigil, and the John F. Kennedy Eternal Flame, one of the most visited sites in Arlington.

Arlington is served by the Arlington Public Schools district and features 22 elementary schools, 6 middle schools, and three high schools. One school of note in this area is Discovery Elementary, which has received the US Department of Education Green Ribbon School award.