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Searching for the best restaurants in Crystal City? This trendy neighborhood in Northern Virginia offers a variety of dining options suitable for lunch, happy hour, or dinner. Below is a guide to the top restaurants in Crystal City, Virginia, each providing something unique to enhance your dining experience.
Where are the best restaurants and places to dine on the National Mall in Washington, DC?
The National Mall
serves as the focal point for most visits to Washington, DC; however, finding dining options in this area can be challenging.
Explore the vibrant culinary scene ofAlexandria, Virginia, where a rich variety of restaurants awaits. From casual dining to fine cuisine, this historic town makes for an ideal destination for food enthusiasts.
Address: 675 15th St NW, Washington, DC 20005, USA
Looking for a gift or souvenir for someone who loves Washington DC? This guide offers lots of creative ideas for locals and visitors to the nation’s capital.
Dulles Town Center Mall is the largest shopping and dining destination in Loudoun County, Virginia. This expansive center is situated within a 554-acre mixed-use development crafted by Lerner Enterprises, strategically located in the heart of the region’s technology corridor. The two-level shopping mall spans approximately 1.4 million square feet of retail space, featuring popular anchor stores like Nordstrom and Lord & Taylor. Furthermore, it boasts over 185 specialty shops including Gap, Abercrombie and Fitch, Dick’s Sporting Goods, and many others. Dining options are plentiful, with restaurants such as Benihana, Red Lobster, LongHorn Steakhouse, and Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, alongside a food court that offers diverse culinary choices.
Ski Liberty is one of the closest ski areas to Washington, D.C., providing an exceptional winter getaway destination. The Liberty Mountain Resort, alongside its recently opened Highland Lodge, offers a plethora of activities, including skiing, snowboarding, snow tubing, and ice skating. Managed by Snow Time, Inc., Ski Liberty is part of a network that includes other top-notch resorts in the region, enhancing the skiing experience across Pennsylvania and New York.
The Smithsonian’s Discovery Theater is a live theater designed for children ages 2 to 16 that spotlights cultural and heritage arts, museum theater, living history, as well as accessible science and math. This venue serves as a destination for live performances on the National Mall, presenting a full season of shows and offering a gateway to the Smithsonian museums. Importantly, performances are open to the public, while touring productions and classroom programs are available for students throughout the Washington DC area. Therefore, advance reservations may be arranged for school groups and youth organizations.
Ski Roundtop, located near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, is a fantastic destination for winter sports enthusiasts. Activities available at Ski Roundtop include skiing, snowboarding, snow tubing, and even Revolution Paintball. Moreover, it is the sister ski area to Ski Liberty. Ski Roundtop is managed by Snow Time, Inc., which also oversees Whitetail Mountain Resort in Mercersburg, PA, Liberty Mountain Resort in Fairfield, PA, and Ski Windham in New York. Consequently, season passes are valid at all three Pennsylvania ski resorts, with additional benefits for Ski Windham.
The revitalization of the region around Nationals Park in Washington, DC, has led to an exciting array of restaurants and bars. Most notably, this area is seeing significant growth, with new entertainment venues anticipated to open over the coming years. Moreover, Eastern Market, Washington, DC’s largest public market, is conveniently located within a 20-minute walk and offers a plethora of food options. The Yards Park neighborhood, situated just steps from the ballpark, boasts a diverse range of dining establishments. Below, you will find a curated selection of restaurants located near Nationals Park.
Fall is the season for Oktoberfest celebrations. In Maryland, theCity of Gaithersburghosts a thrilling Oktoberfest event at Kentlands, a unique and historic neighborhood, every October. This festival features a myriad of activities including horse-drawn wagon rides, pumpkin painting, a beer garden, a wine terrace, authentic Bavarian food, and vibrant entertainment. Attendees can enjoy live music throughout the day on multiple stages in the festival area. Additionally, there are business expos and family activity areas. Admission and parking are complimentary, while some activities may incur a nominal fee.
Oktoberfest is a beer-friendly celebration originating in Germany that is recognized and celebrated around the world.
The Washington DC area hosts numerous annual literary festivals and events that spotlight both local and national authors. Ranking among the most literate regions in the United States, it is home to many acclaimed writers and attracts best-selling authors from across the nation to share their craft with the community. Here is a guide to the largest literary-focused events in the Washington DC area, all of which are free and open to the public.
Terrapin Adventures is an outdoor adventure center located in Savage, Maryland, just 30 minutes from Washington DC, Baltimore, and Annapolis. This unique tour company offers exciting activities like ziplining, ropes courses, a giant swing, and a climbing tower. They also host custom tours, birthday parties, fundraising events, and team-building experiences. Set on nearly 2 acres within the grounds of the historic Savage Mill, a 19th-century textile mill, visitors can explore antique shops, craft galleries, restaurants, and more.
Gaithersburg’s Water Park at Bohrer Park, operated by the City of Gaithersburg, offers a vibrant summer experience for families. The main swimming pool is ideal for fun and relaxation, featuring a large mushroom water umbrella and ample space for shallow water activities. With its zero-depth entry, the pool ensures accessibility for everyone. The park’s standout attractions include a thrilling 38-foot tall double water slide and two unique slide options: an enclosed slide measuring 250 feet for those seeking excitement, and an open flume slide for a more tranquil descent of 336 feet. To use the slides, swimmers must be at least 48 inches tall.
The Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, known as the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, stands as the city’s premier performance venue, hosting approximately 3,000 performances annually. It serves as the home for the National Symphony Orchestra, Washington Opera, Washington Ballet, and American Film Institute. The array of performances includes theatre, musicals, dance, orchestral, chamber, jazz, popular, and folk music, along with youth and family programs and multimedia shows.
The National Cathedral, officially known as the Cathedral Church of St. Peter and St. Paul, is the sixth largest cathedral in the world. Located in Washington, DC, it is the seat of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington and serves as a national house of prayer for all people. Renowned for its stunning architecture, the Cathedral, with its English Gothic style, features exquisite sculptures, intricate wood carvings, eerie gargoyles, vibrant mosaics, and over 200 stained glass windows. Notably, the Gloria in Excelsis Tower is the highest point in Washington, providing breathtaking views of the city from the Pilgrim Observation Gallery located in its two west towers.
The U.S. Botanic Garden, or USBG, established by Congress in 1820, is a living plant museum on the National Mall. The Conservatory reopened in December 2001 after a four-year renovation, showcasing an impressive state-of-the-art indoor garden with approximately 4,000 seasonal, tropical, and subtropical plants. The U.S. Botanic Garden is administered by the Architect of the Capitol and offers special exhibits and educational programs throughout the year.
The Naval Academy is a “must see” attraction in Annapolis, Maryland with its beautiful 338-acre campus, known as the Yard, and its scenic location on the Chesapeake Bay. The U.S. Naval Academy serves as a four-year training facility for officers of the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps. Designated a National Historic Site, the Naval Academy boasts a distinguished history and a blend of French Renaissance and contemporary architecture. A 90-minute guided walking tour is available to the public and provides visitors with an overview of the experiences of the midshipmen as well as the history, culture, recreation, and educational resources available onsite.
The National Mall serves as the focal point for most sightseeing adventures in Washington, DC. It proudly showcases the Smithsonian Museums and the National Memorials, making it a “must-see” destination that draws visitors from all over the globe. With its rich history and scenic charm, the Mall offers a plethora of attractions to explore.