Reston: the planned city of Virginia
The wide boulevards, crisscrossing blocks, tree-spotted avenues, and manicured urban spaces of Reston belie its planned nature. Back in the early 1960s, this whole conglomeration of coffee shops, malls, and residential blocks, was meticulously laid out on a blueprint that was intended as a prototype for the post-war city. These days, Reston Town Center is seen as a hip and happening enclave on the edge of Washington, DC, with up-coming businesses, pretty parks, oodles of shopping, an arts center, and some top Reston vacation rentals within reach of the heart of the capital.
From Reston Town Center to beyond
Reston Town Center is considered one of the main attractions in Fairfax County, with its fascinating array of planned plazas, streets, shopping malls, and marketplaces. For families with kids in tow, little Roer's Zoofari – the Reston Zoo – is a top place to while away your days here, encountering giraffes and meeting burly plains buffalo on the safari routes. Meanwhile, there are 18 famous parkland holes at the Reston National Golf Course, and public swimming pools around Lake Fairfax.
Explore the heart of Reston town
Simply strolling through the heart of the designated district known as Reston Town Center is one of the top things to do here. Those lucky enough to bag Reston vacation rentals in the luxury condos and chic blocks of the area can just simply hop from their front door to see the meticulously planned grid of buildings and parks. Then come the weekend farmers' markets and craft beer bars courtesy of the boho folk out of DC central, not to mention the lakes and country clubs of greater Fairfax County.
Sightseeing needs summer in Reston
Assuming you're searching for Reston vacation rentals to delve into the interesting mix of urban planning, modern architecture, wide plazas, and up-coming bar strips that make this town such an attraction on the edge of DC, it's certainly worth waiting for the warmer months of summer to swing around before you travel. That's because the winters in this part of America can be cold and snowy, while the months between June and August have dry weather and clear skies – perfect for wandering the sidewalks.
Exploring the natural landscape of Reston
Whether you're looking for exciting outdoor activities or just want to spend some time taking in the scenery, Reston is a great place to get out in nature. These are some of the area's most eye-catching natural features, all within 30 miles (48.2 km) of the city center:
- National Mall (18.5 mi / 29.8 km)
- Frying Pan Farm Park (3.3 mi / 5.3 km)
- Meadowlark Botanical Gardens (4.4 mi / 7 km)
- Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts (5 mi / 8.1 km)
- Great Falls Park (6 mi / 9.7 km)
- Algonkian Regional Park (7 mi / 11.3 km)
Traveling to and around Reston
The nearest airport is in Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), located 18.6 mi (29.9 km) from the city center. If you can't find a flight that's convenient for your trip, you can also fly into Washington Dulles Intl. Airport (IAD), which is 4.9 mi (7.9 km) away.
Catch a ride on the metro at Wiehle-Reston East Metro Station to easily navigate the city.