Guidebook for Arlington
Food Scene
This is one of our favorite restaurants on 23rd street Restaurant Row. Athena Pallas is a family-own business and they have been around for more than two decades. Low staff turnover, so it's always nice to see familiar faces. Service is attentive and hospitable and food is delicious. To name a few dishes we like, spanakopita, pork chop, stuffed grape leaves, spring lamb roast, grill octopus in balsamic sauce and chicken penne pasta. By the way, the entrance is on 22dn street with plenty of free on-site parking. The restaurant is closed on Sundays.
The Athena Pallas Restaurant
556 22nd St SThis is one of our favorite restaurants on 23rd street Restaurant Row. Athena Pallas is a family-own business and they have been around for more than two decades. Low staff turnover, so it's always nice to see familiar faces. Service is attentive and hospitable and food is delicious. To name a few dishes we like, spanakopita, pork chop, stuffed grape leaves, spring lamb roast, grill octopus in balsamic sauce and chicken penne pasta. By the way, the entrance is on 22dn street with plenty of free on-site parking. The restaurant is closed on Sundays.
One of our favorites, with indoor and outdoor seating available. Good sushi! Two free parking spots next to Enjera.
http://www.crystalbonsaisushi.com/
Bonsai Grill
553 23rd St SOne of our favorites, with indoor and outdoor seating available. Good sushi! Two free parking spots next to Enjera.
http://www.crystalbonsaisushi.com/
We love this 24/7 secret spot right next to 7 Eleven. Don't be deceived by the look from outside. They're always busy and kabobs are cook-to-order, so allow at least 20 minutes for the wait if you're in a hurry. Generous food portion.
47 locals recommend
Kabob Palace
2315 S Eads StWe love this 24/7 secret spot right next to 7 Eleven. Don't be deceived by the look from outside. They're always busy and kabobs are cook-to-order, so allow at least 20 minutes for the wait if you're in a hurry. Generous food portion.
Jaleo
480 7th St NWSpanish tapas restaurant.
http://www.jaleo.com/menus
An international casual dining restaurant chain originating from South Africa, with a Mozambican/Portuguese theme.
http://www.nandosperiperi.com/menu
28 locals recommend
Nando's
924 Ellsworth DrAn international casual dining restaurant chain originating from South Africa, with a Mozambican/Portuguese theme.
http://www.nandosperiperi.com/menu
Dunkin'
1640 King StA new Starbucks just opened and still not on the Google Map yet, but it on the corner of S. Fern St and 12th Street S. It's a little closer than the one on Joyce St.
223 locals recommend
Starbucks
1101 S Joyce StA new Starbucks just opened and still not on the Google Map yet, but it on the corner of S. Fern St and 12th Street S. It's a little closer than the one on Joyce St.
Local chain serving a menu of traditional Lebanese dishes & wine in a contemporary setting.
http://www.lebanesetaverna.com/lebanese-restaurant-arlington-va.html
68 locals recommend
Lebanese Taverna
1101 S Joyce StLocal chain serving a menu of traditional Lebanese dishes & wine in a contemporary setting.
http://www.lebanesetaverna.com/lebanese-restaurant-arlington-va.html
Ruth's Chris Steak House
2231 Crystal DrUpscale American steakhouse chain
24-hour diner with free on-site parking in the back. We like their pancakes, waffles and milk shakes. They have great breakfast choices. http://www.bobandedithsdiner.com/Pages/Menu.aspx?DeptID=0
63 locals recommend
Bob & Edith's Diner
2310 Columbia Pike24-hour diner with free on-site parking in the back. We like their pancakes, waffles and milk shakes. They have great breakfast choices. http://www.bobandedithsdiner.com/Pages/Menu.aspx?DeptID=0
Service is okay, but we love their crabs! They're sweet and steamed to perfection. During the summer evening, the place is packed, so be prepared there's a long wait. Their reservation system is confusing, probably best to just go early.
http://www.quarterdeckarlington.com/
22 locals recommend
Quarterdeck
1200 Fort Myer DrService is okay, but we love their crabs! They're sweet and steamed to perfection. During the summer evening, the place is packed, so be prepared there's a long wait. Their reservation system is confusing, probably best to just go early.
http://www.quarterdeckarlington.com/
Bangkok 54 Oriental Market
2927 Columbia PikeGreat Thai food!
http://bangkok54restaurant.com/
Drinks & Nightlife
Haven't been here yet. It's a gay bar (straight-friendly) with drag bingo, drag show & karaoke. Brunch on weekends.
http://freddiesbeachbar.com/
13 locals recommend
Freddie's Beach Bar & Restaurant
555 23rd St SHaven't been here yet. It's a gay bar (straight-friendly) with drag bingo, drag show & karaoke. Brunch on weekends.
http://freddiesbeachbar.com/
Crystal City Sports Pub
529 23rd St SPool, foosball & games on TV.
Family-friendly sports-bar chain offering burgers & comfort food.
http://www.champps.com/locations/arlington/?menu#dinner
Champps
1201 S Joyce StFamily-friendly sports-bar chain offering burgers & comfort food.
http://www.champps.com/locations/arlington/?menu#dinner
Shopping
Also known as Pentagon City Mall, is the largest upscale shopping mall in Arlington.
http://www.simon.com/mall/fashion-centre-at-pentagon-city
319 locals recommend
Fashion Centre at Pentagon City
1100 S Hayes StAlso known as Pentagon City Mall, is the largest upscale shopping mall in Arlington.
http://www.simon.com/mall/fashion-centre-at-pentagon-city
Huge shopping center with Regal cinemas in the back.
http://www.mypotomacyard.com/
http://www.regmovies.com/theatres/theatre-folder/regal-potomac-yard-stadium-16-556
Potomac Yard Center
3671 Richmond HwyHuge shopping center with Regal cinemas in the back.
http://www.mypotomacyard.com/
http://www.regmovies.com/theatres/theatre-folder/regal-potomac-yard-stadium-16-556
Sightseeing
Air Force Memorial
1 Air Force Memorial DrFree on-site parking
U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial
A moving memorial dedicated to those who lost their lives when the plane crashed into the Pentagon on September 11th. If time allowed, worth visit again at night when the lights lit up.
28 locals recommend
National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial
1 N Rotary RdA moving memorial dedicated to those who lost their lives when the plane crashed into the Pentagon on September 11th. If time allowed, worth visit again at night when the lights lit up.
The Pentagon
Essentials
Harris Teeter opens 24 hours with free one-hour parking. They also validate your ticket if you park in the garage downstairs.
410 locals recommend
Harris Teeter
900 Army Navy DrHarris Teeter opens 24 hours with free one-hour parking. They also validate your ticket if you park in the garage downstairs.
7-Eleven
407 8th St NEJust in case... Urgent Care opens 7 days a week.
http://xpresscarenow.com/
10 locals recommend
Xpress Care Urgent Care
1409 S Fern StJust in case... Urgent Care opens 7 days a week.
http://xpresscarenow.com/
Don't forget to send postcards from DC! Here's the postage rate, https://www.usps.com/business/prices.htm
15 locals recommend
United States Postal Service
2850 S Quincy StDon't forget to send postcards from DC! Here's the postage rate, https://www.usps.com/business/prices.htm
Whole Foods Market
2201 I St NWOrganic food
ATM (Wells Fargo Bank)
1429 S Fern StBurke & Herbert Bank
500 23rd St SThis CVS opens 24/7. They sells prescription drugs and a wide assortment of general merchandise, including over-the-counter drugs, beauty products and cosmetics, film and photo finishing services, seasonal merchandise, greeting cards, and convenience foods.
448 locals recommend
CVS
1418 P St NWThis CVS opens 24/7. They sells prescription drugs and a wide assortment of general merchandise, including over-the-counter drugs, beauty products and cosmetics, film and photo finishing services, seasonal merchandise, greeting cards, and convenience foods.
Getting Around
A new blue bus service added in Spring 2016. Take Metroway to Potomac Yard Center for shopping or see a movie.
http://metrowayva.com/route/
65 locals recommend
Crystal City station
1750 S Clark StA new blue bus service added in Spring 2016. Take Metroway to Potomac Yard Center for shopping or see a movie.
http://metrowayva.com/route/
A new blue bus service added in Spring 2016. Take Metroway to Potomac Yard Center for shopping or see a movie.
http://metrowayva.com/route/
82 locals recommend
Pentagon City Station
1250 S Hayes St A new blue bus service added in Spring 2016. Take Metroway to Potomac Yard Center for shopping or see a movie.
http://metrowayva.com/route/
Enterprise Rent-A-Car
801 N St Asaph StIt's right next to Radisson Hotel Reagan National Airport.
Can't pull up the closer bike station on Google, but it is right in front of the Aurora Hills Branch Library. Just 2 blocks away! Here's the link to the Capital Bikeshare station map, https://secure.capitalbikeshare.com/map/
100 locals recommend
Capital Bikeshare
Can't pull up the closer bike station on Google, but it is right in front of the Aurora Hills Branch Library. Just 2 blocks away! Here's the link to the Capital Bikeshare station map, https://secure.capitalbikeshare.com/map/
Parks & Nature
We love to take a stroll after diner to this lovely neighborhood park. This 18-acre park has recently been updated with many amenities, including a rain garden, trails, basketball courts, etc. There are two adult lighted diamond fields (permit only fields), six lighted tennis courts, two lighted basketball courts, and volleyball court, natural grass rectangular community field, lighted rectangular synthetic field (permits take priority), a sprayground to cool off in the hot summer, three petanque courts, and a frost-free drinking fountain.
16 locals recommend
Virginia Highlands Park
1600 S Hayes StWe love to take a stroll after diner to this lovely neighborhood park. This 18-acre park has recently been updated with many amenities, including a rain garden, trails, basketball courts, etc. There are two adult lighted diamond fields (permit only fields), six lighted tennis courts, two lighted basketball courts, and volleyball court, natural grass rectangular community field, lighted rectangular synthetic field (permits take priority), a sprayground to cool off in the hot summer, three petanque courts, and a frost-free drinking fountain.