Take a Tour: Fairfax County’s Downtown
Often cited as Fairfax County’s “downtown”, there is no shortage of activities in this 4.3 square mile city, from restaurants, to unique entertainment experiences, such as the city’s two titular shopping malls, Tysons Corner Mall and Tysons Galleria. It also has easy access to both the Capital Beltway (I-495), and the Dulles Access Road (267), which makes the Tysons area a commuter’s dream location.
Tysons Corner Mall first opened it’s doors in 1968, with it’s developers proclaiming that it was the largest enclosed mall in the world. While that statement was not entirely accurate, the center was one of the countries first super-regional malls (defined as being an enclosed mall with large, anchoring department stores), and to this day remains the 22nd largest mall in the Unites States, and the 6th most profitable, according to Business Insider (cited below). The stores and the restaurants chosen only enhance Tysons appeal to not only tourists, but locals as well. Featuring 250+ brands like Sephora, Lush, Eddie Bauer, The American Girl Store, and the first ever established Apple retail store. During your shopping you can also enjoy over 40 restaurants, including California Pizza Kitchen, Pokeworks, or a sushi conveyor belt at Wasabi (located in the heart of the mall).
If you’re looking for a higher-end shopping or dining experience, you can head just across Chain Bridge Road to Tysons Galleria, which was founded in 1988, after the success that Tysons Corner experienced. The goal of this mall was to introduce a location where the more upscale stores could become accessible to the DMV area, and that was accomplished, with the addition of stores like stores like Saks 5th Avenue, Vineyard Vines, Neiman Markus, and additional 30 exclusive to market designers. This enclosed shopping mall is also attached to the Ritz Carlton Hotel, which allows for easy access from the mall to the hotel’s full-service Spa, restaurant, as well as The Palm restaurant, a high-end steak and seafood house.
The Tysons Corner and Galleria may be what the area is best known for, but there are experiences for those who may not want to deal with the potential crowds or may not be into shopping. The Boro is a small shopping center recently established in the Tysons area that home to small business, such as the Colour Bar salon, as well as Whole Foods grocery store, and the Showplace Icon movie theater for all of the latest movie releases.
After you’ve finished your weekend day of shopping and lunch, your evenings won’t be at all dull either. Tysons is home to some of the area’s best date night or happy hour spots, like Founding Farmers, an award winning restaurant open breakfast through dinner, with an urban farmhouse aesthetic, or Barrel and Bushel, an artisanal restaurant that features cocktails and American style cuisine. You can then finish your evening off at the newly completed Capital One Hall, an entertainment venue that features a main hall where you can see comedy acts, music performances, and kid’s shows. Capital One Hall also is home to 3 separate venues that you can rent out, including a performance venue, board room, and event space.
“Capital One Hall – Home.” Capital One Hall, www.capitalonehall.com. Accessed 15 Mar. 2022.
Dale, Glen. “15 Best Things to Do in Tysons Corner, VA.” Travel Lens, 22 Dec. 2021, www.travellens.co/best-things-to-do-in-tysons-corner-va.
“Tysons Corner Center | Home.” Tysons Corner Center, www.tysonscornercenter.com. Accessed 15 Mar. 2022.
Tysons Galleria. “Shopping Mall in McLean, VA.” Tysons Galleria, www.tysonsgalleria.com/en.html. Accessed 15 Mar. 2022.
Wikipedia contributors. “Tysons Corner Center.” Wikipedia, 22 Feb. 2022, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tysons_Corner_Center.
—. “Tysons, Virginia.” Wikipedia, 4 Feb. 2022, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tysons,_Virginia.
“America’s most successful malls are worth billions and defying the retail meltdown with luxury stores and special events — take a look inside.” Business Insider Nederland, 26 Feb. 2018, www.businessinsider.nl/inside-the-most-valuable-malls-in-america-2018-2?international=true&r=US#6-tysons-corner-center-the-mclean-virginia-mall-is-worth-292-billion-surrounded-by-luxury-hotels-and-apartments-and-features-panoramic-views-of-washington-dc-from-the-top-8.
