When the Sun Goes Down...
Courtesy of the Arlington Convention & Visitors Service
The joke in Arlington, Virginia used to be that if you were looking for nightlife, go across the river to Georgetown. Even just 10 years ago Arlington had a reputation as a place where the sidewalks rolled up after 5 o'clock. No longer. Due in large part to the transformation of Clarendon, Arlington has become an after-five destination not only for those who live and work here, but also for others throughout the Washington area. Even on a rainy, cold weekday night, a visitor to Clarendon will find large crowds dining at the neighborhood's homegrown restaurants, like Faccia Luna and Clarendon Grill, and crowding the many bars and clubs to catch the latest up-and-coming band.
One such club is IOTA, so named for its size -- it had a capacity of less than 60 people when it first opened in 1994, though it has since expanded. Now it has become known as the place where promising musicians play before moving on to bigger venues. Norah Jones, John Mayer, and Jack Johnson are just a few names who played at IOTA before they hit it big.
If the bustling nightlife is a surprise for those new to Arlington, get ready for an even bigger one: Arlington's thriving arts scene. Arlington is home to more than 500 individual artists and 50 arts organizations, including theater companies such as Signature Theatre and Teatro de la Luna, artist studios, dance companies like Bowen McCauly, and musical groups and events like the Rosslyn Jazz Festival. It is one of the few communities of its size to have its own symphony orchestra and opera company.
While Arlington's nightlife and arts scene occupy the evening hours, the county's abundance of recreational opportunities and tourist attractions easily fills the days. With 1,100 acres of parks and open space, the outdoors is very accessible. This open space includes 36 miles of walking and biking trails plus an additional 53 miles of bike routes. The avid cyclist can enjoy seven self-guided tours, including a 23-mile Arlington history tour.
Fore more information on Arlington, visit www.arlingtonvirginiausa.com.
The joke in Arlington, Virginia used to be that if you were looking for nightlife, go across the river to Georgetown. Even just 10 years ago Arlington had a reputation as a place where the sidewalks rolled up after 5 o'clock. No longer. Due in large part to the transformation of Clarendon, Arlington has become an after-five destination not only for those who live and work here, but also for others throughout the Washington area. Even on a rainy, cold weekday night, a visitor to Clarendon will find large crowds dining at the neighborhood's homegrown restaurants, like Faccia Luna and Clarendon Grill, and crowding the many bars and clubs to catch the latest up-and-coming band.
One such club is IOTA, so named for its size -- it had a capacity of less than 60 people when it first opened in 1994, though it has since expanded. Now it has become known as the place where promising musicians play before moving on to bigger venues. Norah Jones, John Mayer, and Jack Johnson are just a few names who played at IOTA before they hit it big.
If the bustling nightlife is a surprise for those new to Arlington, get ready for an even bigger one: Arlington's thriving arts scene. Arlington is home to more than 500 individual artists and 50 arts organizations, including theater companies such as Signature Theatre and Teatro de la Luna, artist studios, dance companies like Bowen McCauly, and musical groups and events like the Rosslyn Jazz Festival. It is one of the few communities of its size to have its own symphony orchestra and opera company.
While Arlington's nightlife and arts scene occupy the evening hours, the county's abundance of recreational opportunities and tourist attractions easily fills the days. With 1,100 acres of parks and open space, the outdoors is very accessible. This open space includes 36 miles of walking and biking trails plus an additional 53 miles of bike routes. The avid cyclist can enjoy seven self-guided tours, including a 23-mile Arlington history tour.
Fore more information on Arlington, visit www.arlingtonvirginiausa.com.
