Looking for a sleek urban vibe with easy access to D.C. landmarks? Head to Crystal City, Virginia! Located just across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C., Crystal City offers a mix of modern living, walkable streets, art installations, and access to the capital’s top attractions. Whether you're in town for business, sightseeing, or a quick getaway, Crystal City is a connected and convenient home base.
Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit Crystal City is from March to May and September to November. Spring offers cherry blossoms and mild weather, while fall brings beautiful foliage and cultural festivals. Summer is hot and popular with tourists, and winter is quieter but still accessible.
How to Get There
- By Plane: Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) is just minutes away, accessible by car, Metro, or even on foot.
- By Metro: Crystal City is served by the Blue and Yellow lines of the Washington Metro system (WMATA).
- By Car: Easily accessible via the George Washington Parkway, I-395, and Route 1. Parking garages are widely available.
- By Train: Amtrak and VRE stop at nearby Alexandria and Union Station in Washington, D.C.
Where to Stay
- Crystal Gateway Marriott – Elegant, centrally located hotel connected to the Metro and Crystal City Shops.
- Hilton Crystal City at Washington Reagan National Airport – Comfortable and convenient with free airport shuttle and easy Metro access.
- Residence Inn by Marriott Arlington Capital View – Spacious suites with kitchenettes, perfect for longer stays or families.
Top Attractions
1. Arlington Artists Alliance
Rating: ★★★★★
The Arlington Artists Alliance is devoted to creating and promoting local art in and around the community of Arlington, Virginia. The non-profit organization is made up of a number of visual artists, encouraging and supporting both emerging and established 3D and 2D artists. The Arlington Artists Alliance manages two different galleries that exhibit new works every and promote new artist members, as well as national and local artists in special exhibitions, along with offering art classes. The group also hosts a number of annual community-wide special exhibits, including the fall and spring festivals at the Fort C.F. Smith.
2100 Crystal Dr, Arlington, VA 22202, Phone: 571-483-0652
2. Blue Underground Studios
The Blue Underground Studios in Arlington, Virginia first started business in 2005 and has been publishing a variety of quilt patterns since its beginnings. The mission of the business is to provide quilt patterns to people that are innovative and clear, enabling all quilters, regardless of skill level, to create amazing looking quilts. Blue Underground Studios offers a wide array of both traditional and contemporary quilt patterns, all designed with the busy quilter of today in mind. The instructions for patterns are tested by local quilters for clarity and accuracy, and include several tips for efficient cutting and sewing.
1600 Crystal Dr, Arlington, VA 22202, Phone: 773-425-6261
3. Crystal City Shops
The Crystal City Shops are a group of cool cafes, eateries of celebrated chefs, and contemporary restaurants in Crystal City, Virginia. Many of these dining options provide al fresco seating along the tree-lined, colorful streets, making a perfect spot to sit and do some people watching while eating delicious food. The Crystal City Shops are a destination for foodies, featuring more than one hundred services and shops in the modern and energetic marketplace with a point of view and personality of its own. The shops line several city blocks, just five minutes away from downtown Washington, DC.
1750 Crystal Dr, Arlington, VA 22202, Phone: 703-413-4380
4. Dama Ethiopian Restaurant
The Dama Ethiopian Restaurant in Arlington, Virginia is a unique Ethiopian restaurant that has been family-owned and operated since the year 1980. The restaurant has been an establishment in the Crystal City area for over thirty years and has been the recipient of many accolades from a variety of critics and sites. The Dama Restaurant serves a broad array of food, ranging from pastries and American fare to authentic Ethiopian cuisine. The traditional Ethiopian Dama Bakery and Cafe offers lattes, exquisite cappuccinos, and perfect espressos, as well as some of the area’s finest baked goods.
1505 Columbia Pike, Arlington, VA 22204, Phone: 703-920-5620
5. Gallery Underground
The Gallery Underground is a gallery owned and operated by the Arlington Artists Alliance, which is an organization that promotes the artwork of both emerging and established artists in the region. The mission of the gallery is to make fine art of the region more accessible to the public. This is done through art workshops, special events, and exhibits that change each month. The Arlington Artists Alliance provides professional development opportunities for local and regional artists and serves the surrounding community through outreach projects, mentoring, scholarships, classes, and exhibits. The Gallery Underground offers many different exhibits throughout the year.
2100 Crystal Dr, Arlington, VA 22202, Phone: 571-483-0652
Where to Eat
6. Good Stuff Eatery
The Good Stuff Eatery is located in largest area of downtown Arlington, an area with more than one hundred shops, an award-winning theater, bike trails, outdoor movie nights, and speciality stores. The Good Stuff Eatery is a family-owned and operated restaurant that serves Farmhouse Burgers on freshly baked, buttery soft, Pennsylvania dutch buns with their own special sauce, farm-fresh tomatoes, and more toppings. Only a very short walk from the Crystal City Metro stop, the cafe isn’t too far from the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. The first Good Stuff Eatery opened in 2008 on Capitol Hill.
2110 Crystal Dr, Arlington, VA 22202, Phone: 703-415-4663
7. Hilton Crystal City
The Hilton Crystal City offers several different dining options at the Washington Reagan National Airport, all designed with travelers in mind. The Oasis Bar provides a variety of appetizers to snack on while guests sip on one of the crafted cocktails, and is a great place to just sit and relax. At Relish, diners can try casual American fare with upscale flavor. The restaurant is open for both breakfast and lunch with a menu that includes vegan options. The Marketplace, found at the airport hotel’s lobby level, provides specialty sandwiches, freshly made salads, snacks, espresso, and cold beverages.
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