Location: McLean
Top Things to do in McLean
Countries
10 Things to Do in McLean That You Shouldn't Miss
McLean (/məˈkleɪn/ mə-KLAYN) is a census-designated place (CDP) in Fairfax County in Northern Virginia. McLean is home to many diplomats, businessmen, members of Congress, and high-ranking government officials partially due to its proximity to Washington, D.C. and the Central Intelligence Agency. It is the location of Hickory Hill, the former home of Ethel Kennedy, the widow of Robert F. Kennedy. It is also the location of Salona, the former home of Light-Horse Harry Lee, the Revolutionary War hero. The community had an estimated total population of 53,673 in 2015, according to estimates prepared by the United States Census Bureau. It is located between the Potomac River and the town of Vienna. McLean is known for its luxury homes and its nearby high-end shopping destinations: the Tysons Corner Center and the Tysons Galleria. The two McLean zip codes - 22101 and 22102 - are among the most expensive ZIP Codes in Virginia and the United States. In 2018, data from the American Community Survey revealed that McLean was the 3rd wealthiest city in the United States, based on its poverty rate of 2.6% and its median household income of $190,258.
Restaurants in McLean
1. Glen Echo Park
Overall Ratings
4 based on 80 reviews
National Park Service offers year-round activites for residents and visitors in dance, theater and the arts.
Reviewed By fiamma11 - Vienna, Virginia
The carousel is historic, delightful and beautiful. There are other offerings but for me everything pales in comparison for the carousel. I would recommend going just to see the carousel.
2. Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 587 reviews
The only national park dedicated to the performing arts, with spaces for indoor and outdoor performances.
Reviewed By Alberta S - Washington DC, District of Columbia
We went with a group of friends and sat upstairs in the balcony are. These were perfect seats, you could see everything with no obstruction. This is not a large building so the performance was intimate. Loved the rustic atmosphere.
This was a great location for a music performance.
The seating was comfortable. Parking was easy.
3. Great Falls Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1 reviews
An 800 acre park located just off the Potomac river.
Reviewed By Bodacious123 - Atlanta, Georgia
This place is a real treat.
Its easy to find- you have two choices, depending on where you are coming from. We were on the Virginia side, so we got the full visitors Center experience.
Start your visit at the visitors center. Learn about what you are about to see. The history of the are is surprising- the use of locks on the river for navigation of the river for trade, life in the area, animal life, etc.
The falls themselves are beautiful. The sheer power that you feel as you watch the water thunder down the rocks is impressive. We were luck y to visit the park after some rain, so the water was in full display.
Families can visit this are in less than an hour- depending on the attention span of everyone. We spent about 2 hours there and didn't see everything. Bring your hiking shoes
4. Billy Goat Trail
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 222 reviews
Reviewed By tikidream - bethesda, md
This is one of our favorite hikes. It is a moderate to strenuous hike with some rock scrambling. In the summer bring water and year round bring a snack and enjoy the scenery.
5. Lincoln Memorial
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 26 reviews
Reviewed By internationalmama - Wooster, Ohio
We took our friend from Zambia to DC, and she was so interested in seeing the Lincoln Memorial, as this President is known world-wide. I'd been there previously, but visiting again gave me a new appreciation for the simple beauty, something President Lincoln would have loved. It's a great place to bring families to talk about the price that was paid to keep this country unified.
6. Arlington National Cemetery
Overall Ratings
5 based on 8 reviews
Veterans of every American war from the Revolution to the country's most recent conflicts are buried at Arlington, which was officially declared a military cemetery in 1864. Among the more than 260,000 dead are three unidentified service members, buried at the Tomb of the Unknowns, and John F. Kennedy, whose gravesite is marked by an eternal flame.
Reviewed By JWWA - Everett, Washington
We took the Metro over to the cemetery and just found our way to the places we wanted to see. Since most people go to the same spots it was easier to navigate since we just followed the crowd.
You will need to bring your patience for being around the school groups. They were a little rowdy and sometimes it was the chaperones being loud too.
Anyone that isn’t in good shape to do all the walking up hills may want to take a tram. It will be a while before I beat the number of floors my iPhone says we did as we walked that day.
7. Korean War Veterans Memorial
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 9 reviews
This memorial to Korean War veterans consists of the Pool of Remembrance and the triangular Field of Service depicting 19 soldiers on the field of combat.
Reviewed By LizNnawlins - New Orleans, Louisiana
We saw this during a night tour and there was no lighting near the statues. I have pictures from my oldest daughter's night tour a few years back that showed subtle light cast on the statues at night. There was trash among the statues too. I hope this is just out of the ordinary and that this memorial gets as much attention as any other. Don't let my review discourage you from seeing it, even with neglect it is a powerful tribute.
8. Clara Barton National Historic Site
Overall Ratings
4 based on 43 reviews
Reviewed By GNRMatt - Blue Bell, Pennsylvania
Located just outside of Washington, DC, the Clara Barton National Historic Site celebrates the life of the founder of the Red Cross. Clara Barton was an extraordinary woman, especially for her day. She defied conventional wisdom of the time of what a woman can and could not do.
The site here was her home for the last 15 years of her life, and also served as the original headquarters of the Red Cross. Tours are available every hour, on the hour, from a National Park Ranger. While the house itself is mostly empty at this point (due to an attempt to have it restored), the stories you will hear are well worth the visit.
In addition, if you're a collector of the National Park Passport Stamps, you'll find a stamp at the bookstore inside the house.
You should note, that in order to get into the house, you'll need to ring the doorbell.
9. Tysons Corner Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 331 reviews
As one of the top 10 shopping centers in the country, Tysons Corner Center offers an unbeatable mix of more than 300 department and specialty stores. Tysons' "who's who" of retailers includes Nordstrom, Bloomingdale's, Macy's, Lord & Taylor, American Girl, L.L. Bean, Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Michael Kors, Lacoste, Spanx, Apple, The Disney Store and more. Tysons Corner Center also offers a 16-screen stadium seating and IMAX 3D AMC Theatre, fine and casual dining restaurants, a food court and a National Geographic sponsored children's play area. The new outdoor Plaza at Tysons Corner hosts events throughout the year and provides a number of eateries with cafe seating. The new 310 room luxury Hyatt Regency Hotel at Tysons Corner Center is the perfect respite from a busy day of shopping.
Reviewed By Rita of the River - Severna Park, Maryland
Used to live near Tysons and thought nothing of running there after work to just browse. But with traffic and parking and having moved it had been awhile. So my recent trip was a treat which did not disappoint. My favorite store Nordstrom was first stop because they have the best selection of shoes to fit any foot. And I can always find upscale clothes there. But really any store has great clothes - I found great clothes at Talbots's and Lord and Taylor's. And my husband even wanted to go by Macy's. Instead of going through all the stores we visited (including LL Bean), just go and walk around. Watch the food prep on the upper level looking down on the scene. Fascinating. And don't miss the Tesla store where you can sit in a Tesla. Watch a movie at the theaters and eat at a good restaurant. You can spend a day there.
10. Meadowlark Botanical Garden
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 264 reviews
Reviewed By Jeff_and_family - Vienna, VA USA
Meadowlark is a serene park to stroll and appreciate the flora. They have a huge variety of plants and flowers. Most have signage but in some cases you are left scratching your head to figure out what you are looking at. It's a marvelous place for photographers in warm weather with the flowers in bloom, and waterfowl in the pond. There are also koi and turtles in the pond, fun for the younger ones to see. I don't have young children anymore but I would think that a visit of any longer than an hour would bore them; there aren't activities or sites particular geared towards kids. There is a small Korean garden funded by donors.
In the winter they set up what must be hundreds of thousands of lights, some animated, for a stunning after-dark spectacle. I believe it takes them months to set it up. The walk is accessible, on a continuous asphalt walkway, but it's dark so someone who needs really solid footing may have an issue.
With their gorgeous natural backdrops, they host a lot of weddings and photo shoots for proms.
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