McLean Virginia
McLean is considered by many people to be not just “the address” for Northern Virginia, but the best place to live in the entire Washington, DC market. In addition to the range of single family houses available there is also a downtown area developing in nearby Tyson’s Corner. Mclean is just a short drive from DC and has many options for recreation including numerous outdoor facilities, parks, and golf courses. The neighborhood is a popular area to live for notable politicians, businessmen, and other local celebrities. There is shopping, dining, recreation, spectacular houses, and overall McLean is a great place to escape the city and call home.
History of McLean VA
McLean got its original name from John Roll McLean, a former owner of The Washington Post. In 1906 what is now known as the Washington and Old Dominion Railway was built, which connected McLean to downtown DC. A few years later the community started to develop and has been thriving ever since. Many of the houses were built in the 1950s and 1960s, however newer construction has taken place over the last decade creating magnificent palatial houses.
McLean’s Vibe
McLean is most well known for its exclusive residential community which is just a short drive from downtown DC. It is a place where the rich and powerful live from politicians to sports stars, there are a variety of people who call McLean home. McLean is also home to the Central Intelligence Agency and has some of the highest rated public schools in the area including Langley High and McLean High.
Shopping in McLean, VA
This is a great neighborhood if you like to shop because two of the largest shopping malls in the entire DC area are located just minutes away. Tyson’s Corner Center and the high end Tyson’ Galleria attract shoppers from across the area. The metro development in Tyson’s will bring more density to nearby McLean and will give residents another transportation option. The actual neighborhood of McLean has all the necessities you would need, but most residents head down the street to Tyson’s for their shopping excursions.
Recreation options in McLean, Virginia
McLean is home to some of the best parks, recreation, and trails around. Some of the favorite places for locals and visitors include Great Falls National Park, the historic Claude Moore Colonial Farm Park, and Turkey Run Park. At Great Falls there are magnificent views of the falls and Potomac River. You can spend a whole afternoon exploring the Claude Moore Colonial Farm Park and you can see what it was like to live on a farm in the Revolutionary War Era. Turkey Run Park is located on the Potomac River and there are activities such as hiking, birding, or picnics. For athletes there are parks throughout McLean and neighboring areas for baseball, basketball, tennis, or soccer. There are also corporate owned gyms in Tyson’s Corner and McLean and even more on the way as McLean continues to grow.
Where do people live in McLean VA?
McLean consists mostly of single family houses, and upscale ones at that. There are some condos, apartments, and townhouses also available. Parts of McLean were once farm land until the suburbs took off in the post-World War II time. McLean has a combination of older, split level houses as well as opulent million dollar estates. Some local celebrities, like Alex Ovechkin have bought extravagant houses here. The late Ted Kennedy also had a remarkable multimillion dollar home in McLean. If you are in the area you should take a drive through the neighborhood and look at the range of upscale, impressive homes. This quiet, suburban neighborhood known as McLean can get very pricey and is a great area for being just minutes away from DC.
Transportation options in McLean, VA
McLean is located within a short drive to major highways including the George Washington Parkway, The Capital Beltway, I-66, the Dulles Access Road, and Chain Bridge Road. The neighborhood is a great place to take a walk and enjoy the beautiful houses and trees but you will need a car to access most amenities.
McLean’s Boundaries
McLean is barely 10 miles outside of Washington DC and is bounded on one side by the George Washington Parkway and on the other by the town of Vienna. It has a size of roughly 20 square miles and is officially recognized as a CDP (Census Designated Place).
Entertainment and Restaurant options in McLean Virginia
McLean has some great local restaurants including McLean Family Restaurant, Evo Bistro, and Ichiban Sushi. There are also popular coffee shops like Greenberry’s, Java Works, and several Starbucks. One of the neighborhood favorites is the McLean Farmer’s Market which attracts vendors and pedestrians from all over. McLean is a very community oriented neighborhood and sponsors a celebration once a year known as McLean Day. MPA ArtFest is another popular community event and brings together artists and the local community. If you would like to stay local and check out a show then head over to the Alden Theatre in McLean for a variety of entertainment. You can also spend a night on the town in nearby DC or catch a movie down the street at Tyson’s AMC 16. Overall McLean has a lot of great dining and entertainment options.
Conclusion about McLean VA
Mclean has increasingly become a place for the elite of DC and Northern Virginia. The real estate in McLean is some of the priciest in Northern Virginia but residents enjoy the proximity to DC, while still living in a suburban environment. There are plentiful amenities including parks, recreation, dining, and McLean has always been known for its great school system. McLean, if you can afford it is a great place to live or hang out and the best thing about it is that it is so close to DC and Tyson’s Corner.