1. Marriott Residence Inn
City: Herndon, VA
Category: Accommodations
Telephone: (703) 435-0044
Address: 315 Elden Street
Description: Short- and long-term stays are made easy at this all-suite Marriott property about 5 miles east of Dulles Airport in the town of Herndon. One- and two-bedroom suites come with fireplaces. Pets are permitted. The Marriott has a pool and fitness area and also offers free parking, daily hot buffet breakfast, complimentary grocery shopping service, and weekday happy hours. It’s near AOL and numerous other high-tech companies.
2. Marriott Suites/Washington Dulles
City: Herndon, VA
Category: Accommodations
Telephone: (703) 709-0400
Address: 13101 Worldgate Drive
Description: Marriott Suites/Washington Dulles is, as the name suggests, close to the airport but also within a few minutes’ drive of the surrounding technology corridor. Besides all the perks you’d expect from this national chain, the hotel is adjacent to Worldgate Athletic Club, one of the nation’s largest, and close to Dulles Town Center, with numerous shopping and dining options.
3. Nysmith School For The Gifted
City: Herndon, VA
Category: Education
Telephone: (703) 713-3332
Address: 13625 EDS Drive
Description: As the name implies, accelerated academics are the rule here. Nysmith’s more than 600 students, preschool to eighth grade, receive daily instruction in such subjects as computers, French, hands-on science, and individualized math. Student/teacher ratios range from 7 to 1 for preschoolers to 10 to 1 for grade-school children. Students frequently go on field trips around the Washington area and to such places as Colonial Williamsburg and the United Nations. Extended-day and summer programs are available, as is van transportation. The school is in the northwest Fairfax County community of Herndon, convenient to the Dulles Toll Road and Washington Dulles International Airport.
4. Rcn
City: Herndon, VA
Category: Media
Address: 196 Van Buren Street, Suite 300
Description: Formerly known as Starpower, this smaller player in the cable market has made a run at Comcast by offering premium cable at a lower cost. Like its competitors, RCN offers greater discounts when cable, Internet, and phone services are bundled together.
5. Herndon Parks And Recreation
City: Herndon, VA
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (703) 435-6868
Address: 814 Ferndale Avenue
Description: Headquartered at the Herndon Community Center, this department offers extensive aquatics classes, nature walks at Runnymede Park, a children’s performance series, and numerous special interest and fitness activities. A “bubble” tops the center’s tennis courts from the end of October through March.
6. Amphora’S Diner Deluxe
City: Herndon, VA
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (703) 925-0900
Address: 1151 Elden Street
Description: If you’ve got a late-night craving, you’ll probably find just the right dish at one of these popular diners, open 24 hours and usually bustling no matter what time of day. The menus feature a huge selection of treats, from a la carte and breakfast items to filling Greek specialties. We love the mouthwatering moussaka, but if we’re in need of comfort food, we can’t resist the open-faced roast beef or turkey sandwiches, served with mashed potatoes and gravy. Many folks visit for the desserts alone, particularly the decadent layer cakes, pies, and pastries, baked at the neighboring Amphora Bakery at 403 Maple Avenue West, Vienna, (703) 281-5631, or in the Herndon restaurant.The Herndon location boasts an added bonus: It looks like an eatery right out of a movie. It’s probably the most gorgeous diner you’ll ever see. Sleek neon lights accent the facade, while inside, smooth, dark wood gives the place a surprising air of elegance.The Amphora chain also includes several fast-food Knossos and Village Chicken restaurants, specializing in great-tasting, budget-priced Greek food and rotisserie chicken dinners. Locations are sprinkled throughout Northern Virginia.
7. Tortilla Factory
City: Herndon, VA
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (703) 471-1156
Address: 648 Elden Street
Description: Other parts of the region will hopefully have a Tortilla Factory to call their own some day, but until then, it’s worth a trip to this town near Dulles Airport. Tacos, fajitas, enchiladas, burritos, nachos, salsa—the Tortilla Factory prepares them all in the zesty Sonoran tradition—and the results are memorable. Plus, you get a ton for the money in this casual, friendly setting. The restaurant serves lunch and dinner daily and also hosts live folk music—sometimes by renowned acts—on Tuesday.
8. Herndon Parks And Recreation
City: Herndon, VA
Category: Retirement
Telephone: (703) 435-6868
Address: 814 Ferndale Avenue
Description: Senior programming highlights include art classes, movies, and fitness programs such as indoor walking in the gym, with mileage rewards for those seniors who pile up the most distance.
9. Kidwell Farm At Frying Pan Park
City: Herndon, VA
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (703) 437-9101
Address: 2709 West Ox Road
Description: Children love visiting this small, working model of a 1930s family farm, which features a barnyard full of pigs, goats, dairy cows, sheep, draft horses, chickens, and peacocks, and many baby animals in the spring. It’s also home to the official Presidential Turkey, which arrives after its traditional Thanksgiving pardon. Special programs include hayrides, blacksmithing demonstrations, and occasional “Putting the Animals to Bed” story times for children. Events are free or require a nominal charge. Call for a schedule. Daily farm hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission is free.