Arlington - Rosslyn-Clarendon-Ballston

The eclectic Arlington communities of Rosslyn, Clarendon, and Ballston offer a great variety of amenities and diverse housing options on the D.C. Metro network. They each feature bustling business districts packed with high-rises and plenty of bars and restaurants along with quiet residential neighborhoods with single-family homes in a range of styles. Rosslyn is a vibrant urban neighborhood with many office towers and some of the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Area’s tallest condominium buildings. Clarendon’s lively commercial districts offer some of the best shopping in the D.C. area. Clarendon has many stylish condominium complexes along with upscale neighborhoods featuring Cape Cod and Colonial-style homes. Ballston is an energetic neighborhood with one of the United States’ highest concentrations of scientific research agencies. Ballston is also home to the revamped Ballston Quarter shopping mall. Housing options here include a variety of contemporary condominium and townhouse developments.

These diverse Arlington communities are home to residents from many different age groups and backgrounds. In Ballston, 75% of the population is under 45. Clarendon and Rosslyn both attract similarly high levels of young urban professionals. These cosmopolitan neighborhoods are also home to many older residents and families who have lived in the area for generations. There’s a vast range of employment opportunities here, from companies based in Rosslyn’s office towers to Ballston’s research agencies, including the Air Force Office of Scientific Research, the Office of Naval Research, and the Virginia Tech Advanced Research Institute. These neighborhoods also offer convenient transportation links to D.C. and other communities throughout Arlington and Virginia.

Clarendon is packed with diverse shopping, dining, and entertainment options. The Liberty Tavern is a local favorite with a chef-driven menu of dishes made using fresh seasonal ingredients. Stop by at brunch for omelets and French-pressed coffee or enjoy an evening meal paired with an impressive selection of wine and beer. The Liberty Tavern bakes more than a dozen varieties of bread and rolls each day and also offers wood-fired pizzas and handmade pasta, sausages, and desserts. Pamplona is an innovative Spanish tapas restaurant where creative small plates and paella are served alongside a wide variety of sangria and cocktails. Clarendon is a great place to shop, offering unique boutiques and familiar brands such as Ann Taylor, Apple, Barnes & Noble, Bluemercury, lululemon Athletica, Pottery Barn, Sephora, and Williams Sonoma at the Market Common mall. Market Common also has a Whole Foods Market for organic grocery shopping. Immediately east of Clarendon, the Courthouse neighborhood offers many more shops and restaurants. Ireland’s Four Courts is a popular hangout for live music, big-screen sports, and quiz nights in a traditional Irish pub setting featuring two fireplaces. Ballston is also full of restaurants, retailers, and nightlife venues. Ballston Quarter was one of the first malls in the Washington, D.C. area. In 2019, it reopened after a massive renovation project, which took three years to complete. The stylish new Ballston Quarter features an enormous gourmet food hall, a multiscreen Regal movie theater, and a Macy’s department store. The mall is also home to the MedStar Capitals Iceplex, where you can watch the NHL’s Washington Capitals practice or get out on the ice during open skating sessions.

Quarterfest Ballston takes place on the street outside Ballston Quarter with live music and a street pub. During the Quarterfest, around 80 local restaurants offer free samples to attendees. Clarendon Day is another popular annual street festival. This lively celebration covers eight blocks with vendors selling art, handicrafts, food, beer, and wine. Clarendon Day kicks off with a 10K run alongside a 5K and a Kids’ Dash. There are diverse live performances throughout the day, including ballet demonstrations, belly dancers, rock bands, and DJs. The festival also has a Kids’ Zone. Public green space in the area includes Quincy Park at Virginia Square in Ballston. This four-acre park features baseball and softball fields, basketball and sand volleyball courts, six tennis courts, and a newly-renovated playground. Arlington National Cemetery and the U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial are located on the banks of the Potomac at the edge of the Rosslyn neighborhood. More than a million people visit the cemetery and memorial every year. The Marine Corps Memorial recreates the iconic raising of the American flag during the Battle of Iwo Jima during World War II.

Rosslyn, Clarendon, and Ballston are served by the Arlington County Public Schools District.