Union Station Management Office
Union Station is a fantastic train station in Washington. The architecture is lovely in this restored station. The Metro, MARC and Amtrak trains all come into this station. The shopping and restaurants are great. The food court has a HUGE variety. Definitely worth the visit, for the view alone!
Smithsonian Institution
The Smithsonian Institution has fantastic museums that the public can enjoy for FREE! This is your tax dollars at work. The best bets for those with families include the Natural History Museum and the National Zoo. My personal favorite is the Modern Art Museum. Their standing collections are wonderful and they get fantastic exhibits. A special Smithsonian treat is the annual Folk Life Festival, which happens each year in late June and early July. They focus on different cultures, each year.
Petco
Last week, I had to pop in to pick up a few items. The store was not busy and the staff person on duty walked me through my entire visit. She helped me find everthing I needed and gave me great advice for a problem I have been having with my dog. Of course, I went on a weekday afternoon, so it wasn't like it was the weekend rush. It was refreshing to receive such nice customer service.
Music & Arts
Music and Arts Centers, located in the plaza across from the Crossroads Center Plaza, is a small music store that offers great rental/purchase plans for musical instruments. We found the staff to be helpful and got just what we needed for our son. They also have a good selection of sheet music. I would use them again. If you need a teacher, you can call them and they will refer you to someone.
US Tae Kwon DO College Inc
My son recently attended a birthday party at the US Tae Kwon Do College, located at the corner of South Walter Reed Drive and Colmbia Pike in Arlington. He had a great time and RAVED about the mini lesson and professional demonstration in which he participated. He had a great time and also got offered a free lesson, after the party, as part of the party package. What a great idea!
Cameron Run Regional Park
The Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority in Alexandria has a very nice water park that includes a wave pool, water slides and a kiddie area. There is also a snack bar. The mini golf is not great...fun, but old. The place is very crowded on weekends. It is a good value for the price.
Soccer Kicks
Soccer Kicks is a great small business that can supply you with what you need to play soccer. It is geared towards kids, but you can also get adult items, too. The staff is helpful and friendly. The prices are just as good as those in the larger chains. You can also buy DC United soccer game tickets in this store. The owner is great!
Best Buy
I love going to this Best Buy to get the latest CD's. This store is close to Penragon City Mall in Arlington, so it is close to many things. I love going in to browse for things on my "list". I really look forward to getting and playing new music. I find I really have to know what I am looking for because the staff is not the most helpful. However, the store is decently organized, so I am able to find what I need.
Adams Square Cleaners
I have been using Adams Square Cleaners for laundering of my shirts and general dry cleaning. They have always provided me with good services. The staff is friendly. They are very conveniently located in the Adams Square Plaza along Columbia Pike in South Arlington. I consider them my neighborhood dry cleaners.
Merrifield Garden Ctr
The staff at the Merrifield Garden Center are very knowledgeable about plants. I have been in on numerous occasions with many questions about plants/gardening and they are always able to provide a reassuring answer. The quality of their plants is great. I have have great success with the plantings I have purchased from the. They have a wonderful selection of gardening accessories, as well.
