Vienna and McLean Neighborhood Guide: Take a break from the mall with a spin around the ice rink at Tysons Corner Center, open through March 6. Photograph by Rassi Borneo.

About Vienna and McLean

With desirable schools and warm communities, Vienna and McLean are two of Washington’s most popular places for families. That means there are plenty of family-friendly things to do around the area, including ice skating at Tysons Corner Center’s outdoor ice rink and spending the day outdoors at Clemyjontri Park, a colorful two-acre playground.

McLean is also home to two of Washington’s biggest shopping destinations: Tysons Corner Center and Tysons Galleria, which is known for its luxury shops. Vienna is filled with boutique shops, gourmet food stores, and highly rated restaurants all of which are the perfect place to begin and end a day spent in these neighboring Northern Virginia towns.

Things to Do in Vienna and McLean

The American Girl store in Tysons has a doll hair salon and private party rooms. Photograph courtesy of American Girl.

American Girl doll store (Tysons Corner Center; 877-247-5223). Maybe Julie needs a new hairstyle or ear piercing. Book a spa session at this wonderland of all things American Doll. After pampering, dolls and their humans can shop for furnishings, clothes, and accessories or head to the cafe to nibble on mac-and-cheese bites and mini burgers or decorate cupcakes.

Barstons Child’s Play (1382 Chain Bridge Rd., McLean; 703-448-3444). If it’s an indoors kind of day, check out Barstons. At this location of the local mini-chain, shelves are packed with toys, games, and crafts from lesser-known brands such as Yookidoo, which is harder to find at big-box stores, as well as popular makes including Lego. You’ll also find a large selection of Breyer horse toys, thanks to McLean’s abundance of horse enthusiasts.

Claude Moore Colonial Farm (6310 Georgetown Pike, McLean; 703-442-7557). A few minutes down Georgetown Pike is the Claude Moore Colonial Farm, where costumed performers do real farm work and are ready to answer questions and give hands-on demonstrations. Visitors can learn 18th-century games and such activities as candle-making. The farm is open Wednesday through Sunday until December 13, when the staff marks the end of the season with a traditional “English harvest” celebration featuring singing, dancing, hot cider, and stories by the fire. Admission is $3 for adults, $2 for ages 3 to 12 (under age 3 free).

Clemyjontri Park (6317 Georgetown Pike, McLean; 703-388-2807). If the weather allows for outdoor time, you won’t find a better place to spend it than this colorful two-acre playground. It has a maze, swings, jungle gyms, and a footrace track, and the whole place is wheelchair-accessible.

Freeman Store and Museum (131 Church St., NE, Vienna; 703-938-5187). Learn local history while picking up small gifts at this shop/museum, a Civil War building dating to 1859. The upstairs museum has rotating exhibits; downstairs is a shop stocked with knickknacks, kids’ books, toys, and candy. Some products are made by Vienna artisans. On December 6 and 13, even Santa makes a visit.

Jammin Java (227 Maple Ave. E.; 703-255-1566). Best known as an evening hangout, the cafe opens in the morning on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday as well as some Sundays for a children’s concert series. From 10:30 to 11:15, gather in front of the stage for family-friendly acts such as the Great Zucchini, a popular magician, and the musical trio Rocknoceros. Lunch specials are served for kids during shows, and parents can order from the regular menu. General admission is $5 to $10.