Crystal City was long dominated by bland, concrete '60s-era architecture and urban planning concepts that favored the car over the pedestrian. It was the quiet home of government agencies and military contractors for decades. A relic of these urban planning principles lives on in Crystal City in the form of underground retail and passageways where people can shop, eat, and move between buildings. In the early 2000s, the federal government agencies and contractors moved to nearby military bases, allowing for urban renewal and revitalization on a massive scale. Local government planning offices and private sector property owners worked together to make Crystal City walkable and attractive with public art, traffic calming measures, building renovations and new construction. The result is an urban enclave with excellent transportation options and desirable restaurant/retail/entertainment amenities home to residents, large corporations, and still some federal government agencies and contractors.

 

Crystal City has a huge amount of restaurant options, including Jose Andres' Jaleo (Spanish tapas), Portofino (family-owned, northern Italian cuisine), The Freshman (coffee, cocktails, and elevated lunch fare like Oysters, Steak Frites, Pan Roasted Ruby Red Trout), We The Pizza and Freddie's Beach Bar & Restaurant. Also available are national chains like Ruth's Chris, Morton's, and Ted's Montana Grill. Crystal City has ample retail (mostly non chains) and services like jewelers, clothing stores, doctor offices, national banks, dry cleaners, wine shops, FedEx Office, Bright Horizons and other child care centers. Additionally, a short walk or drive away you can find Costco, Target, and The Shops at Pentagon City - a full blown multilevel shopping mall with all the national retailers and a gorgeous atrium. For entertainment, Crystal City offers Synetic Theater (a cross between Blue Man Group and Cirque Du Soleil), Alamo Drafthouse, Bowlero bowling lanes and bar/restaurant, farmers markets, EarthTrek (indoor climbing center).

 

Crystal City was originally planned with the car in mind, and car access is still very convenient. But don't be fooled, Crystal City is served by the Crystal City Metro station (Blue/Yellow lines), and the Crystal City VRE (Virginal Railway Express) commuter train station. Multiple bus lines travel through Crystal City onto DC and points south. Washington Reagan National Airport (DCA) - yes that's a long airport name - is a stone's throw away. So close, that your sister who has a couple-hour layover at DCA can swing over and enjoy tapas with you for an hour or two.