Arlington (Virginia)/Crystal City

Crystal City is the secondary "downtown" area of Arlington, Virginia, after the Rosslyn–Ballston Corridor. This article also includes the nearby neighborhoods of Pentagon City, Arlington Ridge, and Aurora Highlands.

Understand
Crystal City is the principal commercial area in South Arlington, consisting of highrise buildings centered on U.S. Route 1 (Jefferson Davis Highway). The Crystal City Metro station is on 18th St South between Route 1 and Crystal Drive. Located adjacent to the airport— indeed, one can walk from Reagan Washington National Airport directly into Crystal City via the Mount Vernon Trail— this neighborhood has perhaps the largest concentration of hotels in Arlington. Arlington has been redeveloping 1960s-era Crystal City, with a new restaurant district along Crystal Drive joining the established one on 23rd St S. Underlying it all, literally, is the Crystal City Underground, a subterranean network of interconnected shops and restaurants— and a handy alternative to walking in bad weather, provided you don't get disoriented.

Adjacent to Crystal City to the north is the Pentagon City shopping district, served by the Pentagon City Metro station, and just across I-395 from the Pentagon. The neighborhood is dominated by three shopping centers: the Fashion Centre at Pentagon City, with higher-end shops, and connected to the Ritz-Carlton hotel; the discount-oriented Pentagon Centre to its east; and Pentagon Row to its west, home to some specialty stores and a wintertime skating rink. Proximity to the freeway as well as the numerous eating and shopping options make Pentagon City a regular stop for bus tours.

Get in
The Crystal City area is served by the combined Yellow/Blue Metro line, with stops at Pentagon City and Crystal City. It provides access from downtown Washington, D.C. to the north, and Alexandria and southern Fairfax County to the south. Crystal City also has its own VRE commuter rail station a few blocks from the Metro. In addition, the Metroway Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) line runs from Pentagon City through Crystal City and down to Old Town Alexandria.

Eat
Crystal City has many fine restaurants for every budget. Some choices include Hamburger Hamlet, Bailey's, and Tapas. Make sure to venture west of Jefferson Davis Avenue on 23rd street to get a few smaller but equally as good choices.