Lake Anne Plaza-Main Parking lot — Local services in Reston

I love to visit Lake Anne in Reston a national historic landmark to enjoy local restaurants and shops, fun common spaces, pretty lake views, and a historically unique Northern Virginia neighborhood. The eclectic mix of local businesses at Reston's Lake Anne makes it a nice destination for a family day trip or a couple's date night. Town founder and visionary Robert E. Simon (who put the RES in Reston) wanted to create a new kind of community. Simon was frustrated with traditional suburbs and long commutes. In Reston, he planned a town where people could live their whole lives. Residents would have access to a mix of homes, businesses, open spaces, and shared sports facilities grouped around village centers.

Despite its small size, there are a surprising number of fun things to do in Reston's first neighborhood. Explore the plaza's history, architecture, and art; dine at one of several restaurants and a nano-brewery, visit local shops, or just relax and play. From spring to fall the plaza hosts a popular Farmers Market and lots of special events and festivals.

Lake Anne Village Center was the original neighborhood in Reston, one of the first planned communities in the nation. Today, the Lake Anne Plaza is lined with shops, restaurants, and condos that open to water views. Sculptures and public spaces scattered around the plaza encourage kids to play and adults to relax.

A Little Lake Anne History Reston has a very unique history as one of the first and most successful planned communities in America. Lake Anne Village Center, the first neighborhood center of Reston, is where...

Lake Anne tries, very hard to carry off the "quaint seaside nook" and really doesn't succeed. The used book store tries too hard, and is actually a nearly unshoppable disorderly pile of books. They've gone for "atmosphere" rather than usefulness. The Coffee House/wine bar is not as pretentious. It swings toward the "thrown together from bits of things cuz we're supposed to have one" end of the spectrum. Although I was looking for coffee and prefer small independent shops, I was not at all interested in getting it there. On the bright side, they appear to have cool things for kids to climb on and a simple approach (stairs) to the water which must be nice in the warmer weather. The courtyard and area are nicely open and there's plenty of sun. Bottom line: go for the enjoyment of the open space, the water and the people watching. The shops are very unlikely to be...

Honestly, it felt like much ado about nothing. Don't get me wrong, it's a pleasant waterfront with some rather unremarkable shops and restaurants, which aren't numerous either. There are these small boutique stores and places to sip (probably) pricey beverages or dine expensively. It's fine for what it offers, but it's not overly exciting. The area is rather compact, and you can gaze at the water. There are these weird strong structures and buildings designed so long ago that they look sparse and somewhat futuristic. If you're into that and enjoy indulging in some potentially expensive drinks, then it might be right up your alley. For me, I thought it was an opportunity to explore something new, a unique place to visit once. Yet, personally, it doesn't stand as a spot I'd...