14 Things to Do in McLean, Virginia This Summer

Mclean, Virginia, known for its proximity to the nation's capital and home to CIA headquarters, is part of the Washington metropolitan area in Fairfax County. The community was named after John Roll McLean, former publisher and owner of The Washington Post, and is one of Virginia's safest and most charming communities with an easy commute to Washington, D.C. Although it's one of the priciest ZIP codes in the state, McLean has some of the nation's best schools, parks, and luxury residences.

If you're considering making this community your home, here are 14 things to do in Mclean, Virginia, this summer.

Things to Do in McLean, VA for Date Night

Entyse, Wine Bar & Lounge

ENTYSE, Wine Bar & Lounge at The Ritz-Carlton, Tysons Corner, is an upscale lounge with various dining options, including small plates, wine, and cocktails. If you prefer a morning or brunch date, you can sit down for an afternoon tea experience, order a coffee or espresso, and enjoy a sit-down or to-go breakfast. Stay for jazz on Fridays and live music on Saturdays.

Alden Theatre

Grab some tickets to award-winning plays, concerts, dances, lectures, and other events at Alden Theatre in the McLean Community Center. The 383-seat Robert Ames Alden Theatre was built in 1975 and hosts national and international touring acts. For ticket information, visit The Alden Theatre website and make sure to book ahead for the best seats!

The Ritz-Carlton Spa

The Ritz-Carlton at Tysons Corner in Mclean, Virginia, has a day spa inspired by nature. Avocado, brown sugar, fresh berries, seaweed, and cherry bonsai seeds are just a few ingredients found in treatments. Relax and reset with a loved one and treat yourselves to a seasonal spa treatment paired with skincare technology. Afterward, take a quick dip in the indoor pool and relax in the sauna or steam room.

Things to Do in McLean, VA for Families

McLean Central Park

Mclean Central Park is a family and pet-friendly wooded recreational area. Go for a job through the area's paved paths, play a game at one of the tennis or basketball courts, or let the kids run around on the park's playground. There's a nice grassy area in front of a gazebo where you can play catch with the dog or picnic with the family. Bring chairs and blankets and enjoy live music every Sunday in June and July. There's something for everyone to enjoy!

Shipgarten Festivals and Events

Shipgarten at Scott's Run provides visitors with a roaming outdoor lifestyle experience. You can find a Biergarten area, lawn games, live music, a family-friendly kid's corner, a fenced-in dog park, and an entertainment venue. This venue also hosts kids and family events over the summer, including petting zoos, lu-au parties, a labor day festival, and much more! You can find out more about planned events here.

Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts

Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts sits on 117 acres of national park land in Fairfax County. The center is dedicated to the performing arts and hosts a variety of entertainment every year, from comedians to pop singers. There are three performance venues -- an amphitheater, a small performance space, and a Theatre-in-the-Woods rustic venue for children -- plus walking trails and picnic areas.

Things to Do in McLean, VA for Foodies

Shipgarten

The Shipgarten has four food and drink concepts, from an authentic German Biergarten to a Japanese sushi restaurant, Persian dishes, waffles, and tacos. Each restaurant operates out of its own shipping containers, and there's a kid and pet-friendly area right next door. Order food at the self-serve kiosks located at each container restaurant or open up a tab at any container bar.

The Capital Grille

If you prefer fine dining, The Capital Grille at Tysons Corner is famous for its prepared steaks, which are dry-aged in-house and then hand-cut by the restaurant's butcher. More than 350 selections are on The Capital Grille's wine list, and its floor-to-ceiling wine kiosk has 3,500 to 5,000 bottles. Reservations are recommended as tables fill up fast, but it's not required.

McLean Farmers Market

Visit the open-air McLean Farmers Market in downtown McLean at Lewinsville Park every Friday morning between May and November. Find local honey, freshly grown produce, and home-baked goods. Some vendors even offer online ordering!

Things to Do in McLean, VA for Shoppers

Tysons Corner Center

Tysons Corner Center is the spot for shopping and window shopping in the McLean area, with hundreds of upscale stores, restaurants, and a cinema. Directly across Chain Bridge Road, you'll find Tysons Galleria, a multi-tier mall with high-end boutiques, department stores, and dining options. Indoor shopping is perfect for a rainy day, but there's also an outdoor plaza that hosts events throughout the year, surrounded by several eateries with cafe seating.

Mosaic District

A little further away, the Mosaic District in Merrifield offers an upscale shopping and dining experience with a weekly farmers market during the warmer months and an art house theater. Although it's primarily a shopping center, the Mosaic District has community spaces and a two-acre lawn where you can enjoy a summertime picnic. On Sundays, the FRESHFARM Mosaic Sunday Market takes over with vendors selling fresh fruits, veggies, baked goods, drinks, and more!

Things to Do in McLean, VA for Nature Lovers

Great Falls Park

Explore history and nature at Great Falls Park in Northern Virginia. The 800-acre National Park is located along the banks of the Potomac River and boasts captivating waterfalls, hiking trails, biking, and horseback riding. Great Falls Park is one of the area's greatest attractions, where you'll get an opportunity to catch a glimpse of local wildlife, and it's only a stone's throw away from George Washington Memorial Parkway.

Scott's Run Nature Preserve

Scott's Run Nature Preserve is a popular spot for hikers, joggers, and dog walkers along the Potomac River Gorge. According to the Fairfax County Park Authority, Scott's Run is one of the rarest biological ecosystems in the mid-Atlantic. The trail includes rocky cliffs, a beautiful waterfall, and part of the Potomac Heritage Trail close to Washington, D.C.

Turkey Run State Park

Turkey Run Park in McLean is open year-round and contains over 700 acres of forested land. You can also find shaded picnic areas and miles of hiking trails along the river. Sections of the trail are rocky, so make sure to bring your hiking boots.