A Guide To Reston

Lake Fairfax Park in Reston
Lake Fairfax Park in Reston
Reston is a planned, self-contained community that intermingles green space, residential neighborhoods, and commercial development. Reston is located in the northwest of Fairfax County, Virginia, United States, within the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. Reston was built with the goal of revolutionizing post-World War II concepts of land use and residential/corporate development in American suburbia. The Reston Town Center at the center of Reston and is a mix of high-rise and low-rise commercial buildings. The Reston Town Center has shops, restaurants, offices, a cinema, and a hotel. Municipal, government-like services are provided by the nonprofit Reston Association, which is supported by a per-household fee for all residential properties in Reston.

Location

Reston, Virginia, in Fairfax County, is 18 miles W of Huntington, District of Columbia. The town is in the Washington area.

History of Reston

During the 18th century, the area now known as Reston was owned by Lord Fairfax. In the 1880s, C.A. Wiehle bought the land which was later sold to A. Smith Bowman. He constructed a bourbon distillery on the site, while the rest of the area was farmland. In 1961, Robert E. Simon bought most of this land, except for the area which held the distillery. This distillery was in operation until 1987. It was Simon who conceived of Reston as a planned community. It was founded on April 20, 1964, and named after Simon’s initials. It is currently an unincorporated census-designated place in the western Fairfax County of Virginia.

Tourist Attractions  In Reston And Nearby

There are several tourist attractions in Reston and nearby areas including Reston Regional Library, John Wesley Powell Federal Building, A Smith Bowman House, Lake Fairfax, Reston Golf Course, and Lake Fairfax County Park.

Things To Do In Reston

While in Reston, one can pay a visit to Reston Town Center, Reston Industrial Venture Park, Reston Visitor Center, A Smith Bowman House, and John Wesley Powell Federal Building. For those interested in the local history and culture, a visit to the U.S. Geological Survey Clarence King Library or Reston Regional Library may prove fruitful. Tthe town also has several beautiful lakes and creeks including Lake Fairfax, Lake Newport, Lake Thoreau, Stave Run, and Dog Run. The churches and cemeteries are also worth visiting. Lake Anne Plaza Shopping Center and Hunters Woods Village Center Shopping Center provide a host of entertainment facilities for visitors. In addition, every year there are many celebrations in the town such as the Northern Virginia Fine Arts Festival and the Reston Festival.

Transportation In Reston

Reston sits astride the Dulles Toll Road, 10 miles from Tysons Corner and the Capital Beltway to the east, and 6 miles (10 km) from Washington Dulles International Airport to the west. Four roads cross the community from north to south: Fairfax County Parkway on the western side, Reston Parkway through the center of town, Wiehle Avenue through the northeastern residential section, and Hunter Mill Road on the eastern border.

Education In Reston

As a part of Fairfax County, Reston is served by Fairfax County Public Schools and a number of private schools. Reston has one high school within its boundaries, South Lakes High School, which serves most of Reston. Adjacent to South Lakes High School is Reston's only middle school, Langston Hughes Middle School. Students who live in the far northern part of Reston attend Herndon High School. Residents of Reston can enroll at George Mason University, Northern Virginia Community College, Montgomery College, and Marymount University. Recently Sold at Reston
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Maryam

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Maryam N. is a Senior Writer at Nesbitt Realty. She is an expert on Fairfax County. Maryam has also worked previously as a geologist. She is a foodie and enjoys cooking and exploring new restaurants.