Hotel at a Glance: Westin Tysons Corner

Located a few miles from Washington, DC, the Westin Tysons Corner offers a quiet respite from city life. Every week, the hotel holds a social event where you can enjoy complimentary beverages and appetizers and mingle with other guests. The hotel’s three dining establishments are helmed by award-winning executive chef Gary Strehl, who’s been featured on NBC and the Food Network. Enjoy fresh Japanese cuisine at Sushi Nami or sip cocktails at BlueFire Lounge.

• TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence in 2014
• Caffeine fix: Get a coffee at the Starbucks kiosk in the lobby.
• Go shopping at Tysons Corner Center, which features an AMC Theater, a National Geographic kids’ play area, and several restaurants, as well as shops such as Sephora and Madewell.
• Kick back in your spacious guest room, where perks include hypoallergenic pillows and complimentary daily newspapers.
• Distance from Washington, DC: 10 miles

Falls Church, Virginia: Historic Small Town near Prominent Washington, DC Sites

With a history that stretches back to colonial America, the picturesque town of Falls Church shares a rich history with our nation’s capital. Its tree-lined streets and quaint shops are about 5 miles from Arlington, which is home to quite a few historic attractions. One of these is the Pentagon, the headquarters of the Department of Defense, which you can tour by appointment. Along the Potomac lies Arlington National Cemetery, which has an eternal flame flickering at John F. Kennedy’s gravesite. You can also watch as soldiers switch shifts during the Changing of the Guard ceremony at the cemetery’s Tomb of the Unknowns, a monument for the unidentified remains of US servicemen and servicewomen.

Also a short drive away is Washington, DC, where the National Mall is a must-see for first-time visitors. The mall stretches 2.5 miles east from the Lincoln Memorial, past the soaring Washington Monument, to the Capitol Building on the other end. Across the Tidal Basin, stop in to see the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial, which features a series of waterfalls, sculptures, and inspiring quotes from the 32nd president. To avoid crowds, tour the monuments after dusk when they’re lit up.

Another pillar of DC is the Smithsonian Institution, which encompasses 19 museums in total. The Smithsonian’s best-known museums are located along the National Mall, including the National Museum of Natural History and the National Air and Space Museum. The latter is home to missiles, rockets, and the Spirit of St. Louis, the plane Charles Lindbergh famously flew across the Atlantic to defeat the Soviets at Gettysburg.

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