Quantico is part of the Washington area. This page covers the whole metro.
Photos and reviews come from Google Maps and show single places, not the whole area. Reviews are the most relevant ones Google returns for each place. We show the longest highly rated review under 400 characters and, when there is one, the longest low-rated review. Google doesn't verify reviews but removes fake ones when it finds them.
Around Washington
What Washington is known for
Every year
AugDC JazzFest: international jazz festival with performances at The Wharfusatourist.com
SepNational Book Festival: free celebration of books hosted by Library of Congresswashington.org
Filmfest DC: international film festival showcasing world storytellingusatourist.com
Busiest time
Spring: cherry blossom festival draws large crowds of visitorsidc.edu
On a normal week
Walking around the Tidal Basinusatourist.com
Visiting the National Mallen.wikipedia.org
Walking or biking in Rock Creek Parken.wikipedia.org
Swing's in Alexandria was named a favorite for coffee beans, alongside Four Mile Espresso and Via Volcan roasters.
“Swing's in Alexandria has been my favorite for beans.”
“In general the Arlington Loop (which consists of the Custis Trail, Mt Vernon Trail…”
The Continental in Rosslyn is recommended for bar games, pool and a good happy hour spot.
“It is a large bar that has bar games, pool, pop-a-shot, and other activities.”
From 6 resident comments about meeting people and the social scene.
One resident said that turning 30 left them as the only single person while all their friends got married, making weekends lonely.
“Turning 30 recently, I've realized that all my friends are married, leaving me as the lone single guy in the group. Weekends feel lonely, especially with...”
Read the full commentOne resident tried many different methods like walk clubs, bumble bff, Volo, Facebook groups, and run club but none of it helped.
“I basically threw everything on the wall and saw what stuck: city girls walk club, bumble bff, Volo, Facebook groups, run club. It didn't help...”
Read the full commentNo resident has talked about dating here yet.
Clarendon is described as the nightlife hub with bars on top of bars, while Shirlington offers a more relaxed vibe.
“Clarendon is the place you want, bars on top of bars. If you're looking for a more relaxed vibe? Shirlington. U street, Dupont Circle in DC are...”
Read the full commentThe Continental in Rosslyn is recommended for bar games, pool and a good happy hour spot.
“In Rosslyn, check out The Continental. It is a large bar that has bar games, pool, pop-a-shot, and other activities. Good happy hour spot. Some...”
Read the full commentWhino in Ballston is called a regular spot with good happy hour, cocktails and a limited craft beer selection.
“I like whino in Ballston. Food is great, good happy hour and cocktails. They do have craft beer but it's a limited selection.”
Read the full commentCrystal City has a couple of decent bars and restaurants along with a notable hookah lounge, and Old Town has a good bar scene.
“Crystal City has a couple decent bars, restaurants, and an amazing hookah lounge! Old Town Alexandria has a good bar scene IMO, and a lot to...”
Read the full commentRecent stories from local outlets. Tap a headline to read it.
About 19,078 business locations in the Washington area, employing about 365,086 people. That's about the usual U.S. share.
U.S. Census County Business Patterns, 2023. Counts business locations with paid employees, not job openings.
Amazon has concentrated its growth in Arlington, while Microsoft and Google have a presence in the surrounding suburbs.
“Amazon has their entire growth outside in Arlington. Microsoft and Google in the suburbs. lobbying, nonprofits, advocacy organizations, law...”
Read the full commentPick a month. A dot means residents talked about that time of year.
Fall brings mild sunny days into mid October before temperatures drop and the first cold days and occasional snow arrive in November.
Alexandria offers tons of restaurants, bars, coffee shops and workout studios, though true late-night clubbing is limited.
“Alexandria has tons of great restaurants, bars, coffee shops, workout studios etc. maybe less on the true night life like clubbing/ 2 AM...”
Read the full comment“In general the Arlington Loop (which consists of the Custis Trail, Mt Vernon Trail…”
One hiker named Rock Creek, Patapsco Valley State Park, Sugarloaf Mountain, Great Falls and Catoctin Mountain Park as favorites.
“Rock Creek, patapsco valley state park, sugar loaf mountain, great falls, catoctin mountain park, and raven rocks are my favorite. AllTrails is...”
Read the full comment“The Western Ridge Trail is one of the better trails in the park…”
“bars on top of bars”
What's nearby
Within 5 miles of the center of the Washington area.
Counts from OpenStreetMap, a volunteer map, so small or new places can be missing. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Biking and trails
Within 5 miles of the center of the Washington area.
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors. Counts depend on how well local volunteers have mapped the area, so treat them as a rough guide.
What rent costs
Of about 833,886 rented homes in the Washington area, 51% rent for under $2,000 a month and 87% for under $3,000.
Census American Community Survey 2019 to 2023 (table B25063). Gross rent includes utilities the renter pays. Today's asking rents for open apartments usually run higher.
What moving costs
Average cost: $1,946
From a 2025 survey of 1,000 people who hired movers. This Old House. Your quote depends on your stuff, stairs and the time of year.
The middle rented home in the Washington area rents for $1,500 to $1,999 a month. First month plus a one-month deposit comes to about $3,000 to $3,998 before you get the keys.
Estimate from Census rent data (2019 to 2023, rent plus tenant-paid utilities). Deposits and fees vary by landlord and state law.
Your first weeks in District of Columbia
- Forward your mail: USPS change of address. It costs about $1 online to confirm who you are.
- Switch your driver's license and car registration. Each state sets its own deadline, often somewhere between 10 days and a few months after you move. Find the District of Columbia DMV.
- Register to vote at your new address: District of Columbia voter registration.
- Set up power, gas, water and trash. Some cities bill water and trash together, and some ask new customers for a deposit.
- Update your address with your bank, employer, insurance and the IRS (Form 8822 if you're not filing soon).
- Find a doctor and dentist early. New-patient waits can be weeks, even in big cities.
Childcare and colleges
District of Columbia keeps an official list of licensed childcare, with inspection reports and openings in many states. In a lot of towns, infant spots fill up months ahead, so it helps to get on waitlists before you move.
Search licensed childcare in District of Columbia →11 colleges in the county and the wider metro around Washington. Prices are yearly tuition and fees for full-time undergrads, before financial aid.
Moving for school? Public colleges charge state residents much less. Most states want you to have lived there about 12 months, for reasons other than school, before you count as a resident for tuition. The rules differ by state, so check with the college's registrar.
IPEDS 2023-24, National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS). Degree-granting public and nonprofit schools with 100+ students. Varro doesn't rank colleges.