
Reston Town Center
A European-style outdoor hub with shops, diverse dining, entertainment, and a lively town square.

Highlights
Must-see attractions

Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Fewer crowds, more relaxed vibe

Reston Town Center
Best Time
Fewer crowds, more relaxed vibe

Highlights
Must-see attractions
A European-style outdoor hub with shops, diverse dining, entertainment, and a lively town square.
"Clean, safe, walkable, with a metro stop and always something going on in the square."

🚶♀️ Walkable & Welcoming
RTC is designed for walking. Explore shops, restaurants, and parks easily on foot. Great for families!
⛸️ Seasonal Ice Rink Fun
Don't miss the outdoor ice skating rink, a popular spot for all ages during cooler months.

Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

The Pavilion
Central Plaza
A vibrant hub for seasonal events, live music, and community gatherings. Always something happening!

Ice Skating Rink
Central Plaza
Enjoy a classic outdoor ice skating experience, perfect for families and couples. A winter wonderland!

Diverse Dining Scene
Throughout the Town Center
From quick bites to upscale dining, RTC offers a culinary adventure for every palate. Explore new flavors!

Shopping Galore
Main Street and surrounding areas
Discover a curated selection of boutiques, national retailers, and specialty shops. Find unique treasures!
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Timing is Everything
Parking Perks
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🚶♀️ Walkable & Welcoming
RTC is designed for walking. Explore shops, restaurants, and parks easily on foot. Great for families!
⛸️ Seasonal Ice Rink Fun
Don't miss the outdoor ice skating rink, a popular spot for all ages during cooler months.
🅿️ Smart Parking Strategy
First hour free in garages, free after 5 PM weekdays & all day weekends. Use ParkRTC app!
🍽️ Culinary Delights
From quick coffee breaks to fine dining, RTC has a restaurant for every craving. Reservations recommended!
Tips
from all over the internet
🚶♀️ Walkable & Welcoming
RTC is designed for walking. Explore shops, restaurants, and parks easily on foot. Great for families!
⛸️ Seasonal Ice Rink Fun
Don't miss the outdoor ice skating rink, a popular spot for all ages during cooler months.
🅿️ Smart Parking Strategy
First hour free in garages, free after 5 PM weekdays & all day weekends. Use ParkRTC app!
🍽️ Culinary Delights
From quick coffee breaks to fine dining, RTC has a restaurant for every craving. Reservations recommended!
🎉 Event Calendar Check
Check the RTC website for events like Rocktoberfest or live music at the Pavilion.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors praise Reston Town Center for its clean, walkable, and vibrant atmosphere, highlighting its excellent mix of shopping, dining, and entertainment options. The convenience of the Metro and ample free parking are frequently mentioned positives, making it a popular spot for both residents and visitors looking for a lively urban experience.
"Reston Town Center, described as a European-style outdoor mall, is a fun place to visit with friends and family!
Shop: Find a range of retailers, including fashion boutiques, specialty stores like Apple and Sephora, and more.
Dine: Choose from a wide variety of restaurants, including fast-casual options like Chipotle, &pizza, and Starbucks, to restaurants like Makers Union (American), Jackson's Mighty Fine Food (American), PassionFish (Seafood), and more.
Entertainment: Enjoy seasonal ice skating, visit the Tephra Institute of Contemporary Art, or attend events at the Pavilion. You can also catch live music performances.
Free Parking: The first hour of garage parking is free. Parking is also free after 5 PM on weekdays and all day on weekends.
Paid Parking: After the first hour on weekdays, parking in the garages is charged based on duration.
Street Parking: Street parking is available but has different rates and is only free on Sundays and federal holidays.
ParkRTC app: You can use the ParkRTC app for convenient payment and to manage your parking sessions."
Arch S
"Great place to live. Has everything: shopping, dining, grocery, drinks, parks, entertainment, hospital, hair salons, etc. It’s clean, safe, walkable, has a metro stop, and is along the W&OD trail."
Jessica Herdina
"Beautiful and very accesible for families to enjoy. There are good stores but not too many however, it’s a great place to walk outside in a safe environment. Good places to eat specially for a quick coffee break."
Eileen Velez
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
Reston Town Center is easily accessible by car, with major routes like the Dulles Toll Road nearby. The Reston Town Center Metro station on the Silver Line also provides direct access, making it convenient for public transport users.
Yes, Reston Town Center is highly walkable, featuring wide sidewalks, pedestrian-friendly plazas, and a central layout that connects shops, restaurants, and entertainment venues.
Reston Town Center offers several parking garages. The first hour of parking is free on weekdays, and parking is free after 5 PM on weekdays and all day on weekends. Street parking is also available with varying rates.
Absolutely! The Reston Town Center Metro station is a key transit hub, served by the Silver Line. This makes it very convenient to reach RTC from various parts of the DC metropolitan area.
While there isn't a dedicated shuttle service within the town center itself, its compact and walkable design means most attractions are easily reachable on foot.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
No, Reston Town Center is an open public space, and there are no tickets required for general entry. You only need tickets for specific ticketed events held at the Pavilion or other venues.
Reston Town Center itself is always accessible, but individual shops and restaurants have their own operating hours, typically from morning to late evening. The Pavilion and ice rink have specific seasonal hours.
The public spaces, parks, and plazas within Reston Town Center are free to access. Enjoy the open areas and fountains without any admission fees.
You can find a comprehensive calendar of events on the official Reston Town Center website or their social media pages. They frequently post updates about concerts, festivals, and seasonal activities.
Yes, there is a fee for ice skating at the Reston Town Center rink, which typically includes skate rental. Check their official schedule for pricing and operating times.
🍽️ 🛍️ Shopping & Dining
Reston Town Center offers a diverse range of shops, from popular national retailers like Apple and Sephora to unique boutiques and specialty stores. You can find fashion, electronics, home goods, and more.
RTC boasts a wide array of dining options. Popular choices include Makers Union (American), Jackson's Mighty Fine Food (American), PassionFish (Seafood), and new additions like Corsica Wine Bar. Fast-casual spots like Starbucks and &pizza are also available.
Yes, Reston Town Center has grocery options available, making it convenient for residents and visitors to pick up essentials or ingredients.
For a coffee break, you can visit popular chains like Starbucks or explore local cafes and bakeries such as Tatte Bakery, which offers delicious pastries and specialty drinks.
Yes, Reston Town Center features Italian dining options, catering to those craving pasta and other Italian specialties.
📸 📸 Photography & Vibe
Reston Town Center has a vibrant, European-style outdoor mall atmosphere. It's known for being clean, safe, and very walkable, with a lively town square and a mix of modern architecture and green spaces.
Absolutely! The town center offers numerous picturesque spots, including the central plaza with its fountains, the ice rink (seasonal), and the modern architecture. The Pavilion area is also great for capturing event photos.
Its blend of urban design with open spaces, seasonal decorations, and lively events provides a dynamic backdrop. The architecture and the central gathering areas are particularly photogenic.
Drone usage is generally restricted in public spaces and commercial areas like Reston Town Center due to privacy and safety regulations. It's best to check local ordinances or contact RTC management before flying a drone.
Golden hour, just after sunrise or before sunset, offers beautiful lighting for photography. Evenings can be magical with the town center lit up, especially during events.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
💰 Budget Travelers
couples
🚶♀️ Day-Trippers
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
The Heart of the Community: Events and Entertainment
Beyond the Pavilion and ice rink, RTC offers other entertainment options. The Tephra Institute of Contemporary Art provides a dose of culture for art enthusiasts. The walkable nature of the town center also encourages spontaneous exploration, with street performers and a general buzz of activity, especially on weekends. The town center's design fosters a sense of community, with ample public spaces for people to gather, relax, and enjoy the surroundings.
For those interested in the arts, the upcoming phases of Reston Town Center include plans for a dedicated site for a performing arts venue, further solidifying its role as a cultural hub in Northern Virginia. This expansion signals a commitment to enriching the community's entertainment offerings and providing even more opportunities for residents and visitors to engage with arts and culture.
A Culinary Journey: Dining at RTC
Newer additions like Corsica Wine Bar have quickly become favorites, offering a warm atmosphere and delicious small plates, a testament to the quality of dining experiences available. The town center also caters to specific tastes, with options for Italian cuisine and dedicated poke bowls. The presence of Tatte Bakery adds another layer of appeal, serving up delightful pastries, specialty drinks, and savory items, making it a perfect spot for a morning coffee or an afternoon treat.
With such a wide variety of restaurants, it's often hard to choose. Many visitors recommend making reservations, especially for popular spots on weekend evenings, to ensure a table. The concentration of high-quality restaurants makes RTC a destination for foodies looking to explore new flavors and enjoy a vibrant dining scene.
Living and Working in the Hub
For residents, RTC offers unparalleled convenience with everything they need just steps away, including shopping, dining, grocery stores, parks, and entertainment. Its proximity to the Reston Town Center Metro station on the Silver Line further enhances its appeal, providing easy access to the wider Washington D.C. metropolitan area. The town center is also situated along the popular W&OD Trail, offering residents and visitors a fantastic amenity for biking, jogging, and enjoying the outdoors.
The ongoing development in the area, such as the expansion east of the current complex, includes new office towers and residential buildings, signaling continued growth and investment. This expansion aims to further enhance the live-work-play environment, incorporating more retail and a performing arts venue, solidifying RTC's position as a premier destination in Northern Virginia.


Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit