Reston Town Center is a buzzing, urban oasis just a 10-minute drive from Dweck Properties community ICON at Dulles. With a vibrant array of options including restaurants, boutiques, bookstores, breweries, a cinema, seasonal events, and 5K races, there is an abundance of activities and entertainment suitable for individuals of all ages.

The pavilion at Reston Town Center offers a welcoming outdoor haven for communal gatherings. The charming, shaded green area is presently adorned with plants and delightful butterfly decorations, yet it remains a central hub that transforms with the changing seasons. The large area has tables, chairs and open space making it the perfect spot for families and pets to sit and relax or run around. On Wednesdays from 5:00pm – 7:30pm (weather permitting) Healthy Hound Playground and Isy’s Ways host off-leash playtime sessions with treats, toys and dog friendly giveaways for local pups and owners to enjoy. In the winter the pavilion is transformed into an ice skating rink with ice skate rentals and hot cocoa stands.

For bibliophiles, Scrawl Books is a local, family-owned bookstore that began as a pop-up in 2015 near the Wiehle-Reston metro station. The pop-up was such a success that Scrawl Books bookstore officially opened at Reston Town Center in 2018. Leah and Mika are two book-lovers and employees of the bookstore committed to its flourishing and community. Mika began working at Scrawl Books in 2017 and was the first non-family member to join the team. “Something unique about working in a bookstore is the relationships you build. Since we are a smaller team, we have relationships with both the owner and customers,” said Mika. Leah is the manager of bookstore events and talked about the vibrant community that gathers for bi-weekly meetings and book readings with the authors. “The individuals who congregate here have formed a tight-knit community; in fact, they’ve developed close friendships and often engage in activities beyond bookstore events together,” said Leah.

If you’re interested in some hands-on fun, Paddywax Candle Bar is a Nashville based DIY candle-making boutique. With one of its locations in Reston Town Center, it is a fun spot for date nights, bachelorette parties, birthdays or other fun outings. “We host private events where you get the whole space to yourself with an instructor. You can bring your own food and BYOB,” said Zubaida, an Assistant Manager at Paddywax. The candle making workshop offers a truly immersive journey, guiding you through every step, from selecting your vessel to choosing from an array of curated fragrances such as Cashmere + French Orris, Bergamot + Tobacco, or Saffron Rose, and personally hand-pouring the luxurious soy-based wax. Paddywax candles are made of a clean-burning soy wax blended with the unique fragrances. The wicks are made with 100% cotton and all of the soy wax is sourced from farms in the United States. “The new fall scents launch at the end of September leading into our most popular time of year for our customers to purchase candles for the cozier months,” Zubaida said.

Make sure to check out Potomac River Running, a family-owned running shoe store based out of Virginia with one of its locations established in Reston Town Center. This location is a hub for the running community in the area spanning all ages. With running clubs, local high schools and annual races like the Firecracker 5K beginning just outside the store in Reston Town Center, this is a gathering place for many. Henry, the store’s Manager, talked about the ways the community makes his job special. “We serve a diverse group of people. The coolest part about the job is getting to know people on an individual basis and helping them meet their running goals and seeing people get excited about running,” said Henry. Another way Potomac River Running has become part of the local community is its support of local high schools. “We have a really close connection with the local high schools and love to give back to them as much as we can. For every one pair of footwear purchased by a local student athlete, $5 is given back to support their school,” said Henry. For ways to get plugged into the local running community, Reston Runners is a running group that frequently trains and participates in a variety of distance races making it a great way to meet other runners.

After a jog with Reston Runners, treat yourself to Open Road Distillery, a local distillery that blends their own rye and bourbon and distills gin made in house. The hand painted murals and casual, laid back atmosphere gives a welcoming feel to the place. It is a spacious venue and makes for a great place for sports fans to gather to watch games. Live music by different solo guitarists perform every Thursday, Friday and Saturday night. There are also event spaces available for hosting exclusive private gatherings. The Rickhouse is a room specifically dedicated to private parties and gatherings. Just outside the room is a sizable Game Room with a variety of arcade games. A Tasting Room is yet another space where you can learn about, sip and purchase Open Road Distillery’s gin and bourbon. Just when you think you have seen it all, two double doors in the back of the distillery lead to a completely different restaurant concept called Heirloom. A dimly lit speakeasy-inspired craft cocktail bar and restaurant offers a different menu and a subdued, conversational ambiance, making it a hidden gem.

You can get a taste of Europe right here in Reston with Barcelona Wine Bar, a rustic, Spanish and Mediterranean inspired restaurant specializing in wine and tapas. With nearly 400 wines featured on their wine list and shareable small bites, the Reston Town Center location makes for a great spot for locals to dine after work or on the weekend with colleagues, family and friends. A few notably delicious dishes from the current menu are the croquettes, whipped sheep’s cheese with truffle honey, crispy potatoes and homemade pita chips with roasted red pepper hummus. Each dish is a delicious fusion of flavors. Whether you visit Barcelona Wine Bar for brunch, lunch or dinner, there are a plethora of menu options to choose from making it a crowd favorite.

Out of the many different businesses, shops and restaurants located in Reston Town Center there are numerous activities for people of all ages and interests to enjoy. Whether you are looking for a cozy corner in a bookstore to read quietly, want to immerse yourself in an interactive candle-making class, challenge yourself to train for races with other athletes or are looking for a fun venue to watch the big game with friends, there is something for everyone. Check out this interactive map that shows the layout of Reston Town Center to learn more!