<b>Stroll Through Meadowlark Gardens </b>
Meadowlark Gardens Regional Park
9750 Meadowlark Gardens Court, Vienna
703-255-3631
Meadowlark Gardens Regional Park features open-water ponds, gardens, hiking trails and picnic areas. With its eye-catching landscape, weddings can be booked at this park. Visit www.nvrpa.org/parks/meadowlark.
<b>Play Sports at Nottoway Park </b>
9601 Courthouse Road, S.W., Vienna
Nottoway Park features tennis, basketball and volleyball courts, along with picnic areas and fitness trails. A family could easily spend the whole day here. In September, make sure to mark the calendar for the Carnival at Nottoway Park, an event sponsored by the Vienna-Tysons Chamber of Commerce. Visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov.
<b>Italian Dinner and Music </b>
Da Domenico Ristorante Italiano
1992 Chain Bridge Road, McLean
703-790-9000
Da Domenico is one of those wholesome restaurants that's been dishing out Italian cuisine to the McLean community for years. This Italian restaurant features an extremely friendly staff, live entertainment and "the best veal chop in town." As an added bonus, the owner sings opera music nightly. Visit www.da-domenico.com.
<b>Get Some Middle Eastern Flavor</b>
Kazan Restaurant
6813 Redmond Drive, McLean
703-734-1960
Since 1980, Kazan Restaurant has been serving the Washington area’s famous and powerful, as well as neighbors looking for something exotic. The restaurant is especially renowned for its famous doner kebab, served at lunch and dinner Wednesdays and Fridays and on Saturday evenings. This is a kebab of marinated lamb and veal served with yogurt sauce, over chunks of sautéed pita bread. The restaurant offers a wide menu, to include duck and swordfish, and also offers catering. Visit www.kazanrestaurant.com.
<b>Have a Taste of the Irish </b>
The Old Brogue
760-C Walker Road, Great Falls
703-759-3309
Opened in 1981 on St. Patrick's Day, The Old Brogue Irish Pub offers a variety of music. Open mic night is on the first and third Thursdays of every month, concerts are held regularly. In addition to traditional American fare, the pub doesn't shy away from its heritage, as the menu has an entire section dedicated to "Irish Specialties." Some dishes included are the Dublin strip, a black angus steak with Irish whiskey sauce, Guinness beef pie and Irish bangers. Visit www.oldbrogue.com.
<b>Pick Up Local Produce </b>
Great Falls Farmers Market
Great Falls Village Centre
Intersection of Walker Road and Georgetown Pike
As of last year, Great Falls has its own farmers market, offering locally grown produce and other homemade foodstuffs. The farmers market is open every Saturday, from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m., March through November, in the Village Centre parking lot.
<b>Wolf Down a Chili Dog or Three </b>
The Vienna Inn
120 Maple Ave. E., Vienna
703-938-9548
Known for its top-notch chili dogs, the Vienna Inn also serves typical American cuisine, which includes hamburgers, mozzarella sticks, chicken wings, etc. The restaurant offers something others don't — kegs of beer. The inn provides kegs for all occasions, as clients can rent out kegs of Coors, Dominion, Anheuser Busch, Latrobe, Miller, Red Hook and several others. Prices start at $50. The Vienna Inn's old-fashioned wooden booths and tavern-like atmosphere make it a must for locals and visitors alike. The store also has memorabilia including Vienna Inn T-shirts, windbreakers and baseball caps. E-mail webmaster@viennainn.com. Visit www.viennainn.com.
<b>Try Your Custard Frozen </b>
Nielsen's Frozen Custard
144 Church St., Vienna
703-255-5553
Nielsen's Frozen Custard is famous for their signature frozen vanilla custard mixed with add-ins like crushed M&Ms, Oreos, chocolate chips and fruit. The environment is perfect — a traditional brick building with historical photos of the home town of Vienna. The frozen custard has a distinct, creamy flavor, but it's actually lower in butterfat than ice cream. The atmosphere is homey and comfortable for any family to enjoy. Single cones of frozen custard run $1.75 for a child-size portion to $2.25 for a single ($2.85 for a single with flavor mix-ins).
<b>Get Enamored with the McLean Symphony </b>
1350 Beverly Road, Suite 115-172, McLean
703-734-1960
Music director Dingwall Fleary has directed elite musical performances since 1972 and the symphony has more than 70 members. All are professional-level musicians. The symphony performs everywhere from the Alden Theater to outdoor concerts for the community. Upcoming shows include a Latin Valentine’s Day tribute by pianist Polly Ferman, a spring family concert by pianist Carlos Alberto and comedian-juggler Jonathan Austin, and a classical, romantic piano concert by Director Fleary and Jiji Park. Call 703-421-8593 or visit www.mclean-symphony.org.
<b>Enjoy a Cultural Evening </b>
Amadeus Concerts
703-759-5334
Amadeus Concerts is a group of musicians that provides high-quality musical entertainment to the communities of McLean and Great Falls at low cost. In addition to performances by the Amadeus Orchestra, the group brings other renowned musicians to perform at St. Francis Church in Great Falls and Saint Luke Church in McLean. Remaining performances for this season include the Silver-Garburg Piano Duo, the National Symphony Orchestra Education Program, soloists from the Virginia Opera and The Amadeus Orchestra. Admission costs $25 and is free for students under 18. Season tickets cost $125. Visit www.amadeusconcerts.com to learn more.
<b>Party at Wolf Trap </b>
Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts
1624 Trap Road, Vienna
703-255-1900.
Made up of 130 acres of hills and forests, Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts is truly dedicated to the arts. With special acting performances from May through September, along with singing performances, this national park is home to many musicians. Wolf Trap's smaller theaters feature year-round performances, including singing groups, orchestras, bands, musicals and dance groups. Visit www.wolftrap.org.
<b>Listen to The Vienna Community Band </b>
Vienna Community Center
120 Cherry St., S.E., Vienna
703-255-6360
After about three decades of performing, the Vienna Community Band is made up of almost 80 volunteer musicians and performs in several of Vienna's town celebrations including Independence Day and ViVa! Vienna! The band performs a variety of music ranging from rock to jazz.