Westover

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About Westover

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Accessibility and funky character are some of the things that make Westover such an appealing place to live, work, shop and hang out. Westover has long had special appeal within Arlington County perhaps because of the concentration of independent, small shops. It’s the kind of neighborhood where the shopkeepers and restaurateurs are likely to know customers by name.

Easily reached via bus, bike, Metro, or on foot, Westover combines hip amenities with architectural charm. The closest Metro station is East Falls Church Metro, located at Washington Boulevard and Sycamore Street. Washington Boulevard, Westover's main street, truly is pedestrian friendly; there are benches and trees for shade, small businesses with unique and intriguing signs, and places to stop and talk or people-watch.

For rumbling tummies, there is the Lost Dog Café, a casual joint that pulls in families and young professionals alike. Thai Noy is another neighborhood favorite with a warm and inviting ambiance. Just a block away is the alluring Arax Café which doubles as a laid-back coffee shop (perfect for pouring through the Sunday paper) and a Middle Eastern café with tasty delights like falafel. For sweet tooths, an essential stop is Toby's Homemade Ice Cream & Coffee for a stunning selection of ice cream. Toby’s also has a well-used community bulletin board where local folk exchange information on housing, events, and yard sales.

Artwork at the Lost Dog Café

Much of Westover’s foot traffic picks up during the evening rush hour as commuters stop in to the neighborhood’s shops for a quick bite or to pick up supplies before heading home. Another Westover institution is Ayers Variety and Hardware where you can find a wide variety of merchandise that’s harder to find in other area stores. Ayer’s has been around for decades and has collected a following from around Arlington County.

Beyond the shopping district, there are wide tree-lined streets with brick colonial, Victorian and semidetached duplexes. The range of housing makes Westover’s residential streets a pleasant route for strolling or biking, while just within range of the commercial center. Not far from the center is the Westover Park Playground, a fine park where grownups and kids can meet and socialize. Nearby the playground is another favorite locale for kids: the Westover Fields located at 1001 N. Kennebec. The fields frequently host the Arlington Babe Ruth Baseball/Cal Ripken Division and other local kids’ teams.

Many kids are also familiar with Swanson Middle School, the first and oldest junior high school in Virginia. Swanson was built in 1939 to relieve overcrowding at nearby Washington-Lee High School (then serving grades 7-12). Today the school still maintains expansive grounds and an adjacent park that connects to nearby residential streets and cul-de-sacs. Another important resource for people of all ages is the Westover Library located at 1800 North Lexington Street. The library is well-served by Metrobus and other public transportation options.

About Westover | Getting Around | Points of Interest | Things to Do | Community Resources

Arlington's urban villages are walkable, mixed-use neighborhoods well served by public transportation. People who live in these neighborhoods are able to walk to shopping or to restaurants and hop on Metrorail, Metrobus or ART when they need to go anywhere else in the Washington Metro area. More about Arlington's urban villages.