The MCLEAN Gazette

Why Should You Visit Mclean VA?

The city of McLean, Virginia is situated in Northern Virginia and is only 18 kilometers (11 miles) away from the nation’s capital.

As a result of McLean’s location in close proximity to the nation’s capital as well as the CIA, a significant number of the town’s people hold positions in the government, work as diplomats, or are members of Congress or the business community. Additionally, the city is well-known for the numerous environmental preserves as well as the national scenic walking and hiking routes that it contains. Because of its proximity, the Potomac River provides a wealth of options for water sports enthusiasts, including kayaking and other similar pursuits. Last but not least, McLean is home to an impressive number of restaurants serving delectable dishes from a variety of countries. We strongly suggest that you phone the restaurants and attractions that you plan to visit in advance in order to confirm their current opening times.

Great Falls Park spans over 800 acres of land and is located in close proximity to the Potomac River’s banks.
Visitors who arrive by car are required to pay a fee for parking, and the park is open from the time the sun rises until the time it sets. The parking lot has space for up to 600 automobiles, however on busy weekends, it tends to be completely full very soon. Great Falls Park is a popular destination for outdoor activities like as hiking, kayaking, rock climbing, and white water rafting; however, camping is not permitted in the park. A total of 24 kilometers or 15 miles of hiking paths may be found in and around the park. The park’s waterfalls, also known as falls, are comprised of many cascades and have a combined length of 76 feet.

The enormous Tysons Corner Center shopping mall is home to high-end boutiques and dining establishments, as well as a movie theater and an open-air plaza.

It is the largest shopping center in the metropolitan area as well as the seventh largest mall in the United States. When it first opened its doors in 1968, it was the first and only completely enclosed shopping mall indoors in the surrounding area. This shopping center is known by the name Tysons 1 on occasion, and it is situated not far from the Central Business District in Washington, District of Columbia. Additionally, it shares a border with Tysons Galleria Mall, popularly known as Tysons 2, which is also located nearby. After Tysons Corner Center had been open for business for 20 years, the Tysons Galleria mall finally opened its doors in 1988.

The Potomac River runs along the edge of the Scott’s Run Nature Preserve, which protects a total area of 336 acres. 

It is also a part of the Potomac Gorge, which is located in the middle of the Atlantic and is home to some of the most unique ecosystems in the region. This nature park today has rocky cliffs, steep hills, and narrow valleys as a result of the erosive powers of the Potomac River. Therefore, hiking through this terrain can be quite challenging. In point of fact, the hiking trails at Scott’s Run are among the most difficult to be found anywhere in Fairfax County. Visitors have the opportunity to participate in a variety of outdoor programs, including spring wildflower walks, birdwatching programs, and watershed programs for children. Hiking is just one of many activities.

It’s one of the most beautiful areas of Fairfax County and sits adjacent to Tysons and Great Falls. But even with the area ever-changing, McLean still holds on to it’s charm with local events, community festivals and it’s dedication to the arts and history.

McLean is an unincorporated community and census-designated place in Fairfax County in Northern Virginia. McLean is home to many diplomats, military, members of Congress, and high-ranking government officials partially due to its proximity to Washington, D.C., the Pentagon and the Central Intelligence

Elevation: 87 m
Area: 64.44 km²
ZIP Codes: 22101–22103, 22106
Area code: Area codes 703 and 571
Population: 49,587 (2022)