With the holidays just around the corner, tis the season to find a new hangout to explore with friends or family. These conveniently close shopping centers are perfect for getting some last minute gifts too!
Reston Town Center
Ambiance:
The town center is geared more towards entertainment and less towards shopping. While it is not particularly decorated, the ice skating rink adds to the holiday spirit of the town center.
Entertainment and Shopping:
Besides the ice skating rink, the town center also contains a Bow Tie Cinemas.“It’s open, you can walk around, there’s stuff to do,” sophomore Alex Nesterczuk said. “It’s awesome.”
Sophomore Nicole Lepecha enjoys Reston Town Center because “theres a lot more stores, ice skating, and discounts during the holidays.”
Food:
The town center contains a combination of chain restauarants and upscale dining. While there are not many fast food restaurants, there is a Chipotle and a panera bread where visitors can grab a quick bite to eat.
Georgetown
Ambiance:
When it comes to holiday spirit, Georgetown goes over the top. Store windows are frosted with fake snow, lights are hung on virtually every doorway and telephone pole, and full sized Christmas trees decorate street corners and inside shops.
Entertainment and Shopping:
Georgetown hosts an annual holiday celebration called “12 Days of Merriment.” The event features sales and promotions in stores, movie screenings, gourmet hot cocoa tastings, karaoke and more. It runs through December 20th.
Food:
The area is known for Georgetown cupcakes, a cupcake store that even has its own TLC show. “I’m buying my friends cupcakes for Christmas,” sophomore Stephanie Manning said.
Dulles Town Center
Ambience:
The shopping center is smaller than most, and is well decorated for the holidays. It has a much cozier feel than Tysons.
Entertainment and Shopping:
The town center includes several teen-friendly chain retailers that cannot be found at Tysons, such as Hot Topic and Piercing Pagoda. “It’s a cool place,” senior Marie Ackah said. “I like it better than Tyson’s, because it offers more different stores.”
Food:
Dining consists of mainly chain and fast food restaurants. There are several chinese food restaurant chains such as Benihanas and PF Changs, both which Akbah describes as “really good.”