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    Ballston Quarter

    2.6 (207 reviews)
    Open 11:00 am - 7:00 pm
    Updated 2 months ago

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    J C.

    Great place for an evening out! I love the concept and execution. Cheap parking and lots to do. It's not about shopping/consumerism but if you are looking for a movie, escape room, bowling, ice rink, or arcade you've come to the right place. Well done Arlington!

    Amos S.

    Was only here for 1.5 days, but walked around this entire area and thought it was really nice! Lots of shopping, lots and lots of food and drinks, and everything seemed safe / upscale / clean. I liked the variety of places and the ease of access to everything from my hotel (on foot). There's also a seemingly high amount of colleges in this area. Maybe that's why the shopping / eating / drinking variety is so high? Hope yo come back some day

    Food court redone
    Emma Z.

    This review is for the still-semi-new Ballston Quarter. Many people probably don't remember what the mall was like during the 2000s and 2010s. It was the opposite of a destination. There were mostly mediocre chain stores and fast food restaurants. Why go to Ballston when you could visit the more spacious Pentagon City mall or the more high end Tyson's Corner? Overall, Ballston Quarter's renovation was for the better. The new food hall and dining spots alone are a huge upgrade, both in terms of quality and overall cool vibe. The interior shopping still leaves something to be desired: many store fronts are empty, and I find it a bit confusing to navigate. I miss some elements of the old atrium feel. But this is a nice place to hang out, walk around, and grab a bite. The renovation created a solid new foundation in the heart of the neighborhood.

    Beautiful mural
    Tonia K.

    Ballston Quarter is not the traditional mall experience. While there are stores, the design is more eateries and experience activities. For instance, there are a variety of restaurants (i.e. True Food Kitchen) and a food court with ample indoor & outdoor seating. You can get everything from pizza to arepas to donuts to Indian cuisine and so much more. For things to do, there's a movie theater (Regal), laser tag (5Wits), cooking classes (Cookology), and the ultimate game zone (Punchbowl Social). What's really cool are the murals. They are fun photo opportunities for sure. There are stairs, escalators, and elevators to get around the multi levels, and a map to guide you. A solid 3.5 overall! Rounding up because of the variety of food options and fun things to do.

    How to keep track of the level you are parked on 1.4.20
    Gail R.

    The Mall that wasn't... Cookology looked like a nice set up - Cooking classes. We stopped by and had our questions answered by one of their employees - got a flyer, calendar of upcoming classes in January and a card for 10% discount for probably 1 session. Looks like a cute place. 5 Wits was busy, but an employee came over and chatted with us - got a flyer which stated this spot has Interactive & highly immersive real-life adventures - can we say U.Y.E. Regal - I didn't go inside, but from a distance (within the mall), it looks huge, compared to a few other Regal locations I have been to. Punch Bowl Social - I had not been back since their grand opening night. There were a few other places, but not much. We mainly came here to do some shopping, but discovered this is not the mall for that - seemed like a lot of wasted space. We were going to check out the food, but their food court area seemed a little dreary - I was disappointed in the space so we didn't eat there, plus the area was just too hot. Parking for 3 hours is $1 - I didn't look to see the other prices. There are 8 floors of several parking spots (large parking garage), but only 4 floors of business. We did see signs for an ice rink on 8th but, never made it there to check it out. No one was in this mall...No one (we had just come from a very busy mall prior - what a big difference in comparison). Nothing else caught my attention. I probably won't be going back - I was not impressed.

    Kimberly J.

    Wow, what a difference! Garage parking is $1 (up to 3 hours). While hubs and I walked around, we couldn't help but continually say how much this mall has changed since our Marymount days. We haven't visited Ballston in years and it's completely different, in a great way! I love the new design and space. Plenty of seating all around, the mall is clean, and spacious. Lots of new stores and filled with good eats. The bottom floor (Quarter Market) has a variety of local restaurants. There are so many restaurants around the mall as well. There is an outdoor space on the bottom floor with a lovely layout. Restrooms have all been updated and were clean. I'm so glad they remodeled this mall and that we got a chance to visit again.

    Stephanie T.

    Suprised to see the low ratings on Ballston Quarter. For a foodie like me, it is practically paradise: a covered place full of great places to eat (and room to enjoy it). While I agree it doesn't have much retail shopping, I think it is a great destination for any type of occasion - you've got your Ted's Bulletin for a casual date night or brunch, the lower floor food court for casual bites, and the brand new Whino for your art and drinks. It's hard to feel like "you've been there, done that" her and not many 'malls' can accomplish that vibe. I do think the branding can be a little bit better because the inside is super modern and clean, but the outside blends in with some of the residential and commercial buildings it surrounds. Pro tip: park in the adjoining garage for cheap hourly rates - I paid $1 to park here while a friend paid $11 parking in the garage by nearby Chipotle.

    District Doughnut
    Lucia B.

    Wow, what a fun place!!! Let's start with the parking, I don't think there is any place in the DMV that charges $1 for parking, I'm sold just with that. So many incredible food vendors in one place! Ballston Quarter has it all to satisfy all cravings: sushi, ramen, pizza, ice cream, hamburgers, oysters, Latin food, beer, doughnuts, hot chicken, you name it!! I love the hip food court idea, not to mention the place itself is sooo beautiful, lots of seating, great ambiance, beautifully designed. The outdoor space is perfect for good weather days! They did an amazing job with the remodel of the space. Totally worth checking it out, you won't be disappointed!

    Christmas Tree....'Tis the Season!
    DON C.

    Ballston Quarter, formerly Ballston Common Mall, is getting a face lift!....And, a quite nice one I might add!! The mall has been under renovation for the past year and the improvements made are certainly for the better. In the past, the mall was known to be always empty and a ghost town reduced to few, small business shops, mid-tier brands and a Macy's as an anchor store. Even though I work a few blocks from this mall, I rarely frequented it myself...except for to hit up the Chick-fil-A in the food court every now and then. The rest of the food court options were dismal, limited and sometimes questionable....in the food being served. lol This is definitely not the case for the newly renovated space. There are big plans for the opening of several big brands, sharing space with great local small business finds. Most of the stores have opening dates of Spring 2019, with a few stores opening now. One of the first big hits to open for sure is the mid-west, big-box restaurant chain....Punch Bowl Social. It is a great eating spot, adult playground and definitely....Ballston's new funhouse for millennials. Also, One Life Fitness Gym and one of my favorites....Chick-fil-A has reopened in the mall today...to be exact! Talk about me being excited and an addiction...I can eat that stuff everyday! Additional cool shopping options and more hip eating spots are expected to come soon...such as True Food, Ice Cream Jubilee, H&M.....and anything else one would need to keep your style game strong and your day-to-day life on point. With all of this...and the addition of a new indoor/outdoor food court eatery....with over 18 local restaurants creating street tacos, flavorful noodle bowls, artisan ice cream, and other foodie inspired eats.....I'm sure there will never be a dull lunch or happy hour moment in this mall for a while!! Can't wait to see what else unfolds with Ballston Quarter. Whichever is the case or plan, it is certainly for the better and has brought sort of revival for the often neglected Ballston neighborhood. **Updated review....coming in the Spring, 2019 to cover this place and gauge if my excitement is still the same! But, for now....a thumbs-up from my observation and standpoint! +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ * Interesting Pointless Fact #1 -- Ballston Common Mall, originally opened as a Shopping Center at it current site in 1951 and was one of the first major suburban shopping centers in the Washington, D.C. area. * Interesting Pointless Fact #2: It was the first shopping center to be built around a multi-story parking garage in the United States.

    F*** them mall
    Fox E.

    My balls have done great things for me. What have your Ballston? Common, tell me! This is a popular Mall in Ballston, which is a fancy little expensive corporate area of Arlington Northern Virginia, very close to Washington DC. Basically a suburb very close to the city, and this is the main shopping center within it, at least in centralized terms. Although most NOVA people will go to Potomac Mills, Tysons, Fair Oaks, and so on, rather than coming into the city - basically - to shop here. I'm not a big fan of this mall by any means. I've only been here twice and I'm hoping not to make it a third time. Much like your mother's bedroom.

    Opening celebration

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    9 months ago

    I went to my nephews graduation in DC and stayed in the Ballston Quarter. Cool area, lots of food options, great people. I'd go back

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    Page 1 of 6

    Ask the Community - Ballston Quarter

    Are dogs allowed on the plaza/ courtyard area outside the food court?

    Yes they are allowed in the courtyard area.

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    Review Highlights - Ballston Quarter

    Ice Cream Jubilee (3/5) - The ice cream looks amazing and a bit deceiving - just not as good as it looks.

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    The Crossing Clarendon

    The Crossing Clarendon

    1.9(19 reviews)
    1.2 miClarendon
    $$$

    Formerly Harry's Tap Room - now a steak house, Not a successful transition…read more First, you have a huge open door onto the kitchen that pours out fluorescent light toward certain seats (not many - but mine). If most of your menu is $30 steaks you should do better. I got a chopped salad that was the crunchiest I ever encountered - so heavy on carrot and radish pieces that I ate less than half. I got the short bib meat hamburger medium - supposedly some pink in the middle. It was overdone, dry, and tasteless. Returning it would have meant spending much more of the evening there. My wife had salmon - it was fine but if you're going to be paying these prices there are much more interesting salmon dishes around town. Maybe the steaks are really good but I'll leave it to others to find out.

    One star for the parking garage procedure as of recently. Been shopping here for years, paying was…read morefairly easy. Now within weeks drove in, and was warned by sign of a license plate reader, (ok DCA has but also expedites w a CC) and the kiosk would not issue ticket without a phone number input. NOPE. At some point you would have to open a QR code and populate an app similar I would guess to Park Mobile. Don't need another stupid parking app thank you. I want to Park My Car, and have no intention of sharing my phone number to do it. Luckily there was no on behind me and I backed out. Same situation with the previously metered spots in the "horseshoe" parking area out front. Found that out when I wanted to pay to park in front of Apple Store and the sign directed me to QR code and fill out all your personal info. NOPE. Unlikely to return, it's too crowded, parking a pain, and nothing so special I have to shop at Market Commons in Clarendon.

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    The Crossing Clarendon
    The Crossing Clarendon
    The Crossing Clarendon

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    Buckingham Shopping Center - old picture of Buckingham Shopping Center

    Buckingham Shopping Center

    3.5(2 reviews)
    0.2 miBallston
    $

    Buckingham shopping center is in a fantastic location and has a ton of potential-especially with…read morethe new Ballston mall next door. There is a HUGE amount of disposable income nearby- with the thousands of people living/working/shopping in Ballston...literally blocks from the Buckingham area... I'm sure eventually someone will come in and dress up this depressed section of Glebe Rd, including the Buckingham shopping center. However, as it stands this building and the surrounding ones are such eye sores that I don't blame new tenants for moving elsewhere. If someone doesn't improve, at least cosmetically, the businesses in this area and increase the walkability- it means no new jobs or economic improvement for Buckingham area residents. Buckingham writ large and this shopping center in particular have a small town feel with tons of auto traffic and potentially foot traffic. .. Please, please-can a developer come in here and spruce this place up? I know a yoga studio or at least an organic market would be well appreciated and promoted by local residents. Perhaps it would also start to diminish the current number of loiterers hanging around across the street outside CVS and McDonald's. Admittedly the parking situation is not the best...but neither is the parking situation in Clarendon or Courthouse. Perhaps a garage can potentially be built on top of the Buckingham shopping center or a nearby business.. If impossible, it would be beneficial to add bicycle parking and make the sidewalks wider/smoother to accommodate foot traffic.

    Buckingham Shopping Center is located in the Buckingham historic district in Arlington VA. across…read morefrom which is the famous Glebe market. The shopping center is host of several small businesses including Buckingham flowers. The entire district was deemed historic in 1999. The site is composed by apartment complexes and the shopping centers. I could not find markers or memorials that would provide the history of the district or why it was deemed historic which is quite disappointing. I grew up around these apartment complexes and thus they hold a close place to my heart but I wish they would do more to highlight what makes this district historic. You can tell from the brick building and architecture why these are worth preserving but also it would be nice to have some sort of structures to teach people about the history of the county. Obviously there is no fee to visit the district. I visited the neighborhood in 7/17/2016. The picture on this review is not mine and any one interested should probably visit this site where I found it. http://www.greatbigcanvas.com/view/buckingham-shopping-center-1-glebe-rd-pershing-dr-arlington-virginia,76418/

    DowntownDC Holiday Market - Churros!

    DowntownDC Holiday Market

    3.9(134 reviews)
    4.9 miPenn Quarter
    $$

    My favorite holiday market in DC, I love coming here every year! This market has grown over the…read moreyears with 50+ artisan vendors and more hot food and boozy vendors! There are lots of hand-made craft and unique gift items (ramen stall, truffle stall, cat & dog stalls, as well as plenty of jewelry, chocolate, candle, toys, ornament, and crafts stalls). I bought a Ramen bowl from Japan for hubby, Truffle butter @ Truffist, and dark chocolate Oreos (the dark chocolate pretzels aren't that good) @Capital City Jar, kudos for being a long-time vendor! I also got an overpriced $40 onesie @SOL, the material was very soft and made in the U.S. In terms of the hot chocolate stalls, the Truffle stall and the S'mores N More are my favorite. The Marshmallows are gigantic and should have mixed them in! I got a pack of 6 marshmallows and picked out the flavors - Rainbow, Cookies and Cream, and Toffee Marshmallows. The Racklette sandwich was delicious - you must try it! It was so fascinating to watch the melty swiss cheese get scooped off the big truckle cheese wheel and sandwiches into a soft baguette roll. The Churros with Dulce Leche filling are a must - I always get the every year! Kudos for being a long-time vendor! The Dirty Habit Chalet boozy is a bit gimmicky. I paid $17 for Whiskey and Cider, I wish it was served warm and the service was lukewarm. The air-fried Gnocchi from Carmine's was a complete miss and a total disappointment. The Gnocchi lacked the crispy edges and pillowy soft juicy center. The texture was completely off from the air fryer. Excited to go back next year for some more gifts and delicious goodies and sweet treats!

    Since I have moved to the area, each year I tell myself that I am going to stop at the Holiday…read moreMarket. And each year I always end up bypassing it because after a long day at work, the last thing I want to do is be jammed in with a bunch of other people going from booth to booth. I finally took the time to visit here and probably picked one of the worst times to visit, during a hockey game. With the influx of people coming into the area for the game and the arena right there, it made navigating to and through a nightmare. The downside here, and it is probably the only downside, are the amounts of other people. They will do one of two things. One, forget about their awareness to where they are. By this I mean that they will forget they are not the only person here at the holiday market. Two, the other people will either push you along, or walk at a glacial pace. Jamming up crosswalks and entrances to the main area. Two things you cannot control and you just have to go with the flow here. I will say it is lively and welcoming. Once you do make it into the stall area you will have to take your time to sift through what there is to offer. From gifts to food, you can find it all here. Live music is a usual draw as well which lends to the magical feel that you are in the middle of a DC street and don't have to worry about a thing. All of the vendors are local, so this is a big shop small venue. Offering you everything you can think of as a gift for a special somebody. Definitely worth a look around the holiday season.

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    DowntownDC Holiday Market - Racklette sandwich!!

    Racklette sandwich!!

    DowntownDC Holiday Market
    DowntownDC Holiday Market - Lines goes by fast for churros!!

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    Lines goes by fast for churros!!

    Rosslyn Metro Mall

    Rosslyn Metro Mall

    2.1(9 reviews)
    2.4 miRosslyn
    $

    There's a Panera, a pretty good barbershop, a Rite AId, a useless "Commuter Store" that should be…read moreable to tell you best bus routes, etc. but doesn't seem up to par, a bank branch, and some other random stuff. If you need any of those things, this place is right at the Rosslyn metro so it's close and worth a stop. Otherwise, no reason to come here as it has a rundown/sorta sketchy vibe. The random tables in the common areas seem to be hangouts for loiterers so keep that in mind. The restrooms here are disgusting, creepy, isolated and sometimes frequented by a variety of "interesting" loiterers so avoid at all costs!

    Just gonna throw it out there: This "mall" blows. Using the word "mall" is a real stretch for the…read morelower three levels of 1700 N. Moore. It's an old building, attached to the Rosslyn Metro station. It has a dark and run down feel to it, and really not much to offer in the way of actual shopping. However, for those who live or work in Rosslyn, you get used to the dinginess of it and the hobos that incessantly loiter in the public restrooms on the second floor and around the first floor open seating. (Note: Avoid the 2nd floor public restrooms at all costs, unless you enjoy watching less fortunate individuals bathe themselves). Skywalk Cafe is on the 2nd level -- not a bad weight-and-pay restaurant for those who are feeling indecisive and want some buffet style food (mostly Asian). There's a Rite-Aid which is honestly the shining star of this "mall." And a Panera just opened on the first floor (Yay). Theres some other odds and ends stores around like a constantly empty women's clothing boutique (I frankly do not understand how it is still in business), a cute little jeweler (M&J Jeweler), a barbershop that appears to be stuck in the 50's, and some Bank of America ATMs. No need to come here unless you live/work in the vicinity or need to kill time by the metro.

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    Rosslyn Metro Mall

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    Ballston Quarter - shoppingcenters - Updated May 2026

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