4 Hidden Gems of Columbia Pike

headshot for katy lang program director active transportation arlington va
Katy Lang Tweet Us @walkarlington@walkarlington August 28, 2018
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Katy Lang was previously Program Director for Active Transportation. She started living car-free in Arlington in 2010 and is passionate about finding great running routes and safety for people walking and biking.

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WALK TAKEAWAY:

There’s a lot to see and do along Columbia Pike. We're sharing some of our team’s favorite “hidden gems” along this historic route.

Columbia Pike is Arlington’s “main street”—a collection of residences, restaurants, and historic buildings stretching for three miles across Arlington’s core. Enjoy some of our favorite must know things about the Pike.

Pike Park Farmer’s Market

Arlington hosts many wonderful farmer’s markets, but did you know that Columbia Pike was DC’s “farm to market” route in the early 1800s? The Pike Park Farmer’s Market is a celebration of that history and is a popular Sunday morning tradition. The market has fresh produce, meat, dairy, flowers, and arts & crafts.

The Original Five Guys Location

The original Five Guys storefront opened in Arlington on Columbia Pike in 1986, in the Westmark Strip Mall. The location is now vacant (previously home to Dave’s Seafood & Subs). This first Five Guys location closed in 1997 after 11 years. Nearby Alexandria has the second Five Guys store, on King Street.

Air Force Memorial

Sure, you might have taken the bus past the Air Force Memorial and known it was there, but have you ever visited? Walk around the memorial to take in the beautiful views of Crystal City, Pentagon City, and Washington, DC. It’s also stunning to stand underneath and look up at the three spires.

Towers Park

This four-acre park has amenities for the whole family (and your furry companion)—a playground, lighted tennis courts, practice walls, a basketball court, a sand volleyball court, a dog park, and even a community garden!

 

Photo Credit:

Sam Kittner/Kittner.com

Photo Credit:

Erica Baker/EricaBakerPhoto.com

  • DB says:

    While you included a photo of the building, you failed to mention the Arlington Mill Farmers Market. Why is nothing mentioned that’s west of Glebe?

    • Suzanne Patel says:

      Hi DB! Thanks for your comment. We love hearing from our readers. There are so many great options along the Pike, and we only picked a few this time around. However, we’d love to know what your hidden gems are west of Glebe, so we can continue to do more features on the cool things/places people should know about in Arlington. Email us at info@walkarlington with your hidden gems.

  • Andrew D says:

    I’m amused that a vacant Five Guys made the cut – not a Mecca for us non-burger folk! Send folks to Atillas, across the street from the Pike Farmers Market – superb hummus (yes, you don’t want to endorse, so I’m doing it for you.) But I’m just chiding you. Thank you for the walkability article; please do more.

  • Doug says:

    Love the shoutout to some great Columbia Pike gems. But the little strip mall is called Westmont, not Westmark. And if the second 5 Guys on King st is the one at the corner of Walter Reed that one is gone as well.

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