Reston, Virginia, is a planned community in Fairfax County, about two hours and 15 minutes from Richmond. Founded in the mid-1960s, it was ranked No. 37 by Money magazine on its list of the 100 Best Places to Live in America. Reston offers a long list of things for children to do year-round, from indoor to outdoor activities and special events.
The Greater Reston Art Center, or GRACE, hosts the Northern Virginia Fine Arts Festival each year in May. This two-day event takes place in the Reston Town Center. Kids will enjoy activities in the children's art tent, musical performances, artist demonstrations, food and art booths. The Northern Virginia Fine Arts Festival is a free event. The Reston Festival in July has been a Reston tradition for 47 years and celebrates the anniversary of the community. Each year, the festival, produced by Reston Festival Inc., has a different theme.
Children can enjoy skating in the ice skating pavilion the Reston Town Center. Children can skate on their own or attend ice skating lessons as a group or take private lessons. Themed skating days take place as well including Rock 'n' Skate on Fridays and Cartoon Skate on Saturdays. Additionally, birthday parties may be celebrated here. The ice skating pavilion is open daily from late October through the second week of March. Skate rentals are available. Admission is charged per child, but a season pass for a family of four is available.
Reston has 1,300 acres of open space and includes 55 miles of paved pathways and trails, over 700 acres of forest, four lakes, three ponds and 20 miles of streams. Children can enjoy swimming in the outdoor pool, fishing in the lake, playing in the playground or riding the carousel in Lake Fairfax Park. Kids will find 48 tennis courts to choose from and can join leagues or attend individual or group lessons. Children can swim in the wading pool in Autumwood and Dogwood pools or play in the children's splash area in Hunters Woods pool. Kids can bike along trails including trails from Town Center to Lake Anne and the Lake Thoreau Loop.
Children of all ages will enjoy Reston Zoo's exotic animals, "zoofari" wagon rides, petting barn, pony rides, walking paths and exhibits. Kids will see animals such as bison, emus, monkeys, kangaroos, camels and alligators and be able to pet sheep, lambs, goats, llamas, rabbits and pot-bellied pigs. Families can enjoy a picnic in the picnic area. Kids' can also celebrate their birthday in this 30-acre zoo. Children under 2 years old are admitted for free. Reston Zoo is closed during winter from late November to the second week of March.
