Car-Free Diet

Ballston

What transportation benefits are available in my building?

Does your Arlington apartment or office building offer bike storage, SmarTrip cards, or other benefits? Find out here.

Photo: Ballston townhousesWhen you're in Ballston, you can't help but feel like you're "downtown."

Ballston is located on the Wilson Boulevard-Clarendon Boulevard corridor, which was named one of 10 "Great Streets" in the U.S. by the American Planning Association in 2008. Ballston-MU Metro station is a major transportation hub, connecting Metrobus and ART buses with Metrorail's Orange Line. Near the Metro station, tall office and residential buildings, hotels, restaurants, and sidewalks full of people create that big-city, downtown feel. A few blocks from the Metro is Ballston Common Mall, a four-level mall complete with restaurants, a food court, a 12-screen movie theater, and the Kettler Capitals Iceplex.

Nationally-known organizations, both public and private, are major employers within blocks of the Metro station. The National Science Foundation, the Nature Conservancy, Quest Diagnostics, and Marymount University are some of the prominent organizations with offices in Ballston.

Even though there are a lot of office buildings, Ballston stays active at night. The combination of residences, restaurants, shopping, entertainment, and the Metro station keep the neighborhood alive after five.

Once you get away from the few blocks where Ballston resembles a busy little metropolis, the area blends into a nice little hamlet, as the high density growth tapers off to residential neighborhoods with parks, schools, and single-family homes. Residents enjoy living on quiet streets, just a short walk from Metrorail, shopping, and all of Ballston's other amenities.

Photo: Ballston sidewalk and bus stops

Did You Know?

Between six and 20 bicycles can be parked in the space one motor vehicle requires for parking.

News Headlines
Weekend track work on Metro's Red, Orange lines

June 17, 2013, WMATA

Lawmakers question effectiveness of $20B rail safety mandate

Julian Hattem, June 19, 2013, The Hill

Region's population increased, but driving didn't

Martin Austermuhle, June 19, 2013, WAMU

Community stories show the shift to a walkable lifestyle

Aimee Custis, June 19, 2013, GGW

More News & Events

Upcoming Events
Smithsonian Folklife Festival

Wednesday, June 26, 2013 – Sunday, July 7, 2013

5th Annual Firefly Festival

Sunday, June 30, 2013

Celebrate 4th of July at Long Bridge Park

Thursday, July 4, 2013

Events Calendar

What's Your One? -- Bicycling