McLean Travel Guide

McLean, VA is suburban area that is only a few miles away from Washington D.C. McLean, an affluent and beautiful area, is often the home to congressmen, diplomats, and many more highly ranked government officials that work in Washington D.C. McLean’s well known luxury homes and breathtaking estates, are still home to influencial members of American history, like Ethel Kennedy, the widow of Bobby Kennedy. McLean offers a great variety of things to do for visitors, like museums, landmarks, parks, and tours. Since it is only a couple miles away from Washington D.C. there are many great places to explore on the boarder of the two places as well.

Things to Do in McLean

McLean is filled with beautiful parks and nature centers so those that are keen on trying great outdoorsy activities, should be good to go here. Check out the Great Falls Park which is a large park that has numerous waterfalls that cascade amongst the trees. Walking along the river will constantly reward hikers with scenic views. Further down the river, thrill seekers can hire a guide for a white water rafting excursion. Scoot’s Run Nature Preserve is another great place for a hike and although there is only one small waterfall, visitors can be on the look out for the gigantic toads native to the area. During summer swimming, fishing, and tubing are all popular activities also.

Musuem enthusiasts can visit Dumbarton Oaks, a large property where guests can tour a historical mansion and its beautiful gardens. The mansion offers guided tours that tell the story of McLean and its surroundings. The Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in Washington DC should always be on people’s “must see” list. Although it is outside of McLean, to be this close to it and not visit would be a monumental mistake.

Best Places to Stay in McLean

The best areas to stay in McLean are near Salona Village or Langley, both of which are close to parks and the Potomac waterfront as well. There are many great restaurants, cafes, bars, and golf courses that are easily accessed within a few minutes.

Best Time to Visit McLean

People often joke that the Nation's Capital is just a city on a giant swamp, but there is some truth to that in the summers as DC, and its suburbs like McLean, get hot and extremely humid. Maybe avoid a visit in the middle of summer and look to make a visit in the spring and fall offseasons.