Vienna, VA

Located in northern Virginia about 15 miles from Washington, D.C., the town of Vienna — population around 15,000 — has been ranked as the fourth-best place to live in America by Money Magazine and CNN/Money. Vienna's historic charm and its top-notch educational system are among the factors that draw people to the town.

ECONOMY AND INDUSTRIES

Vienna's per capita income is significantly higher than the national average. Fewer than 2 percent of families live below the poverty line, a rate that is considerably lower than the national average.

Some residents, including many government officials and lobbyists, commute to Washington, D.C., for work; many others are employed by Vienna's relatively large number of private consultancy and financial firms. Major employers in Vienna include Navy Federal Credit Union, Westwood Country Club, and Contemporary Electrical Services, Inc.

NEIGHBORHOODS AND DISTRICTS

Vienna has around 5,400 houses, of which more than 5,300 are occupied. Of the occupied houses, more than 4,600 are owner-occupied, while renters occupy around 750 houses. On average, a house in Vienna costs more than twice as much as the statewide median price.

Downtown Vienna was initially established along Church Street. Although that stretch still contains some shops and restaurants, the central area of downtown shifted one block south to Maple Avenue in the 1960s when Vienna's population boomed. Today, Maple Avenue is home to several shops, services, and restaurants. Maple is also a primary traffic artery to Tysons Corner, a major shopping center in the region.

Southern Vienna is being rebuilt, and new homes are greatly influenced by Vienna's tight zoning laws and the town's historic architecture. New houses in south Vienna represent various architectural styles from 1875 though the 1940s, including low-roofed Arts and Crafts bungalows, elaborate Victorians, rustic shingle-style homes, and columned plantation-style houses.

EDUCATION

Most Vienna students attend schools located just outside the city limits, though several elementary schools are found within Vienna proper. Fairfax County is renowned for the quality of its public education system, which is consistently rated among the nation's best. James Madison High School, in particular, surpasses most other public high schools in the state in standardized testing and other measurements of academic achievement. In addition, the school has received a number of awards for its music program and its marching band.

FOR VISITORS

• Biking: The town's dense layout makes biking popular not only as a recreational activity but also for transportation, and several businesses offer day-by-day rentals to visitors.
• Meadowlark Botanical Gardens: This award-winning garden center is laid out on 95 acres of land, which is crisscrossed with walking trails and also features a shade garden, gazebos, and a visitor's center offering information on regional flora. Among other things, the garden areas include peonies, two-dozen varieties of cherry trees, ponds, azaleas, ferns, and perennials, as well as three native plant collections particular to the region. Perhaps the most notable feature of Meadowlark is the resident atrium, a climate-controlled structure with tropical plants, a cathedral ceiling, and a landscaped terrace bearing seasonal plants; the structure has been deemed the finest garden spot of its sort by local press and serves as a popular spot for weddings, business conferences, and other high-end events.
• Vienna Farmers Market: As a producer-only institution, the weekly (from May to November) Vienna Farmers Market ensures that all foodstuffs sold come directly from growers, making it a wonderful resource for those who want the freshest produce and meats possible.
• Freeman House and Museum: Freeman House has filled a variety of roles over the years, serving as a home, a Civil War hospital, a post office, and a railroad station, among other things. The house thus serves as a fine destination for those interested in the history of the region in general and the town of Vienna in particular. Aside from museum exhibits, Freeman House also includes a general store and currently serves as headquarters for Historic Vienna, Inc., an organization dedicated to preserving the town's historical heritage.
• Windover Heights Historic District: This neighborhood makes up a large portion of the town's northwestern section and features a number of intriguing architectural features.

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

• Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts: One of the area's most unique attractions, wooded, hilly Wolf Trap attracts nearly a half-million visitors each year in its dual role as a nature preserve and cultural center. The facility was designated as a park by Congress in 1966 after the 117-acre property was donated to the federal government by a noted philanthropist.

  The performance venues host a variety of local and touring acts, bringing in everything from lesser-known folk singers to major stage productions such as Riverdance. Wolf Trap is also home to the Wolf Trap Opera Company, which features younger singers, and the Children's Theater-in-the-Woods, which stages nearly 70 performances each summer. The facility includes two major performance spaces: The Filene Center, an outdoor venue equipped with 7,000 seats, and the Barns at Wolf Trap, which seats approximately 400 people.

  Wolf Trap is also home to the Wolf Trap Opera Company, which features younger singers, and the Children's Theater-in-the-Woods, which stages nearly 70 performances each summer.

EVENTS

• Viva! Vienna! Hosted by the local Rotary Club and held annually over a three-day period at the end of May, Viva! Vienna! features a variety of rides, cuisines, and musical performances drawn from Virginia and beyond. The festival is a great opportunity to soak up the town's offerings in a brief span of time. Nearly every local institution takes part in some way, with merchants, churches, artists, sporting clubs, civic organizations, and even political candidates setting up booths at the event.