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Biking Through Vienna

May 31, 2013 By Emily Yosmanovich

by Emily Yosmanovich, contributing blogger

Before starting our family, my husband and I were avid recreational bikers.  We weren’t excellently skilled by any means, but we enjoyed taking our bikes out for long rides, enjoying scenic views and picnics along the way.

The Washington & Old Dominion Trail runs through Vienna, Virginia.

The Washington & Old Dominion Trail runs through Vienna, Virginia.

When I got pregnant, I hate to say it, this almost weekly activity pretty much ceased.

Something happened about a year ago, though… a family friend gave us a hand-me-down bike trailer, the kind that seats kids and pulls along behind your bike.  First, we were nervous new parents, only venturing on the safe sidewalks of our neighborhood.  Then, we realized our son was fine, totally safe, and he was actually begging for “more Daddy bike!”

We quickly sought out fun local bike routes that would be accessible with a trailer.

Enter: Vienna Virginia

The Washington & Old Dominion Trail runs right through the center of Vienna.  It’s a long paved trail that stretches 45 miles from Shirlington to Purcellville.  With a little one in tow, we were not going the whole stretch!  Not a far drive from our house, though, the trail runs through Dunn Loring.

We parked the car, unloaded the bikes, and headed west for a mini adventure!

The great thing about this section of the trail is that it is relatively flat.  With a trailer in tow, that’s important, unless you are an awesome biker.  We are not awesome bikers, just enthusiastic bikers, with a trailer and a sometime cranky toddler in tow.  It’s roughly a three-mile ride into Vienna, though you could pick the trail up in multiple other locations and have a longer ride (again, I mention the sometime cranky toddler we had in tow).  The trail is mostly flanked with trees, making for nice shade on a sunny day and a tranquil ride.

We entered Vienna near the Community Center and decided to take a break.  My son was ecstatic to find baseball fields with real live little league games going on!  We sat on the bleachers and ate our packed snack, randomly cheering for both teams’ players.  If you’re not big on bleachers… don’t worry, there are picnic tables in the park, too!  Also, the Community Center and little league fields back up to Vienna Elementary School.  As long as you visit out of school hours, the beautiful playground is open for play!  There is a large play structure with multiple slides and monkey bars and swings for elementary aged children, as well as a separate tot lot play structure for preschool aged children.

Vienna Elementary Playground

Vienna Elementary PlaygroundVienna Elementary Tot Lot

After our break, we hopped back on our bikes.  Though the trail crosses several small roads, the one major road crossing is here at Route 123.  Motorists are aware of the trail, but with small children, this crossing is the only one that makes me nervous, but only enough to exercise a little extra caution.  Across the road we found another small park, Vienna Town Green.

Vienna Town Green

Vienna Town Green

This park is less toddler-friendly, but worth a quick stop for the curious-minded.  The entrance boasts a pretty fountain dedicated to war veterans.  Behind that is an open grassy knoll descending upon a small amphitheater.  Beyond that we found the original town library building and the Freeman House, an old country store and exhibit area where you can learn more about historic Vienna.  I would also consider this for a good picnic area. The grassy area in front of the amphitheater would be fun to spread a blanket on, and there were a few picnic tables behind the Freeman House.

Mostly this park was of note for us on this bike ride due to its particularly clean public restrooms and drinking fountain.

Caboose Vienna Virginia W&OD Bike Trail

Red Caboose in Vienna

Just beyond the Town Green, across Maple Avenue, we found the old red Washington and Old Dominion Railroad caboose.  I knew about the caboose, but I hadn’t told my son about it because then all we would hear about the whole bike ride would be, “I want choo-choo!”  Needless to say, the second he laid eyes on it, he was in heaven!  The caboose is sometimes open to go inside, but when we arrived it was closed.  For a toddler, though, there is nothing better than climbing all over a real train car and steering its wheel.  There are even real tracks below it!  There were definitely some tears involved when it was time to go and say goodbye to the choo-choo.

Despite a tearful end to a fun journey, on the ride back to the car we listened to joyful choo-choo sounds coming from the trailer… and then silence.  One tuckered out toddler fell asleep on the ride back.

That is the most successful kind of day trip!

Filed Under: Living Here Tagged With: Bicycle trailer, Community Center, Vienna Virginia

About Emily Yosmanovich

Emily Yosmanovich is an elementary school teacher on “vacation” to raise her young family in Northern Virginia, an area she's called "home" for most of her life. Meanwhile, she also pursues her love of writing by freelancing and blogging about all things “mommy,” which includes documenting her family's lively local adventures! Read more from Emily on her blog ~ twowaystreetblog.com .

Vienna real estate agent Doug Francis

When we bought our house, we were thinking about raising the kids, updating, and building an addition. With our kids now out of college, our plans are looking at our next phase, especially after seeing friends move away and adjust their lifestyles.

So, what’s next after 25 years? It’s a conversation lots of my clients are having with me as they plan to move to the beach, travel, or move closer to grandkids. Helping them see their future, sell their current home, and move ahead to their new plan has been an interesting new chapter.

My background… I am an active licensed agent in Virginia, work at TTR Sotheby’s International Realty in McLean, and sell homes in all price ranges. I donate to the Town of Vienna tree replacement fund, participate in a neighborhood citizens association, and try my best to stay in shape.

Let me help you too: Email doug@dougfrancis.com or call me at (703) 304-6827 to discuss your plans. Cheers!

6808 BROYHILL ST
MCLEAN, VA
Photo of 6808 BROYHILL ST, MCLEAN, VA 22101 (MLS # VAFX2137956)
$2,499,000
49
  • Lot Size
    16,989 sqft

  • Home Size
    6,708 sqft

  • Beds
    6 Beds

  • Baths
    7 Baths

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102 JAMES DR SE
VIENNA, VA
Photo of 102 JAMES DR SE, VIENNA, VA 22180 (MLS # VAFX2150256)
$2,199,888
Lot Size
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Beds
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2511 BABCOCK RD
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Photo of 2511 BABCOCK RD, VIENNA, VA 22181 (MLS # VAFX2149442)
$1,295,000
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Home Size
3,240 sqft

Beds
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8807 HIGDON DR
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Photo of 8807 HIGDON DR, VIENNA, VA 22182 (MLS # VAFX2149464)
$1,088,888
Lot Size
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Home Size
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Beds
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Baths
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610 MEADOW LN SW
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Photo of 610 MEADOW LN SW, VIENNA, VA 22180 (MLS # VAFX2149952)
$1,495,000
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626 HILLCREST DR SW
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Photo of 626 HILLCREST DR SW, VIENNA, VA 22180 (MLS # VAFX2149036)
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Home Size
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904 DALE CT SE
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Photo of 904 DALE CT SE, VIENNA, VA 22180 (MLS # VAFX2149540)
$1,795,000
Lot Size
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Home Size
4,937 sqft

Beds
5 Beds

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9838 CORAL BELLS CT
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Photo of 9838 CORAL BELLS CT, VIENNA, VA 22182 (MLS # VAFX2149568)
$1,200,000
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Home Size
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Beds
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10009 MURNANE ST
VIENNA, VA
Photo of 10009 MURNANE ST, VIENNA, VA 22181 (MLS # VAFX2149646)
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Home Size
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131 KINGSLEY RD SW
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Photo of 131 KINGSLEY RD SW, VIENNA, VA 22180 (MLS # VAFX2149584)
$2,525,000
Lot Size
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Home Size
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Beds
6 Beds

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3005 SPICE CT
VIENNA, VA
Photo of 3005 SPICE CT, VIENNA, VA 22181 (MLS # VAFX2148724)
$599,000
Lot Size
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Home Size
1,940 sqft

Beds
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  • 102 JAMES DR SE
    VIENNA, VA
    Photo of 102 JAMES DR SE, VIENNA, VA 22180 (MLS # VAFX2150256)
    $2,199,888
    Lot Size
    10,019 sqft

    Home Size
    1,062 sqft

    Beds
    5 Beds

    Baths
    7 Baths

  • 2511 BABCOCK RD
    VIENNA, VA
    Photo of 2511 BABCOCK RD, VIENNA, VA 22181 (MLS # VAFX2149442)
    $1,295,000
    Lot Size
    14,811 sqft

    Home Size
    3,240 sqft

    Beds
    4 Beds

    Baths
    4 Baths

  • 8807 HIGDON DR
    VIENNA, VA
    Photo of 8807 HIGDON DR, VIENNA, VA 22182 (MLS # VAFX2149464)
    $1,088,888
    Lot Size
    10,455 sqft

    Home Size
    2,410 sqft

    Beds
    5 Beds

    Baths
    3 Baths

  • 610 MEADOW LN SW
    VIENNA, VA
    Photo of 610 MEADOW LN SW, VIENNA, VA 22180 (MLS # VAFX2149952)
    $1,495,000
    Lot Size
    N/A

    Home Size
    3,368 sqft

    Beds
    6 Beds

    Baths
    6 Baths

  • 626 HILLCREST DR SW
    VIENNA, VA
    Photo of 626 HILLCREST DR SW, VIENNA, VA 22180 (MLS # VAFX2149036)
    $3,600,000
    Lot Size
    23,523 sqft

    Home Size
    9,092 sqft

    Beds
    7 Beds

    Baths
    9 Baths

  • 904 DALE CT SE
    VIENNA, VA
    Photo of 904 DALE CT SE, VIENNA, VA 22180 (MLS # VAFX2149540)
    $1,795,000
    Lot Size
    10,455 sqft

    Home Size
    4,937 sqft

    Beds
    5 Beds

    Baths
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  • 9838 CORAL BELLS CT
    VIENNA, VA
    Photo of 9838 CORAL BELLS CT, VIENNA, VA 22182 (MLS # VAFX2149568)
    $1,200,000
    Lot Size
    20,038 sqft

    Home Size
    3,020 sqft

    Beds
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    Baths
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  • 10009 MURNANE ST
    VIENNA, VA
    Photo of 10009 MURNANE ST, VIENNA, VA 22181 (MLS # VAFX2149646)
    $3,300,000
    Lot Size
    21,780 sqft

    Home Size
    9,750 sqft

    Beds
    7 Beds

    Baths
    9 Baths

  • 131 KINGSLEY RD SW
    VIENNA, VA
    Photo of 131 KINGSLEY RD SW, VIENNA, VA 22180 (MLS # VAFX2149584)
    $2,525,000
    Lot Size
    21,780 sqft

    Home Size
    7,793 sqft

    Beds
    6 Beds

    Baths
    7 Baths

  • 3005 SPICE CT
    VIENNA, VA
    Photo of 3005 SPICE CT, VIENNA, VA 22181 (MLS # VAFX2148724)
    $599,000
    Lot Size
    1,307 sqft

    Home Size
    1,940 sqft

    Beds
    5 Beds

    Baths
    4 Baths

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About Doug Francis

I am a Realtor with TTR Sotheby's International Realty® just outside Washington D.C. in Northern Virginia. I have been a full-time Realtor licensed in Virginia since 1991, and cover a big territory specializing in the Vienna real estate market and custom homes for sale.

I have unique knowledge of digital real estate marketing, and my marketing starts here. My clients have been attracted to my results-oriented strategy for years, and I am accepting new clients for Fall 2023 right now.

Thanks for reading, and feel free to contact me at 703-304-6827 or email me at doug@dougfrancis.com anytime!

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