I Love Downtown Arlington: Love to Create Experiences

While there’s no secret handshake or official oath, Downtown Arlington has a fan club. We’re blessed by a group of enthusiastic community leaders, Downtown partners, neighbors, investors and friends who believe in celebrating and lifting up our district’s homegrown goodness. Our arts and culture. Our hometown University. Our local business owners and partners. Our houses of worship. 

Because of our fan club’s commitment to our quirky past and bright future, they express their enthusiasm in all kinds of ways – such as one-of-a-kind destinations, public art, interesting local cuisine, homegrown traditions, and unique events and programs. Their love and creativity are transforming Downtown Arlington into a place that’s even greater than the sum of its parts. 

For locals and visitors looking to create experiences that are fun, meaningful and memorable, this means Downtown Arlington is a top pick for every occasion:

For the Lunch Bunch

It’s 10:30 a.m. and you’re already thinking about lunch. Right? Email your work buddies or text your besties and make plans to meet up in Downtown Arlington. 

Our restaurateurs were early adopters of COVID-19 pandemic safety protocols. Many of our locally-owned establishments have created new outdoor dining spaces in addition to their indoor offerings, and more joined them in launching convenient curbside pick-up, to-go ordering and local delivery. These enhancements have been enticing grateful (and hungry) locals and Arlington visitors for months, and will continue to well after it’s safe to take off our masks. To make it easier for you to join them, we’ve pulled together all that information into our Downtown Delivers directory.

For the Party Planner  

So many plans were put on hold in 2020. Now in 2021, we’re cautiously moving forward with the knowledge of how to implement social distancing and still enjoy each other’s company. We’ll be writing more in March about the unique venues in Downtown Arlington, but today we’re shouting out to the Levitt Pavilion and the Sanford House Inn and Spa for offering top notch service, beautiful outdoor and indoor spaces, and personal touches that make your event just as memorable as the one you always dreamed about.

For the Family Man  

For Dads (and Grandpas and uncles) looking for ways to spend quality time with their littles, Downtown Arlington is the place to go. Check out the Downtown Library for all kinds of in-person and virtual programming, such as their Virtual Baby Time or Virtual Learning streaming series (we love this one about how to make a succulent terrarium). Then head over to Inclusion Coffee for two cups of great hot chocolate. 

For kids (and adults) with energy to burn, how about taking a beginner’s climbing class at Dyno Rock Indoor Climbing Center? They’re offered every Monday and Wednesday. 

Show off your word-working skills at Board & Brush Arlington’s upcoming Mini Design Workshop on February 2, or give your kids some creative time with other kids their age at Catalyst Creative Arts' After School Pottery Program, a 7-week series that begins on January 28. And if you’re looking for a perfect date night with your sweetie, get your tickets now for the Resin Charcuterie Board Couples Valentine Event on February 13 hosted by Catalyst Creative Arts, Inspirations Catering, Legal Draft Beer Co., and Urban Tree Merchants.

For Our Downtown Partners   

As the spirit of collaboration deepens throughout Downtown Arlington, our businesses and partners are getting together to offer more and more creative experiences such as the Resin Charcuterie Board event. Create Arlington, a co-working space for artists, start-ups and designers, works with local artists to host the Third Thursday Pop Up Art Show. 

Be sure to check our Down to Business podcast series where you’ll get to know your fellow Downtown Arlington entrepreneurs and quite possibly your next collaborator. #downtobusinessDTA