Reston, Virginia

Reston is not a town in the conventional sense. Reston has no mayor, nor a ‘town hall’ for centralized lines of communication and services. Without a traditional municipal government, it can be baffling to newcomers and confusing to long-term residents as well, as there is no ‘one place’ for all information about the community.

When he purchased the land that is Reston in the early 1960s, Robert E. Simon, Jr. (c.1914-2015, Bob, founder and the “R E S” in Reston,) established “Seven Goals for the New Town.” His vision for creating a community where people could live, work, and play was well ahead of its time, and today’s developers try to follow Bob’s success.

Reston is fortunate to have a wide range of amenities, choices, and the opportunity to be involved through volunteerism, but with these privileges comes the obligation to be informed.

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Discover the community

Reston, Virginia

Reston was conceived as a planned community by Robert E. Simon, founded in 1964 (on Simon's 50th birthday) and named for his initials. It was the first modern, post-war planned community in America and is now the most populous place in Fairfax County. Areas within Reston such as Reston Town Center and Lake Anne Plaza provide the perfect places to enjoy seasonal events, have a night out on the town, or go on a memorable shopping excursion. We also recommend you visit the Lake Anne Brew House to sip some locally brewed and poured beer. You can also enjoy the art and culture of community at places like Tephra Institute of Contemporary Art or the Reston Museum to get a sense of why both locals and visitors find this place so special.