1. Sweetwater Tavern*
City: Centreville, VA
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (703) 449-1100
Address: 14250 Sweetwater Lane
Description: Neither Centreville nor Falls Church are hot spots for nightlife, so Sweetwater Tavern—a restaurant and brewpub—is a welcome addition in both locations. The restaurant features very good Southwestern cuisine and sinful desserts, while the bar attracts singles and couples alike, not to mention folks who want to watch sports in a convivial atmosphere. You’ll find a handsome, Wyoming-style ambience with big wrought-iron chandeliers, vaulted ceilings, and all manner of Wild West art. These are casual, suburban places, so dress down. It is open nightly, with no cover charge.
2. Bull Run Regional Park
City: Centreville, VA
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (703) 631-0550, (703) 631-0552
Address: 7700 Bull Run Drive
Description: Not far from Manassas National Battlefield Park, NVRPA’s Bull Run features scenic hiking trails and several acres of springtime wildflowers. A large outdoor pool includes a tropical island–themed water slide. Visitors also enjoy trying their skills at miniature and disc golf and skeet- and trap-shooting at the Bull Run Shooting Center (703-830-2344), open 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday; 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday; and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. The park also offers group and family camping. Call (703) 631-0550 for group reservation information. The main park is open mid-March through November. Nonarea residents must pay an entrance fee of $7 daily, $14 weekly.
3. Sweetwater Tavern
City: Centreville, VA
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (703) 449-1100
Address: 14250 Sweetwater Lane
Description: The same team who dreamed up such popular eateries as the Carlyle Grand Cafe and Best Buns Bread Company has ventured into Southwestern cuisine with Sweetwater Tavern. As usual, these owners know how to do it right, with high-quality, imaginative variations on the old standards. The decor glows with rich wood and leather, amber lighting, and Indian rugs. Wrought-iron chandeliers feature Western scenes, as do the etched glass dividers on the booths. There’s a highly rated microbrewery on premises, not to mention the spicy, smoky dishes such as ribs, quesadillas with poblanos, Tex-Mex egg rolls, and smoked salmon. Desserts are big and mouthwatering. Don’t even try to resist the chocolate waffle filled with the richest of chocolate ganache—that’s pure chocolate, butter, and cream to you and me. Sweetwater Tavern is open for lunch and dinner nightly and Sunday brunch.
4. First Centrum Senior Communities
City: Centreville, VA
Category: Retirement
Telephone: (703) 802-9501
Address: 14401 Woodmere Court
Description: These one- and two-bedroom apartments for active seniors feature such amenities as optional meal programs, hair salons, libraries, lounges, and activities. All three communities are located in bustling suburbs with lots of shopping and community services. First Centrum also has apartments in Maryland (see Suburban Maryland).