Overview
Herndon is a town in the Northern Virginia suburbs of Washington, D.C.
2 sights · 2 things to do · 3 places to eat · 4 bars & cafés · 9 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Herndon
Herndon Historical Society & Train Depot Museum
Houses railroad memorabilia, information on Commander William Lewis Herndon, after whom the town was named; and artifacts from local residents. The building dates back to the 1850s and served as a train station until 196…
Herndon Old Town Hall
The historic town hall.
Herndon Centennial Golf Course
Noted as one of Golf Digest's "Places to Play"
Herndon Rocks - Friday Night Live
Free concerts by local bands.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Apr–Oct. Summer highs reach about 90°F; winter lows dip to about 30°F. Very hot (Jul) — plan outdoor time for mornings. Wettest: Jul and Jun. (climate data from nearby Washington, D.C.)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- IAD Washington Dulles International Airport, Dulles — 4 mi away (major hub). Directions
- DCA Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, Washington — 21 mi away (major hub). Directions
Herndon is a 10-minute drive from Dulles International Airport. A taxi from the airport costs roughly $16. However, almost all hotels in Herndon offer free shuttle bus services to/from the airport. Dulles, like Herndon, is on the Silver Line of the Metrorail.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 1-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Herndon Historical Society & Train Depot Museum, Herndon Old Town Hall
- Lunch Anita's New Mexico Style
- Afternoon Herndon Centennial Golf Course, Herndon Rocks - Friday Night Live
- Dinner Amphora Diner Deluxe
- Evening O'Sullivans Irish Pub
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
Originally part of the rural surroundings of the Washington, D.C. area, the town of Herndon developed into a hub of dairy farming and vacationing for area residents, aided by its presence along the W&OD Railroad. The town is known for the location of a famous civil war cavalry raid by Confederate Colonel John Singleton Mosby and its Historic District is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Herndon is the sister city of Runnymede, England.
The primary reasons that people travel to Herndon are for business purposes, or on an overnight stay before a flight from Washington Dulles International Airport.
Get in
By plane
Herndon is a 10-minute drive from Dulles International Airport. A taxi from the airport costs roughly $16. However, almost all hotels in Herndon offer free shuttle bus services to/from the airport. Dulles, like Herndon, is on the Silver Line of the Metrorail.
By car
There are no interstate or US highways through Herndon. The primary arteries in and out are the following state highways:
- VA-267 - (Dulles Toll Road, Dulles Access Road, Dulles Greenway) This toll road runs east–west from Leesburg to Falls Church. It feeds into I-66 and I-495 at its east end and US-15 at its west end. There is a spur that runs to Dulles International Airport. The road is one of the fastest ways to get around during off hours and weekend, but should be avoided during rush hour as it suffers from stand still traffic at these times.
- VA-28 - This highway runs north and south from VA-7 in the north to US-15/US-29 in the south. Like VA-267 this is one of the major arteries for Northern Virginia and is a fast way to get around but becomes very congested during rush hour.
- SR-606 - This is a secondary state road but is still a major artery. It runs right through the historic district as Elden St. and connects to both VA-267 and VA-28 in the west and VA-7 in the east bound direction.
By train
WMATA
WMATA, which operates the DC Metrorail, has two stations in Herndon: the Herndon and Innovation Center Stations (Silver Line). Nearby Reston has two stations as well. For more information on riding the Metrorail, see Washington, DC#By public transportation.
Get around
By car
A car is the best way to get around Herndon.
By bus
Fairfax Connector operates bus service around Herndon and between Herndon and Reston, with further connections to Washington D.C. via the Metrorail.
See
See Herndon Historical Society & Train Depot Museum
Houses railroad memorabilia, information on Commander William Lewis Herndon, after whom the town was named; and artifacts from local residents. The building dates back to the 1850s and served as a train station until 1968. The building also houses the Herndon Visitors Center with information on the town and surrounding areas, restaurants, hotels and historical sights.
Do
Golf
Parks
Herndon has many parks and playgrounds with picnic areas and forest trails. The W&OD Trail runs through Herndon, and caters to bikers, runners, and casual strollers.
Festivals and events
The following events and festivals are held in Herndon's Historic District:
Buy
Eat
Eat Amphora Diner Deluxe
American and Greek food in a 1950s-style diner.
Eat Anita's New Mexico Style (Anita's)
Amazing authentic Mexican food. They offer a wide variety of relatively cheap breakfast burritos. Great way to get some fuel before a long day trip.
Eat Cantina d'Italia
Authentic Italian Cuisine.
Drink
Drink O'Sullivans Irish Pub
Traditional Irish pub with both Irish and American pub foods. Live entertainment on most nights.
Drink Carpool
Auto-themed sports bar with pool tables, shuffleboard, dart boards, foosball, and large screen TVs.
Drink Bar Louie
Upbeat grill chain with American grub, martinis & microbrews, plus happy-hour deals. Their boneless buffalo wings are pretty good snack with a couple of beers.
Drink Jimmy's Old Town Tavern
Locals gather in cozy vintage tavern for drinks, pool & pub grub. Outpost for Buffalo sports fans.
Sleep
Stay Hyatt House Herndon/Reston
Extended stay hotel offering free Wi-Fi Internet access and updated studio, one, and two-bedroom suites with separate living area. Every suite offers a fully equipped kitchen with a two burner cook top, microwave, dishwasher, refrigerator and an array of cooking utensils. Hot breakfast buffet each morning and a complimentary Evening Social Monday - Thursday. Exercise room, outdoor pool, BBQ area, Guest Market, sport court and free on-site parking.
Nearby
Reston
City / town · 30 listings · 3 mi away
Sterling
City / town · 21 listings · 3 mi away
Great Falls
City / town · 8 listings · 6 mi away
Chantilly
City / town · 19 listings · 6 mi away
Ashburn
City / town · 14 listings · 7 mi away
Vienna
City / town · 10 listings · 8 mi away
Tysons
City / town · 8 listings · 9 mi away
Centreville
City / town · 12 listings · 9 mi away
My experience
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