Overview
Sterling is in Loudoun County, Virginia, about 26 miles (42 km) west of Washington, D.C.. The population is approximately 41,000 people (2021).
1 sights · 4 things to do · 3 places to eat · 2 bars & cafés · 9 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Sterling
Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center
Located near Dulles International Airport in the city of Chantilly, this companion facility of the National Air and Space Museum houses air and spacecraft including an SR-71 "Blackbird" spy plane, a Concorde supersonic j…
Claude Moore Park
Algonkian Regional Park
Miniature golf, swimming pool complex, golf, cottage rentals, soccer fields, and more on Potomac River waterfront.
Sterling Playmakers
Theater.
Volcano Island Waterpark
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 — 5 mi away (major hub). Directions
- DCA Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, Washington — 24 mi away (major hub). Directions
Virginia State Route 7 runs through Sterling. Sterling can also be reached from Interstate Route 66 by taking the Rt. 28, Sully Road exit North. Rt. 28 leads to Rt. 7, thence east to Sterling.
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 Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, Claude Moore Park, Volcano Island Waterpark
- Lunch O'Malley's Pub
- Afternoon Sterling Playmakers, Algonkian Regional Park
- Dinner Emilio's Brick oven pizza
- Evening Dogwood Bistro and Bar
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
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
Sterling, then Sterling Park or just "The Park", was founded in 1961 by the M.T. Broyhill & Sons Corporation, who bought nearly 2,000 acres of farmland. The homes were intended to be much cheaper than homes in Fairfax County, along with amenities and commuter trains carrying workers the half-hour to Washington.
Get in
By car
Virginia State Route 7 runs through Sterling. Sterling can also be reached from Interstate Route 66 by taking the Rt. 28, Sully Road exit North. Rt. 28 leads to Rt. 7, thence east to Sterling.
- About 30 minutes NW of Washington, D.C., except during rush hour.
By plane
Go Dulles International Airport (IAD)
Dulles International Airport is a hub of United, and offers service to many national and international destinations. Access, via major thruway, is best along Rt. 28 (Sully Road) and Rt. 267 (toll road), or the Dulles Access Rd. Dulles also has a Metrorail station (on the Silver Line).
- Other nearby airports include Reagan National (DCA) and Baltimore/Washington International (BWI).
Private planes can land at Leesburg Executive Airport (JYO), 15 mi north-west of Sterling. Full service is available; runway length is 5,500 ft. Approach to JYO requires special procedures due to the Washington Special Flight Rules Area (SFRA). Contact Potomac Approach Control on 126.1 MHz.
By Metro
The Silver Line passes through Sterling. Use Loudoun Gateway or one of the other Silver Line stations.
By bus
Some commuter buses exist from other parts of Northern Virginia, as well as DC and Maryland.
Virginia Breeze has multiple routes that go from Dulles Airport to towns all over Virginia.
Get around
A car is by far the most practical way to get around Sterling (and most of Northern Virginia).
Some bus service is provided by Loudoun County Transit.
Taxi and limo service are also available.
Major rental car companies can be found on the grounds of Dulles International Airport, with shuttles direct from the main terminal. There are also two Enterprise locations in Sterling, one on Virginia State Route 7 near the Fairfax County line, and one on Woodland Road near Claude Moore Park.
See
See Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center
Located near Dulles International Airport in the city of Chantilly, this companion facility of the National Air and Space Museum houses air and spacecraft including an SR-71 "Blackbird" spy plane, a Concorde supersonic jet, and the space shuttle "Enterprise". It was also used as a filming location for Michael Bay's Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen.
Do
- Bike, walk, or rollerblade on the Washington & Old Dominion (W&OD) Trail
- Golf at the [http://www.trumpnationaldc.com/ Trump National Golf Club Washington DC], located in the Lowes Island area of Sterling.
Buy
Eat
Eat O'Malley's Pub
American Irish pub.
Drink
Drink Sweetwater Tavern
Delicious food. Call for reservations.
Drink Dogwood Bistro and Bar
American cuisine and a variety of savory dishes, and after-dinner drinks at the bar.
Sleep
Stay Candlewood Suites Sterling
An all-suites hotel, with full kitchens including stoves and refrigerators, located just north of Dulles International Airport (IAD). Complimentary Services include guest laundry, 24-hour gym access, weekday local-area shuttle service, and High Speed Internet Access. Walking distance to shopping, restaurants, and businesses.
Stay DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Sterling Dulles Airport (DoubleTree Dulles)
It's 10 minutes from Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD), and offers a 24-hour, free airport shuttle service, indoor heated pool and hot tub, the Dogwood Bistro & Bar onsite and 24-hour fitness center. Near Dulles Town Center shopping mall, Dulles Sportsplex and Dulles Golf Center.
Go next
- Visit Washington, D.C.
- The National Air and Space Museum has its incredible hangar-sized annex in nearby Chantilly.
- See a performance at Wolf Trap.
- Go to Civil War historic sites.
- Visit wineries.
Nearby
Herndon
City / town · 21 listings · 3 mi away
Ashburn
City / town · 14 listings · 4 mi away
Reston
City / town · 30 listings · 6 mi away
Great Falls
City / town · 8 listings · 8 mi away
Chantilly
City / town · 19 listings · 8 mi away
Leesburg
City / town · 31 listings · 10 mi away
Centreville
City / town · 12 listings · 11 mi away
Vienna
City / town · 10 listings · 11 mi away
My experience
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