Retail Trails

Get Up and Go for a Fun and Fit Fall

If you’re seeing a lot of fit-looking people walking around these days, you’re not just imagining things. Have you heard about all the fitness-related awards Arlington has won over the past few years? Rest assured, though, that you don’t have to be a diehard athlete to jump on the heart-healthy bandwagon. There are lots of things you can do in just an afternoon to have fun around town and give yourself a great workout at the same time.

Rent a bike and go exploring. Big Wheel Bikes is conveniently located right along the Custis Trail in the Lyon Village Shopping Center and has a huge assortment of hourly and daily rentals. From the Custis Trail you can connect to the W&OD Trail and ride nearly 45 miles all the way out to Purcellville!

If you’re a more serious bicyclist (i.e. if the 45 miles to Purcellvile is a ride in the park) and looking to purchase a top quality bike, there are great businesses right here in Arlington to help you. Besides Big Wheel Bikes, there is Clarendon’s Revolution Cycles and locally-owned Papillon Cycles , the latter having served the Arlington community since 1984.

Of course you don’t need a bicycle to have fun and get good exercise. Stretch your legs on the Potomac Heritage Trail or tromp through Potomac Overlook Regional Park ’s 70 acres, maybe stopping along the way to check out some of the park’s historical sites. If you want to continue the outdoors adventure when you get home, pitch a tent in the backyard and roll out your sleeping bag. Stop by Casual Adventure , Arlington’s favorite family-owned and -operated outdoor specialty store since 1955, to get set up with all the right gear.

Biking and hiking are pretty standard things you could every day of the week, but until now you certainly haven’t been able to ice skate in Arlington with the same ease and convenience. Luckily, the Kettlers Capitals Iceplex is right in your backyard. Invigorate your workout with a Fitness Skate session, learn how to play hockey or broomball (“floor hockey on ice”), or just enjoy regular skating.

Don’t forget also about the other big winter sports Arlington has to offer: skiing and snowboarding. Right, there are no mountains here, but the family-owned Ski Chalet can certainly get you outfitted for your trips down any slope this season. Ski racks, boots, goggles, snowboards, helmets – whatever you need to successfully get up and down the mountain, the Ski Chalet will be able to help you. Ski Chalet

However you prefer to get around – on bike, foot, skies, or skates – Arlington has something to offer you. With great outlets for nearly every type of recreational pursuit and terrific local shops and restaurants to provide top notch gear and sustenance, it’s easy to enjoy an afternoon around town while getting in some good heart-healthy exercise.

Highlighted Retailers

Big Wheel Bikes
3139 Lee Highway
(703) 739-2300

Revolution Cycles
2731 Wilson Boulevard
(703) 312-0007

Papillon Cycles
2809 Columbia Pike
(703) 920-9494

Potomac Overlook Regional Park
2845 North Marcey Road
(703) 528-5406

Casual Adventure
3451 Washington Boulevard
(703) 527-0600

Kettler Capitals Ice Center
4238 Wilson Boulevard
(703) 243-8855

Ski Chalet
2704 Columbia Pike
(703) 521-1700