Lake Barcroft - Falls Church, VA

The Alexandria Water Company built a 135-acre lake right around 1913 to provide water to the city. The lake was named for one of the area's original settlers, Dr. John Barcroft. He moved here in 1849 to operate a mill near Holmes Run, a stream not far from the present-day dam. During the Civil War, Barcroft's home was commandeered by the Union Army. Barcroft moved north until the end of the war, then returned to the area now known as Barcroft Hill.

Private developers bought the manmade lake around 1940 to build a lakefront community. Today, the lake is still privately owned -- meaning only residents of Lake Barcroft, who pay a fee for use of the lake -- are allowed to use it. For those who don't live directly on the lake, there are five private beaches and several common areas they can easily access.

The lake is the site of several neighborhood functions, including art shows, barge parties, and an annual Fourth of July fireworks show. During the 1970s, the Lake Barcroft Women's Club had a pedestrian bridge built over Holmes Run, along with a community garden.

You'll find a few hidden gems in this primarily residential neighborhood -- ideal for those nights you don't want to cook. Peking Gourmet Inn has been an area staple since 1978. When you dine here, you might just see a famous face. Former patrons of the restaurant include President George H.W. Bush, President George W. Bush, Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano, General H. Norman Schwarzkopf, and actor Robert Duvall. Be sure to order the specialty, Peking Duck.

For a wide selection of brews on tap and a great selection of bar food, Dogfish Head Alehouse is the place to be. Recommendations include the Alehouse Wings with Thai Sauce, Fish Tacos, and the Baja Burger.

Fortune dishes up Vietnamese and Chinese food, and locals claim this restaurant offers the best dim sum in the area. Another Chinese restaurant with rave reviews, XO Taste serves Hong Kong-Cantonese specialties like noi nong and dia nong. If you'd rather have Thai and Laotian dishes, head to Bangkok Golden and try the Orm/Stew.

When you're craving pasta, Anthony's Restaurant is the go-to Italian place for the neighborhood. Try the lemongrass soup or the spaghetti and sausage. You can also get a great pizza.

With easy access to Arlington Boulevard, residents of Lake Barcroft can quickly reach Washington DC. If you prefer to take the Metro train, the Courthouse Metro Station provides access to the Silver Line. Bicyclists have easy access to the Bluemont Junction Trail, which they can take right into DC.

With five private beaches around a quiet lake to enjoy, Lake Barcroft provides fantastic opportunities for outdoor recreation, including swimming, canoeing, sailing, paddle-boarding, and fishing. The 65-acre Barcroft Park adds to this neighborhood's appeal with tennis courts, a basketball court, ball fields, a picnic area, playgrounds, volleyball courts, and batting cages.

Lake Barcroft offers the best lakefront living in the DC area -- and that doesn't come cheap. The average rent for apartments in Lake Barcroft average about $1,537. To buy a house, the average cost is $615,000 -- much more than Virginia's average of $239,000.

Since Lake Barcroft is a residential neighborhood, many travel to Arlington or DC for work. Nearby employers include Dominion Hospital, Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, and the Pentagon. Nearby Tysons is also a great option -- this is considered the central business district for Fairfax County. Companies here include Booz Allen Hamilton, Gannett, Northrop Grumman, BAE Systems, Hilton Worldwide, and Primus Telecom.

Most of the shopping plazas are located at the northern tip of the neighborhood, where Leesburg Pike intersects with Arlington Boulevard. Here, you'll find a strip mall featuring a Michaels, Barnes and Noble, Ross, Burlington Coat Factory, and a Home Depot. Across this plaza from Arlington Boulevard, you'll find Target, Safeway, and PetSmart.

Head up Arlington to Seven Corners Center, a large outdoor shopping mall offering stores like Off Broadway, JoAnn Fabrics, Shoppers Food and Pharmacy, and Direct Furniture Galleries. Head east on Columbia Pike to shop a t Crossroads Center, a large plaza with a Trader Joe's, Petco, Best Buy, Old Navy, Staples, Sporting Goods, and Safeway. Next door, Crossroads Place contains a Toys "R" Us, REI, Party City, DSW, TJ Maxx, and Value City Furniture.

Be sure to visit Downtown Falls Church, where you'll find wide sidewalks and plenty of shopping along Broad Street, including locally-owned boutiques and specialty shops.