My significant other and I moved to the neighborhood in 2022 from North Arlington – and had heard of the lore of the Crystal City Underground. After a few weeks exploring the neighborhood, we finally got the courage to go through the mysterious tunnels we saw after exiting the Crystal City metro station.
Even though by then the Crystal City Underground was relatively empty – it still delighted us as Millenials who grew up smack in the middle of 1990s mall culture. Its slightly dated finishes, winding halls, and mix of small, local shops and chain restaurants transported us backward every time we stepped in. We discovered a new commute through the Marriott Gateway that protected us from the heat, humidity, and rain; picked out affordable, yet delightful Halloween and Thanksgiving decorations at the Party City; and frequently grabbed fresh sushi on the way home from work at the Sushi Garden. When we moved to DC in 2024, the Underground was one of the main things we missed about leaving Arlington since it made our neighborhood unique and made the hum-drum of our daily lives a little more convenient and fun. I still wish we had seen it in its heyday!
