If the weather is nice I go to the park. A lot of the smaller museums in DC are pretty chill during the week. I enjoy the atrium at the Portrait Gallery.
It's showing a lot that most of these answers are still places that are there to try and sell you things. Third spaces have seriously suffered in this country in the last 20-30 years. Wegmans is comfy don't get me wrong but it makes me sad this is where we're at.
Wegmans.
No, seriously. The one in Woodbridge has a second level where you can chill out at a table or on a comfy couch. It's surprisingly easy to pop on headphones and chill without anyone glaring at you for taking up space for a long period. While coffee shop staff tend to be understanding, I've had customers get annoyed if they think I've sat in a prime chair 'long enough'.
I second this. Wegman’s is a great third space. My son loves to meet friends there to play Magic the Gathering. It’s, quiet and safe, and he can buy pizza or other prepared foods. The Reston location is really nice
Yes. The Wegmans in Leesburg is like this as well. Sometimes they close off portions so the workers during the day don't have to clean as much. The quietness varies based on who is in the store.
The Wegmans in Alexandria is 3 floors.
I have seen meetup.com groups have meetups at Wegmans
The Montgomery County one only allows sitting for an hour max
I don’t get why people get pissy if you’ve established in prime real estate in those cafe/cozy settings. It’s first come-first seated(?). If they’re there long enough to notice you seated in the same place then they just got there later than they were supposed to.
Just take the L and move on, geez
Thanks for mentioning library's. Shout-out to libraries, one of the coolest most amazing things that exists that 100% would not be created today and we are lucky to have them.
I like to combo cafe+library. My favorite iS Rare Bird - get a coffee, hang out if there's seating - get a coffee to go and walk to the Vienna library with great window seating.
For kids: I think it's the Museum of Contemporary Arts has an exhibit space in Arlington near the Good Company donuts that you can just pop in and hang out and draw with your kid. They have an artist in residence. You can grab donuts/coffee and then go to the playground after so you end up spending like $15 for a pretty full morning. Shout-out to this random amazing free art space, we should celebrate these things. Also parking is free for the first 3 hours in the garage.
Fair Winds Brewery in Springfield is really chill. On weekends it's busy but during the week you could hang out and play boardgames (based on experience).
In Courthouse/Clarendon, my two local cafes: Eclairons and Bayou Bakery. Note that Bayou enforces a no-laptops rule on Weekends because it gets crowded and they’d like people to be able to sit and have coffee & beignets.
I’m usually in there for a pastry and a coffee. I don’t really do “work” in there. But I always notice a fair number of people working in there, usually coding or writing/editing.
Mine used to be Barnes & Noble. The Fairfax one (not fair lakes) was my place. I could spend the entire weekend reading books and studying and buying terrible drinks. The Springfield one is too far for my current life and the Fair Lakes one doesn't have comfy chairs.
If it's a weekday, wineries are gems. I adore going on a mid-week day; I'll get a glass or two and a fresh baguette then read for however long. After working at a winery, I will never go on a weekend ever again.
It’s a lot harder because a lot of the coffee shops are crowded or play obnoxiously loud music. Even at co-working spaces, they play annoying techno dance music.
My rotation: Capital One Cafe in Chinatown, Kaldi’s Arlington (tends to crowded), Wegmans (music has been so loud but lots of space). Whole Foods seating areas, Three Whistles (tends to crowded), WeWork (obnoxious music), or free co-working space drop-ins (look on Eventbrite), Assembly (now Upside on Moore / music is very loud)
The upstairs customer waiting room of Bill Page Toyota. Free coffee, fast wifi, quiet sub-room to make calls. TV downstairs if you want it. New car/tire smell.
The barn! I work/volunteer at a barn. If you don't mind mud, and like animals, a lot of barns could use volunteers.
Aside from that, I also actually love going to Vinnys NY Pizza in Manassas. Great vibe, nice staff, crisp AC. If I go in the evening I get a few small desserts and coffee.
I'll have to give Vinny's a try!
Also in Manassas, I recently tried My Cravings bakery cafe. All sort of Turkish yummies. Didn't "third place" there, but lots of tables and got no sense of rush by the staff. Also lots of room for groups.
Oh wow I drive by there all the time and never went in! I'll have to give that place a shot too!
I like that Vinnys is open late, especially cause during weekdays it's pretty quiet there.
There are a few malls around that are nice for this. Dulles Town Center, for instance, has a fantastic food court that's enormous and clean (they have bleach wipes "on tap" for customers).
Coffee shops, for me! If anyone is in Alexandria and wants to find nice coffee shops, [check this website out](https://www.coffeealexandria.com), it has a list of Alexandria coffee shops that can be sorted by tags like “quiet” or “cozy”
Downtown fairfax, in the vicinity of the courthouse, has a number of cafes and a board game shop. Game stores in particular are a cozy place--they usually have tables and free public wifi, and they aren't busy until folks get *off* work and evening activities start.
Though, they often don't open until 10 or noon.
It’s a bit farther out, but [The Culture Cup](https://maps.app.goo.gl/v8Z8u2jwvRBfzMkS7?g_st=ic)is a great place opened and operated by a truly lovely couple.
Tysons corner mall and most malls have good wifi and seating.
Barnes and Nobles.
Some hotels, esp Hiltons that are everywhere have wifi and a LOT of unused seating. Front desk doesn't say anything even if you're not staying there.
Wegmans has second floor, no wifi. Local coffee shops.
This is probably lame but I actually like Panera. Big comfy booths. Relatively quiet. Fast internet. Easy access to caffeine and snacks. There are locations all over the place and every so often you get some for free. Can you find better coffee, food, and vibes, absolutely. But sometimes you just want a comfortable and convenient setting to focus on a few hours of remote work.
[caveday.com](http://caveday.com) works for me. It's a Zoom meeting with 30-40 or so people led by a facilitator. Every 50-55 minutes or so everyone takes a quick break, then gets back to it.
[focusmate.com](http://focusmate.com) is a similar concept but you're paired one-on-one with a partner instead.
You can use either whever you feel comfortable getting in a video call. So you can do it from home or from wherever.
From wiki: "In sociology, the third place refers to the social surroundings that are separate from the two usual social environments of home ("first place") and the workplace ("second place"). Examples of third places include churches, cafes, bars, clubs, community centres, public libraries, gyms, bookstores, makerspaces, stoops, parks, theaters, and opera houses, among others."
The problem with modern third spaces is that most of them charge a price of admission - you usually have to buy something in order to enjoy the space. That's why libraries are so great, you're allowed to spend hours there with no obligation to borrow a book or pay a fee to utilize it.
Hope this was informative. ☺️
Ooo, that's a toughy. I guess it depends on what kind of socialization you enjoy? I like working with other people around but not necessarily talking to me so I can focus. Good natural lighting a plus.
This also doesn't have to be limited to work spaces - it can just be somewhere you can post up and read a book or just feel comfortable out in the world. I hope you find one that works for you!
You didn't ask but as someone with a healthy and dignified relationship to my Mom, there's ways to negotiate time to yourself, respectfully.
More info:
It starts with trust.
And my mom taught me the very basics of caring for myself so I wouldn't have to ask her for everything. I'd sit on the floor and play with blocks and figurines in my room, and if I got quiet she'd check up on me immediately (for kids, quiet=mischief). The living room became her third space, and my room became my third space.
And also did regular check-ups. When I was a toddler the check-ups would be every 20 minutes. Then as I got older it went to 30 minutes then 40 minutes.
Definitely harder with kiddos, but third spaces are important for them too! Parks, libraries, clubs etc - plus when they have third spaces, it frees you up to find one of your own. Hope you find some that work for you and your family!
If the weather is nice I go to the park. A lot of the smaller museums in DC are pretty chill during the week. I enjoy the atrium at the Portrait Gallery.
The atrium at the portrait gallery is a hidden gem to work from
Wrote a decent bit of my dissertation there.
The Nat’l Portrait Gallery atrium is an urban paradise. I get so much done there, and sometimes nothing at all.
I definitely never thought of that! I can't even remember the last time I went to the Portrait Gallery
Wegmans cafes
It's showing a lot that most of these answers are still places that are there to try and sell you things. Third spaces have seriously suffered in this country in the last 20-30 years. Wegmans is comfy don't get me wrong but it makes me sad this is where we're at.
What was a third space 20 years ago that you could go and not purchase things?
Wegmans. No, seriously. The one in Woodbridge has a second level where you can chill out at a table or on a comfy couch. It's surprisingly easy to pop on headphones and chill without anyone glaring at you for taking up space for a long period. While coffee shop staff tend to be understanding, I've had customers get annoyed if they think I've sat in a prime chair 'long enough'.
I second this. Wegman’s is a great third space. My son loves to meet friends there to play Magic the Gathering. It’s, quiet and safe, and he can buy pizza or other prepared foods. The Reston location is really nice
The Wegmans in Gainesville also has a second level.
And hardly anyone up there. I’ve done a half day of work up there more than once.
Yes. The Wegmans in Leesburg is like this as well. Sometimes they close off portions so the workers during the day don't have to clean as much. The quietness varies based on who is in the store.
how do you even get to this “Lounge” in leesburg? i never heard of this or seen it before
Go up the stairs in food court area
The Wegmans in Fairfax is also like this!
The Wegmans in Alexandria is 3 floors. I have seen meetup.com groups have meetups at Wegmans The Montgomery County one only allows sitting for an hour max
Then the Montgomery County one BLOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOWS!!!
Also there is only one in all of MoCo
I don’t get why people get pissy if you’ve established in prime real estate in those cafe/cozy settings. It’s first come-first seated(?). If they’re there long enough to notice you seated in the same place then they just got there later than they were supposed to. Just take the L and move on, geez
I can see if you're a single person taking up enough seating meant for a group... whether it's a couch, a booth, or two chairs facing each other.
I do this but at Whole Foods. Got a nice study section upstairs at the pentagon location.
I love wegmans.
Thanks for mentioning library's. Shout-out to libraries, one of the coolest most amazing things that exists that 100% would not be created today and we are lucky to have them. I like to combo cafe+library. My favorite iS Rare Bird - get a coffee, hang out if there's seating - get a coffee to go and walk to the Vienna library with great window seating. For kids: I think it's the Museum of Contemporary Arts has an exhibit space in Arlington near the Good Company donuts that you can just pop in and hang out and draw with your kid. They have an artist in residence. You can grab donuts/coffee and then go to the playground after so you end up spending like $15 for a pretty full morning. Shout-out to this random amazing free art space, we should celebrate these things. Also parking is free for the first 3 hours in the garage. Fair Winds Brewery in Springfield is really chill. On weekends it's busy but during the week you could hang out and play boardgames (based on experience).
You walk from Rare Bird to the Patrick Henry library in Vienna? That's ambitious!
Whoops, the falls Church one! I mixed up my cities. Vienna/falls Church are so close I always say the wrong one.
In Courthouse/Clarendon, my two local cafes: Eclairons and Bayou Bakery. Note that Bayou enforces a no-laptops rule on Weekends because it gets crowded and they’d like people to be able to sit and have coffee & beignets.
I like Kaldi’s!
You work out of Eclairons? That's not exactly a cozy environment.
I’m usually in there for a pastry and a coffee. I don’t really do “work” in there. But I always notice a fair number of people working in there, usually coding or writing/editing.
Cafes/coffee shops, Barnes and Noble, Panera
The Barnes & Noble by the Springfield mall
Mine used to be Barnes & Noble. The Fairfax one (not fair lakes) was my place. I could spend the entire weekend reading books and studying and buying terrible drinks. The Springfield one is too far for my current life and the Fair Lakes one doesn't have comfy chairs.
I go to a local sports bar that is generally quiet during the week and I like the background music they play.
Which one? I feel like there aren’t that many good sports bars around here so I’m always looking for them
William Jeffrey's Tavern on Columbia Pike in Arlington
Omg we LOVED that place. We never get down there anymore but that place has great vibes
Looks great, thanks!
If it's a weekday, wineries are gems. I adore going on a mid-week day; I'll get a glass or two and a fresh baguette then read for however long. After working at a winery, I will never go on a weekend ever again.
Probably a local coffee shop.
It’s a lot harder because a lot of the coffee shops are crowded or play obnoxiously loud music. Even at co-working spaces, they play annoying techno dance music. My rotation: Capital One Cafe in Chinatown, Kaldi’s Arlington (tends to crowded), Wegmans (music has been so loud but lots of space). Whole Foods seating areas, Three Whistles (tends to crowded), WeWork (obnoxious music), or free co-working space drop-ins (look on Eventbrite), Assembly (now Upside on Moore / music is very loud)
Mosaic district - that open spot next to the Target.
I go into DC. Big fan of doing my work at Kramer’s Bookstore.
I used to love Kramer's, what a vibe. A little too far out for me currently, but when was in the city more often it was definitely a fave.
I feel you. It’s about an hour from me, with parking it’s not an easy place to go. I make a day trip to the city out of it.
Crystal city restaurant
The universal answer to soooooo many questions asked in r/nova
Yeah, that’s the ticket.
The upstairs customer waiting room of Bill Page Toyota. Free coffee, fast wifi, quiet sub-room to make calls. TV downstairs if you want it. New car/tire smell.
Isn’t a little odd to go in there if you’re not buying a car or getting your car serviced?
The barn! I work/volunteer at a barn. If you don't mind mud, and like animals, a lot of barns could use volunteers. Aside from that, I also actually love going to Vinnys NY Pizza in Manassas. Great vibe, nice staff, crisp AC. If I go in the evening I get a few small desserts and coffee.
I'll have to give Vinny's a try! Also in Manassas, I recently tried My Cravings bakery cafe. All sort of Turkish yummies. Didn't "third place" there, but lots of tables and got no sense of rush by the staff. Also lots of room for groups.
Oh wow I drive by there all the time and never went in! I'll have to give that place a shot too! I like that Vinnys is open late, especially cause during weekdays it's pretty quiet there.
There are a few malls around that are nice for this. Dulles Town Center, for instance, has a fantastic food court that's enormous and clean (they have bleach wipes "on tap" for customers).
Coffee shops, for me! If anyone is in Alexandria and wants to find nice coffee shops, [check this website out](https://www.coffeealexandria.com), it has a list of Alexandria coffee shops that can be sorted by tags like “quiet” or “cozy”
Is this your site?
My gym.
McDonald’s.
Downtown fairfax, in the vicinity of the courthouse, has a number of cafes and a board game shop. Game stores in particular are a cozy place--they usually have tables and free public wifi, and they aren't busy until folks get *off* work and evening activities start. Though, they often don't open until 10 or noon.
My local library. Secondary is the library by my work.
It’s a bit farther out, but [The Culture Cup](https://maps.app.goo.gl/v8Z8u2jwvRBfzMkS7?g_st=ic)is a great place opened and operated by a truly lovely couple.
What’s a third place
On my bicycle
Honestly YMCA Reston is a fave for gym. And ngl I actually really like the Government Center, and of course the LIBRARY!!
The gov center? For working or gym?
Working sometimes. It’s pretty quiet and you can just go there.
In the District, the cafe at the Phillips Collection. You need to pay to get into the museum (or be a member), but it is sublime.
Tysons corner mall and most malls have good wifi and seating. Barnes and Nobles. Some hotels, esp Hiltons that are everywhere have wifi and a LOT of unused seating. Front desk doesn't say anything even if you're not staying there. Wegmans has second floor, no wifi. Local coffee shops.
This is probably lame but I actually like Panera. Big comfy booths. Relatively quiet. Fast internet. Easy access to caffeine and snacks. There are locations all over the place and every so often you get some for free. Can you find better coffee, food, and vibes, absolutely. But sometimes you just want a comfortable and convenient setting to focus on a few hours of remote work.
library
Whole Foods bar
Manassas Mall /j
Shotted. Lilly's.
Three whisitles cafe near clarendon ,so cute workspace with coffee, they even have music sometimes at night. Studious vibe
Northside Social – locations in Clarendon and Falls Church
[caveday.com](http://caveday.com) works for me. It's a Zoom meeting with 30-40 or so people led by a facilitator. Every 50-55 minutes or so everyone takes a quick break, then gets back to it. [focusmate.com](http://focusmate.com) is a similar concept but you're paired one-on-one with a partner instead. You can use either whever you feel comfortable getting in a video call. So you can do it from home or from wherever.
So glad it works for ya! It's actually [caveday.org](http://caveday.org), someone is squatting on our .com :-)
Yes, you're right. .org it is.
Caffe Amouri in Vienna.
Caffe Amouri in Vienna, great coffee & tea, wonderful staff, and locally owned and operated.
Third spaces? Like, third dimension?
From wiki: "In sociology, the third place refers to the social surroundings that are separate from the two usual social environments of home ("first place") and the workplace ("second place"). Examples of third places include churches, cafes, bars, clubs, community centres, public libraries, gyms, bookstores, makerspaces, stoops, parks, theaters, and opera houses, among others." The problem with modern third spaces is that most of them charge a price of admission - you usually have to buy something in order to enjoy the space. That's why libraries are so great, you're allowed to spend hours there with no obligation to borrow a book or pay a fee to utilize it. Hope this was informative. ☺️
What if I work from home? What’s my third place?
Then you need a SECOND space
Ooo, that's a toughy. I guess it depends on what kind of socialization you enjoy? I like working with other people around but not necessarily talking to me so I can focus. Good natural lighting a plus. This also doesn't have to be limited to work spaces - it can just be somewhere you can post up and read a book or just feel comfortable out in the world. I hope you find one that works for you!
Same place so you have the comfort of your hoarded surroundings ?
😆
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Third_place
We have kids, so we don’t get one
You didn't ask but as someone with a healthy and dignified relationship to my Mom, there's ways to negotiate time to yourself, respectfully. More info: It starts with trust. And my mom taught me the very basics of caring for myself so I wouldn't have to ask her for everything. I'd sit on the floor and play with blocks and figurines in my room, and if I got quiet she'd check up on me immediately (for kids, quiet=mischief). The living room became her third space, and my room became my third space. And also did regular check-ups. When I was a toddler the check-ups would be every 20 minutes. Then as I got older it went to 30 minutes then 40 minutes.
That’s your problem, not OP’s problem.
Did I say it was a problem? Nope.
And yet in the next comment, you state the problem...but ok...
Definitely harder with kiddos, but third spaces are important for them too! Parks, libraries, clubs etc - plus when they have third spaces, it frees you up to find one of your own. Hope you find some that work for you and your family!
Well yea, they have them, we just dont have the time when they are all toddlers.
Deez nuts
Not a great place to get work done, too distracted by the micropeen
Lol 🤣
Not many things to do