Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters

Take your next trip with Atlas Obscura!

Our small-group adventures are inspired by our Atlas of the world's most fascinating places, the stories behind them, and the people who bring them to life.

Visit Adventures
Trips Highlight
Central Asia yurt night stars
Uzbekistan • 15 days, 14 nights
Central Asia Road Trip: Backroads & Bazaars
from
A view of Brașov’s Old Town.
Romania • 12 days, 11 nights
Legends of Romania: Castles, Ruins & Culinary Delights
from
View all trips
Top Destinations
Latest Places
Most Popular Places Random Place Lists Itineraries
Add a Place
Download the App
Top Destinations
View All Destinations »

Countries

  • Australia
  • Canada
  • China
  • France
  • Germany
  • India
  • Italy
  • Japan

Cities

  • Amsterdam
  • Barcelona
  • Beijing
  • Berlin
  • Boston
  • Budapest
  • Chicago
  • London
  • Los Angeles
  • Mexico City
  • Montreal
  • Moscow
  • New Orleans
  • New York City
  • Paris
  • Philadelphia
  • Rome
  • San Francisco
  • Seattle
  • Stockholm
  • Tokyo
  • Toronto
  • Vienna
  • Washington, D.C.
Latest Places
View All Places »
The Eye of God at Newchurch in Pendle
St. Govor’s Well.
St. Govor’s Well
Shivsrushti
Pierced domes of Hammam Seffarine.
Hammam Seffarine
Latest Places to Eat & Drink
View All Places to Eat »
Names on the bartop.
The Dive
Cacio e pepe lasagna combines two classics.
C'è Pasta... E Pasta!
Spaghetto taratatà is named for the sound of rattling sabers.
Giano Restaurant
The gnocchi here get blanketed in a sugo with braised oxtail.
Cesare al Pellegrino
Romans insist you should feel the cracked peppercorns and cheese grains on your tongue.
Flavio al Velavevodetto
Recent Stories
All Stories Video Podcast
Most Recent Stories
View All Stories »
The 2,653-mile-long Pacific Crest Trail spans the entire West Coast from Canada to Mexico.
Meet the Volunteers Who Keep Thru-Hikers Moving
2 days ago
The Haskell Free Library and Opera House building on the U.S.-Canadian border.
Could New Border Restrictions Literally Tear the Haskell Free Library Apart?
3 days ago
A woman peering into the cave of Sarah Bishop c. 1900.
The Curious History of New England’s Hermit Tourism
3 days ago
The Big Well
This Kansas Town Advertised the World’s Largest Well. It Wasn’t.
4 days ago

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
All the United States Virginia McLean

The Atlas Obscura Guide To Mc Lean

3 Cool, Hidden, and Unusual Things to Do in McLean, Virginia

Updated May 19, 2022

Email
Attractions
Map
Leaderboards
Hotel Deals

Unusual Attractions in McLean

The CIA Museum is located in the George Bush Center for Intelligence

McLean, Virginia

CIA Museum

A secretive collection featuring objects that were designed specifically for U.S. intelligence operations.

McLean, Virginia

Patowmack Canal

The semi-reclaimed ruins of this canal were once part of an ambitious plan to reroute the mighty potomac.
Burling Cabin Ruins.

McLean, Virginia

Burling Cabin Site

The local community brought back this land to transform it into a nature preserve.
Are we missing something unusual?
Add it!
Man Slopping Pigs

Falls Church, Virginia

'The Man Slopping Pigs'

This eye-catching sculpture of rural life seems a bit out of place at a suburban intersection in front of a car dealership.
2 miles from McLean
Naval Surface Warfare Center.

Bethesda, Maryland

Naval Surface Warfare Center

This massive swimming pool is the high tech home to the human-powered submarine races.
2 miles from McLean
Mr. Dixie

Falls Church, Virginia

'Mr. Dixie'

This local mascot has been a presence in the area since the 1960s.
2 miles from McLean
Front gate of the park. (2020)

Bethesda, Maryland

Glen Echo Amusement Park

Once home to seven different roller coasters, Glen Echo has undergone many transformations since its founding in 1891.
3 miles from McLean
In partnership with KAYAK

Plan Your Trip

In partnership with GetYourGuide

Unforgettable Experiences Nearby

Explore McLean, Virginia

A

Mc Lean Leaderboard

Places Added

  1. crackdogx
    1
  2. blimpcaptain
    1
Join the Ranks!
Add an unusual place to McLean.

Places Edited

  1. Mark Casey
    1
  2. crackdogx
    1
  3. Darmon Richter
    1
  4. Martin
    1
  5. hrnick
    1
Join the Ranks!
Improve the Atlas with edits and photos.

Places Visited

  1. Traveling Maven
    3
  2. ecbarchives
    3
  3. Kev Obie
    3
  4. AF
    3
  5. Edward Denny
    3
Join the Ranks!
Visit a place in McLean.

Recent McLean Activity

  • jenwiedel

    wants to go to CIA Museum

    6 days ago
  • katelynnleib95

    has been to Patowmack Canal

    1 day ago
  • vcmwebb

    wants to go to CIA Museum

    1 day ago
  • valadelrio

    wants to go to Burling Cabin Site

    1 day ago
  • Funny

    wants to go to CIA Museum

    1 day ago

Become an Atlas Obscura Member

Join our community of curious explorers.

Learn More

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.