In the barbaric, prehistoric era before Metro was built, Clarendon was center to the Arlington County scene. For decades after it was overlooked in favor of more happening Rosslyn, Ballston and Crystal City, but in recent years has reclaimed its place as Arlington's most happening and exciting neighborhood.

While Rosslyn, Ballston and Crystal City are dominated by large buildings built at approximately the same time, Clarendon 's urbanity benefits from its mix of large, small, old and new structures. It is probably Northern Virginia's best urban environment after Old Town Alexandria.