Whether the close proximity of Washington DC has influenced the types of pizzas made in Herndon is not a known fact, but the pizzerias in this Virginia city certainly go all in on sophisticated pies. Herndon is known for gourmet pizzas and every pizzeria in Herndon has gourmet pizzas of one kind or another on their menu. Break a gourmet pizza down to the basics and you'll soon realize that what you're getting is a traditional Italian thick or thin crust base topped with nothing fancier than the usual combination of ingredients - sometimes. Can a plain Margarita really be classed as a gourmet pizza? Maybe in Herndon, Virginia, but not in the rest of the US or around the world. So when saying Herndon is known for gourmet pizzas, read old-world thick crust, as that's the pizza you'll get.

Best delivery pizza in Herndon, Virginia

To get the best delivery pizza in Herndon you need to order from a pizzeria that promises fast delivery and then lives up to the promise. That pizzeria is Mr Pepperoni who not only gets your pie to you in record time, but bakes a first-class pizza too. Mr Pepperoni has a no-fuss, no-frills premises in the Reston-Herndon Business Park on Spring Street and while their dining area might not be up to much - think budget work's canteen - they really do mean business when they're delivering pies. Mr Pepperoni bakes both thick and thin crust pizzas as well as a range of gourmet pies with pretty average toppings like steak and cheese and hot buffalo chicken. Whether or not they should be called gourmet is questionable, but they do taste good.

Best takeout pizza in Herndon, Virginia

If you've spent a couple of hours with the kids in either Bready or Bruin Park and they're now screaming blue murder because they're famished, don't worry, you won't have to wear earplugs for long. Paisano's, a pizzeria on Elden Street, is just a few minutes away and fortunately where you can pick up the best take-out pizza in Herndon, so you'll have no complaints from the kids. Paisano's has a small but smart looking premises with parking right outside the entrance. It's a welcoming, family-oriented pizza joint so you'll have no problem taking the young ones in with you while you order their favorite pie. If they're not sure which is their favorite, try them with a Bacon Cheeseburger pizza and silence will reign supreme.

Best pizza near Herndon, Virginia

Great Falls

One of the nicest places to visit in Virginia is only a ten-mile drive from Herndon and that's Great Falls. If you've never been there before then the first stop has to be the Great Falls Park to see the waterfall. Follow that with a hike on the Difficult Runstream Valley Trail by the Potomac River or a walk along the canal path trails of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal, both of which are accessible from the park. If you don't want to hike you can take a leisurely cruise on a canal boat instead or learn about the canal and falls at the Great Falls Tavern Visitor Center. Before you head for home, try a pizza at the Village Grill on the VA-193.

Chantilly

Aviation, history, or great outdoors fans won't be short of something to do if they make the short trip south from Herndon to Chantilly. Chantilly is where the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center is located which is a three quarter of a million square foot space and aviation museum. There's a lot to look at there including the Discovery Space Shuttle. If that's not enough, then there's the Mary Baker Engen Restoration Hangar Museum to visit too. The history lovers won't want to miss the Sully Historic Site or the Frying Pan Historic Farm where there are live reenactments. For the outdoorsy types, there's the Rocky Run Stream Valley Trail to hike before dropping in at Gusto Farm to Street on Newbrook Drive for a pizza loaded with farm-fresh goodies.

Leesburg

Leesburg isn't a large place by any means, but there's a surprising amount of diverse activities you can do there. Take a look around the Ball's Bluff Battlefield Regional Park if you're into Civil War history or pop into the Loudoun Museum for a browse if you want to discover more about the local history. If you have kids with you, they'll totally enjoy a visit to the Leesburg Animal Park or the AVSAC water park if the weather is okay for that type of aquatic fun. If not, compensate them by taking them for a pizza at Fireworks Pizza on Harrison Street Southeast.