In the distance, the rumble of a thunderstorm sends a shiver down your spine. There’s a flash of lightning and then the mighty sound of a gorilla’s yell. Under normal circumstances these conditions could mean a rather unsettling night in the jungle, but at the Rainforest Cafe in Tyson’s Corner Mall it’s just part of the fun of dining.

From the moment you step up to the main desk until the time you leave the adventure is nonstop. The main restaurant itself is made up as a jungle with a canopy as the ceiling. Look carefully among the foliage as there are animals of all types hidden away up peeking at you while you dine. Thankfully the only live ones are the two parrots on the outside of the restaurant where several times a day you can enjoy a bird demonstration.

Depending on what part of the restaurant you find yourself seated in you could be graced with a cascading waterfall, any of a number of giant salt water aquariums, statues, robotic animal dioramas and even a beautifully done fiber-optic starscape twinkling in the ceiling.

However, the atmosphere alone is not the only reason to stop in. The food is an excellent selection of American fare and the portions are sizeable even on the children’s menu. For those that just want a drink or somewhere to wait while a table is available there are hand carved animal stools under a mushroom canopy.

Another option is to visit the adjacent retail village where you can purchase unique Rainforest Cafe souvenirs. Children might especially enjoy the glow in the dark section as it is made up like a cave.

This particular branch is located in Virginia, but there are similar ones throughout the country. Be aware, however, that it is extremely popular and you should arrive early to avoid a long wait. Thankfully between the shop, the parrots and the other effects, the wait is seldom boring.