Northern Virginia

Inside Mount Vernon’s Historic Restoration for America 250

Under a cold pewter sky, on a day in the run-up to America’s 250th birthday, Doug Bradburn places his hand on a gritty beige wall of an outbuilding at George Washington’s Mount Vernon. “Washington wanted his home to look like it was made of stone, which was the preferred building material of the day,” says […]

by Craig Stoltz

Middleburg Vintner Masters the Obscure Norton Grape

The largest planting of Norton grapes in the world covers 40 undulating acres in Middleburg, about a mile from the Bull Run Mountains. That’s around the size of the parking lot of a Walmart Supercenter. The fact that such a small planting is the world’s largest tells us a lot about this elusive grape. The […]

by Craig Stoltz

New Experiences at Tysons Corner Center

Joining the crowd of retail malls diversifying to attract a broader range of visitors, Tysons Corner Center has undergone a makeover. One of the largest malls in the country and just minutes from the nation’s capital, Tysons has reimagined its space with a $100 million redevelopment project focusing on “experience-driven entertainment,” according to real estate […]

by Emily Grinstead

The State’s Best Barbecue that Virginians Swear By

Online rankings will only get you so far. The real BBQ gems in Virginia are the ones your neighbors have been quietly guarding for years—the roadside spots, the family-run smokehouses, the places without a single influencer photo on the wall. These are the ones worth knowing about. Virginians are serious about tasty barbecue, and not […]

by Janelle Alberts

Discover Luxury Treehouse Rentals in Loudoun County

Move over, traditional stays—book a treehouse in Northern Virginia! Waterford Reservations owners and power couple Donnie Walker and Reagan Morris are out to attract guests from across the country to visit this bustling part of the state, with vineyards, breweries, wedding venues, and scenic trails. So consider trading the conventional Airbnb for something wilder: a […]

by Gabriela de Camargo Gonçalves

Arlington Charms with its City Pulse and Cozy Corners

Commuters stride with purpose, traffic marches along the avenues, and Arlington pulses with life. But step just a few blocks away from the main streets, and the pace begins to shift. Sidewalks give way to tree-lined trails. Parks stretch between neighborhoods. Arlington manages to balance it all with easy access to the outdoors alongside deep-rooted […]

by Abby Price

Petit Domaine: Virginia’s First Sparkling Winery

Virginia is no longer wine’s best-kept secret. Imbibers have caught on to the state’s diverse terroir and unique grapes. For all the accolades, however, there was one thing lacking: a winery devoted to sparkling wine. J. Snyder, a Loudoun County native and wine connoisseur, recognized this opportunity. He sought to create a winery that emulates […]

by Sylvie Baggett

Café du Soleil Expands in Alexandria’s Old Town

Francophiles in Alexandria’s Old Town had reason to celebrate when the beloved tiny gem announced it would open a sister café on Jefferson Street in 2025. Both Café du Soleils sit about a mile from one another and both offer a rapturous mix of simple but delicious French-inspired cuisine, gourmet coffee drinks, local culture, and […]

by Eric J. Wallace

NOVA’s Best Burger Joints

From old-school diners, craft breweries, or upscale bars, mouthwatering, all-beef patties and buns are hard to beat. Celebrate this year’s National Burger Day on May 28 with three of NoVa’s best. Hangry Burger 6699 Frontier Dr Suite G, Springfield, VA 22150 Don’t let the strip mall façade fool you, this Springfield favorite dishes up […]

by Eric J. Wallace

Inside Joon, Northern Virginia’s Award-Winning Iranian Restaurant

The plate in front of me has followed a path of 6,183 miles and many millennia before it got here. The first versions of the dish—simple roasted eggplant with garlic, turmeric, and poached eggs—were created thousands of years ago near the Caspian Sea, in what’s now northern Iran. It became a staple across the Persian […]

by Craig Stoltz

New Year, New NoVa Hotels to Know About

There’s a buzz in the air in Northern Virginia as the chilly New Year air settles in. Maybe it’s the new crowd of runners filling the morning sidewalks as they chase their resolutions, maybe it’s the nervous energy of residents trying to predict the next snowfall—or maybe it’s the three fabulous new hotels hitting the […]

by Hope Cartwright

Historic Manassas Museum Gets Major Makeover

Once a little railroad junction connecting Richmond, Washington, D.C., and the Shenandoah Valley, Manassas is now a real cultural, historic hub of NoVa. Its legacy comes to life at the Manassas Museum. In 2024, GWWO Architects completed a $6.2 million transformation of the museum, 50 years after its founding. Terry Squyres, senior principal at GWWO, […]

by Hope Cartwright

Where to Sing Karaoke in NoVa

Before the “What’s your go-to karaoke song?” small talk begins, you first have to pick a go-to karaoke bar. Luckily, Northern Virginia is chock-full of them, ready for tone deaf crooners and superstar singers alike. Breakers Sky Lounge: Pool bar with karaoke on Wednesdays and weekends. 2445 Centreville Rd., 4th Floor, Herndon, BreakersSkyLounge.com Crafthouse USA: […]

by Hope Cartwright

Bagpipes Mark Christmastide in Alexandria

Bagpipes reverberate through streets decked in holiday finery, the pitter-patter of terriers in plaid close behind. Crowds in clan tartans and crests swell around you, and for a moment, Alexandria feels uncannily like Edinburgh. Allison O’Keefe, communications manager at Visit Alexandria, recalls her first Scottish Christmas Walk: “I felt instantly transported into a Hallmark Christmas […]

by Hope Cartwright

Zero-Waste Stores for Sustainable Shopping in NoVa

Sustainability-minded folks in Northern Virginia are finding it easier to meet their goalsto reduce waste, thanks to a handful of stores that minimize plastic packaging. Fillagreen, Manassas: The first zero-waste retail store and refill shop in Prince William County stocks earth-friendly detergents, bath and body products, pet supplies, and more. Fill up using your own […]

by Erica Jackson Curran

How Lucketts Store Owner Made a Withering Mansion Home

The first time Suzanne Eblen walked up to the 1799 mansion that would become her French-inspired retreat in the country, it was Mother’s Day. That morning, a friend showed up at her house, coffee in hand, and directed her to get in the car. There was an old house in Bluemont they needed to see, […]

by Heather Bien

Celebrate Halloween with Pumpkin-Shaped Bagels

Picture this: You’re scrolling through Instagram and suddenly stop dead in your tracks. Is that a pumpkin? Wait, no—it’s a bagel shaped like a pumpkin, and it’s so realistic you’d swear it just rolled in from a roadside farmstand. Welcome to Bobby’s Bagel Café, where carbs meet creativity in the most spectacular way possible. Back […]

by Lauren Stanley

Virginia Gyms and Spas for Social Wellness and Self-Care

So, you want to be well—don’t we all? You might start with a diet, add a workout routine and regular sleep schedule, buy a vitals-tracking smart ring, find a therapist, and become startlingly obsessed with your daily water intake. But even after all this, why do so many of us still feel restless, unhappy, still […]

by Hope Cartwright

Northern Virginia’s Top 5 Most Creative Cafés

Whether you want to sip tea in a secret garden or you’re craving coffee with a side of kitty cuddles, there’s no shortage of inventive cafés in Northern Virginia. Here are some of our favorites. Secret Garden Cafe, Occoquan: In Old Town Occoquan, this quaint café operates out of a former pharmacist’s office dating back […]

by Erica Jackson Curran

Pages: 123456

All Aboard: Virginia’s Summer of Steam Celebrates America250

This summer, the legendary Norfolk & Western 611 steam locomotive is firing up her wheel—and she’s bringing history along for the ride. Built in 1950 in Roanoke, Virginia, the 611 is the last surviving member of the “J-Class” fleet, widely regarded as the pinnacle of steam technology. With her iconic bullet-shaped nose, Tuscan Red stripe, […]

by Abby Borgeson

Sail250 Virginia Brings Tall Ships From Around the World

When more than 60 tall ships and military vessels from 30 countries glide into Virginia waters this June, they’ll carry centuries of seafaring history—and usher in one of the most ambitious celebrations America has ever staged. Sail250 Virginia, the Commonwealth’s landmark commemoration of the nation’s 250th anniversary, runs June 12–23, transforming Norfolk and 11 affiliate […]

by Madeline Mayhood

Atlantic Park Surf Brings a New Era to Virginia Beach

In 2017, Virginia Beach architect Alec Yuzhbabenko was two years out of college when a company principal pulled him into a meeting with one of Hampton Roads’ biggest real estate and development firms. The topic? How to transform 10 acres of blighted parking lots in the heart of the resort area into a signature, place-defining […]

by Eric J. Wallace

Northern Virginia

Inside Mount Vernon’s Historic Restoration for America 250

Current Issue

Most Popular

All Aboard: Virginia’s Summer of Steam Celebrates America250

Sail250 Virginia Brings Tall Ships From Around the World

Atlantic Park Surf Brings a New Era to Virginia Beach

Northern Virginia

Inside Mount Vernon’s Historic Restoration for America 250

Current Issue

Get our most popularweekly newsletter: VL Today

Most Popular

All Aboard: Virginia’s Summer of Steam Celebrates America250

Sail250 Virginia Brings Tall Ships From Around the World

Atlantic Park Surf Brings a New Era to Virginia Beach

Get our most popularweekly newsletter: VL Today

Get our most popular
weekly newsletter: VL Today

Get our most popular
weekly newsletter: VL Today