If you've ever driven past the National Botanic Garden in Chantilly and wondered what's behind those gates, here's your chance to find out — in costume.

On October 25-26, the garden is hosting Cosplay Enchantment in the Gardens, and honestly? It's about time. This is the first cosplay event at the 250-acre property, which sits tucked away on Peter and Baela Knop's private family farm. The Knops have spent years designing this place with an ambitious goal: fulfilling George Washington's dream of a National Botanic Garden — something largely unrealized on the National Mall due to development, but now possible here in the Virginia suburbs.

Here's the thing — the garden only opens once a month from April to November for special events, so access is…

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The Ultimate Guide to Investing in Northern Virginia Real Estate in 2025

The Northern Virginia (NoVA) real estate market is buzzing. Arlington just posted a 1.2% to 3.7% appreciation rate, and Prince William County is showing solid 2% to 4% growth. While these numbers are strong, focusing only on the headlines could cause you to miss the biggest long-term opportunities in the entire region.

Many homebuyers make costly mistakes by relying on generic, national housing reports. To succeed here, you need hyper-local intel. I’m going to break down which NoVA counties are worth your money right now and which ones are poised for massive future growth.

Arlington County: The Premium Powerhouse

Let's start where the market is absolutely crushing it.…

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FAQ: New Community at 6154 Amber Lane

Welcome to Heathcote Village by Del Webb, the newest active adult community in Prince William County. Nestled in the heart of Haymarket, Virginia, this neighborhood brings the trusted Del Webb name to Northern Virginia with beautifully designed villa-style homes, resort-style amenities, and a location that offers both convenience and charm.

With four floorplans starting in the mid-$600s and a true lock-and-leave lifestyle, Heathcote Village is designed for active adults, downsizers, and anyone who wants low-maintenance living with plenty of space.

Construction and Timeline

Heathcote Village is actively selling now. The community includes a mix of multi-family buildings and two-level villas, with quick…

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Northern Virginia is full of stories about growth and transformation—but few are as symbolic as what’s happening at the old Regal Cinemas site in Manassas. What was once a landmark for movie nights is now becoming Parkridge West, a modern community of townhomes and stacked condos designed to meet today’s critical housing demand.

This redevelopment isn’t just about new homes—it’s about how Prince William County is reimagining aging retail corridors into thriving residential neighborhoods. Let’s break down everything you need to know.

What’s Being Built at Parkridge West?

  • Location: 10900–11380 Bulloch Drive, Manassas, VA (next to the DMV office and Parkridge Shopping Center)

  • Homes: Up to 162 new townhomes and stacked condos…

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Welcome to The Retreat at Winding Creek, your haven in Winchester, Virginia, where luxury meets community living. This master-planned neighborhood offers a mix of stylish townhomes and spacious two-story single-family homes—designed for comfort, connection, and convenience.

Homes here start from $449,990 and feature flexible layouts with 3–5 bedrooms, 2.5–3 baths, and 2-car garages. Floorplans begin around 1,657 square feet and expand for larger families or those who simply want more room to spread out. Whether you’re buying your first home, upgrading for more space, or downsizing into something fresh and low-maintenance, Retreat at Winding Creek has options to fit your lifestyle.

Homes for Sale 

Browse the latest new construction homes…

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Markoff’s Haunted Forest 

 

I have to start with the most obvious and well-loved haunted attraction near the DMV area. Markoff’s is by far the best ‘haunted’ location but word of warning, it’s about an hour out of the Northern Virginia area and is located on the Maryland side of the border. The drive is inarguably worth it. The haunted forest is really a nighttime walk on a trail  with gnarled tree roots and in-the-way branches littering the path. The whole experience feels very much like Tolkien’s Mirkwood forest.

 

Markoff’s has incredible production value and puts their whole heart into the set and costume design for ultimate realism. As a side bonus, they’re known to treat their scare actors and actresses extremely well, and some of the…

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Here's something that makes me proud to work in this region.

With the government shutdown affecting thousands of our neighbors, Alexandria isn't just sitting back—they're rolling out the welcome mat. Visit Alexandria is offering free "Keys to the City" passes (normally $60) to federal workers and hotel guests hit by the shutdown.

What's included? Head to the Alexandria Visitor Center at 221 King Street with your government ID or hotel reservation, and you'll get access to nine historic sites plus 40% off admission to George Washington's Mount Vernon, rides on the Potomac Water Taxi, and tours of the Tall Ship Providence. That's real value when budgets are tight.

For federal employees, just show a valid government ID. Hotel guests need to present…

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Hey NoVA!

Mark your calendars—October 9–13, Reston Town Center transforms into Northern Virginia's premier film destination for the 14th Annual Washington West Film Festival. And folks, this year's lineup is incredible.

We're talking 38 films across LOOK Dine-In Cinemas, Reston Town Center Pavilion, and Reston Community Center. Documentaries. Shorts. Features. Anniversary screenings. Something for everyone.

The Can't-Miss Highlights:

Olympic legend Edwin Moses presenting Moses 13 – Steps on October 11th. The gripping documentary In Waves and War that same night. Then buckle up for the 30th anniversary screening of Apollo 13 on October 12th with a panel featuring Senator Bill Nelson—yes, the astronaut himself!

Bringing the family? There's a…

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Leesburg, Virginia just made a major splash on the national stage. WalletHub has ranked Leesburg #11 on its 2025 list of the Best Small Cities in America. Out of more than 1,300 cities nationwide with populations between 25,000 and 100,000, Leesburg stood out for quality of life, strong schools, and overall livability.

As someone who covers Northern Virginia real estate every day, I can tell you this recognition is well-deserved.

Why Leesburg Ranked So High

WalletHub compared small cities across 45 different indicators ranging from housing costs and school quality to restaurants per capita and crime rates. Leesburg checked the boxes in multiple categories:

  • Quality of life: From its walkable historic downtown to nearby parks and…

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Alexandria Takes the Hardest Hit: What Federal Downsizing Means for Our Real Estate Market

Look, I'm not going to sugarcoat this — Alexandria is feeling the federal downsizing more than any other Northern Virginia suburb right now. A new Brookings Institution report dropped this week, and the numbers tell a story we've been watching unfold in real time.

Here's what's happening: Since January, the Trump administration has cut roughly 300,000 federal jobs nationwide. But here's the thing — while those jobs are concentrated in D.C., the people who hold them? They live here. In our neighborhoods. Over 13,000 federal workers call Alexandria home, and more than 76,000 live in Virginia's 8th Congressional District alone.

The result? Alexandria's…

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