NoVa History: Let’s Unpack Alexandria’s Past


Alexandria is great, dare I say perfect. There’s scrumptious restaurants, beautiful housing, and never-ending sources of fun— but that’s not all the area has to offer. The city is hundreds of years old, and packed with history. How Alexandria came to be what it is today is a story every local should hear, and every visitor will appreciate. Afterwards, looking upon the quaint, colonial-style houses or walking along the cobblestone roads will inspire a whole new feeling. 




Pre-Colonial Times

 

Unsurprisingly, Alexandria was the land of many indigenous groups circa prehistory. A broken spear point was found at Clovis Point, a discovery that showed people were living in the city over 13,000…

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Cemeteries aren’t just a mournful— or spooky— place. They can be architecturally stunning, historically valuable, and just a peaceful place to go on a stroll. Though most people wouldn’t fancy themselves visitors to such places, in NOVA it’s a must. Here we have some immensely important cemeteries— and they happen to be beautiful too. ​

Arlington National Cemetery

"Arlington National Cemetery Graves (Burial Criteria)" by Tony Fischer Photography is licensed under CC BY 2.0.

Walking around Arlington National Cemetery will bring feelings of profound somberness. At certain vantage points, all the eye can see is grave upon grave. It’s a 639 acre cemetery, so it’s vast and closer to the center, it feels all encompassing. And sometimes, it’s…

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It’s a very brisk week in NOVA. The weather out here is usually nothing compared to the Northeast U.S– or even Western Virginia– but the current forecast is a lot chillier than usual. That can be bad. It means getting to work is a little more arduous. It means more time putting on one layer over another. Walking the dog might feel a little torturous. A strong chill in the air can also be good, though. Huddling under fuzzy blankets near kindling fireplaces. A great excuse to skip the gym, too. Most importantly, a lovely excuse to go grab a fresh, warm, deliciously brewed cup of coffee. If you need a quick, cozy pick or just need something to add warmth to your bones, we’ve compiled a list of some of the best Northern Virginian coffee shops.

Simply…

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Just because it’s chilly out doesn’t mean NOVA residents are stuck inside. Luckily, the weather around here is very forgiving in the winter, and nature is still highly accessible. If you are feeling stir-crazy, need a break from the weekly rat race, or simply need something to do, NOVA has  some great local trails, parks, and reserves to scratch that itch. Be warned: some of these spots are a bit far from the heart of NOVA, so be prepared and pick a busy-free day to venture out. 

Bears Den Trail 

"Bear Den Trail" by pmuellr is licensed under CC BY 2.0.

Bears Den isn’t a day-trip place— it’s a weekend getaway. If you’re looking for a cozy cabin and some nature, this is it. Bear Den offers a beautiful view of the Blue Ridge Mountains. A…

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New taxes are just the best way to start the new year, right? I jest, of course. While Fairfax County has dropped a new, heftier meal tax on Jan. 1, despite it being a downer, it’s (thankfully) not life-ruining. A luxury tax is always preferred over a services cut or a property tax. At least in this VA, residents have a choice. At the same time, it’s good to be aware of what this new tax affects in order to protect your wallet— and your dignity when the bill arrives higher than expected. Below is an outline of everything the new tariff entails: what exactly it will affect, what it won’t affect, and how to find workarounds for more reasonable prices.
  The Fairfax County tax (named the beverage and food tax) is described as: a 4% tax on…

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LAST-MINUTE CHRISTMAS SHOPPING? CHECK OUT THESE NOVA SPOTS

Gift-giving hard. Not only is it hard, but with how busy life gets, it’s easy to forget to actually get something before the big day. That’s why we’ve put together a list of spots for that person you love. 

FOR HER 

THE BEE STORE 

Though The Bee Store is a specialty store for beekeepers, there’s plenty of stuff for the non-beekeepers too, like soaps, candles, and local honey. This place is great for a gal who likes her self-care. The handcrafted soap is beautiful, and each scent has eye-catching colors interlaced. My personal favorite is the Honey Catcher soap, which smells pleasantly sweet—and delicious— and is shaped like a honey comb, holes shaped like a hexagon, and…

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Step Back in Time at These Nostalgic Spots Near Nova Before NYE

When I think of the ‘80s, I see glowing neon lights and boxy windbreakers. I smell sugary soda pop and a lot of hairspray, and I hear trebly dance music with heavy reverb on the drums. 

 

The ‘90s bring images to my mind of slick leather jackets and shiny CDs. I smell cigarette smoke; I hear heavy electric guitar and Chicago house beats. 

 

The 2000s conjure up the sight of low-cut jeans, the smell of bubblegum and a good, greasy pizza; the sounds of over-compressed electro pop.

 

These decades flew right by us. The vibe of 2025 is its own thing; a little bit of everything from the past is mixed in, but we’ll never get back the distinct aesthetics of those times that once…

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Northern Virginia is one of the most historically old regions in the U.S, with a lengthy legacy that dates back to the formation of our lovely country. With that in mind, and with the current winter season, I felt that more locals (or visitors) should know about our local, very special, and completely unique Christmas traditions. 


THE WATER-SKIING SANTA 

Nick Eckert / Water Skiing Santa

Way back in 1986, a group of local NoVa friends made a bet. The four of them were planning a holiday party and thought of the idea of water skiing in the middle of town, all dressed up. They played the Russian roulette of drawing straws, and dared the loser who pulled the shortest straw to water ski down the Potomac River dressed in a Santa suit. The…

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3 cozy, unique & rustic northern virginia restaurants you have to visit before fall ends

 
Secret Garden Cafe 
Location: 404 Mill St, Occoquan Historic District, VA, 22125 
Price range: $

At Yarn's Length  Less on the rustic side; more on the cozy feel. The Secret Garden Cafe is very true to its name. When you walk up to the eatery, you’ll see a little wood-paneled structure that’s deceptively house-like, but, despite the colonial-style signs hanging from the building’s trim, the doors are locked, and the lights are shut off. In between this building and the neighboring one on the right is a slim alley and a set of cobblestone stairs. This is where the secretive entrance to the cafe lies.  After climbing the cobblestone…

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Go See Some Christmas Lights

The most well-known light show in NoVA is the Bull Run Festival of Lights. It’s a 2.5-mile drive through some decently nice lights with a pop-up carnival at the end. There’s no music, though, and the price isn’t all that cheap either.   Meadowlark’s Walk of Lights at Botanical Gardens is another option. The trail is a paved half-mile, and for extra festive feels, they have warmed beverages and marshmallow roasting at the end of the road. To enter this light show, tickets have to be purchased online.  My personal favorite light show is not brought to you by a company, but rather a lovely lady named Holly. Holly’s Tacky Christmas Lights Tour is her special rendition of a drive-through lights show. She…

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