Found 11 blog entries tagged as Old Town Alexandria.

Old Town Alexandria Is Getting a New Specialty Coffee Shop

Old Town Alexandria’s King Street is about to welcome a new destination for coffee lovers.

According to Alexandria Living Magazine, Mudhouse Coffee Roasters is preparing to open its first Alexandria café at 1119 King Street, with a public opening expected on July 30 or July 31, 2026.

The Charlottesville-born specialty coffee company has grown from a small coffee cart into an award-winning Virginia roaster with locations across Virginia and South Carolina. Its arrival in Alexandria will bring locally roasted coffee, a thoughtfully designed gathering space and a unique connection to the farms where some of its beans are grown.

A Virginia Coffee Company With Global Roots

Mudhouse…

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By Chris Colgan
Real Nova Network

For more than a decade, one of the most valuable pieces of waterfront land in Northern Virginia has been sitting behind fences.

Not abandoned in the middle of nowhere.

Not tucked away where nobody sees it.

Right there in Alexandria.

The old Potomac River Generating Station in Old Town North has been one of those sites almost everyone around Alexandria knows, even if they do not know the official name. A massive former coal-fired power plant. Industrial. Closed off. Sitting on the Potomac River, just north of Old Town, in a city where waterfront land is some of the most important land there is.

And now, after years of planning, debate, city review, and public meetings, Alexandria…

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OK, this one is exciting because we are not talking about the usual chains. We are talking about high-concept, experience-driven spots that are actually going to change how people see certain neighborhoods in Northern Virginia.

If you are looking for where the energy is shifting in 2026, you need to keep an eye on these five spots. Let’s run through them.

1. Repeal Speakeasy in Manassas

This place is hidden inside the new Tempo by Hilton hotel on the NOVA Live campus, and it is not just a bar. It is a full theatrical experience.

They have committed completely to the 1920s Prohibition theme. We are talking dim lighting, velvet furniture, and staff dressed in flapper dresses and flat caps. The whole production.

The drinks are apparently…

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Northern Virginia is leveling up again. As a local real estate expert, I see firsthand how new dining and retail spots drive neighborhood value and change the vibe of our communities. We are moving way past cookie-cutter chains and seeing incredible, high-concept experiences open right in our backyards.

From a hidden 1920s speakeasy in Manassas to a major retail comeback in Alexandria, here is your insider scoop on the five most exciting openings you need to check out in NoVA right now—and where you can live nearby.

1. Repeal Speakeasy – Manassas

Neighborhood: NOVA Live / Tempo by Hilton Address: 9849 Discovery Blvd, Manassas, VA

Manassas nightlife just got a major upgrade. Hidden inside the new Tempo by Hilton on the NOVA Live campus,…

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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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I have lived in Northern Virginia my entire life. I grew up in Gainesville when it was mostly cornfields, I’ve watched Ashburn transform into "Data Center Alley," and I’ve sold real estate in every corner of this region, from the quietest cul-de-sacs in Haymarket to the busiest high-rises in Arlington.

But recently, I realized something: I have never driven from the furthest suburb all the way to the city line in a single day to compare them side-by-side.

 

So, I decided to do something different. I grabbed my team—Mal, Vince, and Peter—and we hopped in the car for an epic driving tour. Our mission? To rank every major town in Northern Virginia based on lifestyle, traffic, amenities, and that hard-to-define "vibe."

We drove from the…

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By Chris Colgan | Real Nova Network

Every December, Northern Virginia transforms into one of the most festive regions in the country. Historic streets fill with marching bagpipes, horse-drawn carriages clip-clop down small-town roads, and beloved local traditions attract tens of thousands of families.

This guide brings together the four biggest and most iconic holiday parades in the region — each offering a totally different vibe, from waterfront charm to equestrian grandeur.

Whether you're visiting from out of town or looking to build new family traditions, these are the holiday events you absolutely can’t miss.

1. Alexandria Scottish Christmas Walk Parade

Date: Saturday, December 6, 2025 — 11 a.m.
Location: Old Town Alexandria

…

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If you had to guess which Northern Virginia city was most impacted by recent federal downsizing, where would your mind go? Most people would bet on Arlington, the long-standing hub of government operations.

But you’d be wrong.

According to a revealing report from the Brookings Institute, it's actually Alexandria, Virginia, that has been hit the hardest. At first glance, the headlines might seem alarming. But as we often say in real estate, the numbers behind the numbers tell the real story. And the story in Alexandria is one of incredible resilience.

Let's break down what's really happening.

The Alarming Numbers (On the Surface)


The data shows a clear shift. With over 13,000 federal workers living in the city, the downsizing has had a…

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The fog rolls off the Potomac just before dawn. Brick-lined streets glisten under wrought-iron lanterns. Somewhere between the historic cobblestones of Old Town Alexandria and the sterile hum of federal offices in Arlington, a serial killer waits in the shadows. This isn't a Netflix trailer — it's the opening pulse of Patricia Cornwell's Sharp Force, the 29th installment in her iconic Kay Scarpetta series. And this time, the crime scene isn't Richmond or New York. It's right here. Northern Virginia.

For those of us who've spent our lives navigating the I-66 corridor, dodging Beltway traffic, and grabbing coffee along King Street, this thriller hits different. Because Cornwell didn't just set a book in Northern Virginia — she made our home the backdrop…

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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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