Signing up for the 2024 Gold Medal Wine Trail unlocks exclusive prizes, one-of-a-kind offers, and seasonal raffles along the way. Select wineries are offering their own deals, too. From free tastings of gold medal-winning wines to discounts on bottle purchases, the trail opens the door to exclusive Virginia Wine experiences. Passholders who check in at participating locations will receive 100 points with each check-in to put toward Virginia Wine prizes. Cashing in offers and discounts will unlock extra points, and trail users can visit their favorite wineries monthly for even more points. Pri ..read more

It hasn’t been easy to reach the pink sand beaches, mysterious shipwrecks, and azure waters of Bermuda, a small island in the Atlantic Ocean with an area of just 21 square miles. Now, thanks to new nonstop flights from Reagan National on American and Baltimore-Washington International on BermudAir you can have a rum swizzle, Bermuda’s national drink, in your hand by lunch.  Bermuda has been waiting for this moment, too. For one, the country opened a shiny new airport terminal in late 2020 (entirely replacing the former air terminal). Bermuda has been quietly upgrading the island’s hotel ..read more

Improperly discarded smoking materials were the cause of a $2.25 million fire at a Sterling warehouse, the Loudoun County Fire and Rescue Fire Marshal’s Office said in a news release. The raging fire that people saw from miles away happened Monday afternoon in a warehouse on Acacia Lane in the Prospect Industrial Park. It took two and a half hours for units from Kincora, Moorefield, Cascades, Sterling Park, Ashburn, Fairfax County, and the Metropolitan Washington Airport Authority to bring the two-alarm accidental fire under control. Courtesy Loudoun County Fire and Rescue/Facebook The buildi ..read more

What if you could combine the beauty of nature with an amusement park ride? That’s where mountain coasters come into play, merging the thrill of roller coasters with the beauty of outdoor landscapes.  Ride on mountainside tracks as you manually control the speed of your cars. Go fast during twists and turns or go slow to embrace the breathtaking views. These coasters are typically found at resorts, which also host other activities like chairlift rides and zip lines.  Massanutten Family Adventure Park  Drive time from Dulles: About 2 hours  Opening Summer 2024  Launchi ..read more

Amy Rutherford, owner of Red Barn Mercantile and Penny Post in Alexandria, said on Facebook that when the toy store Why Not? closed in Old Town in 2016, she considered “pivoting Penny Post to become a toy store.” But she didn’t. Instead, she opened Pippin Toy Co. last November. “It was a sad day in Alexandria when Why Not? closed,” Rutherford said in a news release. “Kids and parents alike have long awaited a toy store. While we can never replace that beloved institution, we have given it our best try.” Now, Pippin Toy Co. at 1310 King St. holds its grand opening on Saturday, April ..read more

You may have heard of a rare huge crop of cicadas coming out in the U.S. this year, but a local entomologist says that in Northern Virginia it’ll be business as usual. Douglas Pfeiffer, a professor of entomology at Virginia Tech, says other areas of the country will get hit with a double whammy of periodic cicadas: a brood of 13-year cicadas that’s emerging in the deep South into part of Illinois, and another brood of 17-year cicadas known as the Northern Illinois brood. “It’s called that for a reason,” Pfeiffer cracks. A brood of 13-year cicadas will show up in southern Virginia, moving up t ..read more

Step into the warm embrace of Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 12, with a culinary journey through the region’s most desirable brunch spots. From quaint cafés to luxurious restaurants, consider Northern Virginia Magazine’s list of Mother’s Day brunch offerings while creating cherished moments. Your best bet is to make reservations. Here’s wishing all moms an unforgettable Mother’s Day experience.  Alexandria  Ada’s On The River  10 a.m.–4 p.m.  This popular waterfront restaurant is known for its selection of wood-fired prime steaks, fresh seafood, and vegetarian dishes centered a ..read more

Who wouldn’t want to escape the hustle and bustle of day-to-day life with a cabin hidden in the countryside of Northern Virginia? That’s what a new homeowner will find at 36366 Philomont Rd. in Purcellville. Built in 1820, this one-bedroom, one-bathroom cabin provides a scenic and relaxing spot for weekend getaways.  The property, situated on just over 5 acres, features a fenced-in yard, generator, new HVAC system, and an updated metal roof. The home was listed for $550,000 and is currently under contract. Photo by Upward Studio The next owner will be able to relax on the flagstone front ..read more

Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney on Tuesday dropped out of the race to be Virginia’s next governor and instead will run for lieutenant governor. “After careful consideration with my family, I believe that the best way to ensure that all Virginia families do get the change they deserve is for our party to come together, avoid a costly and damaging primary and, for me to run instead for Lieutenant Governor,” Stoney said in a statement. “This was not an easy decision – especially given that my campaign has received a lot of support from all corners of the Commonwealth and I am so appreciative of ..read more

As summer approaches, you may find yourself wanting to spend more time outdoors at home. With that in mind, a change in your exterior’s hardscaping may be needed. “Ask five people what hardscaping is and you’ll likely get four different answers,” says Joseph Richardson of Richardson & Associates Landscape Architecture, a boutique firm based in Washington, DC. “I consider hardscaping to be all the non-living elements that are designed, built, and connected to the landscape surrounding a given house. Softscaping is all the plants.” Richardson offers tips for when you plan to build an outdoo ..read more