If you’re looking for me this summer, check the water — I’ll be the one paddling off into the sunset in a kayak. NOVA Parks offers kayak + boat rentals in certain locations throughout the region. I’m planning to rent a kayak at Occoquan Regional Park, which is just 25 minutes south of Alexandria. Rentals start as low as $18 per hour.
Events
Events
Wednesday, June 4
Northern Virginia Bird Club Walk | 8:30-11 a.m. | Long Branch Nature Center, Arlington | Free | Bring your binoculars and venture through Glencarlyn Park with the Northern Virginia Bird Club to spot resident and migratory birds.
Latin American Literature Club | 6-7 p.m. | City of Fairfax Regional Library, Fairfax | Free | Read and discuss Latin American literature from the avant-garde period of the first decades of the 20th century to present-day works in Spanish.
Saturday, June 7
Summer Outdoor Fitness Series | 8-10 a.m. | Carlyle Crossing, Alexandria | $35+ | Grab your water bottle and towel, and get ready to move every Saturday throughout June.
Sunday, June 8
2025 DMV Summer Kickoff Music Fest | 12-8 p.m. | Lerner Town Square at Tysons II, Tysons | $71+ | Kick off summer in style with a vibrant mix of live music, delicious food, unique artisan crafts, and more.
Tuesday, June 10
Latin Dance Lessons at Courthouse | 6-7 p.m. | Courthouse Library, Arlington | Free | Join instructors from the Herencia Latina dance team for beginner salsa lessons.
A new French-Asian bakery has arrived in Pentagon City. Tous les Jours, located at 1100 S. Hayes St., is serving up freshly baked treats and specialty drinks. Highlights include mango cream-filled donuts, spinach feta Danishes, and a variety of pastries that blend international flavors. (ARLnow)
Community
A nonprofit organization called Housing Alexandria has launched Rent Ready, a new way for community members to apply for affordable housing. The goal of this new platform is to simplify the process and reduce paperwork. (ALXnow)
Health
Celebrate National Donut Day this Friday by giving back.Donate blood with Inova between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. to help fight the shortage. As a thank-you, you’ll receive a free donut and a $10 Starbucks e-gift card. Find a location near you and book your spot today.
Gallery
It seems like summer weather is here to stay, knock on wood. If you’re looking for more ideas, events, and activities in NOVA, make sure to follow us on Instagram. That’s where you’ll find our best snaps + localized trends.
Mansion Monday
We’ll be dreaming about this place for years to come. This house in McLean is located right along the Potomac River, making an already stunning home even more appealing. And to top it all off, there is even an indoor pool.
Travel
When folks in Virginia search for travel tips, there’s one country that’s trending on Google — Japan. Alternatively, consider planning a trip to a sister city of Arlington, Alexandria, Fairfax, or DC.
Outdoors
What’s that buzzing? Mosquito season is here, and according to Orkin data, Washington, DC, ranks No. 8 on its list of cities with the biggest swarms — so be prepared for some pesky guests next time you head to one of NOVA’s trails.
Watch
The armchair experts have spoken, and Virginia’s most popular TV genre is sitcoms, according to data by SmartMove. If you ask us, our favorite genre is local — and we’ve got some recommendations to add to your streaming list. (Mental Floss)
Eat
As May — aka National Burger Month — comes to a close, DoorDash has released data on the most popular burger in each state. Turns out, Virginia is flipping out over turkey burgers. If this sparked a craving, Holy Cow in Alexandria comes highly recommended by local diners. (Food & Wine)
Our top tip for brunch at Matt and Tony’s: Arrive hungry. | Photo by @ashleydelinay
Plan your weekend and pour those mimosas. We’ve compiled a whole bunch of brunch options in NOVA — whether you’re on the hunt for fluffy eggs or stacked chicken and waffles — along with menu recs, pro tips, and an interactive map to track ‘em.
Note: All times listed are brunch-only.
Patio dining
Ada’s on the River | Saturday-Sunday, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. | Pair your stunning view of the Potomac with some lemon ricotta pancakes and the extremely popular Maine lobster omelette.
Bottomless mimosas
Palette 22 | Saturday, 10 a.m.- 3 p.m. + Sunday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. | At this bottomless brunch spot, the Szechuan sausage biscuit gets us every time. Add in the chef-attended waffle bar + bottomless cocktails and NOVAtoday will keep coming back.
For a special occasion
The Majestic | Saturday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. | This local staple has been perfecting its menu since 1932. Your day can’t go wrong when you start it with the oxtail baklava and a crab + roasted corn omelette.
The fun doesn’t have to end here. After reading the newsletter, head over to our games page. Games refresh with new challenges every day at 6 a.m. from crossword puzzle to Sudoku to themed word search.
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