Check out the “The Fairfax Story” exhibition that follows Fairfax’s history. | Photo via City of Fairfax
You don’t need major funds to have major fun in Northern Virginia; just look at these free activities
History
Fairfax Museum and Visitor Center, Fairfax | Visit the museum that was built in 1873 and once served as Fairfax Elementary School. While you’re in the area, take a free self-guided walking tour to explore the rest of historic Old Town Fairfax.
Historic Vienna, Vienna | Historic Vienna is home to a variety of free historical activities, including the Little Library Museum — the town’s first public library.
Eat
Hard Times Cafe, Alexandria | Bring the kiddos in on Sundays from 5 to 8 p.m. for a free kids meal with the purchase of an adult entree. Bonus: All diners get $3 off between 3 and 6 p.m.
Inca Social, Vienna + Arlington | Kids ages 12 and under eat free all day long on Mondays at both locations.
Firecracker 5K for the Troops | 8-10 a.m. | Reston Town Center, Reston | $35+ | Kick off your Fourth of July with a run, walk, or kids trot benefiting the USO National Capital District, supporting service members and their families.
Fourth of July celebration | 6:30-10 p.m. | Bready Park, Herndon | Price of purchase | Celebrate Independence Day in Herndon with food, music, face painting, fireworks, and more.
Saturday, July 5
DMV Farmers/Flea Market | 7 a.m.-3 p.m. | Festival Grounds at RFK Campus, Washington, DC | Free | From produce to clothing, you can find almost anything at this popular flea market.
Sunday, July 6
Family Day with Young Historians | 2-5 p.m. | Gadsby’s Tavern Museum, Alexandria | Free with admission | Take part in a guided tour and hands-on activities about period clothing and chocolate making.
Monday, July 7
DIY Pet Enrichment at Shirlington | 6:30-7:30 p.m. | Shirlington Branch Library, Arlington | Free | For kids in grades K-5, get crafty and make your own pet toys with the Animal Welfare League.
Quickway Japanese Hibachi, a chain restaurant, has opened at 7511-L Leesburg Pike in Idylwood. This new spot is open daily from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., serving up dishes like chicken + shrimp hibachi and specialty sushi rolls. (FFXnow)
Eat
Semicolon Cafe is officially open in Falls Church. Known for its handcrafted sandwiches and creative drinks, this is a spot to add to your must-try list. There’s also a lot of space to sit and enjoy.
Transit
Capital Bikeshare is rolling out a price hike. The company announced that it will increase its prices starting Friday, Aug. 1. The annual membership will go up from $95 to $120, while a day pass will increase from $8 to $10.
Development
Feedback on the Duke Street Land Use Plan is due by Thursday, July 31. This is the first major update since 1992, aiming to revitalize the area. The updated plan will go to Alexandria City Council between late 2026 and early 2027. (ALXnow)
Pets
Alexandria’s pets have a new spot to sniff out. Regional chain Molly’s Dog Care has opened at 2403 Mandeville Ln. in Alexandria, where the former District Dogs was located. This new facility offers daycare, boarding, and grooming services. (ALXnow)
Award
Our very own “Miss Arlington,” Madison Whitbeck, won the title of Miss Virginia 2025 this past Saturday, June 28. She will go on to represent the Commonwealth at the Miss America competition in September. (ARLnow)
Ranked
32. That’s what A Modo Mio was ranked on the list of the top 50 pizzas in the United States. Located in Arlington, this spot offers Neapolitan pizzas along with sandwiches as a lunch option on weekdays.
Older Adults
Your fifties + beyond is a great time to build wealth. Beyond basics like bulk shopping and retirement accounts, here are 14 financial benefits seniors are entitled to (but often forget to claim).*
Shop
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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.
I opted for an iced coffee, but they also serve some alcoholic drinks if you want to grab a glass of wine. | Photo via NOVAtoday
You thought I was kidding when I said I’m coffee-obsessed. I tried Simona in Arlington for the first time and the vibe is ~immaculate~ if I do say so. It is, however, quite small, so you’ll need to stake out a good seat. Please give me your recs — I am trying to sample every coffee spot in NOVA.
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