The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority consists of 98 stations, serving more than 600,000 customers a day. | Photo via WMATA
The Metro is getting a bit of a makeover, and some closures might impact your commute + travels. The overall goal is to improve the tracks and signaling, meaning better rides for all. Here’s everything you should know about the project’s two phases.
Phase one
The first phase is expected to last from Saturday, July 5 to Saturday, July 26. During this time, the Franconia-Springfield and Van Dorn St. locations will be closed. Those who plan to use the Metro to get to Reagan National Airport during this time, don’t worry, the Blue Line will end at this station.
Free alternative options
Every 8-10 minutes, a local shuttle will make stops in Franconia-Springfield, Van Dorn St., Eisenhower Ave., and King St-Old Town.
Every 8-10 minutes, an express option will run between Franconia-Springfield and the Pentagon.
The Potomac Yard, Braddock Road, and King St-Old Town stations will only be open on the Yellow Line.
Falls Church Farmers Market | 8 a.m.-12 p.m. | City Hall, Falls Church | Price of purchase | Wander around this popular market to get local goodies for your next meal.
Civil War Hospital Tour | 2-3 p.m. | Lee-Fendall House Museum & Garden, Alexandria | $15 | Explore the Lee-Fendall House, which once operated as a Union Army hospital.
Sunday, July 6
Vienna Cars and Coffee | 7:30-9:30 a.m. | Cedar Park Shopping Center, Vienna | Price of purchase | Enjoy your breakfast and a coffee while looking at cars of all styles.
Shenandoah Brass | 7 p.m. | Reston Town Square Park, Reston | Free | This performance will feature new works composed and performed by Shenandoah University Adjunct Assistant Professor of Trombone Andrew Skaggs.
Monday, July 7
Flower Pinch Pots | 5-6 p.m. | Sherwood Regional Library, Alexandria | Free | Make your very own pinch pot with dry clay and pressed flowers — best for ages 6 and older.
5-day Figure Drawing Bootcamp | 6 p.m. | Del Ray Artisans Gallery, Alexandria | $55+ | Take part in this five-day figure drawing boot camp, held nightly from 6–10 p.m., to refine your skills with guided practice.
Independence Day. Still looking for ways to celebrate this weekend? InsideNOVA released its guide to celebrate the holiday in Northern Virginia. You can also check out our guide to July for some helpful tips. (InsideNOVA)
Traffic
Expect multiple road closures in Arlington today due to Fourth of July events. Key areas such as Memorial Bridge and Memorial Circle will be shut down, along with several other streets throughout the city. Plan and allow extra travel time. (ARLnow)
Opening
A new Southern-style brunch spot is coming to Alexandria. Milk + Honey will open Monday, July 7 at 801 King St. This chain operates over 70 restaurants across Maryland, Virginia, Washington DC, Ohio, and South Florida. One chicken and waffles, please. (Alexandria Living Magazine)
Concerts
Beginning Friday, July 11, National Landing Water Park will once again host its popular Fridays at the Fountain concert series. The event will run every Friday through August, featuring a rotating lineup of live musicians, along with a variety of food and drink options.
Development
Should the 200 block of King Street in Alexandria stay car-free? The city is seeking feedback on phase two of the pilot, which has restricted vehicles since March 2025 and runs through September. Share your thoughts by Thursday, July 17.
Try This
As a former Wisconsinite, this is right up my alley. Cheestique, a restaurant + wine bar in Alexandria, is hosting Mozzarella Fest all month long. They have a specialty menu to celebrate, along with events like guided wine tastings.
Family
As of Tuesday, July 1, the Fairfax County Police Department is no longer offering free child car seat installations or safety checks. You can still get car seats checked for proper installation through the Children’s National Hospital in DC — they even offer a virtual option.
Real Estate
Arlington is one of the best cities for renters, according to a recent survey by RentCafé. The ranking used metrics ranging from cost of living and average apartment size to unemployment rates and average school quality. Make the most out of renting in NOVA with our “Live” City Guides.
Pets
If you’re looking to add a dog to the family, a Löwchen will cost you a pretty penny. The little lion dogs were named the most expensive breed, sometimes costing $10,000+. A more affordable option would be to find your furever friend at a local shelter like the Animal Welfare League of Arlington. (Mental Floss)
The Buy
Coco & Eve’s award-winning hair mask. It’s formulated with clean ingredients like coconut, fig, and shea butter to provide instant frizz reduction and maximum shine.
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.
Cheers from Bluemont Vineyard. | Photo via NOVAtoday
All that vineyard talk earlier this week left us craving a glass ourselves. One of my colleagues, Kylie, recently visited Bluemont Vineyard and couldn’t stop raving about it — from the sweeping views to the cozy on-site cottages you can actually stay in. If you’re looking to plan a little escape of your own, here are a few other wineries and vineyards worth checking out.
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