NOVA is rich with history, including various memorials and monuments for you to check out. | Photo via NOVAtoday
Newsletter Editor Ava Wojnowski here. I recently hosted my mom for a couple of days in NOVA, and it got me thinking, what are the best things to do with a tourist? Here’s everything I did with her during her visit.
Where we grabbed a bite
Breakfast is always my favorite meal of the day. | Photo via NOVAtoday
We started a couple of our days by popping over to Simona Cafe, my favorite coffee shop in Arlington, for coffee and breakfast. I’m a bit of a plain Jane when it comes to my order, getting an almond milk latte and The Wilson, which is an egg and cheese sandwich on focaccia. My mom opted for the yogurt bowl with fresh fruit and granola.
Where we got some fresh air
Scenes from a walk with my mom. | Photo via NOVAtoday
It wouldn’t be a complete guide from me if there wasn’t a little bit of nature involved. While NOVA can feel very urban, there is a ton of nature to take advantage of in the area. If you don’t have a car, I recommend Theodore Roosevelt Island, Mount Vernon Trail, and Scott’s Run Nature Preserve. If you can travel a bit more, check out our hiking guide for more options.
Tea & Herbs with Area 2 Farms | 1-2:30 p.m. | Del Ray Artisans Gallery, Alexandria | Free | Harvest herbs to make your own tea while conversing with local farmers.
Sunday, Aug. 10
Jamestown Park Invasive Plant Removal | 1-3 p.m. | Jamestown Park, Arlington | Free | Meet at the tennis courts at the end of Dickerson Street and make a difference in the great outdoors.
Monday, Aug. 11
Scrap Happy: A Weekly Paper Craft Workshop | 1-3 p.m. | Pohick Regional Library, Burke | Free | Use the provided supplies to create your own paper-based crafts — making anything you want from origami to scrapbooking.
Joggers & Lagers | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | Port City Brewing Company, Alexandria | Price of purchase | Head out for a 1,3, or 5-mile run before grabbing a cold one at Port City Brewing Company.
Takagi Coffee’s first East Coast location has opened in Pentagon City at 721 15th St. S. Stop by for their specialty soufflé pancakes and house-roasted coffee. I’m more of a savory fan, so I’ll be trying a breakfast sandwich on their signature Japanese bread. Stay tuned for an opening date. (ARLnow)
Coming Soon
701 King St. in Old Town Alexandria could soon be home to Maman Coffee Baking Kitchen, a New York City-based establishment. This is where Foxtrot was once located, which closed in 2024. The chain is requesting to open a cafe, bakery, and event space. (ALXnow)
Open
Whole Foods Berry Chantilly Cake for all. The new Whole Foods in Reston is now open. Located in the former Best Buy at 1861 Fountain Dr., this new spot is almost twice the size of the old Whole Foods location at Plaza America. (FFXnow)
Ranked
Realtor.com ranked Warrenton No. 38 among the 50 hottest US ZIP codes for 2025. Homes there spent a median of 25 days on the market, with a median listing price of $880,000 from January through June.
Today Is
National Cat Day. Meet Nugget, a playful, curious cat at the Lost Dog & Cat Rescue Foundation. She loves chasing wand toys and birdwatching from sunny windows. Nugget is ready for a loving forever home — could it be yours?
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Asked
Asked
👩🏻🍳 Which renowned chef is collaborating with the New York–based cafe Maman on their current summer menu?
I won’t apologize for featuring yet another dog in our Post of the Day — just look at that face. Meet Snowball, arguably the sweetest pup in town.
Also, this post is my reminder to finally make it over to Gravelly Point Park for a picnic now that the heat has calmed down. Perfect weather, cute dogs, and planes overhead? Yes, please.
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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.
My friends and I often trade a “song of the day” or “song of the week” as a simple way to check in and stay connected through what we’re listening to.
So, in that spirit, I’m here to share mine with you. While writing today’s newsletter, I had “Wild Horses” by The Rolling Stones on repeat — a classic in my opinion.
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