Brush Up on Acting at the Center for the Arts at the Candy Factory

Only half a mile away from The Courts at Historic Manassas awaits an opportunity to spread your dramatic wings. The Center for the Arts at the Candy Factory doesn't just host professional performances. It also takes would-be thespians and helps transform them from novice to acting expert.

The Center for the Arts is dedicated to community and culture, so it makes perfect sense that it holds drama classes, including an upcoming series in February. Regardless of your age or current acting ability, the patient, friendly, and seasoned acting teachers at the Center for the Arts at the Candy Factory can get you stage-ready in a matter of a few classes. One Yelp reviewer raves about an acting camp that her child attended at the Center for the Arts, citing the head teacher and the rest of the staff as the reason her youngster blossomed over the course of the week. Check out the class schedule to see if any of the offerings strike your fancy!

Center for the Arts at the Candy Factory
9419 Battle Street
Manassas, VA 20110
(703) 330-2787
center-for-the-arts.org
www.yelp.com/biz/center-for-the-arts-manassas

Yorkshire Restaurant: Start Your Day with Gravy and Biscuits

When you wake up craving a big stack of pancakes or a huge, hearty omelet, Manassas locals can offer a solid suggestion: Yorkshire Restaurant. This mom-and-pop restaurant is practically an institution in Manassas, a cozy local diner known best for its breakfast.

Since Yorkshire Restaurant sits just a stone's throw away from The Courts at Historic Manassas, you can roll right out of bed and be here for breakfast in a matter of minutes. Everyone should be able to experience the gushed-about sausage gravy smothered on toast or biscuits. The dish comes with the popular home fries on the side, but you can also opt for two eggs cooked your way. You can also opt for something sweeter, like a big, fluffy waffle covered with maple syrup. Don't worry; it comes with crispy bacon and fluffy scrambled eggs, so you'll still get a taste of something savory.

Yorkshire Restaurant
7537 Centreville Road
Manassas, VA 20111
(703) 368-4905
www.facebook.com/Yorkshire-Restaurant-117752754918448
www.yelp.com/biz/yorkshire-restaurant-manassas

Get in the Holiday Spirit by Ice Skating at Harris Pavilion

It doesn't really feel like the holiday season until you've done at least one wintry thing. And since there isn't any snow on the ground yet, that leaves you with only a few options—including going ice skating. At the Harris Pavilion, which is only a stone's throw away from The Courts at Historic Manassas, you can slice a figure 8 into the ice tonight.

Its seasonal outdoor skating rink is open for the winter and welcoming guests to get some exercise and have a bit of holiday fun. Cheery lights cast a colorful glow across the ice while a top-notch sound system broadcasts festive tunes, and it's all within a two-minute walk of various restaurants, stores, and boutiques. You can rent skates at the rink, too, so don't worry about bringing your own.

Have fun!

Ice Skating at Harris Pavilion
9201 Center Street
Manassas, VA 20110
(703) 361-9800
www.harrispavilion.com/ice_skate.php
www.yelp.com/biz/the-harris-pavilion-manassas

Head to Bulldog Bistro for Breakfast or Lunch

For a fresh, healthy breakfast or lunch, Bulldog Bistro has quickly become a Manassas go-to even though it just debuted last summer. The bistro sits less than a mile from The Courts at Historic Manassas, inviting passersby to come in and enjoy a meal of gourmet American fare.

At breakfast, you can snag an omelet for less than $4. Try the Southwest with diced tomatoes, bell pepper, red onion, and fiery banana peppers, plus chunks of sausage and gooey pepper jack cheese. Or opt for the lighter veggie omelet, which is stuffed with zucchini, yellow squash, tomatoes, and cheese. You can also grab a breakfast sandwich or burrito at Bulldog Bistro. Come for lunch, and you can enjoy something a bit more decadent such as the blackened salmon sandwich on a baguette, jumbo lump crab cakes on a toasted croissant, or a panini stuffed with smoked turkey, bacon, and pepper jack cheese.

Bulldog Bistro
9255 Center Street
Manassas, VA 20110
(571) 292-1920
www.facebook.com/Bulldog-Bistro
www.yelp.com/biz/bulldog-bistro-manassas

Grab a Pint and Meet New Friends at Heritage Brewing

The folks behind Heritage Brewing are both veterans and patriots, so they have a special place in their hearts for the people of this country. That's precisely why they craft such high quality beers at Heritage Brewery, using only organic and sustainable ingredients. They also care about keeping the United States' land healthy for years to come, which is why they enlist eco-friendly products and processes whenever possible.

But even if you didn't know about all the behind-the-scenes stuff going on at Heritage Brewing, since it's so close to The Courts at Historic Manassas (about 1.5 miles away, to be precise), you would still probably want to stop by for a pint. The Kings Mountain Scotch Ale is one of the most popular pours, which makes sense since it was one of the first beers produced by Heritage. Even if you're not obsessed with craft beer, you might want to check out the trivia night, Christmas sweater party, and other fun events held regularly at Heritage Brewing.

Heritage Brewing
9436 Center Point Lane
Manassas, VA 20111
(571) 358-8463
heritagebrewing.com
www.yelp.com/biz/heritage-brewing-manassas

Sip Suds and Have Fun at BadWolf Brewing Company!

If you're a beer lover, you're lucky to live at The Courts at Historic Manassas. Both branches of BadWolf Brewing Company are within a stone's throw of your apartment. The Little BadWolf taproom brews a barrel at a time, so you can always sip on something fresh from the tap (and munch on complimentary popcorn), whereas the larger 10-barrel Big BadWolf brewery and taproom boasts more brews, but you'll have to BYO snacks.

Regardless of which location you visit, there's always something fun happening on Wednesday and Thursday nights. Wednesday Flight Nights promise six-ounce pours of six different beers for one flat, affordable price. Just make sure you swing by between 4 and 9 p.m. to snag a flight. On Thursdays, you can play some Craft Beer Bingo and compete for prizes while you get educated on local suds.

BadWolf Brewing Company
9776 Center Street
Manassas, VA 20110
(571) 208-1064
www.badwolfbrewingcompany.com
www.yelp.com/biz/badwolf-brewing-company-manassas

Get Your Morning Caffeine Boost at Grounds Central Station

In an era when big-chain coffee shops sit on every corner, a locally owned, independent coffeehouse that stands the test of time is a rarity. But in Manassas, Grounds Central Station has been serving rich, steaming cups of coffee to eagerly awaiting customers for five years—without the help of a massive corporation behind it.

The popular cafe sits less than a mile away The Courts at Historic Manassas, so you can easily swing by for your morning cup of java tomorrow. In addition to classic cups of joe, the baristas also whip up specialty drinks like the seasonal peppermint mocha, the signature Love Potion No. 9 and Cinnamon Bun Latte, and many more. Order your beverage hot or iced, and pair it with something like the bacon and egg sandwich or a muffin from the case of baked goods. You can also sit and stay a while at Grounds Coffee Station, which offers free Wi-Fi to customers.

Grounds Central Station
9360 Main Street
Manassas, VA 20110
(571) 379-7285
www.groundscentralstation.com
www.yelp.com/biz/grounds-central-station-manassas

The Park Tap Room: 20 Craft Beers are Always on Tap

Since The Park Tap Room debuted in September two miles from The Courts at Historic Manassas, patrons have come to expect high quality brews and American fare when they dine here. After all, the Tap Room boasts a collection of 20 draft beers, many of them sourced from breweries not far from Manassas. And the gourmet American pub grub matches the craft beer.

Kick off your feast with loaded tater tots, which come smothered in house-made queso and bacon, or the Maryland-style crab dip (or a Bavarian pretzel topped with crab). Or skip right to an entree, such as the grown-up version of mac and cheese. It features chunks of juicy steak mixed in with the five-cheese mac. Baby back ribs, fish and chips, and center-cut pork chops are also on the menu, not to mention sandwiches and flatbreads.

The Park Tap Room
9103 Andrew Drive
Manassas Park, VA 20111
(571) 208-1186
www.parktaproom.com
www.yelp.com/biz/the-park-tap-room-manassas-park

Mardi Gras is Every Day at Okra’s Louisiana Bistro

Okra's Louisiana Bistro wants to spread the New Orleans spirit to all of Manassas, which is precisely why it hosted the city's first Mardi Gras parade many years ago. Since it first opened in 1998, the eatery has also hosted crawfish boils and other NoLa-centric festivals. But in the midst of these fun events, one aspect of Okra's shines the brightest: its fare.

So make the short drive from The Courts at Historic Manassas to Okra's (it's less than a mile) if you're craving some classic Louisiana cuisine. The alligator bites are the most popular appetizer, so don't miss them. Kick off your meal with the tender chunks of alligator sirloin, battered and fried, then dished out with Okra's signature remoulade. Just make sure you save enough room for one of the hearty Southern entrees, such as the cast-iron blackened catfish or the crawfish Monica with rotini.

Okra's Louisiana Bistro
9110 Center Street
Manassas, VA 20110
(703) 330-2729
okras.com
www.yelp.com/biz/okras-louisiana-bistro-manassas-3

Ring in Autumn at the 33rd Annual Manassas Fall Jubilee This Weekend!

If you're a fan of live music, hot food, and free entertainment, then you should add the 33rd Annual Manassas Fall Jubilee to your schedule this Saturday. It promises plenty of fun for all ages!

More than 100 local craftspeople and artisans will be selling their handcrafted goods at booths scattered around the Jubilee, so budget in some spending money if you're looking for a unique gift for an upcoming birthday. You can also sign up for the cornhole tournament, which runs from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.—play solo or with a team of friends. And if you're an avid baker, go for the blue ribbon in the pumpkin pie baking contest—or just enjoy the sweet creations by participating in the pie-eating contest instead. It all unfolds just a stone's throw from The Courts at Historic Manassas.

33rd Annual Manassas Fall Jubilee
10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 24
Historic Downtown Manassas
visitmanassas.org/event/33rd-annual-manassas-fall-jubilee

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