In lieu of walls, Mum Mum Restaurant has glass. The glass panes stretch from floor to ceiling, offering panoramic views of the surrounding Manassas treetops. Although Mum Mum only opened in March about 10 minutes from The Courts at Historic Manassas, its striking aesthetic is already making waves in the local dining scene. Even when the sunlight fades, pink-purple lighting at the bar set the entire space aglow.

The only thing that could potentially distract from the surroundings? Mum Mum's Thai cuisine. The succinct menu showcases gourmet creations, such as the khao mun gai tod (also known as crispy chicken with rice) and khao pad keow waan, a green curry served with rice and Thai basil. If you just want to grab a small bite and a drink, try the mango salad, edamame, or Thai version of hot wings. They're all on the appetizer menu at Mum Mum.

Mum Mum Restaurant
10945 George Mason Circle
Manassas, VA 20110
(571) 208-0264
www.mummumrestaurant.com
www.yelp.com/biz/mum-mum-restaurant-manassas

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr cogdogblog

This weekend, historic downtown Manassas will have more to offer than just sightseeing. A pair of festivals are gearing up to take over the Harris Pavilion, located a few minutes from The Courts at Historic Manassas.

The first is the 21st Annual Manassas Heritage Railway Festival on Saturday. Dedicated to commemorating the history of the railroad not only in the area, but also across the country, this festival boasts everything from rides aboard real trains to exhibits displaying train memorabilia. Live music by local country and bluegrass bands round out the itinerary.

On Sunday, the Taste of Historic Manassas switches gears from historical modes of transportation to current cuisine. Local eateries including Okra's, Monza, and C.J. Finz put their fresh takes on Southern fare, international eats, and seafood on display at the food fest's many booths. Try a taste of the various cuisines while you enjoy live entertainment at the Taste of Historic Manassas.

21st Annual Manassas Heritage Railway Festival
10 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 6
visitmanassas.org/event/20th-annual-manassas-heritage-railway-festival/?instance_id=

Taste of Historic Manassas
12 to 4:30 p.m. June 7
visitmanassas.org/event/taste-of-historic-manassas/?instance_id=6704

Both held at Harris Pavilion
9201 Center Street
Manassas, VA 20110

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr basykes

For Jeremy Meyers, a trip to Germany drastically altered the course of his life. It took about a decade afterwards for the impact to really be felt, though. He spent that time learning how to brew craft beer at home and virtually perfecting the art. Finally after 10 years of home brewing, Jeremy decided to take advantage of wife Sarah's business prowess and offer his beer to the public. And so BadWolf Brewing Company was born in the summer of 2013, only about a mile from The Courts at Historic Manassas.

Still a family-run endeavor, BadWolf has expanded to include some extra staffers to help with the brewing and pouring process. They churn out a huge variety of beers in the tap room, from pilsner ales to stouts. The tap list changes constantly, so come back time and time again for a new sip. Depending on the season, you might find a light Kolsch ale like Ruth's Ginger Pear or the heavier Skoll, a bold Belgian ale tinged with flavor tones of fruit. Bring your own food along or just enjoy the complimentary popcorn served.

BadWolf Brewing Company
9776 Center Street
Manassas, VA 20110
(571) 358-9774
www.badwolfbrewingcompany.com
www.yelp.com/biz/badwolf-brewing-company-manassas

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr KJGarbutt