Cajun cuisine is best known for its po’boy sandwiches and sweet beignets, although authentic Cajun fare is difficult to find outside of New Orleans. Luckily, you’ll find expertly prepared Cajun cuisine right in downtown Manassas at Okra’s restaurant.

This lively eatery near The Courts at Historic Manassas aims to bring a bit of New Orleans flavor to Manassas not only through its traditional menu, but also through its events like the annual Mardi Gras parade and its frequent crawfish boils. Inside, the restaurant features New Orleans artwork on the walls and ample seating at both the dining tables and around the fully stocked bar. The menu changes frequently to accommodate whatever is in season, but it always includes Cajun favorites like dirty rice, shrimp and grits and Okra’s Famous Gumbo.

Stop by for the live music and a cold Louisiana beer and you may just feel like you were transported down to the Big Easy.

Okra’s
9110 Center Street
Manassas, VA 20110
(703) 330-2729
www.okras.com

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr/leyla.a

Historic Downtown Manassas is a quaint, charming town that is incredibly rich in history. Living in The Courts at Historic Manassas puts you near some of the city's most interesting art attractions, making it easy to take a stroll to experience all that the city has to offer. One of the most popular attractions is the Harris Pavilion, a venue for live entertainment in the summer and an outdoor ice skating rink in the winter.

The James & Marion Payne Memorial Railroad Heritage Gallery is one of the town’s finest museums, offering more than 150 years of railroad history in Manassas, while the Manassas Museum and Freedom Museum are two of the town’s other must-see museums. Manassas National Battlefield Park is a fascinating attraction for history buffs, while adventure sports enthusiasts might love the Vertical Indoor Climbing and Fitness Center.

Historic Downtown Manassas
9431 West Street
Manassas, VA 20110
(703) 361-6599
www.visitmanassas.org

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr/LUH 3417

As the leaves go from green to red, the hues in your home at The Courts at Historic Manassas should change, too. Brighten up your living space for the season with these three simple, fall-themed projects that you can complete at home.

1. Repurpose a cake cover. Instead of using it to protect dessert, enlist a glass cake cover to shelter your autumnal scene. Place mini pumpkins and red-orange leaves inside a shallow terra cotta bulb dish, and then place the clear cake cover (or bell jar) on top to enclose your miniature fall scene. The craft is perfect as a centerpiece!
2. Bring branches inside. All it takes are a few branches and a glass vase to create a mini "tree" in your home at The Courts at Historic Manassas. Wedge the winding branches inside of the vase and perhaps add a pretty stone to anchor them. You can even hang tiny acorns from the branches with thread to add an extra element of whimsy.
3. Stuff your pumpkin with flowers. Instead of carving out a grinning face and sticking a candle inside a pumpkin, fill it with flowers instead. The unique floral arrangement not only adds color to your home, but also the aromas of fall.

Fall in a Jar [Midwest Living]
Natural Fall Decor [Real Simple]
77 Fabulous Fall Decorating Ideas [Southern Living]

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr/Jeremy Seitz