Enjoy the Serenity at Manassas National Battlefield Park Near The Courts at Historic Manassas

You don’t have to be a Civil War buff to enjoy Manassas National Battlefield Park. It’s home to miles of walking trails that are teeming with wildlife, and with its rolling green hills and abundance of trees (not to mention its close proximity to The Courts at Historic Manassas) it’s an ideal setting for a picnic. But if you do have an interest in history, this park has plenty of places for you to explore.

The land where the park now stands was the site of the first major land battle of the Civil War, in July 1861. The Second Battle of Manassas took place the following year. Manassas National Battlefield Park memorializes these battles with features such as historic cannons, statues, monuments, and graves dotting the landscape. Feel free to wander around on your own, or sign up for a guided ranger tour. Many describe a visit to this park as a powerful one, so come prepared to learn about its history and remember those who lost their lives here.

Manassas National Battlefield Park
6511 Sudley Road
Manassas, VA 20109
(703) 361-1339
www.nps.gov/mana
www.yelp.com/biz/manassas-national-battlefield-park-manassas-2

See Historic Manassas by Bike

Experience Manassas history on two wheels this Saturday at the latest installment of the Manassas Museum's monthly Bicycle Tour. It happens on the fourth Saturday of each month, and the next one's this weekend, April 25.

The event's meant to highlight some of the area's often-unnoticed historic spots. According to a flier on the City of Manassas website, April's event will ride to the west part of Manassas to see an old railroad junction as well as one of the area's oldest buildings. The trip's eight miles in total, and cyclists will encounter a few hills along the way.

If you'd like to participate, check out visitmanassas.org or the City of Manassas site. Tickets are priced at $5 per person, and attendees must bring their own bikes and bike helmets. Enjoy the outdoors and learn something new about the area near The Courts at Historic Manassas!

Manassas Bicycle Tour
Saturday, April 25 from 9 a.m. til 11 a.m.
www.manassascity.org/index.aspx?NID=1183
visitmanassas.org/event/bike-tour/?instance_id=56495

Famous Kabob Serves Afghan Food near The Courts at Historic Manassas

Feast on kabobs, falafel, and more at Famous Kabob in Manassas. Afghan food is the specialty here, and if you've never tried it, some regulars say this is a perfect introduction to the cuisine. Given the place's name, you probably won't be surprised that kabobs make up a large part of the menu: these skewered meat platters are available with chicken, lamb, or ground beef, and they're served with fresh bread.

Gyros and wraps are on the menu, too, as are interesting entrees like Kadu Chalu (a pumpkin dish served with yogurt, mint, and rice), and Palau, a lamb dish served in meatball sauce. Don't neglect to try one of the sweet desserts, too!

Yelpers praise the place for the high quality of its food, with some calling it the best kabob place you'd find in the area near The Courts at Historic Manassas. The space is decidedly no-frills, but somehow this just adds to the experience.

Famous Kabob Restaurant
9685 Libera Avenue
Manassas, VA 20111
www.famous-kabob.com
www.yelp.com/biz/famous-kabob-manassas

Shop near The Courts at Historic Manassas at the Downtown Sidewalk Sale

Shop near The Courts at Historic Manassas at the upcoming Downtown Sidewalk Sale! It happens next Saturday, April 18, from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. and highlights some of the most interesting stores in Downtown Manassas.

Find something new to read or an old tome to treasure at Prospero's Books. Grab a gift for yourself or someone else at The Things I Love. Social Butterfly has fashions and accessories, while the Nova Music Center can help you begin or continue to play a musical instrument. Other shops offer vintage coins, vinyl records, crafting materials, and antiques.

While you're out and about, you can grab a bite to eat at one of the many Downtown Manassas restaurants. Coffee, craft beer, comfort food, classic barbecue, and Continental fare inspired by French cuisine are just a few of the options you'll find.

Historic Downtown Manassas Sidewalk Sale
Manassas, VA
visitmanassas.org/event/historic-downtown-manassas-sidewalk-sale/?instance_id=57002

McKay Used Books: A Bookshop near The Courts at Historic Manassas

Located in Manassas, Virginia, McKay Used Books is held in high regard by local readers. Many visitors praise the store's huge selection, as it has aisles and aisles of gently-used and affordably-priced titles to browse. If fiction's your thing, you'll find genres like crime novels, westerns, thrillers, sci-fi, literary fiction, and more here. Prefer non-fiction? The store offers a variety of subjects from philosophy and history books to books about business, gardening, music, math, and science. According to the shop's website, they add somewhere between eighty and a hundred thousand new items to the inventory each month. That means you're likely to see something new each time you visit.

In addition to books, the store has DVDs, CDS, and video games. As you might expect of a used bookstore, McKay Used Books buys books or accepts them for store credit to use on other items. Reviewers note that items sold here are typically in great condition. Judging from praise this place has earned, it may be one of the most popular bookshops in the area.

If you'd like to see it for yourself, McKay Used Books is open Mondays through Saturdays from 9 a.m. until 10 p.m. and on Sundays from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m., and it's just a short drive from The Courts at Historic Manassas.

McKay Used Books
8345 Sudley Road
Manassas, VA 20109
http://www.mckayusedbooks.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/mckay-used-books-manassas

Yorkshire Restaurant: Comfort Food near The Courts at Historic Manassas

Classic diner fare with a Southern food twist is what you'll find at Yorkshire Restaurant. Just a short trip from The Courts at Historic Manassas, this popular eatery offers a breakfast menu of pancakes, eggs, French toast, and more, as well as a set of sandwiches and entrees for lunch and dinner. Steak and eggs, waffles, omelets, and bacon comprise some of the hearty breakfast fare here. Biscuits and gravy's available, too, for those who crave this uniquely Southern style dish.

Later in the day, you'll find sandwiches like turkey clubs and chicken salad, and you can order coffee or hot cocoa to complement your meal. Many reviewers note that they've been by the place many times without giving it a second thought, but were pleased by the quality of the food when they finally paid Yorkshire a visit. The place has a friendly diner-style atmosphere.

If you'd like to learn more about this Manassas restaurant, check out Yorkshire's Yelp page!

Yorkshire Restaurant
7537 Centreville Road
Manassas, VA 20111
http://www.yelp.com/biz/yorkshire-restaurant-manassas

Classic Dining near The Courts at Historic Manassas: The Philadelphia Tavern

One of the most interesting places to dine near The Courts at Historic Manassas might be The Philadelphia Tavern. Though it's located in Manassas, this local pub brings Virginia a bit of the City of Brotherly Love: according to its website, The Philadelphia Tavern's 19th-century bar was brought to Manassas from Philly. You'll find other bits of Philadelphia here, too, like authentic Amoroso rolls for the sandwiches, craft beers from Yards Brewing Company, and even dishes like shrimp steamed in Yuengling beer — another eastern Pennsylvania brewery.

Philadelphia food is almost synonymous with cheesesteaks, and The Philadelphia Tavern has a selection of them to enjoy. The Classic Cheese Steak comes with your choice of cheese (including Cheese Whiz) and toppings, while the Pizza Steak features grilled pepperoni and mozzarella cheese. You may not find scrapple, Tastykakes, or chocolate-covered onions here, but this is still probably the closest you can get to authentic Philadelphia food without leaving Manassas!

The Philadelphia Tavern
9413 Main Street
Manassas, VA 20110
http://www.thephiladelphiatavern.com
http://www.yelp.com/biz/philadelphia-tavern-manassas

Tasty Sweets near The Courts at Historic Manassas at HighGrain Bread Company

Fresh scones, cookies, Challah bread, pastries, and even sandwiches are on offer near The Courts at Historic Manassas at the HighGrain Bread Company. This unassuming little bakery is just a short trip away, and it pairs its numerous baked goods to go with a few delights you can enjoy right in the space. If you visit for lunch, for example, you can try a grilled cheese sandwich on fresh bread, or a turkey, bacon, egg, and gouda sandwich.

The place serves coffee and tea, too, giving the space a bit of a coffeehouse feel with its high ceilings and bright interior. Of course, if you'd like to pick up a loaf of bread to bring back to The Courts at Historic Manassas, HighGrain bakes them fresh each day. A rotating set of options includes both traditional classics and some inventive creations like kale and collard green bread and cheddar loaves.

If you'd like to learn more about this Manassas bakery, check out HighGrain's Facebook page.

HighGrain Bread Co.
10695 Sudley Manor Drive
Manassas, VA 20109
https://www.facebook.com/pages/High-Grain-Bread-Company/225576864305716
http://www.yelp.com/biz/highgrain-bread-co-manassas

Clifton Cafe: A Chic Cafe near The Courts at Historic Manassas

Just a short trip from The Courts at Historic Manassas sits a popular coffee bar and creperie: the Clifton Cafe. It's located in Clifton, and it's become a popular place to enjoy breakfast, brunch, or just a warm cup of coffee. The place's list of coffee drinks includes standards like drip coffee, lattes, and other espresso drinks, but it also features inventive options like the Samoa Latte with coconut, caramel, and dark chocolate and the Hazelnut Turtle Mocha with dark chocolate.

Along with the coffee, you'll find a wide array of food to try. Crepes are stuffed with ingredients like goat cheese, pesto, guacamole, chorizo, prosciutto, salmon, and chicken, and you can also find dinner entrees like a meatball sub and a Bavarian sausage platter.

Want to find out more about this popular cafe? Check out the Clifton Cafe's website!

Clifton Cafe
7144 Main Street
Clifton, VA 20124
www.cliftoncafe.com
www.yelp.com/biz/clifton-cafe-clifton-2

Find Pho near The Courts at Historic Manassas at Pho 234

Pho 234 has only been open for a few years, but in its short lifespan the Vietnamese restaurant has already won many fans in the diners of Manassas. That's because its chefs consistently deliver the best pho you'll find anywhere near The Courts at Historic Manassas—at least according to regular diners.

Pho, a Vietnamese soup traditionally filled with beef, makes for a more filling meal than you might expect. Its medley of sprouts, veggies, and protein (which can be meat-free, if you prefer) come together in a savory broth seasoned with classic Vietnamese herbs and spices. Pho 234's bowls are famously large, so you'll likely be full after a meal here. If the soup alone doesn't quite squash your hunger, add an order of the popular crispy rolls or a cup of the Thai bubble tea.

Pho 234
10376 Festival Lane
Manassas, VA 20109
(703) 530-9999
vietnamesefoodmanass.wix.com/pho234
www.yelp.com/biz/pho-234-manassas

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