The Winery at Bull Run: Enjoy Beautiful Vistas with Wine on the Side

If The Winery at Bull Run looks like it belongs on a postcard, that's probably because it has roots that date back to the 1860s. The owners maintain a vintage aesthetic at their working vineyard complete with rolling hills and a beautiful outdoor patio—so pretty that people often get married here. And it's all just a quick drive from The Courts at Historic Manassas.

You don't have to be celebrating a special occasion though to enjoy some vino at The Winery at Bull Run. You can stop by the tasting room whenever it's open and grab a glass of the Delaney, Fort, or Norton wines (three customer favorites) and pair it with one of the gourmet picnic baskets (call ahead to order one). You can also build a meal from the main bar, which offers everything from meats and cheese to baguettes and spreads.

The Winery at Bull Run
15950 Lee Highway
Centreville, VA 20120
(703) 815-2233
www.wineryatbullrun.com
www.yelp.com/biz/the-winery-at-bull-run-centreville-2

Learn “What the Civil War Soldier Carries” at the Manassas Museum

Less than half a mile from The Courts at Historic Manassas, you'll find a wealth of information about (what else) historic Manassas: the Manassas Museum. Local history always stars at this nearby museum, but from now until Feb. 28, there will be a special spotlight on Civil War soldiers.

What the Civil War Soldier Carries is a limited-time exhibit that sheds light on what life was like for the men who fought the Civil War. After the museum briefly closed last month, it reopens with a bang with this exhibit brought to you from the private collection of Dr. Charles Poland. He began collecting Civil War-related items at the ripe young age of 12 when he received a biography of Abraham Lincoln as a gift. Dr. Poland's fascination for all this Civil War continued into adulthood, and at the exhibit you can see some of the artifacts he collected over the years.

What the Civil War Soldier Carries
Manassas Museum
Through Feb. 28
9101 Prince William Street
Manassas, VA 20110
(703) 368-1873
visitmanassas.org/event/what-the-civil-war-soldier-carries
www.yelp.com/biz/manassas-museum-manassas

Sip and Savor at a Scotch Whisky Master Class at the Hylton Performing Arts Center

There's no one better than a native Scotsman to teach you a thing or two about Scotch, and that's precisely what will happen Jan. 23 at the Hylton Performing Arts Center, less than four miles from The Courts at Historic Manassas. The aforementioned Scot is Dougie Wylie, a man who grew up farming and coaching rugby in a tiny little hamlet in Scotland.

Lucky for you, he now lives in D.C. That's why he's able to host the Scotch Whisky Master Class this weekend. He'll lead guests down the Scotch Whisky Trail, offering nips of Scotch from all over his homeland. Dougie will explain the nuances of each whisky as you sip. Expect rare, upscale whiskies from the likes of the Red River Distillery, Bladnoch, Glenscotia, and other masters scattered across Scotland. Sign up before it sells out!

Scotch Whisky Master Class
Hylton Performing Arts Center
5 p.m. Jan. 23
10960 George Mason Circle
Manassas, VA 20110
(888) 945-2468
www.hyltoncenter.org/calendar/757
www.yelp.com/biz/hylton-performing-arts-center-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

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

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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