👻 NoVA has some stories… and they get weird fast. From the Bunny Man to ghost hitchhikers and even “goosepigs,” these local legends are as bizarre as they are unforgettable. You’ve probably heard a few… but not like this.

🏆 A new ranking reveals multiple NoVA communities and cities landing among the best places to live in the U.S., with high marks for schools, lifestyle, and convenience.

🥂 Dinner downstairs. DJs upstairs. Arlington’s newest restaurant is designed to keep the night going, and it’s opening soon.

Scroll down and enjoy!

—Chris Colgan

DC’s most colorful spring tradition returns with giant balloons, elaborate floats, and marching bands along 10 blocks of Constitution Avenue.
📍 Location: 16th and Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, DC
📅 Date: April 11
🎟️ Tickets: Free
MORE INFO→

Explore Virginia’s famous bluebells with guided wildflower walks, plus live music by the river, kid-friendly crafts, and local food vendors. Don’t miss the puppet show.
📍 Location: Riverbend Park, Great Falls
📅 Date: April 11 | 10 AM
🎟️ Tickets: $10 until Apr 4, $15 at door
MORE INFO→

Fresh Nomini Bay oysters, live music, and craft beer come together with scenic mountain views for a laid-back spring weekend at Dirt Farm Brewing.
📍 Location: Dirt Farm Brewing, Bluemont
📅 Date: April 11–12
🎟️ Tickets: Free
MORE INFO→

NOT ENOUGH? SEE 10+ GREAT THINGS TO DO THIS WEEKEND→

Alright, this one was too fun not to share.

I went down a bit of a rabbit hole (no pun intended) looking into Northern Virginia’s urban legends, and honestly… they say a lot about how creative people around here can be. None of this is about facts or accuracy, it’s about the stories we tell when something feels unexplained, eerie, or just plain weird.

Here are a few of the ones that have stuck around the most:

This is probably the most famous NoVa legend. The story goes that a man in a rabbit suit was terrorizing people with a hatchet back in the ‘70s. There were actually two real incidents reported in Burke just days apart, but everything else? Pure legend. Somehow, the Colchester Overpass became the “home” of the Bunny Man… even though it wasn’t part of the original reports.

This one leans darker. During the Second Battle of Manassas, hundreds of soldiers were killed, including (allegedly) one Zouave soldier who was decapitated. The legend says he still roams the battlefield looking for his head. Worth noting… visiting those areas at night isn’t allowed.

There’s no official record of why this road is named what it is, and naturally, people filled in the blanks. The story says a woman named Marie was killed near an abandoned house there, and depending on who you ask, you can “summon” her by honking, flashing your lights, or just showing up at the right time.

One of the stranger ones. Back in the day, there were several unusually small houses tucked between properties linked to the Barnum & Bailey Circus. People started connecting dots and assumed they were built for circus performers. The story escalated from there, especially since locals weren’t exactly welcoming to curious visitors.

Classic ghost story energy. A hitchhiker appears late at night on this winding road. If you pick them up, they vanish. If you don’t, they might show up again… and eventually end up in your back seat. The legend likely came from the road’s history of serious accidents.

This one is just… absurd in the best way. Supposedly, there were creatures with pig bodies and goose beaks roaming around in the 1800s. The story has been passed down for nearly 200 years, and yes, there’s even a sign about them in Old Town.

This isn’t folklore. In 1989, a group of lab monkeys in Reston were found to have a strain of Ebola. For a moment, it looked like a worst-case scenario… until scientists realized this version didn’t affect humans. It ended up becoming a major breakthrough in understanding the virus.

At the end of the day, these stories are about how people make sense of the unknown, or sometimes just entertain themselves.

And honestly… NoVa might have some of the most entertaining ones out there.

READ THE FULL STORIES→

A new Niche ranking for 2026 puts Arlington’s Colonial Village at No. 2 among the best places to live in America, while Arlington and Alexandria also landed in the top 20 among best U.S. cities to live in.

Driving the news: Northern Virginia scored several standout spots in Niche’s latest 2026 rankings, which looked at more than 230 cities and 18,000 places across the country.

Details:

Why it matters: This is a strong selling point for Northern Virginia. National rankings like this can help attract new residents, employers, and local spending while backing up what many locals already know: NoVA offers a mix of strong schools, walkability, amenities, and access that keeps demand high.

The big picture: These rankings reflect a broader trend in Northern Virginia. Arlington and Alexandria continue to stand out for quality of life, even as housing costs remain a weak spot.

Between the lines: Arlington’s showing is especially notable because Niche’s city rankings are meant for municipalities with populations above 100,000, even though Arlington is technically a county. Even so, it continues to compete with top cities across the country.

The bottom line: Northern Virginia is still one of the country’s top places to put down roots, and Arlington is leading the way.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS→

Driving the news: Arlington is about to get a new dinner-and-drinks destination. The Boulevard, opening in early May at the former Wilson Hardware space, is bringing modern American food, global flavors, and a built-in nightlife angle to 2915 Wilson Blvd.

Details:

Why it matters: it adds a high-profile restaurant and nightlife option in a well-known local space.

A concept built to draw people from across Northern Virginia and D.C. can bring more foot traffic, more energy for nearby businesses, and more reasons for people to stay local for a full night out.

The big picture: Arlington’s dining scene keeps getting more ambitious, and The Boulevard is betting that people want more than a meal.

The pitch here is a full experience, with food, cocktails, music, and multiple spaces that can serve different crowds on the same night.

What’s next: The Boulevard is expected to open in early May at 2915 Wilson Blvd. Once open, Arlington diners will be able to try the main dining room downstairs and Solset upstairs.

DIVE INTO THE PROJECT→

Reply and let me know what you liked the most and what you’d like to see in next week’s newsletter. See ya!