Happy Holidays, Northern Virginia!
Hey guys!
Christmas is right around the corner, and if you're like me, you're probably scrambling to figure out plans that don't involve sitting in traffic for hours, right?
I've put together everything you need to know about what's going on in our area. Whether you want to skip cooking, grab some last-minute gifts, or just get out and do something fun, I’ve got you covered!
Scroll down and enjoy!
—Chris Colgan
Click to see it:
Skip the Kitchen: Christmas Dining Options
Best for: Anyone who wants a real holiday meal without the cooking, the dishes, or the grocery store chaos. Also perfect if you’re hosting but don’t want to spend all day in the kitchen.
2941 (Falls Church)
Christmas Eve Only
Three-course prix fixe: $140
Ribeye, braised short ribs, black truffle risotto
Make reservations
🔗 Website
Founding Farmers (Tysons)
Christmas Day
Prix fixe from $45 adults / $35 kids
Filet mignon, prime rib, crab cakes
Popular spot, definitely make reservations
🔗 Website
J. Gilbert's (McLean)
Both Christmas Eve & Day
Special holiday menu Christmas Day
Filet mignon, rack of lamb, lobster tails
🔗 Website
Corso Italian (Shirlington)
Christmas Eve
Regular menu plus four holiday specials
🔗 Website
Maison Cheryl (Arlington)
Christmas Eve
French-inspired prix fixe: $65
Crispy duck breast, French onion soup, bûche de Noël
Maple and goat cheese Brussels sprouts
🔗 Website
Neutral Ground (McLean)
Christmas Eve
Réveillon five-course Southern coastal menu
Oyster stew, blue crab-stuffed flounder, roasted quail
🔗 Website
NiHao (National Landing)
Christmas Day
Holiday Dinner Package: $129
Peter Chang's famous Peking duck
🔗 Website
Nue (Falls Church)
Christmas Eve
Honey lacquered duck: $149
Family style set for 5-7 people: $399
🔗 Website
Last-Minute Gift Shopping
Best for: Anyone who just remembered they still need 1 more gift. Or you need something that feels thoughtful, even if it’s a last-minute grab.
The Urban Farmhouse (Bluemont)
5140 Wilson Blvd., Arlington
🔗 Website
Casual Adventure Outfitters (Virginia Square)
3451 Washington Blvd., Arlington
🔗 Website
Sassanova (Chesterbrook Shopping Center)
6224 Old Dominion Drive, McLean
🔗 Website
Bloomie's
2920 District Ave Unit 180, Fairfax
🔗 Website
Rosegate Design
11941 Grand Commons Ave, Fairfax
🔗 Website
Senpai's Corner
795 Center St #4, Herndon
🔗 Website
Curio Cavern (Springfield Town Center)
6610 Springfield Mall, Springfield
🔗 Website
Cherry Lane Gifts & Home
115 Church St NW, Vienna
🔗 Website
🎥 We’ve Never Had A Market Like This | Northern VA Real Estate Market Update
In this video, we're going to analyse Northern VA's Real Estate market in a fresh update, and honestly... we've never had a market like this!
💬 Let’s Connect: Buying, Selling, or Growing Your Brand in Northern Virginia?
Whether you’re looking to move to Fairfax, Prince William, Winchester, Alexandria, Arlington, or Reston — or want help growing your business with smart, local content I’ve got you covered.
📍 Explore homes for sale across Northern Virginia
📲 DM me on Instagram for real estate or content marketing help
💼 Visit ColganTeam.com to learn more or collaborate on your next project
Ski the Mountains
(1.5 to 4 Hours from NoVA)
Best for: Anyone who wants to get out of the house, do something active, and make the holidays feel like a mini trip. Great if you need fresh air, a change of scenery, and an excuse to burn off the holiday meals.
Closest Options (1.5 to 2 Hours)
Liberty Mountain Resort (Fairfield, PA)
Drive time: About 1.5 hours from Dulles
South side (advanced): Upper Strata, Upper Ultra
North side: Easy slopes for beginners
Lessons available for adults and kids as young as 3
Bubly snow tubing park: $48 for 2 hours (book online recommended)
6 restaurants: Alpine Market to Eagle & The Owl
Lift tickets: $125 for 13+, $113 for 12 and younger
🔗 Website
Bryce Resort (Basye, VA)
Drive time: About 1.5 hours from Dulles
12 unique runs for all skill levels
Daredevil trails: Bootlegger, Hangover
Beginner trail: Redeye
Snow tubing, ice skating, lessons for ages 4.5+
Dining: Carter's Hütte (outdoor bar), Shenandoah Center cafeteria, Copper Kettle Restaurant
Lift tickets: $55 for 12+, $50 for ages 6-12 and 65+
🔗 Website
Medium Distance (About 2 Hours)
Massanutten Resort (Massanutten, VA)
Drive time: About 2 hours from Dulles
A few miles west of Shenandoah National Park
Beginner: Southern Comfort (with slow zone)
Intermediate: Lower Makattack, Pacesetter
Advanced: No Hessitation, Diamond Jim
Indoor and outdoor waterpark, summer golf course, spacious lodge
Premium dining at Lodge and Base Camp
Lift tickets: $79 for 13+, $74 for ages 7-12, free for 5 and younger
🔗 Website
Whitetail Resort
(Mercersburg, PA)
Drive time: About 2 hours from Dulles
Two Top Mountain location. Great for working on technique
Beginner: Sidewinder
Speed trails: Angle Drop, Far Side
2-hour lessons, ski the rest of the day
Dining: The Marketplace, Solstice Bar, Mountain Heart Pizzeria
Lift tickets: $125 for 13+, $113 for 12 and younger
🔗 Website
Longer Drives (3 to 4 Hours)
Wintergreen Resort (Nellysford, VA)
Drive time: About 3 hours from Dulles
Blue Ridge Mountain resort. Made for speed, finesse, freestyle
Practice trails: Upper Dobie, Potato Patch
Challenging: Devils Elbow, The Gap
The Plunge snow tubing: 10 stories down, passes start at $44 on weekends
Spa available, breathtaking winter sunsets
Lift tickets: $89 for 13+, $69 for 12 and younger
🔗 Website
Wisp Resort (McHenry, MD)
Drive time: About 3 hours from Dulles
132 acres of skiable terrain in the Maryland panhandle
Easy-going: Backbone Pass, Big Dipper
Technically challenging: Main Street, Odin's Chute
Shopping: Mountain Park Shop, Outdoor Elements
Year-round: Mountain Coaster, disc golf in summer
Lift tickets: $89 for 13+, $69 for 12 and younger
🔗 Website
Snowshoe Mountain Resort (Snowshoe, WV)
Drive time: About 4 hours from Dulles
Cheat Mountain, all about options
Arbuckle's Cabin: Bar accessible only via expert Western Territory trails
The Boathouse: American fare at Snowshoe Basin base
Lessons for 13+, snow tubing, snowmobile tours, off-road adventures
Ski-on/ski-off lodging, night skiing
Lift tickets: $79 for 23+, $72 for ages 13-22, $68 for 12 and younger
🔗 Website
Our Current Local Market Numbers
Washington DC’s market is still competitive. Median sale price hit $680K last month, up 2.3 percent year over year. Homes are selling in about 55 days on average, slower than last year. Total sales dipped 9.5 percent year over year. Price per square foot fell to $488, down 6.5 percent. Inventory is edging up while momentum softens. Could be a smart entry point if you’re ready.
For buyers: Rising inventory and slower days on market give you room to negotiate. Stay pre-approved and move when the right home pops up.
For sellers: Prices are still holding, but buyers expect value. Clean presentation, smart pricing, and strong agent strategy matter more than ever.
In Other News…
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And don’t forget to tell me which one was your favorite. See ya!