🍴 Northern Virginia just welcomed 21 new restaurants, serving everything from Filipino breakfast buns and Peruvian ceviche to steakhouse classics and sushi. The question is: where will you eat first?

🚀 Virginia is locked in a high-stakes battle to keep the Space Shuttle Discovery from being shipped to Texas. Lawmakers warn the move could cost far more than planned, and even put the shuttle’s historic value at risk.

🏡 Northern Virginia’s housing market is doing something most aren’t. Home prices are holding. Sales are rising. But something unusual is happening with inventory and buyer behavior, and it might surprise you.

If your fall plans include trying something new, you’re in luck: Northern Virginia’s dining scene just welcomed 21 new spots worth bookmarking. From authentic shawarma and Peruvian ceviche to wood-fired pizza and Korean BBQ, here’s where to eat next.

READ MORE DETAILS ABOUT EACH ONE→

Driving the news: Virginia lawmakers, backed by Sens. Tim Kaine and Mark Warner, are pushing to keep the Space Shuttle Discovery at the Smithsonian’s Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly. Texas lawmakers want it moved to Houston’s Johnson Space Center.

Details:

Why it matters: For Virginia, the shuttle is a cornerstone of the Udvar-Hazy Center, which attracts 1+ million visitors each year.

Keeping Discovery in Chantilly preserves a free, world-class museum experience that fuels local tourism, inspires STEM education, and supports the region’s identity as a hub of aerospace history.

The big picture: Moving Discovery would expose it to saltwater, weather, and collision risks—potentially compromising its historical value forever.

The White House has asked the Smithsonian and NASA to prepare cost estimates for the move. Both agencies have said it would exceed the $85 million budget and require a new Texas facility.

The Smithsonian also noted Discovery is part of its trust collection, not government property, making removal unprecedented.

What’s next: Congress will decide whether relocation funding makes it into the final FY2026 budget.

Meanwhile, the Udvar-Hazy Center is planning a 20% expansion of its Boeing Aviation Hangar by 2028, strengthening Virginia’s claim as Discovery’s permanent home.

KEEP READING→

In this episode of NoVA Network, we dive into the latest real estate
buzz 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

Driving the news: Home sales in Northern Virginia rose 2.0% year-over-year in August 2025, outpacing the national growth rate of 1.8%.

The region also held steady on home prices, with both closed sales and dollar volume climbing, according to the Northern Virginia Association of Realtors®.

Details:

Why it matters: This growth signals that Northern Virginia’s housing demand remains firm even as affordability challenges grow. With prices higher than the national average and homes still moving quickly, the region’s real estate market continues to attract committed buyers.

That’s good news for the local economy, homeowners, and anyone invested in the area’s long-term growth.

The big picture: While rising inventory suggests some relief for buyers, supply is still tight. The region’s faster-than-average sales pace shows a market that remains highly competitive.

Nationally, the market is stabilizing, but Northern Virginia’s relatively faster growth reflects its strong appeal.

Between the lines: Higher days on market mean buyers are taking a bit more time, but sellers remain in control due to low supply. The sharp rise in inventory may ease pressure, but not enough to swing leverage away from sellers anytime soon.

What’s next: As the fall season approaches, demand is expected to stay solid but moderated by price sensitivity.

Buyers and sellers will need to watch market shifts closely, especially if interest rates or economic factors adjust further.

The bottom line: Northern Virginia continues to outpace the national market in both price and sales volume, proving its resilience even in a high-cost environment.

KNOW MORE→

A tradition for over 80 years, this fair brings history and arts to life with live music, local food, artisan demos, and tours of historic homes. Proceeds benefit the Waterford Foundation’s mission to preserve the historic village.
📍 Location: 40222 Fairfax St., Waterford, VA
📅 Date & Time: Oct 3–5, 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
🎟️ Tickets: Starting at $21.58, kids 12 & under free
🌐 Website: https://www.waterfordfairva.org

Celebrate German culture with live entertainment on three stages, a big beer and wine selection, delicious food, and an artisan marketplace, all on historic Church Street.
📍 Location: 131 Church St. NE, Vienna, VA
📅 Date & Time: Oct 4, 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM
🎟️ Tickets: Free
🌐 Website: https://www.viennaoktoberfest.org

Tyler Joseph and Josh Dun return with their genre-blending hits like Stressed Out and Heathens, plus new tracks from their latest album, Breach.
📍 Location: Jiffy Lube Live, Bristow, VA
📅 Date & Time: Oct 5, 8:00 PM
🎟️ Tickets: Starting at $67
🌐 Website: https://www.jiffylubelive.com/shows

MORE THINGS TO DO→

Washington, DC’s housing market is holding steady—but don’t get too comfy. Median sale prices slipped 1.1% to around $703K, and homes linger about 56 days—14 days longer than last year. Buyers still make roughly two offers per listing, with a 98.2% sale-to-list ratio and just 20% selling above list.

For Buyers: More time to negotiate and less competition mean better leverage—if you’re ready to move when the right home pops up.

For Sellers: Pricing strategically is key. With fewer bidding wars, standout marketing and presentation will help you attract motivated buyers fast.