NORTHERN VIRGINIA RELOCATION GUIDE
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Congratulations on launching your Virginia Home Search!
Take a look at our relocation guide for our buyers who are new to the Northern Virginia area to find out everything you need to know about living here.
Have a question about living in Northern Virginia that this guide doesn’t answer? Please contact us!
Sean Blanchette
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PRACTICAL
• VA car registration: https://www.dmv.org/va-virginia/car-registration.php
• Voter registration: http://www.dmv.org/va-virginia/voter-registration.php
• Convert out-of-state licenses: http://www.dmv.org/va-virginia/apply-license.php
• Schools: https://www.greatschools.org/
• Home improvement services: http://www.homeadvisor.com/c.VA.html
• Cleaning services: http://www.homeadvisor.com/c.VA.html
• Babysitters: http://www.asapsitters.com/&care.com
• Music lessons: http://www.bnbmusiclessons.com/locations/virginia/
PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
• New Metro riders: https://www.wmata.com/rider-guide/new-riders/index.cfm
• Reusable Metro SmarTrip cards: https://www.wmata.com/fares/smartrip/index.cfm
• Metrobus information: https://www.wmata.com/fares/bus.cfm
ENTERTAINMENT
• Local parks, facilities & recreation centers: https://www.novaparks.com/ & https://www.virginia.org/StateParks/
• Best dog parks: https://www.bringfido.com/attraction/parks/state/virginia/
• Local sports leagues: https://fxasports.com/ & http://www.novasc.org/
• Annual festivals: https://www.virginia.org/directory/events/festivals/
• Farmers markets: https://www.virginia.org/farmersmarkets/
• Museums: https://www.virginia.org/Directory/Museums/
• Live music venues: http://dcmusicdownload.com/2015/07/30/exploring-northern-virginias-music-venues/
FAMILY-FRIENDLY FUN
• Kid camps: https://www.virginia.org/campsforkids
• Family fun: https://www.virginia.org/coolplacesforkids/
• Top 10 family things to do: https://blog.trekaroo.com/top-10-things-for-families-to-do-in-virginia/
RESTAURANTS
• Best new restaurants: http://www.northernvirginiamag.com/best-new-restaurants-2016/
• Cheap eats: http://www.onlyinyourstate.com/virginia/cheap-eats-in-virginia/
• Unique restaurants: http://www.onlyinyourstate.com/virginia/13-unique-va-restaurants/
• Best in Virginia: https://www.thrillist.com/eat/washington-dc/virginia-has-some-mighty-fine-restaurants-these-are-the-best-of-them
• Ethnic eats: http://www.onlyinyourstate.com/virginia/ethnic-restaurants-va/ &
https://www.yelp.com/list/best-ethnic-food-in-nova-metro-dc-falls-church
• Food trucks: https://www.washingtonian.com/2014/09/18/washingtons-ultimate-food-truck-guide/ & https://www.washingtonian.com/2016/02/02/13-washington-area-food-trucks-that-will-totally-come-to-your-wedding/
NIGHTLIFE
• Best beer bars: http://www.northernvirginiamag.com/best-bars/
• Best bars: http://www.northernvirginiamag.com/entertainment/entertainment-features/2015/10/27/bestbars2015/
• Best wine bars: http://thebacklabel.com/4-best-wine-bars-in-northern-virginia/#.WPZp5FPys4U
• Breweries: http://scoutology.com/31-northern-virginia-breweries-to-visit/ &
https://www.virginia.org/craftbeer
• Wineries: http://www.fxva.com/things-to-do/wineries-breweries/wineries/ & https://www.virginia.org/directory/wineriesandbreweries/?regionid=5&categories=83
• Best sport pubs: http://www.northernvirginiamag.com/nightlife/sports-bars/
SHOPPING
• Overview: https://www.virginia.org/nvvcshopoutlets/
• Best malls: https://www.washingtonian.com/2016/06/01/best-shopping-northern-virginia-malls-tysons-corner-galleria-pentagon-city-leesburg/
• Outlets: https://www.virginia.org/shopoutlets/
• Fashionable boutiques: https://www.wheretraveler.com/virginia/trend-fashionistas-guide-northern-virginia
• Major shopping centers: http://dc.about.com/od/northernvirginiashopping/
NEARBY VACATION SPOTS
• Overnight getaways: http://www.funinfairfaxva.com/8-great-overnight-getaways-in-and-near-northern-virginia/
• Road trips: http://www.onlyinyourstate.com/virginia/road-trips-va/
• Family getaways: https://mommypoppins.com/kids/virginia-is-for-families-6-great-resorts-for-family-vacations-in-virginia & https://www.virginia.org/familyfungetaways
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PERSONAL & FAMILY FAVORITES
Hylton Performing Arts Center: http://hyltoncenter.org/
Harris Pavilion - Summer & Cultural Events, Farmers Market, Winter Ice Skating: http://harrispavilion.com/
St Patricks Day Parade: http://www.stpatparade.net/
Christmas Parade: https://gmchristmasparade.org/ (Attending both parades annually have become fun tradition for my family. Truly a great experience of Hometown America.)
SURF & TURF
DC Warf - Drop your Jaw – Endless Fresh Seafood Market. Also an upscale Venue next door: http://www.wharfdc.com/fish-market/
Old Ox Butcher: http://thewholeox.com/
Wilson Butcher – Catlett: http://www.wilsonfarmmeats.com/
Whiffletree Farm (Awesome young Farm Family – amazing chicken & loved our Thanksgiving Turkey): http://www.whiffletreefarmva.com/
COFFEE / BAKERY
Red Truck Bakery (Warrenton & Marshall) - Excellent Coffee! http://redtruckbakery.com/
OLD TOWN VENUES
Alexandria: http://www.alexandriava.gov/
Manassas: http://www.manassascity.org/
Winchester: http://www.winchesterva.gov/
Warrenton: http://www.warrentonva.gov/
Occoquan: http://www.occoquanva.gov/
FARMERS MARKETS
Manassas - Best Farmer’s Market in Area – Thursdays & Saturday:
http://visitmanassas.org/listings/farmers-market/
Warrenton: http://www.warrentonva.gov/visitors/local_attractions/index.php
Yankey Farms – Nokesville (This is an “on your honor” farm stand on Glenkirk Rd.):
http://www.yankeyfarms.com/
PUBS & WINERIES
McMahons Irish Pub – Warrenton (Family Favorite: Owners are Great Friends – Ask for Francis or Erica): http://www.mcmahonsirishpub.com/
Murphy's Pub – Alexandria: http://murphyspub.com/murphys/alexandria/
Old Bust Head Brewery: http://www.oldbusthead.com/
2 Silos Brewery: http://2silosbrewing.com/
Barrel Oak Winery: http://www.barreloak.com/
Pearmund Cellars: http://pearmundcellars.com/
Rappahannock Winery: http://www.rappahannockcellars.com/
The Four Provinces - "Four P's" (This is where it all began.... Met my bride here & the rest is history. They pour an excellent Pint of Guinness - guaranteed.): http://www.4psva.com/
FINE DINE & FAMILY DINING
Claire’s at the Depot: http://clairesrestaurant.com/
Field & Main: http://www.fieldandmainrestaurant.com/
Ciao Osteria: http://www.ciao-osteria.com/
Foster's Grille: http://www.fostersgrille.com/
Moo Thru Ice Cream - (Hand’s down our kids absolute favorite summer ice cream drive thru. Yes worth driving to.): http://moothru.com/
Effee's Ice Cream: http://www.effees.com/
Northside 29 Diner (Nothing fancy, comfort foods & Greek flair. Love surprising our kids to stop here after Church - if they behaved :) - http://northside29.com/
We Love to Support Family Run Businesses:
Boyle's School of Irish Dance - Irish Dance Lessons: http://www.boyleschool.com/ (5 of our 6 kids have schooled here. Irish sisters Ellen & Alannah have organized an amazingly talented school, top shelf training & performances.)
Econize Closets: https://www.econizeclosets.com (Awesome storage & closet solutions. We've had installed in our house. Tell owner Noel Sweeney that Sean & Mary Pat highly recommended Econize)
Tree Surgeon: http://awflaytreesurgeoncom.ipage.com/about-us/ (Awesome family run business. New Zealand Rugby Legend - Tony Flay & Son Padraig provide excellent tree service... and our favorite supplier for fire-wood for the winter months.)