“Treat yourself.” That’s the motto at Yagút Street, one that’s emblazoned in pink neon across an Instagrammable backdrop of bright faux flowers. The flower wall is reason enough for some to visit the tea shop and snap a photo of their equally stunning cup of tea or Vietnamese coffee—but the fact that these drinks also happen…
Author Archives: The Beacon of Groveton
Dec
01
2020
“To me, you are perfect.” This classic holiday rom-com line (from 2003’s Love Actually) could just as easily refer to the season itself. Whether you’re skating across an ice rink, sledding down a snowy hill, or seeking out the best light displays in the area, there’s no limit to the ways you can enjoy the holidays…
Nov
19
2020
Cafés and coffee shops are nice, but they have so few cats! Mount Purrnon Cat Café and Wine Bar has the remedy for that. Mount Purrnon is Alexandria’s first and only cat café, and aims to find loving homes for the dozens of local kitties that need a family. Even if you can’t take on a pet…
Nov
09
2020
Sweet potato, pumpkin, apple—these are a few of the ingredients that flourish in the fall, so it makes sense they’d also play a starring role in your baked goods. If you’re looking for some sweet autumn treats to make this month that are a little more creative than pumpkin muffins and apple pie, try these…
Nov
02
2020
The historic building that houses Virtue Feed & Grain, an upscale New American bar and restaurant on Union Street in Alexandria, has gone through several rounds of renovations throughout its two centuries of existence. This past summer brought even more changes, as the outdoor space along Wales Alley was reconfigured for safe outdoor dining. Starting at 11…
Oct
29
2020
You’ve been to just about every Smithsonian museum in DC, and a couple of the paid entry ones as well. But what about the Alexandria favorite that’s even closer than the big city options? The Alexandria History Museum at The Lyceum is less than five miles from Beacon of Groveton, and showcases the historical significance of this…
Oct
14
2020
It’s the season of fall festivals and pumpkin-picking! That also means you might be gearing up to carve your annual jack-o’-lantern. But these creative DIY ideas might convince you to put down the carving knife and do something different this year. Crayon Drip Pumpkins [Good Housekeeping] This customizable craft gives you tons of artistic license…
Oct
06
2020
As the temperature begins to drop, you might have a harder time finding comfortable spots to hang out outdoors. Cafe 44: The Cabin Experience is making it easy to do this safely with a few close friends or family members. The cafe is hosting private lunch, brunch, and dinner parties out on its heated balcony for parties…
Oct
02
2020
Few things scream “fall” as much as a farm. From pumpkin patches to apple picking, the season is ripe with produce, as much for decoration as for consumption. There’s so much to taste and decorate with through autumn that it would truly be a shame to just pick up the first squash you see or…
Sep
29
2020
Since opening its doors in the 1830s, the Alexandria Lyceum has a long and storied history of providing enriching cultural opportunities to the local community. Today that tradition continues with the Alexandria History Museum at The Lyceum. The museum is currently open to the public, at 25% capacity, with limited hours and mask requirements (which means…