The holidays have arrived! Here are some of the greatest celebrations of Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Hanukkah in Reston and the surrounding areas of Northern Virginia and Washington, D.C. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2016 Herndon Turkey Trot 4pm: Herndon Centennial Golf Course, Herndon This 5K race winds around the beautiful Herndon Centennial Golf Course and on the W&OD…

This is well known in Southern Maryland, but I had no idea until recently: some of the beaches there have tons of fossils! The Calvert Cliffs, located south of Chesapeake Beach in Calvert County, Maryland, contain sedimentary deposits from the Miocene age (6 to 20 million years old), and those fossils wash up on the beaches. The…

It’s been called “America’s Best Idea” and it’s having a huge birthday. On August 25, 2016, the National Park Service (NPS) will celebrate its 100th anniversary with a series of events designed to honor the Service’s century of conservation and recreation. When you think of National Parks, distant destinations such as Yellowstone or Yosemite might come…

Did you know that the National Park Service offers a program to host artists so they can create art, music, or books in beautiful locations? I didn’t, either. It sounds amazing, and I’d love to be able to take part in this program. One Reston artist had that chance earlier this summer. This year marks the Centennial of…

Memorial Day is this coming Monday, May 30, 2016, and the holiday weekend is filled with celebrations around the area. Whether you’ll spend the weekend honoring the military or welcoming summer, we have ideas for you. Here’s what’s happening in Reston and the surrounding areas of Northern Virginia and Washington. THURSDAY, MAY 26, 2016 Lake…

This area is filled with great opportunities for outdoor recreation! One of our most popular articles of all time is our Ultimate Guide to Kids’ Indoor Fun in the Reston Area. The next logical step is a guide to outdoor fun, but this time we didn’t limit the excitement to kids’ activities. Here are our favorite ways for…

Whether you’re Irish, pretend-Irish, or just a fan of beer with every meal, we have ideas for you! Here are some great St. Patrick’s Day events, festivals, concerts, and bar crawls in Reston, Northern Virginia, and DC. SATURDAY, MARCH 5, 2016 Alexandria St. Patrick’s Day Parade 12:30pm: King Street, Old Town Alexandria Northern Viriginia’s St. Patrick’s Day celebrations…

Sure, it’s cold out there, but turn off Netflix and go out! Even in the middle of winter, this area offers plenty of interesting things to do. Highlights this month include art exhibits, Valentine’s Day, and a personal favorite — the annual Virginia Polar Dip. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2016 Sista Pat’s One Vibe – Reggae Band 9:30pm-close: Kalypso’s Sports…

As another year comes to a close, we are grateful for all the fascinating stories the Reston community has shared with us. Modern Reston has become the area’s leading publication for culture and events, and we couldn’t have done it without your support. We’ve got lots of plans for 2016, but first let’s look back at the top…