A Weekend in Prince William County: Virginia's Most Diverse County

Before I received an email about being selected for a media trip to Prince William County, Virginia as part of the TBEX conference I attended, I’ll be honest: I thought I had never heard of it.

But when I learned more about it, I realized I was wrong. I knew a couple things about this place, mainly because it’s where Manassas is located and where the Battle of Bull Run (aka the Battle of First Manassas) took place in the Civil War.

Something I definitely didn’t know though? Prince William County is Virginia’s most diverse county. And we (me, plus Bianca from This Latina Travels and Carli from Adventures with Carli) spent the weekend exploring this county, and I couldn’t help but notice how that diversity has enhanced their community.

One thing I’ll say: It feels like we barely scratched the surface of Prince William County! For everything we did, we heard about five more places we should go. There is SO much to explore here!

But here’s a look at how we spent a weekend in this Northern Virginia spot!

Thanks to Visit Prince William for hosting us on this trip! All opinions are, of course, my own.

Saturday: Downtown Manassas

Lunch at Vera’s Kitchen

An open spiral bound restaurant menu rests on a textured tabletop, showing colorful photos of Ethiopian dishes alongside breakfast, lunch, dinner, appetizer, soup, and salad options. Visible menu text includes the headings "APPETIZERS," "SOUPS," "SALADS," "BREAKFAST LUNCH & DINNER," and "ETHIOPIAN ENTREES," with featured dishes such as "Tomato Basil Quiche," "Tofu & Mushroom Mix," "Enkulal & Injera Firfir," "Foulle," "Omlette," "Beyaynetu," "Doro Wot," "Mild Alicha," "Tuna Kitfo," "Tibs," and "Trio Combination," along with their listed prices. — Part of the menu at Vera’s Kitchen Desta

An Ethiopian meal is served on soft injera bread with a generous portion of tender beef stew alongside creamy yellow lentils and a scoop of bright red chili sauce. The colorful patterned plate sits on a restaurant table, highlighting the traditional presentation and contrasting textures of the meal. — I really enjoyed the Sigi Alcha I ordered!

We started our time in Prince William Co. at lunch time. Which means we needed some food!

Because of their diversity, Prince William County is full of so many different cuisines, and for lunch we had Ethiopian food at Vera’s Kitchen.

I’ll be honest: I was a little nervous about this dining experience. I’ve only had Ethiopian food one other time, and I didn’t really love it then. The sourness of the bread (the bread served with all the meals is a fermented flatbread) was a little too much for me.

So I am delighted to say that I loved my meal here! I ordered the Sigi Alcha, which was a mild beef stew with cubed beef (no spice for me) and when I wrapped it up in the flatbread it was the perfect balance of flavors!

Then we also got to see how they make traditional Ethiopian coffee. Vera, the owner, showed us the coffee roasted in the pan and then she poured us coffee and gave us a few snacks that traditionally go with coffee.

This is honestly a must-visit spot in Manassas. The food was so good, and I loved that it was a woman-owned and clearly family-run business.

Afternoon Exploring Downtown Manassas + ARTfactory

A colorful gift shop display is filled with handmade crocheted plush animals, artisan jewelry, locally designed hats, framed artwork, and small handcrafted gifts arranged on wooden crates and baskets. The eclectic boutique features rustic decor, hanging pendant lights, and shelves showcasing work from local artists and makers. — Calico Jack’s had so many great local gift items!

Tall wooden bookshelves filled with colorful novels line the walls of an independent bookstore, with sections labeled "Fiction" and "Fantasy" displayed across the top. Featured book displays and neatly organized shelves create a cozy browsing space with white brick walls and wood flooring. — Some of the bookshelves at Sleepy Dragon Books…I spy so many great books!

Manassas has a cute downtown area that is four blocks and it is so quaint! The historic buildings house shops and restaurants, and we spent some time exploring.

My favorite stop was of course Sleepy Dragon Books, and adorable small indie bookstore with lots of Fantasy books, but also general fiction and even a Spanish-language shelf.

We also stopped in Calico Jack’s, which was a fantastic gift shop where they also make their own candles, soaps, and other products.

Then it was time for us to visit the ARTfactory and take an art class!

A bright art gallery with polished hardwood floors, exposed ceiling beams and ductwork, and white brick walls displays framed paintings under track lighting. The view through the glass entrance doors shows an open exhibition space with large windows letting in natural light and the words "Next Step" and "Family Gallery" visible on the glass. — The community gallery at the ARTFactory

First we got a tour of the building and learned all about how ARTfactory is involved in community art. From community theater to over 300 art classes a year, there is ALWAYS something going on! And while we were there we got to see an exhibit from several local artists.

Then we took an art class in the gallery from local artist John Hartt, who has become known for his “gubers” that have been popping up around town. He taught us how to paint one, and it was so fun to have a little creative time!

Dinner at Carmello’s

Note: Since our visit, Carmello’s has transitioned to private dining and special events only. But there are still lots of great other restaurants in Prince William County! Try Proof Kitchen and Bar or The Black Sheep, both restaurants near our hotel that I would love to try next time!)

A rectangular white plate holds lobster ravioli covered in a creamy tomato sauce and topped with fresh basil leaves, shaved Parmesan, and chunks of lobster. The pasta is served on a white tablecloth with water glasses and a side salad in the background, creating an elegant restaurant dining scene. — My lobster ravioli at Carmello’s

For dinner that night we ate at Carmello’s in downtown Manassas. The menu is largely Portuguese-inspired Italian dishes (meaning, you get lots of pastas and Italian dishes but with the twist of Portuguese seafood or flavorings).

I had a lobster ravioli that was fantastic. The sauce was creamy but not too heavy, and the lobster was perfect cooked. And I’m always a sucker for a cheesy pasta dish!

But my favorite things were before and after the main meal. First, the fresh bread with sundried tomato butter that came to our table to start with was addictive. We definitely had to ask for more butter!

And then I got a chocolate torte for dessert and I definitely ate more of it than I should have. It was so rich and I just sat there with my eyes closed enjoying all the chocolate goodness.

Sunday: Food & History

Sunday Morning Breakfast at My Cravingz

A modern restaurant dining area features red velvet chairs, wooden tables, large potted plants, and a textured accent wall with a glowing sign that reads "My Cravingz Real Bites." A curved LED light frames the seating area, creating a stylish and inviting space for guests. — Inside My Cravingz is light and airy while also feeling like a traditional Turkish spot!

A black dessert plate is filled with assorted Middle Eastern pastries, including baklava, pistachio rolls, chocolate baklava, and shredded phyllo pastry, all generously topped with crushed pistachios. The colorful assortment of flaky, syrupy sweets is arranged on a wooden table, showcasing a variety of traditional desserts in one serving. — Our amazing sampler platter of Turkish pastries!

Now I get to tell you about my absolute favorite experience of our entire trip: breakfast at My Cravingz.

This is a Turkish restaurant, and I’ll be honest: it is very unassuming on the outside. I think they told us it used to be a Goodwill. But when you walk inside the space is absolute beautiful (and huge!) with Turkish inspired decor and a bakery case full of the most delicious looking pastries.

And it’s clear the community loves this place too! It was pretty empty when we first arrived, but by the time we left I think almost every table was full!

We ordered breakfast, and because I am always here for sweets, my breakfast mostly came from the bakery case. I got an açma pastry filled with chocolate and hazelnut plus a small piece of baklava (okay, and a couple of scrambled eggs too just for some protein). Plus they brought us a tray of various pastries to try and tea!

And everything was amazing. It felt like the most luxurious breakfast feast. Plus we got to meet Layla, the owner, and hear about her story of opening this incredible spot with her family.

They also brought out traditional Turkish coffee and shows us how they serve it, along with a Turkish Delight on the side.

I’m not really a coffee drinker, so I passed on actually drinking any (especially because it is known to be pretty strong coffee!) but enjoyed the show. Plus they told us about how there are people who read the coffee grounds to tell your fortune. And Bianca from This Latina Travels tried her hand at seeing her own fortune. It was really fun!

Mid-Morning: Ben Lomand Historic Site

A two story historic stone house with cream shutters, tall brick chimneys, and a white columned front porch sits on a wide grassy lawn beneath an overcast sky. The symmetrical architecture and well preserved masonry highlight the home's historic character and traditional design. — The main house at the Ben Lomand Historic Site.

A small stone building that served as enslaved quarters stands at the end of a wet concrete walkway surrounded by a grassy lawn beneath an overcast sky. The structure features thick stone walls, two chimneys, a steep shingled roof, and simple doorways, illustrating the basic living conditions provided for enslaved people at the historic site. — A stone enslaved quarters is not a common sight, and there’s a great small exhibit inside too.

After our long breakfast at My Cravingz (we were seriously there for hours because we loved it so much!), we headed over to the Ben Lomand Historic Site to learn about this area during the Civil War.

The First Battle of Manassas (The Battle of Bull Run) took place near here, and the Ben Lomand house was used as a hospital during the battle.

We toured the rooms and it was really interesting. They have it set up as much as they can like it might have looked like when it was used as a hospital. This meant that the first room we came to was a surgery room, where we learned about what surgery would have looked like during that era. Spoiler alert: it was pretty rough.

Note for your visit: To add to the atmosphere, they also pipe in smells that you would find in a hospital at the time. Like…gangrene. I didn’t think the smells were super strong, but they might bother some people. In the surgery room there is also fake blood splattered on the walls FYI.

And one of the coolest things you get to see here is graffiti on the walls left by the Civil War soldiers where they have signed their names and written various things.

Another notable thing about Ben Lomand is that it is the site of one the few remaining stone enslaved quarters in Northern Virginia. Usually you see them made of wood, but here there is a stone building because stone was so plentiful. This is, of course, more durable, which means we still get to see it.

They have a small but excellent exhibit in the enslaved quarters explaining enslavement on this site and the specific people who were enslaved here. When you visit, you’ll definitely need to make sure you stop at this part too because this is of course such an important part of learning about this site.

Afternoon at Eavesdrop Brewery and Murlarkey Distillery

Eavesdrop is located in an old racing pigeon loft…hence the logo.

An outdoor patio features a modern fire table, built in wooden bench seating, potted plants, and a colorful abstract mural along one wall. Artificial turf, string lights, and a bright red patio umbrella create a relaxed gathering space surrounded by leafy trees. — While most of the brewery is family-friendly, the rooftop deck is for 21+

For the afternoon, we explored Prince William County’s craft drinks scene, starting with Eavesdrop Brewery. This brewery offers craft beer, wines, ciders, and more. And even though I’m not a drinker (hello side effects of getting older!), I still really enjoyed seeing this spot!

And we were specifically there for the Sazón Latin Food Festival that was taking place that weekend. And let me tell you: Prince William County SHOWED UP for this festival despite how gross and rainy it was during lunch time! The lines were long, but I still managed to get a great beef empanada.

But even when there isn’t a festival going on, Eavesdrop is clearly a great community spot. They host all kinds of events from trivia nights to goat yoga to live music. It seems like there is always something going on! And it’s a family friendly spot, so you can bring the kids and enjoy the atmosphere.

After our food festival lunch, we headed to MurLarkey Distillery at the NOVA LIVE campus (an entertainment district).

MurLarkey is another family-run business started by two brothers who used the chef expertise of one of their father-in-laws to create interesting infused spirits. I’d certainly never seen a Salsa Vodka before!

Now they have all kinds of spirits from more traditional whiskey and gin to infused whiskeys and vodkas. I had a sip of the Three Tea Whiskey and really liked it! Especially with a splash of lemonade!

It was a super fun tasting and it was really interesting to hear about the history of this family-run business and how much fun they seem to have creating new flavors.

Dinner at The Spot + A (Missed) Boat Ride

Two cheeseburger sliders on soft buns are served with roasted baby potatoes sprinkled with herbs and coarse salt on a blue plate. A pink layered cocktail and a chalkboard in the background advertise specials including "Wine & Dinner Pairing July 12," "Friday Sunset Cocktails All Summer," and "Wed Wine Bottles 50% Off w/ Entree," creating a casual restaurant dining scene. — My cheeseburger slides at The Spot

A chalkboard display invites customers to support a "Pay It Forward" community voucher program, with donation cards attached around the sign in amounts of $5, $10, $20, and $25. The sign reads, "PAY IT FORWARD. COMMUNITY VOUCHERS can be purchased for $5, $10, $25 or more for someone who may need help. It takes a community to help a community," highlighting a restaurant initiative to provide meals or assistance for others. — Community is such a big focus at The Spot…including this way to help your neighbors!

For dinner we headed to a small restaurant called The Spot at Belmont Bay.

And when I tell you that Prince William County has a tangible sense of community, I have no better example than this.

Denise and David, the owners of The Spot, set out to create a neighborhood gathering spot. And it’s clear that they have done so. They have a full calendar of events that includes everything from trivia to Mah Jong. In fact, their community is so strong that several of them are taking a cruise together!

The food was great here too: I had burger slider that really hit the spot (omg no pun intended). But my favorite thing was maybe my dirty soda called The Hula Girl, a mix of sprite and coconut and tropical juices that really felt like I had hopped over to Hawaii.

And here’s the bummer thing about our night though: we were supposed to take a cruise along the Potomac, but unfortunately it had to be cancelled because of weather.

It would have been so fun, but some things happen on travel that are out of your control.

But if you are interesting in doing this, they do pontoon boat cruises that include charcuterie and a wine tasting. You just have to call and reserve it!

A wide river stretches beneath an overcast sky, with calm water reflecting the muted light and a tree lined shoreline in the distance. Lush green shrubs frame the foreground, creating a peaceful scenic overlook of the river landscape. — Even thought we couldn’t take the boat out, we were still able to take a short stroll along the Potomac!

Late Night at Repeal Speakeasy

Three craft cocktails are arranged on a dark marble table in a dimly lit bar, including a creamy martini, a foamy cocktail garnished with an orange peel, and a drink served in a miniature bathtub with a small gold spoon. The creative presentation and moody lighting create an upscale cocktail lounge atmosphere. — Our drinks at Repeal were so good (and so fun!)

A decadent chocolate dessert is served in a glass sundae dish topped with piped whipped cream, chocolate truffles, caramelized fruit, a striped wafer stick, and a Biscoff cookie. The dessert sits on a dark marble table with two spoons, creating an elegant presentation in a dimly lit restaurant. — We had the most decadent dessert at Repeal too!

We ended our night at Repeal, a speakeasy that was actually inside our hotel, the Tempo by Hilton Manassas.

I definitely recommend making a reservation here, especially if there is an event going at NOVA LIVE that night. We couldn’t get in the first night we were there because there was a concert going on!

But I’m glad we made a point to visit the next night because it was such a fun space! It’s themed to the 1920s of course, and there is an air of secrecy to the place, including the “rules” in the menu.

The service was SO fantastic! They made us some amazing drinks (and made me a great mocktail!) and they were so friendly. We had a really great time and it was the perfect way to end our trip!

Where We Stayed

A modern hotel room features a king bed with a tall upholstered headboard, a small table and chair by a large window, and a stationary exercise bike positioned beside the bed. Neutral decor, floor to ceiling curtains, and natural light create a bright, comfortable space designed for both relaxation and in room workouts. — My room at the Tempo had a Peleton in it! (Which I did not use lol)

We stayed at the Tempo by Hilton Manassas located at the NOVA LIVE campus.

This hotel is newer, just opening in December 2025. It’s a lifestyle brand from Hilton, meant to feel more like a boutique stay rather than a standard hotel. And the Tempo is all music-themed, complete with records and guitars in the lobby and other music-inspired decor that makes you feel like you could be visiting a recording studio.

There is also a focus on wellness at this hotel, from the water bottle refill stations to the wellness rooms. My king-bed room ended up being a wellness room, which meant there was a Peleton next to my bed. It was definitely something I had never seen in a hotel before!

It’s also clear that they put thought into the details in this hotel. There is plenty of lighting all over the room, including a brightly lit vanity for getting ready. There is a clock that can also connect to your phone via bluetooth in the bathroom mirror. And the bed was so incredibly comfortable.

Plus the on-site dining was really good too! We had breakfast at their onsite lobby spot: Moon Song Cafe. And I thought the oatmeal I had was excellent!

If you’re planning a trip to the Prince William area, I definitely recommend this hotel!

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