West Gate - Manassas, VA

Originally a rural area, the West Gate area changed when the Orange and Alexandria railroad came through in the 1850s. After the Civil War, railroad traffic in Manassas increased and the immediate area around it began to grow. Today the railroad continues to be a vital link in the Norfolk Southern Line, and the area has modernized, becoming a part of the congested but desirable Washington, D.C. area.

The local art scene remains centered in downtown Manassas. Enjoy a wide variety of galleries, from potters at Manassas Clay to oil paintings at Creative Brush Studio, or view local art at ArtBeat Gallery. The Hylton Performing Arts Center also plays host to a wide variety of shows and concerts.

Annual events in the area include First Fridays in downtown Manassas, where the first Friday of the month features a special event like the Spring Art Gallery walk. In early summer, the Manassas Heritage Railway Festival celebrates the impact of the railroad on the area.

For a quick bite, find several fast-food options in the shopping center along Route 234, but the more unique restaurants in the area sit in downtown Manassas, just a 10-minute drive away.

Step into the swamps of Louisiana at Okras when you try an oyster po’boy or alligator bites. Open until midnight during the week and 2 a.m. on weekends, when they also have live music, this is also a great option for after-hours fun. If you count yourself a fan of Doctor Who, you might try BadWolf Brewing Company on a night out. Enjoy the rotating beer menu, because the small batches sell out quickly, and on Wednesday nights, enjoy $10 flights. If you are indeed a Whovian, go down the hallway and check out one of the doors painted a familiar shade of blue.

West Gate sits 2 miles south of Interstate 66, along Business Route 234, which runs south through Manassas and connects with Interstate 95 south of the metro D.C. traffic. This makes the neighborhood easily accessible from many directions. West Gate doesn’t have public parking garages, but all of the restaurants and businesses come with plenty of room in their lots. Several taxi companies serve the West Gate area, including Manassas Cab Company and Northern Virginia Checker Cab, and Uber can be reached using your smartphone.

Public transit serves part of West Gate, but not all of it, so a car comes in handy. Fares on the local OmniLink cost $1.30 one way, making them a convenient choice if you happen to be close to a stop. If you want to get into downtown D.C., head up to the Vienna Metro station and take the orange line into the city.

Commuters also take advantage of the VRE, the commuter rail system designed to get people into D.C. in a reasonable amount of time. Residents in West Gate have the choice of getting on in downtown Manassas or in Manassas Park.

The city hasn't created dedicated bike lanes or trails, but most of the residential areas have sidewalks, so you can safely go for a walk.

Two of the most fun parks in the area might not be what you’d typically think of, but are definitely worth checking out. Atlantis Waterpark, located 10 miles away at Bull Run Regional Park, features pools, waterslides and even a giant dumping water bucket. An admission fee of just $8.25 per person makes this a popular spot in the summer.

SplashDown Waterpark features 13 acres of water-soaked fun, including pools, sand volleyball, lazy river and water slides. Admission is $14.95, and the park is located at the east end of West Gate, making it a short jaunt away.

When you'd rather stay dry, hang out at Bull Run Regional Park. You can pitch a tent or opt for a rustic cabin, or just go up for the day and explore the various trails. Try out the 1.5-mile Bluebell Trail, which boasts 25 varieties of wildflowers in bloom in spring.

Manassas National Battlefield Park stands as another large rural area. Visit the visitor’s center, which includes a 45-minute video on the history of the area, and then walk the trails or take the driving tour and visit well-known spots, such as the stone bridge or the Stonewall Jackson monument. No dog parks exist in the West Gate area.

The average cost of living in West Gate is two to four percent higher than the state average. A pint of beer costs $3.75, and gas in West Gate runs two percent lower than the state average. Taking a ride on the local OmniLink bus costs $1.30 one way. Once you make your way to the Metro, it’s only $3.60 to get into the capital. An average one-bedroom apartment in the West Gate area runs about $1,000 per month.

To the west of town, along Route 234, find all your typical big-box stores, such as Barnes and Noble, Costco, and Marshalls. Various grocery store chains also call this section of road home, with choices like Food Lion and Giant, in addition to a halal butcher shop. During the summer, farm-grown produce can be found at the Manassas Farmer's Market, voted the best in the area.

For more unique stores, head to old town Manassas and check out a store that fits right in with the historical area. Rebel Coin & Stamp Co. has been in business since 1969, and store specializes in Civil War relics including bullets, coins, and other memorabilia.

Step into the over 100-year-old Hibbs & Giddings building and discover a store that might have inventory as old as the store itself. The smell of old books marks Prospero's Books, a used book store. Prospero's Books is also well known for its collections of rare and Civil War books. The store stocks 85,000 volumes, and also specializes in antique maps.