01 Oct Our Home Town
In our final of three blogs about the DC area – we’re highlighting Alexandria, VA. Flightline Travel is based here and we love it here – can’t wait for you to come to visit our quaint little town. Of course, you’ll likely be visiting Alexandria since you’re coming to DC – that’s OK, we know that we’re not the major draw in this area and our next door neighbor gets all the attention. That’s just fine – but while you’re here for DC, make some time to visit us, you’ll be glad you did! You could make a full three-day weekend just in Alexandria and that’s the itinerary we’re recommending here – or just tack on an extra day or two to your DC trip.
Alexandria is located due south of Reagan airport. Old Town is about a 7-minute drive (yes…seven!) from Reagan airport and less than a $10 Uber or $20 taxi ride from the airport. When you visit us – stay in Old Town. We highly recommend Hotel Indigo but there is also top tier Hilton, Kimpton, and Morrison House/Autograph Collection options which are all in the heart of Old Town. You could stay just outside the heart of Old Town at Sheraton or Crown Plaza, or, perhaps better, do a B&B or AirB&B. Ideally, you’ll want to stay in Old Town to enjoy the gas lamps, cobblestone streets, boutiques, and local restaurants so you should ensure that you are within walking distance of King Street and that you stay south of Washington Street.
The first day you should check out Torpedo Factory (which is now a fun, large art center with dozens of small art galleries all under one roof) then have a light lunch on the wharf followed by a fun afternoon of walking up King Street and checking out the boutiques. Stop in at St. Mary’s Church (the oldest Catholic Church in Virginia) as well as Gatsby’s Tavern and Carlye House – historic houses showing colonial life. Dinner on King Street.
The second day you should head to Mt. Vernon and plan to spend all day there – followed by a quick stop at the Leigh-Pope House or Woodlawn plantation or George Washington’s Grist Mill. Dinner again on King Street.
The third day you should check out more of Old Town’s history. Start at the Alexandria City Museum on Washington Street followed by houses you didn’t check out on the first day (there are eight historic house in Old Town). Stop at City Hall. Spend more time on the Waterfront and perhaps a sightseeing cruise of DC’s sites from the river. Happy Hour at Port City and dinner at a restaurant with a water view/near the Waterfront. You could also take a water taxi over to Washington Harbor for dinner or an evening stroll – but really, why would you leave Old Town? Don’t miss the cobblestones on Princess and Prince Streets!
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