Olde Town Alexandria VA

I'm meeting a girlfriend from Australia next month in DC., and one of the days we plan to go into Alexandria and visit Christ's Church, shop, go to the Harbor area and we also want to see any historically redone homes, if there are any. Does anyone have any suggestions on other interesting places in that area to see ( we will be walking or taxis, I guess.) We are taking the metro in. Plus, a quaint but good place for lunch that day and then dinner that night when our husbands come back from the aerospace museum. We will also be in DC on Sat.& Sun. pm's and would like nice places for dinner, to end each day of sighseeing. any suggestions would be welcomed.
Thanks, Sherry

We just got back from a week at FF Alexandria on Saturday. We really enjoyed going to the Torpedo Arts Factory-local artists studios located in an old Torpedo factory down on the water. We wandered around for a couple of hours there and could have stayed much longer. The free shuttle bus that runs up and down King street will drop you right next to it. We also discovered a little French restaurant called Bastile on Royal street (I think!) ...delicious scallops...make reservations, though, it is small. Have a great time!

http://visitalexandriava.com/things_to_do

Check out the website, since something is always happening in Alexandria..Maybe Cruise the Potomac — King Street is loaded with food choices.
How about Mt. Vernon, our last visit, the dining room was full with a wait when at the time they had a small pub which allowed to eat at the bar, the food was great and very reasonable..
Take the metro from DC to Rossyln VA..for Cafe Asia
http://www.cafeasia.com/about.html
Busy place, good food, good prices. Or Try Red Hot & Blue..ribs place down the street on Wilson Blvd...
We enjoyed the Cafe at the Kennedy Center..or bigger bucks, Roof Terrace Restaurant...
http://www.kennedy-center.org/visitor/otherrestaurants.html#map
hopefully a free concert will be available during your visit as well..
Or just stumble along the way and find your own place..that's how we found ours..You will have fun, DC is a great town..Metro makes it so easy to enjoy and get around. Have fun

Gramma5 said:

I'm meeting a girlfriend from Australia next month in DC., and one of the days we plan to go into Alexandria and visit Christ's Church, shop, go to the Harbor area and we also want to see any historically redone homes, if there are any. Does anyone have any suggestions on other interesting places in that area to see ( we will be walking or taxis, I guess.) We are taking the metro in. Plus, a quaint but good place for lunch that day and then dinner that night when our husbands come back from the aerospace museum. We will also be in DC on Sat.& Sun. pm's and would like nice places for dinner, to end each day of sighseeing. any suggestions would be welcomed.
Thanks, Sherry

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If possible, you should spend several days in our wonderful town. (But please drop the "e" from the Old. We don't do the "e".)

We have a free trolley that will take you from King Street Metro to the Waterfront and back -- and will stop along the way. If you only have a day, most of what you want to see is only a few blocks off King Street.

Take a look at http://visitalexandriava.com/ for ideas to plan your trip. Be sure to stop at the Ramsey House Visitor's Center at King and Fairfax Streets to pick up brochures and maps.

You might want to visit the Carlyle House Museum, the home of our founder, John Carlyle. It is on North Fairfax Street, just off King Street.

Market Square at City Hall, in the 300 Block of King, is the home of the oldest continuous Farmer's Market in the US.

For an authentic colonial meal, try Gadsby's Tavern in the 100 block of North Royal Street. George Washington really did eat there. http://www.gadsbystavernrestaurant.com/ If you have time, there is an adjacent museum.

Have a wonderful time in our beautiful town. Please PM me if you you need any more information.

Deb from NC said:

We just got back from a week at FF Alexandria on Saturday. We really enjoyed going to the Torpedo Arts Factory-local artists studios located in an old Torpedo factory down on the water. We wandered around for a couple of hours there and could have stayed much longer. The free shuttle bus that runs up and down King street will drop you right next to it. We also discovered a little French restaurant called Bastile on Royal street (I think!) ...delicious scallops...make reservations, though, it is small. Have a great time!

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The Torpedo Factory is located on North Union Street, just off King Street, and would take a full day to fully explore. It is adjacent to the town docks. On the waterfront behind the Factory, you will find magicians, bird trainers, musicians and who knows what other entertainment -- weather permitting.

The Bastille is located at 1201 North Royal Street -- 12 blocks and a bit far to walk -- from King Street. Another excellent French restaurant is La Bergerie at 218 North Lee Street. (Full disclosure -- owned by the son in law of a friend -- but still excellent.)