Help with trip planning to Wyndham Old Town Alexandria

[Shiba]

Headed to OTA this spring. I have a 1 Bedroom Suite reserved. Is there much noise from the railroad tracks? If so, what part of the resort is quieter so I can make a room request? Any restaurant recommendations in the area within walking distance since we will not have a car? Our plan is to head to D.C on most days which train or route is the best way into D.C? Any sights to see around OTA?

 

[Family_travel]

We have stayed here several times. I don't remember a particular room that was better than others for noise. I don't like the bathroom in master of the two bedroom units. It it basically open to the bedroom.
The train is not very loud.
There is a WholeFoods near by.
There is a Bob& Edith Diner https://www.bobandedithsdiner.com/ next door. The breakfast was good. You can order on there app for take-out.
I love the sausage gravy and biscuits at https://www.tabletalkdiner.co/menus/.
We have not gone yet, but I want to try https://www.henquarter.com/menu. You can take the King Street trolley to get there.
For a sweet treat http://www.alexandriacupcake.com/flavors.html or the Pop's ice cream shops near the waterfront https://www.popsoldfashionedicecream.com/menu.

On our last visit, we had to forcefully decline an owners update. So the concierge did not give any discounts to the restaurants near the waterfront.
The front desk is really nice.
They used to do a movie and popcorn in the theater room, but last time they just gave us some bags of microwave popcorn. I didn't figure out if it a staffing problem or they stopped doing it since Covid.

The metro attendant at the station is helpful. We use Google directions for public transportation, but we have verified with him the best route when it gives multiple options.

 

[troy12n]

I stay at this resort at least once a year, sometimes more than 3. I always specifically request Rooms ending in 04, 05, 06 and 07 are going to be closest to the tracks. I always request the 05 rooms which are 2BR DLX units with GREAT views of the trains. I think it's fascinating to watch. The trains are not very loud, and only rarely blow their horn (a quick toot when leaving). Honestly metro is louder than Amtrak or the freight trains. The noise is nothing at all to worry about. I think the 1BR suites are the farthest away from the tracks, they are connected to a 1BR DLX to make a 2BR LO, I stayed in one of the 1BR DLX's like this at the end of the hallway, and had a view of a brick wall out my bedroom window, and I was pissed. This is a good resort and location.

 

[DaveNV]

We've stayed there twice. Great place, and very comfortable. Never noticed train noise. There are many restaurants along King Street and adjacent streets, all the way to the river. You'll have plenty to pick from.

There are several train lines to choose from, depending on your destination, and they all run on the same set of tracks. The King Street Station is literally right across the street from OTA, and could not be more convenient. Any train will get you into DC proper, but then it's a matter of getting to where you want to be. Download the Metro app for your phone, and learn about routes and their Route Planner. https://www.wmata.com/fares/MobilePay/SmarTrip-App.cfm

If you'll be there at the right time, the Cherry Blossoms blooming on the trees along the Potomac make for some awesome photos, with the DC monuments as a nice backdrop. I took this picture there, a very long time ago.

Have fun!

Dave

 

[troy12n]

.When I stay there, I shop almost exclusively at the Harris Teeter, which isn't far away, but it's not walking distance. No grocery is within walking distance. Lots of restaurants nearby. I would not recommend driving into the city, use the Metro, it's RIGHT there. Take a walk or uber down to the riverfront in old town alexandria, lots of cool restaurants and stuff to do.

The last time I was there the movie theater was still closed (July 2022), maybe it has opened by now. I'm going to be making reservations for Christmas 2023 week here in a few weeks (at 10 months).

If at all possible avoid driving into DC, take the Metro, it's more convenient.

Someone mentioned about the updates here, like i said, we stay here often and they've never really been that forceful for pushing updates, and actually one of the times we were here for our anniversary, they gave us a bottle of wine!

Be aware, the resort does not have in-unit washer/dryer there is 2 washers and 1 dryer per floor (or I may have that backward), sometimes they dont work, or someone is lazy and doesn't stay on top of their laundry and hogs the units, and you have to go to another floor.

The master bath being open to the bathroom is a very typical configuration in Wyndham resorts and I have gotten used to it, not a big deal...

 

[Sandi Bo]

Headed to OTA this spring. I have a 1 Bedroom Suite reserved. Is there much noise from the railroad tracks? If so, what part of the resort is quieter so I can make a room request? Any restaurant recommendations in the area within walking distance since we will not have a car? Our plan is to head to D.C on most days which train or route is the best way into D.C? Any sights to see around OTA?

Sounds awesome, love OTA. you will be on the trolley line, you can ride that from OTA towards the water (shops and dining). Such a nice area.

 

[bnoble]

Metrorail is electric, so the noise is not what you might otherwise expect. We're going to be at Oceanside next month, and expect that to be somewhat different. ;-)

 

[Luanne]

I don't know if it's still as good but when we were there we ate at what I think might have been the original Five Guys in Old Town Alexandria. Best burger I have ever had. It's very walkable from the resort.

 

[troy12n]

Metrorail is electric, so the noise is not what you might otherwise expect. We're going to be at Oceanside next month, and expect that to be somewhat different. ;-)

The Metro is electric, but they still make noise. The Metro tracks are closer to the resort, and in general, they tend to be going a little faster than the Amtrak, VRE and CSX freight trains you see.

The noise you hear from Metro is what I would call "wheel" noise, and to some degree the electric motors. Whereas the actual trains you hear the diesel engines as they pass by, and then the varrying noise from the cars, which isn't much. It's never woke me up, and the master bedroom is right up against the outer window by the road/tracks. Since the (diesel) trains in general seem to go pretty slow, they are rarely at high RPM's on the engine so it's not terribly loud, even When Amtrak is pulling out of the station...

 

[Shiba]

I forgot about the cherry blossoms and it looks like we are scheduled to be there during the peak of the blossoms. Thanks for the info DaveNV. I'll make sure to bring the allergy meds. Appreciate all the info so far especially about the trains.

I was hoping to have Walmart delivery for groceries. I have found this to be so useful with other stays. I can order days ahead and choose my delivery date.

 

[BoomerKwanger]

I would recommend Gadsby's Tavern for restaurants...it's been around since 1785 and apparently George Washington/Thomas Jefferson/Ben Franklin/others all drank beer there. Very historic.

If you're into biking, Alexandria is right on the Mt. Vernon trail, which you can take to get into DC or all the way out to Mount Vernon (National Historic Landmark).

I'd agree about taking the Metro vs. driving (parking will be impossible to find during Cherry Blossom season), but keep in mind that the Yellow Line bridge will be closed for construction until May, so plan your trip accordingly (https://www.wmata.com/initiatives/plans/Major-Blue-and-Yellow-Line-Construction/index.cfm)

 

[BDMX2]

We stayed last year and are heading there again next month. Last year was our first stay at the Wyndham OTA for a DC visit and we loved the location. I was worried about train noise so I bought a little white noise machine and brought along ear plugs as well. Didn't need them at all, and our windows faced the tracks. Someone else mentioned there aren't any walkable grocery stores, but we found Whole Foods walkable and convenient for us, we popped over there several times during our week-long stay. The metro station couldn't be more convenient, super easy for getting around. OTA itself is really fun to walk around and has a lot of little shops and restaurants. There is a visitalexandria.com web site that has good info. And I found some fun OTA Youtube videos from various travel bloggers. Have a great trip!

 

[chapjim]

There has been (or maybe still are) two major construction projects on Metro rail lines in Virginia. One is between National Airport and Braddock Road stations. It that is still ongoing, shuttles will have to get you around the construction (building a new station at Potomac Yard).

The other project is the tunnel under the Potomac that closed the Yellow Line between the Pentagon and L'Enfant Plaza. If that project is ongoing, the workaround is to use the Blue Line or express shuttles.

It is hard to tell from the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) website just what the status is. It looks like the same page that was there a year ago and talks about closures ending in September 2022 as if they were in the future.

I hardly use the DC Metro system anymore since I quit working and gave up my Washington Nationals season tickets. Someone who has stayed at OTA recently will know better than I do what the status and impact are.

 

[HitchHiker71]

We stay at OTA on average 3-5 times per year - long weekend getaways for us. We were just there the first weekend in January and are returning the first weekend in March.

As others have said the Metro line is adjacent to the resort itself and is by far the easiest way to get into DC proper. Download the Metro app on your phone - it makes the Metro system easier to use - Metro SmarTrip to be specific. If you are tech friendly you can grab a metro card and then associate it to your app and use your phone to transit the metro system and recharge the associated metro card easily. If not - just use the metro cards.

We also sometimes walk into DC using the Mt Vernon trail - it’s about 6.5 miles each way IIRC. We typically walk into DC - enjoy whatever activities and then either take the metro or the river taxi back to OTA. We rarely walk both to and fro as that is 13 miles minimum plus intercity walking - YMMV. The port of DC where the river taxi departs has several decent restaurants (easily found via an internet search).

Honestly for restaurants in OTA - just exit the resort and take a left on King street and keep walking - you’ll find literally dozens of restaurants all the way down to the riverfront which is about a mile from the resort. What kind of food do you like? We can make recommendations based upon food preferences. The resort has deals with several restaurants for price discounts - just ask them for the list if they don’t give it to you during checkin. Theisman’s is the closest of the restaurants on the discount list. The local diner - Bob & Edith’s - is a chain and is open 24/7 for convenience. Table Talk is a local haunt diner with decent chow. We like the local Mexican restaurant Casa Tequila Bar and Grill. Don Taco is also decent Mexican right on King Street. We like Vola’s which is down on the riverfront, and Ada’s on the river as well. Most of the riverfront restaurants are decent. We also like The Majestic, Fish Market, Mia’s Italian Kitchen, The Wharf, and Augie’s to name a few.

Our standard procedure after checkin is to head to Whole Foods - which is close to Table Talk restaurant - and grab some groceries and finger foods - and perhaps our dinner as they have a nice food bar area with plenty to choose from - including Sushi and Sashimi - which is my default selection. Then onward from there into the rest of our weekend jaunt.

One of the more popular historical landmarks that is close the resort itself is the George Washington Masonic Temple. It’s the big tower on top of the hill that is impossible to miss. We toured the museum and tower a few years ago - we like history and enjoyed the time we spent there.


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[chapjim]

No stay at OTA is complete without a visit to Hard Times Cafe (https://www.hardtimes.com/location/hard-times-alexandria/). Across King Street and maybe three blocks toward the river. Chili, burgers, wings, etc. They have salads but nobody goes to Hard Times for health food.

Bob and Edith's took over a place previously occupied by a not very good seafood place that never seemed to have any diners. We're better off now.

There used to be a couple of tapas places on lower King Street but I don't think they made it through Covid.

Never tried sushi/sashimi in Old Town. Our sushi place is Crystal Bonsai, one of about a dozen small restaurants on one block of 23rd Street in Crystal City (Arlington). If you make it there, Royal Pawn on the corner of 23rd St. and Eads has a great selection of jewelry, watches, guitars, etc.

 

[HitchHiker71]

No stay at OTA is complete without a visit to Hard Times Cafe (https://www.hardtimes.com/location/hard-times-alexandria/). Across King Street and maybe three blocks toward the river. Chili, burgers, wings, etc. They have salads but nobody goes to Hard Times for health food.

Bob and Edith's took over a place previously occupied by a not very good seafood place that never seemed to have any diners. We're better off now.

There used to be a couple of tapas places on lower King Street but I don't think they made it through Covid.

Never tried sushi/sashimi in Old Town. Our sushi place is Crystal Bonsai, one of about a dozen small restaurants on one block of 23rd Street in Crystal City (Arlington). If you make it there, Royal Pawn on the corner of 23rd St. and Eads has a great selection of jewelry, watches, guitars, etc.

We try to avoid Hard Times just because of the health factor - but they have some good chili and burgers without a doubt! The sushi/sashimi at Whole Foods isn't the best I've ever had but it's actually pretty good and made right onsite fresh. You can even ask them to make it while you are there in the grocery store if you don't want to grab up one of the packaged items that are available. Thanks for the recommendation on the Arlington place - we've been meaning to get over to Arlington as we've never toured the cemetery amongst other things to do at Arlington of course.

 

[kanerf]

I am there right now and stay there many weeks out of the year. I work in D.C. and use OTA rather than renting a very expensive apartment. I have never had a noise problem from the railroad tracks next door (both Metro and Amtrak). When staying in a one bedroom there may be some noise from the connecting room if it is part of a lock-off.

You will want to take the Blue Line Metro into D.C. and get off at the Smithsonian stop which will put you next to the National Mall, The Smithsonian Museums, the Capitol, the Washington Monument and so on. It takes about 35 minutes from the Alexandria stop. Note that the Blue Line is the only one running from this stop at the moment as the Yellow Line is down for refurbishment.

 

[kanerf]

Another good option for dining is to take the Metro towards D.C. and get off at the Pentagon City stop. Next door to this stop is the Fashion Centre mall. It has lots of restaurants both in the mall and nearby. Great for a rainy day. The mall itself is huge with 4 levels.

 

[HitchHiker71]

Another good option for dining is to take the Metro towards D.C. and get off at the Pentagon City stop. Next door to this stop is the Fashion Centre mall. It has lots of restaurants both in the mall and nearby. Great for a rainy day. The mall itself is huge with 4 levels.

Great suggestion - we've not done this before ourselves - will have to add this to our itinerary next time we're at OTA!

 

[Shiba]

You will want to take the Blue Line Metro into D.C. and get off at the Smithsonian stop which will put you next to the National Mall, The Smithsonian Museums, the Capitol, the Washington Monument and so on. It takes about 35 minutes from the Alexandria stop. Note that the Blue Line is the only one running from this stop at the moment as the Yellow Line is down for refurbishment.

Thanks for the detailed information as I was struggling with the SmarTrip app. I'm trying to use the app to get from Dulles to OTA, but keep getting an error. I know the Silver Line is now open maybe I'm planning too far ahead.

Has anyone ever used Capital Bikeshare? Thinking about renting some bikes once we get into the District to make it easier to get to the different sites. How about the DC Ciculator?

Thanks for all the suggestions about restaurants and other historical sites to visit. Looking into all the hints I've been given.

 

[kanerf]

Silver Line does not go directly to OTA, you need to switch to Blue at Rosslyn.

 

[Family_travel]

Thanks for the detailed information as I was struggling with the SmarTrip app. I'm trying to use the app to get from Dulles to OTA, but keep getting an error. I know the Silver Line is now open maybe I'm planning too far ahead.

Has anyone ever used Capital Bikeshare? Thinking about renting some bikes once we get into the District to make it easier to get to the different sites. How about the DC Ciculator?

Thanks for all the suggestions about restaurants and other historical sites to visit. Looking into all the hints I've been given.

We used the DC Circulator to go the the Lincoln and MLK Memorials.

 

[BDMX2]

There is a YouTube channel called DC Trip Hacks, he recently did a short video on using the DC circulator. We usually walk everywhere, but this next visit we are taking my parents, so I'll be looking at this option for getting around to the monuments. I need to look into the silver line for a visit to Udvar Hazy. We got ourselves out there using the metro and busses last year, I wonder if the silver line will make it easier to get there.

 

[kanerf]

There is a YouTube channel called DC Trip Hacks, he recently did a short video on using the DC circulator. We usually walk everywhere, but this next visit we are taking my parents, so I'll be looking at this option for getting around to the monuments. I need to look into the silver line for a visit to Udvar Hazy. We got ourselves out there using the metro and busses last year, I wonder if the silver line will make it easier to get there.

The Silver line does not stop at Udvar Hazy, so you will need to get off at a stop and take a bus to get there. I do not know what bus lines go there, but I am sure that info is available somewhere.

 

[allennichols02]

Headed to OTA this spring. I have a 1 Bedroom Suite reserved. Is there much noise from the railroad tracks? If so, what part of the resort is quieter so I can make a room request? Any restaurant recommendations in the area within walking distance since we will not have a car? Our plan is to head to D.C on most days which train or route is the best way into D.C? Any sights to see around OTA?

You won’t need a car. Alexandria runs a free trolley daily up and down King Street.

https://dev-dashbustest.pantheonsite.io/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/KST_RackCard__BACK_2021.pdf

From the DC Metro, you can get anywhere you want to go in DC.

There are several grocery stores that deliver to the resort. Safeway and Wal-Mart are two that I have used without any issues. Sign up on their mobile apps, use the resort address, then use your room number as a suite number in the app.

The train noise is not bad. As for sights, Arlington National Cemetery is close, as is the Pentagon (check out if they still give tours). You can get to Mount Vernon by bus from Alexandria.

I would suggest that you do a bus tour of DC. Do one during the day and do another tour at night. The DC sights have a different feel from night to day, the Korean War Memorial being the most significant.