Alexandria is very much known to be the hometown of George Washington and Robert F. Lee. Aside from these people, the city was also known to be home to Mama Cass Elliot, Jim Morrison, Willard Scott, and Beau Willimon.
Apart from the notables mentioned above, if you dig deeper, you will know that U.S. President Gerald Ford was a longtime time resident of Alexandria, that Megan Young, is a native of Alexandria, and that U-2 pilot Francis Gary Powers lived in Alexandria after he was released from a Soviet prison.
The once sleepy Southern city as portrayed in the Disney film "Remember the Titans" no longer holds true in present time. Alexandria is now dominated with cobblestone streets and has a lively waterfront that attracts over three million visitors annually.
Alexandria holds a population of just over 150,000 in a land area of just 15.4 square miles. Alexandria recognizes and hosts national events such as Del Ray's Art on the Avenue and the Scottish Walk. The Tomb of the Unknown Revolutionary War Soldier and the National Inventors Hall of Fame are some of the attractions that one should visit when in Alexandria.
“This is a very special place,” said astronaut Buzz Aldrin of the National Inventors Hall of Fame when he attended an event there. “No other place celebrates the history and innovation of our nation.”
Another prominent landmark in Alexandria is the Captain Rocky Versace Plaza and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. The plaza was built to honor the 67 Alexandrians who served and lost their lives in the Vietnam War. In the West End are the Fort Ward Museum and Historic Site and the Winkler Botanic Reserve, a tranquil nature sanctuary tucked in the shadows of the BRAC center and Interstate 395.
One of Alexandria's most obvious landmarks is also one of its best kept secrets. In 1920, the George Washington National Masonic Memorial was built as a memorial and museum. It highlights the contributions of the Freemasons to the United States. Apart from being a museum, it also serves as a community center, library, and performing arts center. On top of these, it offers one of the best panoramic views of the City of Alexandria.
When you are in Alexandria, you should not miss one of the tiniest historic homes in the nation. Located at a side street in Old Town Alexandria, the Spite House measures just 7-feet wide. It was built by John Hollensbury in 1830. The house was built using existing brick walls of the adjacent homes to prevent horse-drawn wagon traffic from passing by the alleyway.
If you are aiming to go shopping in Alexandria, head over to King Street in Old Town Alexandria and Mount Vernon Avenue in Del Ray. This serves as the shopping and dining hubs of Alexandria. Both are lined with boutiques and restaurants. A free King Street Trolley ride services between the waterfront and the King Street Metro Station seven days a week.
The many arts and entertainment offerings in town include the Birchmere, MetroStage and The Little Theatre of Alexandria. The Alexandria Symphony Orchestra, which performs at the Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall and Arts Center on the campus of Northern Virginia Community College, is considered one of the finest in the nation. If you would like to perform yourself, there are a variety of classes available for adults and children at LTA's home on Wolf Street.
It won't take long for anyone to realize that the City of Alexandria loves its festivals and parades. It starts the year with the largest George Washington birthday celebration in the country and ends the year with First Night Alexandria, a day-long activity that culminates with a grand fireworks finale over the Potomac River.
There are no shortage of accolades for Alexandria, from being named a Top Holiday Town by USA Today to being recognized as having the best downtown of any small to mid-size city in the nation by Livability.com. So spend a few years or stay for a lifetime — there really is no place like Alexandria to call home.
Alexandria is very much known to be the hometown of George Washington and Robert F. Lee. Aside from these people, the city was also known to be home to Mama Cass Elliot, Jim Morrison, Willard Scott, and Beau Willimon.
Apart from the notables mentioned above, if you dig deeper, you will know that U.S. President Gerald Ford was a longtime time resident of Alexandria, that Megan Young, is a native of Alexandria, and that U-2 pilot Francis Gary Powers lived in Alexandria after he was released from a Soviet prison.
The once sleepy Southern city as portrayed in the Disney film "Remember the Titans" no longer holds true in present time. Alexandria is now dominated with cobblestone streets and has a lively waterfront that attracts over three million visitors annually.
Alexandria holds a population of just over 150,000 in a land area of just 15.4 square miles. Alexandria recognizes and hosts national events such as Del Ray's Art on the Avenue and the Scottish Walk. The Tomb of the Unknown Revolutionary War Soldier and the National Inventors Hall of Fame are some of the attractions that one should visit when in Alexandria.
“This is a very special place,” said astronaut Buzz Aldrin of the National Inventors Hall of Fame when he attended an event there. “No other place celebrates the history and innovation of our nation.”
Another prominent landmark in Alexandria is the Captain Rocky Versace Plaza and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. The plaza was built to honor the 67 Alexandrians who served and lost their lives in the Vietnam War. In the West End are the Fort Ward Museum and Historic Site and the Winkler Botanic Reserve, a tranquil nature sanctuary tucked in the shadows of the BRAC center and Interstate 395.
One of Alexandria's most obvious landmarks is also one of its best kept secrets. In 1920, the George Washington National Masonic Memorial was built as a memorial and museum. It highlights the contributions of the Freemasons to the United States. Apart from being a museum, it also serves as a community center, library, and performing arts center. On top of these, it offers one of the best panoramic views of the City of Alexandria.
When you are in Alexandria, you should not miss one of the tiniest historic homes in the nation. Located at a side street in Old Town Alexandria, the Spite House measures just 7-feet wide. It was built by John Hollensbury in 1830. The house was built using existing brick walls of the adjacent homes to prevent horse-drawn wagon traffic from passing by the alleyway.
If you are aiming to go shopping in Alexandria, head over to King Street in Old Town Alexandria and Mount Vernon Avenue in Del Ray. This serves as the shopping and dining hubs of Alexandria. Both are lined with boutiques and restaurants. A free King Street Trolley ride services between the waterfront and the King Street Metro Station seven days a week.
The many arts and entertainment offerings in town include the Birchmere, MetroStage and The Little Theatre of Alexandria. The Alexandria Symphony Orchestra, which performs at the Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall and Arts Center on the campus of Northern Virginia Community College, is considered one of the finest in the nation. If you would like to perform yourself, there are a variety of classes available for adults and children at LTA's home on Wolf Street.
It won't take long for anyone to realize that the City of Alexandria loves its festivals and parades. It starts the year with the largest George Washington birthday celebration in the country and ends the year with First Night Alexandria, a day-long activity that culminates with a grand fireworks finale over the Potomac River.
There are no shortage of accolades for Alexandria, from being named a Top Holiday Town by USA Today to being recognized as having the best downtown of any small to mid-size city in the nation by Livability.com. So spend a few years or stay for a lifetime — there really is no place like Alexandria to call home.
