Lake Cook is a small body of water near Cameron Run.
Cameron Run Regional Park is an asset for area families and residents and a destination for those who don't live in the area. The park has several recreational components including a waterpark, batting cages, picnic area, fishing, and miniature golf. Bring the family to enjoy any part or all of the fun.
Great Waves Waterpark
Great Waves Waterpark is the star attraction at Cameron Run Regional Park. The waterpark opens this year on May 23rd and closes operations down on September 7th. The ocean might be hours from Northern Virgina, but you can catch a wave right here in Alexandria. The wave pool generates gentle waves that splash into the shallower part of the pool. The park has several twisting and turning four-story water slides. The play pool has shallow waters perfect for relaxing or for the younger members of the family. There is even a "tad pool" for toddlers and tykes.The wave pool at Cameron Run Regional Park is very popular.
Great Waves has a snackbar at the ready with a selection of snacks as well as pizza, hot dogs, and hamburgers.With an ice cream or a cold beverage you can spend your entire day right here in the water park.The water-slides at Cameron Run are great fun!The waterfalls tumble into one of the wading pools.
Batting Cages
The batting cages at Cameron Run serve up softballs for beginners to whiff and experts to slug. If you're ready for a challenge, they can crank the speed up and you can take on fast pitch softballs or hardballs that will challenge the best hitters. It's a fun way to work on your game, or to just spend time with the family.
In early spring and late fall the batting cages are open in the afternoons from around 4 pm to around 9 or 10 pm. Through the summer months, the cages are generally open from about 10 am until 9 or 10 pm.The batting cages are closed in December, January and February.
Fishing
Cameron Run Regional Park is located on Cameron Run, a tributary of the Potomac River. Here at the park, a dam has created Lake Cook. Lake Cook is a part of the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries' Urban Fishing Program. The two acres of water in Lake Cook serve as a nice fishing hole for young anglers. The lake is stocked with trout, bluegill, bass and catfish. Fishing licenses are required for all fishers age 16 and older. The Commonwealth of Virginia requires an additional stamp for trout fishing and trout may only be fished in the winter. Boats are not allowed on Lake Cook.
Miniature Golf
Enjoy a round of putt putt at Cameron Run Park
How about a little putt-putt? Cameron Run has a tournament ready 18 hole miniature golf course at the ready. The course offers landscaped challenges and unique twists and turns.
Events
Cameron Run's shelters and pavilions can be reserved and/or rented. Cameron Run also offers birthday packages for large parties. They now have catering available. For more information about pricing, reservations or hours, check the Regional Park Authority site.
A gristmill is a mill for the grinding of grain, specifically a customer's own grain. Grist mills were a common site in colonial America, but there are few such mills still in operation today. Pierce Mill a Rock Creek Park in DC is open to the public but is non-operational. The mill needs repairs.
But George Washington's Gristmill in Mount Vernon Virginia is fully operational and is a sight to see! The mill operates every day from April until the end of October. The gristmill is three miles south of Mount Vernon on the site of Washington's original mill and distillery. Combination tickets which include a visit to the Gristmill are sold at Mount Vernon's Main Gate.
George Washington inherited Mount Vernon in 1754 and the mill was part of the estate. At that time, the gristmill was a "custom mill", meaning that grain was ground here for private usage. Grain was not ground for sale. Rather, neighbors and residents of Mount Vernon used the mill almost exclusively.
Washington decided to convert the custom mill into a "merchant mill". A merchant mill ground flour and cornmeal as a service for profit. In 1771, Washington added a second pair of grinding stones. Washington's Gristmill served Mount Vernon but it also ground grain for sale up and down the East Coast of America and as far away as Portugal and the West Indies. The current reconstruction depicts the operation of the mill during this period.
As in Washington's day, the mill was powered by a stream of water from Dogue Run. In those days, a wharf at the point where Dogue Run enters the Potomac served to bring grain to and from the mill.
Mount Vernon is a wonderful community about 5 miles from Washington DC. From Fort Hunt to Fort Belvoir there are manor homes, houses, townhouses and condos to fit any budget or style. Check out Fort Hunt Info for a little more information about this area.
Contact Will Nesbitt for a local expert who cares about your goals and real estate needs.
Located in the heart of Old Town Alexandria, The Athenaeum is home to the Northern Virginia Fine Arts Association (NVFAA). Constructed between 1851-52, the Athenaeum is a Greek revival building with a rich history. The building is named after the Greek Goddess of wisdom, Athena. Over the years The Athenaeum has taken many names and was used for many functions. Together with the Lyceum, the Athenaeum is a foundation of Alexandria's Greek neo-classic buildings.
The building has a long history of use in Alexandria. Before the Civil War, Robert E. Lee banked here, when the building was known as the Bank of the Old Dominion. During the Civil War it was occupied by Federals and home to the Union Army Commissary Headquarters. In 1905, the bank was converted from commercial to industrial purposes. The building was used by the Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Shop as a place to grind talcum into powder. In 1925, the talcum factory became the Free Methodist Church.
NVFAA purchased the Athenaeum in 1964. Since then, restorations have taken place using the funds from the members of the NVFAA and the National Park Service Save America's Treasure Grant.
Recent art exhibits include Song For Europe by Mark Cameron Boyd is participatory installation using his signature "text bisection" process on a series of chalkboards to address four different languages from European origin such as Greek, Latin, French, and English. This exhibit is on display from August 16th - September 21st.
Music is another art form featured at The Athenaeum.
Yoga classes are available at The Athenaeum. Instructor Betsy Huffman welcomes drop-ins. Class fees are only $18 per class. Classes are Mondays 11:30am
The Athenaeum is available for rentals for weddings, receptions, parties, business meetings and seminars.
The Ramsay House in early Spring
Scottish Merchant William Ramsay's built his now famous house in 1724. Many believe that the house was constructed in Dumfries but nearly 15 years later the structure was barged up the Potomac River to its present location on King St. in Old Town Alexandria. One reason for this belief is that the building was built in 1724, but Alexandria was established in 1749.
William Ramsay was Alexandria's first postmaster and the city founder. His residence was opened as a Visitors Center in 1956. Today, the Ramsay House offers much for visitors and residents of Alexandria. Stop by to view an orientation video, or to pick up maps and brochures. At the Ramsay House, one can make reservations, view foreign translations of materials. At the Ramsay House, one can purchase tickets for special events and for Mount
Vernon. Seasonal walking tours, "Footsteps to the Past" depart from the Ramsay House. This so-called "ghost tour" guides visitors through Old Town telling the tales of ghosts and local hauntings. The tour treks through about 6 blocks of Old Town's most beautiful streets. This is a fun way to learn more about the history of Old Town Alexandria.
Alexandria is a great place to work or live. Alexandria is home to numerous non-profits, associations, Motley Fool, the United States Patent Office and more. Old Town Alexandria is filled with shops and restaurants, a beautiful waterfront and has easy access by Metro or trolley. Whether your preference is historic or a bright shiny new condo, it's all here in Old Town.
River Farm is on Virginia's side of the Potomac River in Fairfax County just south of Alexandria. Originally together with nearby Collingwood, River Farm was a sprawling farm that was one of five farms that compromised George Washington's Mount Vernon Estate. Today, River Farm is twenty five acres of meadows, woods and landscaped gardens.
The gardens bloom all year from the daffodils and lilacs in early spring to the cherries and dogwoods of late spring. Magnolias in the early summer give way to the Crepe Myrtles in later summer. The asters of fall herald the brilliant fall foliage that promises a winter of holly and persimmon. The woods and river banks of River Farm provide habitat for many birds, including bald eagles and ospreys, as well as animals as small as lizards and as big as deer.
These and many other plantings make River Farm an excellent destination for a one day outing but also a lovely place to host an event. River Farm is open to the public from 9 am to 5 pm Monday through Friday, excluding national holidays. In addition, from early April through September 25 River Farm is open on Saturdays from 9 am to 1pm. River Farm organizes special events and children's programs throughout the year. River Farm's ballroom, patios and gardens are a great place for a spring wedding or corporate get-away.
River Farm
River Farm is on the Potomac River
7931 East Boulevard,
Alexandria, VA 22308
Toll-free: (800) 777-7931
The headquarters of the American Horticultural Society is also at River Farm. The American Horticultural Society strives to inspire Americans to appreciate the vital connection between people and plants so that we might become become better caretakers of the Earth. Both experienced and novice gardeners may find the many publications of The American Horticultural Society very useful. Here are a few of their resources:
Old Town Alexandria is famed for its quaint historical atmosphere. Englishman John Gadsby operated a tavern here from 1796 to 1808. In those days, the tavern was the hub of political, business and social circles in Alexandria. Thus,
Gadsby's Tavern is an important part of the 18th Century heritage of today's Old Town Alexandria.
Gadsby's has been a landmark in Alexandria since colonial days.
Today Gadsby's Tavern Museum is located on Royal Street, a few blocks from route of the King St. trolley. Admission is only $4 for adults and $2 for children. Children under 11 are FREE when accompanied by a paying adult. The museum consists of two buildings, a ca. 1785 tavern and the 1792 City Hotel.
While in operation, the tavern was the setting for dancing assemblies, theatrical and musical performances, and meetings of local organizations. Prominent patrons such as George Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and the Marquis de Lafayette are part of the history of Gadsby's.
At the tavern you can journey back to the 18th-century in a place where famous historical figures and everyday people dined and slept. The museum helps educate today's generations about the history, architecture, decorative arts, social customs, food, and clothing of the 1700's.
There is a restaurant still in operation in the building. The tavern can be rented for weddings, banquets and any meeting where linen tablecloths and a post-colonial setting are appreciated. Please note some tour times are not available due to special events at the museum. Please call in advance or check the online calendar for more information.
The Arlington National Cemetery is recognized around the country and around the world, but nearby is a similar treasure from our nation's heritage: the Alexandria National Cemetery.
The Alexandria National Cemetery is located in the City of Alexandria VA
Arlington National Cemetery was featured in Gardens of Stone and numerous other feature films. This has no doubt added to Arlington's mystique and celebrity. Arlington Cemetery was carved from the farm of Robert E. Lee, a native of Alexandria. This is one of many connections between Arlington and Alexandria National Cemeteries.
The five acres of Alexandria National Cemetery are tiny compared to Arlington's 612 acres. Newcomers and those who don't know the history of the area may be surprised to learn that while Alexandria was a colonial era settlement, Arlington is a relatively new creation. (Check out Alexandria's best real estate deal ever!)
Alexandria National Cemetery predates the cemetery in Arlington and is in some ways the reason for Arlington's existence. Alexandria National Cemetery was established during the Civil War in 1862 as one of the original 14 national cemeteries.
The first four acres of Alexandria National Cemetery were purchased by the US government from what was to be Spring Garden Farm. By 1870, the United States purchased additional land to bring the cemetery up to its current size.
The first burials made in Alexandria National Cemetery were soldiers who died during training for the Civil War. Additionally, some casualties were sick or diseased soldiers from one of the numerous hospitals around Alexandria. The death and destruction wrought by the Civil War exceeded all expectations. It was evident that Alexandria National Cemetery would be woefully short of the needs imposed by the War. By 1864, Alexandria National Cemetery was nearly filled to capacity. In large part, the shortage of space in Alexandria led to the planning, development and construction of Arlington National Cemetery.
After the Civil War, improvements were made to the design of Alexandria National Cemetery and by 1871 the cemetery had added a fountain, a cobblestone avenue and graveled walkways. A wrought-iron rostrum, a small pond and a greenhouse were added as well. The primary building on grounds is a brownstone structure---the superintendent’s lodge. The lodge dating to 1870 is the oldest surviving building on the grounds. The lodge is constructed in a style and with materials popular from the era and perhaps best recognized in the the Smithsonian Institution's "Castle," and the U.S. Capitol floor and rotunda door frames.
Many of the graves at Alexandria National Cemetery date to the Civil War era
Like other national cemeteries, the Alexandria National Cemetery featured a "comfort station" built in 1887. This building is one of only a few such structures to survive to the present day. In 1927, the station significantly altered by adding a dining room and converting the facility into a kitchen/store room and tool-shed/toilet. The entire cemetery is surrounded by a wall of Seneca sandstone with River Blue Stone coping. (This is the same material used to build the superintendent's lodge.) Visitors gain entry by passing through a 12-foot wide ornamental cast-iron gate at the Wilkes Street entrance.
In the 1930's the flagpole was added and in 1995 the cemetery was added to the National Register of Historic places. There is no grave locator or kiosk on the grounds and the cemetery only has room for cremated remains and certain relatives of persons already buried at Alexandria National Cemetery.
Among other notable persons buried at the Alexandria National Cemetery are several "Buffalo Soldiers"---a nickname for several Cavalry Regiments of the US Army. Several African-American regiments of Buffalo Soldiers were formed during the Civil War to fight alongside the Union Army. Among these were the famed 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry and many United States Colored Troops Regiments. After the Civil War, the Buffalo Soldiers were established by Congress as the first peacetime all-black regiments in the regular U.S. Army. It is fitting that these soldiers are buried near Alexandria's African American Heritage Park.
Together with the African American Heritage Park the Alexandria National Cemetery makes up the eastern boundary of the Carlyle District.
The slides are fast and fun at Cameron Run Park
For a great day of fun for the whole family, Cameron Run Regional Park is the optimum choice. Located at 4001 Eisenhower Parking in Alexandria, Virginia. Cameron Run is full of activities such as fishing, swimming, batting cages, miniature golf, with the Great Waves Water Park with plenty of areas for a picnic. Catering is also available for certain events.
This beautiful area is convenient to condos, shopping, dining and night entertainment with beautiful views.
Established in 1974 with a mission to reduce homelessness, increase community support and promote self sufficiency, the Good Shepherd Housing and Family Services is operated by a multi-denominational board of directors and staff managing over 70 housing units. Good Shepherd Housing and Family Services is located in the Mount Zephyr Business Center at 8305 Richmond…
The Alexandria Little Theatre is located in Old Town Alexandria VA
Alexandria's Little Theatre is a wonderful addition to this community of Old Town Alexandria Virginia. In 1934 it was founded by Mary Lindsey and was first named Peacock Players. Located in the Old Town area at 60 Wolfe Street Alexandria, Virginia it not only produces intriguing shows, you can also volunteer, audition, or take a class. The theatre offers:
Adult Classes
Youth Classes
Summer Camps
Membership
One-Act Playwright Competition
Becoming a member, with an annual fee, you become part of the theatre family by volunteering, using your skills, receiving a newsletter and receiving discounted fees to the productions. If you have any questions or just want to see more you can visit The Little Theatre at www.thelittletheatre.com
Floral Grandeur at Bon Air Memorial Rose GardenBon Air Memorial Rose Garden
850 North Lexington St.
Arlington, VA 22205
Situated at the corner of North Lexington and Wilson Boulevard at North Lexington Street in Arlington, The Bon Air Memorial Rose Garden features 135 rose varieties and over 2500 plant species It is the scenic location for botanical aficionados, lovers or for those who would just like to enjoy the 23.65 acres of nature.
Amenities offered at Bon Air Memorial Rose Garden:
3 Water Fountains
Picnic Shelter
1 Open Leisure Space
Grills
Paved Trails
Stream
Restrooms
Playgrounds
2 Tennis Courts
1 Basketball Court
1 Volleyball Court
The highlights of the Bon Air Memorial Rose Garden, where “All American Roses” is held yearly, are the rose garden, azalea garden, shade garden, sun garden and ornamental tree garden showcasing miniature roses, Hybrid Tea Roses, Floribunda, Grandiflora and more. The rose garden is managed by the Arlington Rose Foundation. For more information about the rose garden, please contact the Arlington Rose Foundation at 703 358 4747.
The Bon Air Memorial Rose Garden is open from Sunrise till half an hour after Sunset throughout the year.
