Canal Way is located at the North Side of Old Town Alexandria, just a few blocks from the River. Canal Way has easy access to the George Washington Parkway making it ideal for commuters to Washington DC.
What residents of Canal Way most enjoy about living here:
1. The Location
Canal Way is located in exciting the North Side of Old Town Alexandria, just a few blocks from the Potomac River. Residents have easy access to the charming shops, restaurants, and historical sites in Old Town.
Canal Way courtyard in late Winter2. The easy commute.
Canal Way townhomes have easy access to D.C and Alexandria and Arlington. The neighborhood is well served by public transportation and close to Braddock Road Metro.
3. The space.
Residents won't feel cramped in these spacious homes. The Canal Way condos boast 2 to 3 bedrooms and two full baths each.
4. The amenities.
The Canal Way townhomes have lofts, fireplaces, energy efficient appliances, gourmet kitchens, vaulted ceilings, and walk in closets.
5. The appealing exteriors.Townhouse style condo
Canal Way townhomes feature red brick exteriors that fit in seamlessly with the traditional colonial architecture of historic Alexandria.
6. Waterfront proximity.
Canal Way is a mere two blocks from the Potomac River and bike paths.
River Towers location near the George Washington Parkway and the Potomac River provides nearby residents with accessible bike trails, hiking trails and jogging and nearby paths closed to motor vehicles.
The Mount Vernon Trail follows the river from Mount Vernon at 5 miles south of River Towers to National Airport at 5 miles north of River Tower and to Washington DC and beyond.
Bikers can easily enjoy the trip to the Marina. Both serious and recreational bikers can enjoy the Parkway or the easy local bike trails. These trails are also used by residents who bike to work or to the Metro.
Mount Vernon Trail south of Old Town
Aubrey Nesbitt takes a break from riding his bicycle below the Woodrow Wilson Bridge
A Haven for Anglers
Owned by the National Park Service and run by Belle Haven Marina Inc. Belle Haven Marina is located south of Old Town Alexandria on the George Washington Parkway. Belle Haven Marina is just a few steps away from River Towers, Belle View and New Alexandria. They also offer sailing lessons with a few free hours of sailing. The marina also has available for rent sailboats, canoes, kayaks and rowboats.
Since the George Washington Parkway has sites to fish the Potomac River, the Belle Haven Marina has a pier where determined Anglers take advantage of the secluded spots.
George Washington Parkway is one of the greatest attractions that can be found on the West side of the Potomac River. Stretching along from Mount Vernon Estates, it passes through Belle View and Old Town, all the way up to north of Arlington.
Some of our favorite parks along GW Parkway include:
Theodore Roosevelt Island,
The LBJ National Grove,
Gravelly Point Park,
Fort Marcy,
Turkey Run Park
Jones Point Park at the Woodrow Wilson Bridge
A skate park in Alexandria in the summer
Oronoco Bay Park is close to Founders Park
Ornoco is one of several parks in Old Town Alexandria
Oronoco Bay Park
Ben Brenman park is close to Cameron Station
Welcome to Bucknell Manor Park
Welcome to Pohick Regional Park
Jones Point Park transitions into Old Town
About the Author --- Aubrey Nesbitt is a native of Northern Virginia who attended Virginia Commonwealth University. He is a veteran of the US Army and helps his family business by providing informational articles like this one. In addition to photography and blogging, Aubrey provides administrative support for the office.
Harbor Terrace covered in snow.Harbor Terrace is located north of the center of Old Town Alexandria between the George Washington Parkway and the Potomac River.
Main concourse of Reagan National AirportRonald Reagan Washington National Airport, formerly Washington National Airport, is on the Potomac River across from Washington DC. Along with Baltimore Washington International and Dulles International, Reagan National is one of three major airports serving the Washington Metro area. Reagan National is easily my favorite of the three airports for a number of reasons.
Dulles and BWI are massive sprawling airports with shuttle buses and mobile lounges. Reagan National barely has enough room for the runway. I always like smaller airports. They feel like they are scaled to human beings. There is plenty of security at National, but it seems to move along more smoothly than Dulles or BWI.
Dulles and BWI are outside the Beltway at the periphery of the Washington Capitol Area. Reagan National is at the heart of everything, wedged at the confluence of DC, Alexandria and Arlington. For me, it's a long drive just to get to BWI or Dulles, but Reagan National is here, and it's accessible by Metro. Reagan National is a station on both the Yellow and Blue lines.
Extended parking is available at Dulles or BWI, but on the shuttle bus, the ride from the parking lot to the terminal seems like a mile or more. At Reagan National, extended parking is at my house. Because instead of taking a shuttle, I can take the Metro to the airport. The runway is short at Reagan National, and it launches planes up over GW Parkway and at the Washington Monument, requiring a steep climb and a hard left on take off. Some folks find this terrifying, but I have to admit I love it. I know it's a safe path, because planes take off here day and night, so I sit back and enjoy the abrupt take-off and
turn.
Reagan National is open 24 hours a day 7 days a week, although many ticket counters and restaurants in the airport close during off-hours. Reagan National is located within the Commonwealth of Virginia, but it has a Washington DC address to identify the airport's location more easily for travelers.
The Perimeter Rule and the High Density Rule affect flights at Reagan National. Under the Perimeter Rule, nonstop aircraft flights are limited to a range of 1,250 miles or less. In 2000, Congress permitted the FAA to allow six round-trip flights to points outside the perimeter. The High Density Rule (or "Slot" rule) limits the number of landings or takeoffs allowed in an hour. The rule affects Reagan National because of the Airport's limited airfield capacity.
Reagan National is located in Arlington County near/in Crystal City. It is most easily accessed from the George Washington Parkway. There are a good many condos and homes in the Crystal City area and they're all just a metro stop away from Reagan National. The take-off and approach to Reagan National is down the Potomac, so that area residents get very little noise or fly-over from the jets at Reagan National.
Just off the George Washington Parkway there is a trail that runs from Old TownAlexandria to Mount Vernon. The trail goes all the way to DC and has several parks along the way. The trail has a detour to the Woodrow Wilson Bridge and goes all the way to National Harbor. The trail is in use year round, however people really start to come out in the warmer seasons like Spring and Summer.
Nearby neighborhoods include Belle View, Fort Hunt, Mount Vernon, and Old Town. The Potomac River has plenty of great fishing spots - in the past I would go with friends on a small paddle boat through the Potomac and catch a variety of fish including bass. Just off the parkway there is the Belle Haven Marina which is a great place to store boats at. Just across the Potomac is National Harbor.
The parks off the George Washington parkway are a great place to get some outdoor recreation. There is plenty of room for activities like ultimate frisbee, throwing a football, or playing soccer. Also the parks have grills that are great for outdoor BBQs. This area has tables that are great for having a picnic.
Ducks walk on the land off the George Washington Parkway next to the Potomac RIver
Ducks in the Potomac River in the evening
Ducks walk stand next to the Potomac river on a sunny day in April
About the Author --- Aubrey Nesbitt is a native of Northern Virginia who attended Virginia Commonwealth University. He is a veteran of the US Army and helps his family business by providing informational articles like this one. In addition to photography and blogging, Aubrey provides administrative support for the office.
Right alongside of the George Washington Parkway is a trail that runs parallel. Along the road nearby neighborhoods have outlets that connect to the trail. The trail has slopes, footbridges, and wide open fields. Along the way there are great places to participate in activities like fishing, picnicing, and ultimate frisbee.
The trail starts at the tip of Old Town Alexandria and goes until Mount Vernon. This is a great place to take a dog to and let him off the leash. Also this is a good place to go for a walk with the family. There are several public tables outside and BBQ pits ready for use.
A bench right across from the biking / running / walking trail
Will Nesbitt kayaking the Dyke Marsh
The Dyke Marsh Nature Preserve is managed by the National Park Service as a part of the George Washington Memorial Parkway. Dyke Marsh is located along the west bank of the Potomac River and includes approximately 485 acres of tidal marsh, floodplain, and swamp forest. Dyke Marsh is one of the largest remaining freshwater tidal wetlands in the Washington Metropolitan area. Today, the nature preserve provides a habitat or home for a diverse array of plants and animals and offers an ideal setting for a variety of recreational activities. The trail, which leads visitors into the marsh, known as the “Haul Road,” is a favorite of area birdwatchers, hikers, photographers, and nature lovers. In addition, the waters in and around the marsh are popular fishing areas. People who explore the marsh by canoe may be rewarded with up-close encounters with the resident wildlife.
Belle Haven Marina is just south of Old Town Alexandria.
There are a number of neighborhoods and condos in close proximity to the marsh, including River Towers where many residents have views to the marsh itself. Belle View is also popular for affordable convenient living near Old Town. If you're looking for a single-family home in a fine neighborhood near the Potomac, you're looking near the Dyke Marsh between Fort Hunt Road and the George Washington Parkway.
