Through the years on my many strolls through Old Town, I have passed by the Old Dominion Boat Club. As a member of the of the Mount Vernon Yacht Club I knew of the 133 year old club and the longstanding pride this organisation holds. Founded in 1880 the Old Dominion Boat Club is the oldest boating club in Virginia. While originally created as a social club with a focus on a sports and physical fitness, the club is prides itself on the charity events and scholarships it provides to Alexandria high school students.
Knowing a location change is in the works for the ODBC, my husband and I stopped in to enjoy a light dinner and take in the panoramic views of the Potomac River.
Across the Potomac River from Washington D.C. lies Alexandria, Virginia. For some, the fact that it is just a river’s cross away from the national capital adds to the appeal that establishing a home in Alexandria offers.
At the Torpedo Factory and Potomac in Old Town
However, a closer look at the areas available in Alexandria will show that this city has more to offer, with a certain ambiance made to fit the tastes of those seeking a suitable residence – whether they’re gearing more towards the classic or the modern.
Alexandria originated from Old Town and this particular location, situated right beside the Potomac River, has the classic ambiance of a riverside town and has quite a charming array of waterfront restaurants, shopping areas, condominiums, houses, and of course, townhomes.
Some of the best deluxe condos and townhouses can be found in Old Town, including Rivergate Townhouse and the Torpedo Factory Condos to name a few.
While Old Town sports the charm and benefits of being the original Alexandria, Kingstowne competes through its modern fixtures, brought about by thorough planning and careful implementation. This modern housing suburban area offers a variety of homes, townhouses and a couple of garden condo compounds, not to mention plenty of community parks and fields.
In conclusion, if you’re looking for classic old school simplicity, Old Town has that charm. Either way, Alexandria offers something to fit everyone’s needs and tastes.
For more information or to set up an appointment call Stuart at (703)765-0300.
The Potomac River separates Virginia from Maryland and DC and as it makes it way south from Great Falls to the Chesapeake Bay it passes Old Town Alexandria. In days past, Alexandria was a working port filled with transport ships of sail and steam. Today, only rarely to working ships make their way to or even past Alexandria. Today the docks are filled with pleasure craft and the docks are filled with tourists instead of workers.
Alexandria Waterfront
Waterfront
Fisherman enjoy the amenities on the water while a boater passes
View from Chart House restaurant
The Potomac River separates the Commonwealth of Virginia from the State of Maryland and the District of Columbia.
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.
Here's a memory from a post that was written several years ago:
Would you like to get to know Old Town Alexandria VA? I'll tell you one of the best ways to see a few sites and learn more about our fair city: take a carriage ride.
Mule turning onto King Street in Old Town
Our carriage was pulled by a hard-working mule. Her owner tells us she loves to pull. As she clopped slowly down the side streets of Old Town, her owner filled in details about houses and locations that we passed. For me, most of the information was old hat, but I couldn't help but think this would be a great way for a tourist or new resident to get to know the city.
The fee for the ride was downright reasonable, and I was impressed with the mule's strength as she pulled up and down hill along Old Town's waterfront.
After she dropped us off we snapped this picture from Market Square. There in front of Burke and Herbert she seemed more in place with the surroundings than the cars who shared her road.
Oronoco Bay Park is a 4.5 acre Alexandria City park is located on the Potomac River at 701 North Lee Street. It has many entry points, the most obvious of which are at either the Madison or Pendleton Street entries or from the Wythe Street Plaza. The plaza entry is approximately in the center of the park, and there is also a sidewalk entry with trees and turf area between the Sheet Metal Workers of America building and the United Way building.
Oronoco Bay Park
The park was once known as "Texaco Bay" and before that it was owned by Standard Oil Company which was owned by John D. Rockefeller; however, the City acquired the property (and changed it to Oronoco Bay Park) in the early 1980's. Historically, the Alexandria area was inhabited by Indians when Captain John Smith sailed up the Potomac in the mid 17th Century.
The park hosts several festivals and events including the annual "Red Cross Waterfront Festival"---the largest Red Cross fund raiser in the United States. Private concerns may reserve and rent the park for their events as well.
walking path along the Potomac Oronoco Bay
This park is part of the linear park system along the Potomac. People can walk, jog or bike along the river path and enjoy the many sitting and picnic areas. There are wooden sun decks out into the river and a wooden boardwalk path that connects the path to the point where the bay and river meet near the Rowing Facility building.
Old Town Alexandria waterfront at Oronoco Bay
Lake Anne in Reston is surrounded by wooded lots filled with peaceful homes and condos in Reston VA. In summer paddle boaters, canoers and others enjoy the calm waters of Lake Anne while others walk the many trails surrounding the water.
Sunset at Lake Anne in Reston
Nesbitt Realty sells homes, townhomes and condos in Reston
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…
Washington Monument in Washington DC
The Potomac River is located on the east coast of the United States, and runs through Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, and Washington, D.C. before it empties into the Chesapeake Bay. It is over 380 miles long and wider than 11 miles at its widest point.
As it passes through Washington DC, the nation's capital, the Potomac passes the Washington Monument and the memorials of Jefferson, and Lincoln. Many consider the Potomac to be one of the most beautiful and bountiful rivers on the East Coast. The river is also widely regard its historic, scenic and recreational significance. Among the many who loved the Potomac was George Washington, who worked as a surveyor at many points along the banks of the river. George Washington's mansion
at Mount Vernon is on the Potomac.
The Potomac's source is a small spring at the Fairfax Stone in West Virginia. From there, the river gathers many tributaries, winding through the mountains and valleys of Appalachia. One of its most dramatic turns occurs at Harper's Ferry where the Shenandoah meets the Potomac.
At Great Falls, the Potomac tumbles down from the Appalachian Highlands to the sandy soils of the Atlantic Coastal Plain. Visitors from the colonial era to the modern era relish the views here. Today visitors at Great Falls
will not only marvel at the cataracts, but also the engineering efforts of those who sought to fulfill George Washington's dream of connecting the Chesapeake Bay to the Ohio River. The C & O Canal was only operational for a few short years, but remnants of the system are still functional at Great Falls Park.
Finally, the river flows almost 400 miles widening to over 11 miles as it reaches the Chesapeake Bay on the long, low, and barren peninsula named Point Lookout, Maryland. Before the US Civil War, Point Lookout was home to a few hotels and boarding houses, but during the war it was converted into one of the largest and worst of the Union
prisoner-of-war camps.
Fishers, anglers, boaters, sailors and kayakers all enjoy the Potomac.
The Potomac River has a watershed of 14,670 square miles including tributaries in Maryland (the Monocacy, Savage, and St. Mary's Rivers); in Virginia (the Shenandoah and Occoquan Rivers); in West Virginia (the South Branch and Cacapon Rivers); in Pennsylvania (Conococheague and Antietam Creeks); and in Washington DC (the Anacostia River). The Potomac cradles forests, battlefields, farmlands, mountains, parks, and cities. It is known to many as our Nation's River.
If you're searching for a home or condo in Northern Virginia with a view of the Potomac, contact us.
The waterfront is a host to a variety of street performances. Within walking distance of this entertainment are several condo's and neighborhoods. The waterfront near the Torpedo Factory is a great place for the family. The entertainment ranges from magic, music, portraits, balloons, etc.
