When I was a professor at Saint Peter’s College I won a summer fellowship to work at the Naval Research Laboratory in WashingtonD.C., actually three years in a row c2002-2004. Each summer I stayed in Alexandria VA in an apartment right on the Potomac river just off the old Woodrow Wilson bridge.
Alexandria VA, at that time, was one of the most beautiful cities I’d seen in North America (and I’ve traveled quite a bit). Specifically old town Alexandria. My apartment was right off the Woodrow Wilson bridge, which at that time was under going a large expansion. The main road, N. Washington street, went right through old town and straight into D.C. The streets are very pedestrian friendly, all of old town was meant for walking. Since I never stayed there in the winter I couldn’t tell you if it got bad but the summers were gorgeous.
On the east side of downtown is the pier with many restaurants, a small shopping mall and in the summer they usually have live music on any given day. Walking north of this area leads to a large park. Just south of the peer further into the residential area was a small local book store that I used to frequent. I always prefer to support local businesses in favor of large chains when possible. An attractive feature of old town is the architecture, a mix of 17th-19th century and modern buildings all around and brick tiled streets make you feel like you’re there with George Washington and his contemporaries. Of course I’d recommend not jogging on tiled streets, double ankle sprain waiting to happen. I remember many of the restaurants there but two stand out and deserve particular mention. One is a middle eastern restaurant called Pita House. The food was very good. There was a sit down restaurant near Gadsby’s and at the time a fast food version closer to downtown where I would frequently get chicken shawarma salad for lunch. Best of all was a historical landmark called Gadsby’s Tavern where Washington himself is rumored to have eaten whenever he was in town. The staff dresses in period outfits and their menu has food that would have been served in the 1700’s. My favorite item back then was the venison. The city offers historic “haunted” walking tours where a guide will take you through old town and point out historical building and places that are allegedly haunted by the spirits of revolutionary figures.
Everything outside old town is easily accessible by car but traffic can make a 20 min ride to the mall last 2.5 hours at the wrong time of day of if there is construction. You need to feel out the rhythm of the traffic patterns and plan trips accordingly. In particular there is Tyson’s Corner Mall and the Pentagon City Mall for shopping and down town D.C. for museums and everything else that’s great about D.C.
Just south of my apartment there at the south end of Washington street was a long stretch of parks lining the Potomac river. They had bike and running trails that went for miles. This is a great place to hang out and work out especially if you’re into the outdoors.
Further south along the same route (too far to jog) is the home of George Washington. This is well worth the time to visit. West of old town is the George Washington Masonic temple. There are several stories each dedicated to a branch of masonry, Blue Lodge, Shrine, Tall Cedars, Scottish Rite, York Rite, etc. There is a Masonic museum there as well, gift shop and book store. Even if you’re not a mason this place is a must see. But as a mason being there was like a religious experience.
We liked Alexandria so much than when I lived in Columbia MD my wife and I would take trips to Alexandria. This is one place I could see myself moving to permanently.
copyright 2014 David R Bergman